Patents by Inventor Matthias Vaska

Matthias Vaska 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).

  • Methods and systems for improving airway patency
    Patent number: 8122889
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
  • Methods and systems for saliva management with an oral device
    Patent number: 8122890
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthias Vaska
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Patent number: 8114069
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Roxanne L. Richman, Scott C. Anderson, Gerard Champsaur, John E. Crowe
  • AIRWAY DEVICE WITH TONGUE-ENGAGING MEMBER
    Publication number: 20120017917
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: ApniCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
  • Methods and systems for creating pressure gradients to improve airway patency
    Patent number: 8074656
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Patent number: 8057465
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Roxanne L. Richman, Scott C. Anderson, Gerard Champsaur, John E. Crowe
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING AIRWAY PATENCY
    Publication number: 20110220124
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity and allow an anterior portion of the tongue to rise. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
  • Surgical system and procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation
    Patent number: 8002771
    Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cox, Stephen W. Boyd, Hanson S. Gifford, Matthias Vaska
  • DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ABSORBING, TRANSFERRING AND DELIVERING HEART ENERGY
    Publication number: 20110034754
    Abstract: A device for altering cardiac performance includes an energy absorbing element which absorbs cardiac pumping energy from at least a portion of the heart. The energy may be delivered to another part of the body, such as another portion of the heart, to perform useful work such as providing blood pumping assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Matthias Vaska
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Patent number: 7857811
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
  • Devices and methods for absorbing, transferring and delivering heart energy
    Patent number: 7841977
    Abstract: A device for altering cardiac performance includes an energy absorbing element which absorbs cardiac pumping energy from at least a portion of the heart. The energy may be delivered to another part of the body, such as another portion of the heart, to perform useful work such as providing blood pumping assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Matthias Vaska
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Patent number: 7824402
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Patent number: 7824403
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Gary Henry Miller, Jonathan L. Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
  • Apparatus and method for ablating tissue
    Patent number: 7674257
    Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Pless, Scott C. Anderson, Jonathan L. Podmore, Matthias Vaska, John E. Crowe, Roxanne L. Richman, Timothy Ciciarelli, David A. Gallup, Jack E. Ulstad, Jr.
  • Methods and devices for ablation
    Publication number: 20090192506
    Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, John Crowe, Gary Miller, Jonathan Podmore, Gerard Champsaur, Drew Hoffman, Casey Tansey
  • Surgical System and Procedure for Treatment of Medically Refractory Atrial Fibrillation
    Publication number: 20090171335
    Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: James L. COX, Stephen W. BOYD, Hanson S. GIFFORD, III, Matthias VASKA
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING PRESSURE GRADIENTS TO IMPROVE AIRWAY PATENCY
    Publication number: 20090120447
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SALIVA MANAGEMENT WITH AN ORAL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20090123886
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthias Vaska
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING AIRWAY PATENCY
    Publication number: 20090120446
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
  • Surgical system and procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation
    Patent number: 7517345
    Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cox, Stephen W. Boyd, Hanson S. Gifford, Matthias Vaska