Patents by Inventor Michael A. Biggs
Michael A. Biggs 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).
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Patent number: 7837679Abstract: The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(?ei+?ei?1+?ei?2) where ?, ? and ? are preset values and ? is from 1 to 2; ? is from ?1 to ?2; and ? is from ?0.5 to 0-5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Michael Biggs, Roger A. Stern, Christopher J. Danek
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Patent number: 7542802Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20090069797Abstract: This relates to a device for treating lung disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airways of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the airways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Bryan Loomas, Michael Biggs, Keith M. Burger, Dave Haugaard, Thomas Keast, John Arthur Ross, Michael D. Laufer
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Publication number: 20090062791Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil includes an adjustable-length suction tube which surrounds a stationary electrode to evacuate smoke and electrosurgical byproducts from a surgical site. An electrode anchor unit is located within the interior of the suction tube to allow relative movement of the suction tube relative to a stationarily-retained electrode, and to receive and connect to different lengths of the electrodes. Adjusting the length of the suction tube relative to the different lengths of the electrode achieves effective evacuation, among other things.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Alan R. Lee, Michael Biggs
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Patent number: 7425212Abstract: This relates to a device for treating lung disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airways of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the airways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Bryan Loomas, Michael Biggs, Keith M. Burger, Dave Haugaard, Thomas Keast, John Arthur Ross, Michael D. Laufer
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Patent number: 7343827Abstract: A method of detecting breaks in a porous element in a material separator is disclosed. A shielding is created in the material separator to form a barrier to RF energy. The shielding is formed with a path through the barrier capable of allowing RF energy and material to flow therethrough. The electrically conductive porous element is positioned fully across the path. An RF signal is transmitted on one side of the porous element, and signal levels of the RF signal are detected on the other side of the porous element, such that the detected RF signal crosses the porous element. A baseline signal strength indicator is established from the detected signal levels using an unbroken porous element. An operative signal strength indicator is generated from the detected signal levels. Breaks in the porous element are detected by comparing the operative signal strength indicator against the baseline signal strength indicator.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Michael A. Biggs
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Patent number: 7273055Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Patent number: 7264002Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20070118190Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20070118184Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the air ways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway. This also relates to a method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airway to contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher DANEK, Bryan Loomas, Michael Biggs, Keith Burger, Dave Haugaard, Thomas Keast, John Ross, Michael Laufer
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Publication number: 20070101802Abstract: A method of detecting breaks in a porous element in a material separator is disclosed. A shielding is created in the material separator to form a barrier to RF energy. The shielding is formed with a path through the barrier capable of allowing RF energy and material to flow therethrough. The electrically conductive porous element is positioned fully across the path. An RF signal is transmitted on one side of the porous element, and signal levels of the RF signal are detected on the other side of the porous element, such that the detected RF signal crosses the porous element. A baseline signal strength indicator is established from the detected signal levels using an unbroken porous element. An operative signal strength indicator is generated from the detected signal levels. Breaks in the porous element are detected by comparing the operative signal strength indicator against the baseline signal strength indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventor: Michael Biggs
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Publication number: 20070102011Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, William Wizeman
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Publication number: 20070100390Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the air ways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway. This also relates to a method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airway Lo contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Danaek, Michael Biggs, Keith Burger, Bryan Loomas, Thomas Keast, Dave Haugaard
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Patent number: 7198635Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the air ways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway. This also relates to a method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airway to contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Keith M. Burger, Bryan Loomas, Thomas Keast, Dave Haugaard
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Publication number: 20070062545Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: March 22, 2007Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.Inventors: Christopher DANEK, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20060278244Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.Inventors: Christopher DANEK, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20060278243Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.Inventors: Christopher DANEK, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
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Publication number: 20060254600Abstract: This relates to treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, William Wizeman
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Publication number: 20060247726Abstract: The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pii+1=Pi+G(?ei+?ei-1+?ei-2) where ?, ? and ? are preset values and a is from 1 to 2; ? is from ?1 to ?2; and 7 is from ?0.5 to 0-5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.Inventors: Michael BIGGS, Roger STERN, Christopher DANEK
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Publication number: 20060247727Abstract: The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(?ei+?ei?1+?ei?2) where ?, ? and ? are preset values and ? is from 1 to 2; ? is from ?1 to ?2; and ? is from ?0.5 to 0-5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.Inventors: Michael BIGGS, Roger STERN, Christopher DANEK