Patents by Inventor Martin Willard

Martin Willard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11364367
    Abstract: Devices, assemblies, systems, and techniques described herein may facilitate the delivery of medical fluid, such as an adhesive, to a patient. For example, a medical assembly may include a flexible catheter configured to be disposed within an anatomical structure of a patient, wherein the flexible catheter defines a lumen configured to contain a volume of medical adhesive. The medical assembly may also include a shaft defining a shaft cross-sectional dimension smaller than a lumen cross-sectional dimension of the lumen, wherein advancement of the shaft through at least a portion of the lumen forces at least a portion of the volume of medical adhesive out of the distal opening of the lumen of the flexible catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Matthew Therrien
  • Patent number: 11229440
    Abstract: Expandable occlusive plugs and methods of using them are disclosed. The devices generally include an expandable framework at least partially covered by a membrane. The occlusive plugs can be used for occlusion of body lumens and/or to limit migration of embolic agents to non-target sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Squire, Joel Munsinger, Derek Larson, Martin Willard, Joseph Connolly
  • Publication number: 20210060308
    Abstract: Devices, assemblies, systems, and techniques described herein may facilitate the delivery of medical fluid, such as an adhesive, to a patient. For example, a medical assembly may include a flexible catheter configured to be disposed within an anatomical structure of a patient, wherein the flexible catheter defines a lumen configured to contain a volume of medical adhesive. The medical assembly may also include a shaft defining a shaft cross-sectional dimension smaller than a lumen cross-sectional dimension of the lumen, wherein advancement of the shaft through at least a portion of the lumen forces at least a portion of the volume of medical adhesive out of the distal opening of the lumen of the flexible catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Matthew Therrien
  • Patent number: 10646325
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a prosthesis includes deploying the prosthesis in a vessel. A delivery system including an anchor constrained within a delivery sheath is advanced to the prosthesis. The prosthesis and a vessel wall of the vessel are penetrated with a leading tip of an exterior tine of the anchor, wherein the exterior tine unfolds upon passing through the prosthesis and the vessel wall. An interior tine is deployed within the prosthesis and vessel wall. In the final deployed state, the exterior tine is exterior to and adjacent the vessel wall, the interior tine is interior to and adjacent the prosthesis, and a tine connector of the anchor extends through the vessel wall and the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Benjamin J. Breit, James Griffin
  • Patent number: 10542996
    Abstract: In some examples, a vessel closure system includes a catheter configured to be introduced into a vessel of a patient, the catheter defining a catheter lumen, and a closure device configured to be received within the catheter lumen. In some instances, the closure device may include an elongated flexible member and one or more anchors attached to the elongated flexible member. The anchors may be distributed along a length of the elongated flexible member, and each anchor may include an anchor head configured to be introduced into a wall of the vessel and engage with the wall of the vessel to cause the wall to move radially inward in response to a proximal pulling force applied to the elongated flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Benjamin Breit, James Griffin
  • Publication number: 20190290419
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a prosthesis includes deploying the prosthesis in a vessel. A delivery system including an anchor constrained within a delivery sheath is advanced to the prosthesis. The prosthesis and a vessel wall of the vessel are penetrated with a leading tip of an exterior tine of the anchor, wherein the exterior tine unfolds upon passing through the prosthesis and the vessel wall. An interior tine is deployed within the prosthesis and vessel wall. In the final deployed state, the exterior tine is exterior to and adjacent the vessel wall, the interior tine is interior to and adjacent the prosthesis, and a tine connector of the anchor extends through the vessel wall and the prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Benjamin J. Breit, James Griffin
  • Publication number: 20180368857
    Abstract: In some examples, a vessel closure system includes a catheter configured to be introduced into a vessel of a patient, the catheter defining a catheter lumen, and a closure device configured to be received within the catheter lumen. In some instances, the closure device may include an elongated flexible member and one or more anchors attached to the elongated flexible member. The anchors may be distributed along a length of the elongated flexible member, and each anchor may include an anchor head configured to be introduced into a wall of the vessel and engage with the wall of the vessel to cause the wall to move radially inward in response to a proximal pulling force applied to the elongated flexible member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Benjamin Breit, James Griffin
  • Publication number: 20160310147
    Abstract: Expandable occlusive plugs and methods of using them are disclosed. The devices generally include an expandable framework at least partially covered by a membrane. The occlusive plugs can be used for occlusion of body lumens and/or to limit migration of embolic agents to non-target sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Squire, Joel Munsinger, Derek Larson, Martin Willard, Joseph Connolly
  • Patent number: 9220558
    Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. The catheter includes a multiplicity of elongated resilient members each comprising a pre-formed curve and extendable beyond the catheter. The resilient members are constrained to a low profile when encompassed by a removable sheath, and expand outwardly to assume a pre-defined shape when removed from the sheath. An electrode assembly is provided at a distal end of each resilient member, and includes an electrode element coupled to an electrical conductor and a thermal sensor in thermal communication with the electrode element. The resilient members have a stiffness sufficient to maintain contact between the electrode elements and an inner wall of the renal artery including irregularities of the inner wall of the renal artery during ablation of perivascular renal nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Willard
  • Publication number: 20120116392
    Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. The catheter includes a multiplicity of elongated resilient members each comprising a pre-formed curve and extendable beyond the catheter. The resilient members are constrained to a low profile when encompassed by a removable sheath, and expand outwardly to assume a pre-defined shape when removed from the sheath. An electrode assembly is provided at a distal end of each resilient member, and includes an electrode element coupled to an electrical conductor and a thermal sensor in thermal communication with the electrode element. The resilient members have a stiffness sufficient to maintain contact between the electrode elements and an inner wall of the renal artery including irregularities of the inner wall of the renal artery during ablation of perivascular renal nerve tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Willard
  • Publication number: 20120022562
    Abstract: A vascular closure device, comprising an anchor member; a compressible plug; a locking mechanism; and a sensor probe, the sensor probe including a first electrically conductive member having a proximal end and a distal end and a second electrically conductive member having a proximal end and a distal end, the first electrically conductive member being electrically insulated from the second electrically conductive member from the proximal end to the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Willard
  • Patent number: 7485109
    Abstract: Devices and methods to cool a target tissue region inside the body are described. Fluid cooled below normal body temperature and blood at a normal body temperature are provided to the tissue region in proportions to cool the tissue region. A system for controlling the temperature of the target tissue region is disclosed. The system includes a catheter and a control system that controls the amount of cool fluid and blood provided to the tissue region. A catheter for providing cool fluid to the tissue region is also provided. The catheter includes a temperature sensor that extends to a location distal to the distal end of the catheter to sense the temperature of the tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Kent Harrison
  • Patent number: 7326195
    Abstract: Devices and methods to cool a target tissue region inside the body are described. Fluid cooled below normal body temperature and blood at a normal body temperature are provided to the tissue region in proportions to cool the tissue region. A system for controlling the temperature of the target tissue region is disclosed. The system includes a catheter and a control system that controls the amount of cool fluid and blood provided to the tissue region. A catheter for providing cool fluid to the tissue region is also provided. The catheter includes a temperature sensor that extends to a location distal to the distal end of the catheter to sense the temperature of the tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Kent Harrison
  • Publication number: 20070135883
    Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: William Drasler, Michael Pikus, Roger Hastings, Scott Smith, Martin Willard, Daniel Lafontaine, Douglas Saholt, Graig Kveen
  • Publication number: 20060224115
    Abstract: A catheter comprises an outer shaft and an inner shaft defining a balloon inflation lumen for transport of an inflation fluid therethrough. The expandable balloon has a proximal waist portion and a distal waist portion with a body portion there between. The balloon is engaged to a distal region of the outer shaft and defines an exterior and an interior where the interior is in fluid communication with the balloon inflation lumen. The inner shaft has an inner shaft wall defining a guidewire lumen for passage of a guidewire. A distal portion of the inner shaft is expandable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state such that in the expanded state the guidewire lumen has a greater cross-sectional area than in the unexpanded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Willard
  • Publication number: 20060142827
    Abstract: Devices and methods to cool a target tissue region inside the body are described. Fluid cooled below normal body temperature and blood at a normal body temperature are provided to the tissue region in proportions to cool the tissue region. A system for controlling the temperature of the target tissue region is disclosed. The system includes a catheter and a control system that controls the amount of cool fluid and blood provided to the tissue region. A catheter for providing cool fluid to the tissue region is also provided. The catheter includes a temperature sensor that extends to a location distal to the distal end of the catheter to sense the temperature of the tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Kent Harrison
  • Publication number: 20060142826
    Abstract: Devices and methods to cool a target tissue region inside the body are described. Fluid cooled below normal body temperature and blood at a normal body temperature are provided to the tissue region in proportions to cool the tissue region. A system for controlling the temperature of the target tissue region is disclosed. The system includes a catheter and a control system that controls the amount of cool fluid and blood provided to the tissue region. A catheter for providing cool fluid to the tissue region is also provided. The catheter includes a temperature sensor that extends to a location distal to the distal end of the catheter to sense the temperature of the tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Willard, Kent Harrison
  • Patent number: 6997938
    Abstract: Catheters for retrieval or delivery of an embolic protection device from the vasculature comprise an outer sheath having a side opening for receiving a guidewire with an embolic protection device at distal end and an inner shaft having a port and a plurality of flush holes in addition to the port. Methods for retrieving and delivering an embolic protection device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ling Wang, Martin Willard
  • Publication number: 20060025840
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling a target tissue region inside the body are disclosed. A catheter for cooling blood includes an elongated member with a lumen extending longitudinally through a portion of the member. The lumen has an entry port and an exit port through which blood from a body vessel may enter and exit the lumen. An inflatable balloon is positioned between the entry and exit ports of the lumen, which when inflated, occludes the body vessel and prevent normal blood flow. A cooling element cools blood as it flows through the lumen. The cooling element may include a chamber that cools the blood by using a Joule-Thompson orifice to create a phase change of liquid to a gas. The cooling element may also include a thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventor: Martin Willard
  • Publication number: 20050288632
    Abstract: A medical device comprises a catheter having at least one catheter shaft, which defines an inflation lumen for transport of an inflation fluid therethrough. The inflation fluid comprises a coolant. An expandable balloon, which has a proximal cone, distal cone, and a body region therebetween, is engaged to a distal region of the at least one catheter shaft. The balloon interior is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. A portion of the catheter distal of the balloon body defines at least one port that is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen and the balloon interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventor: Martin Willard