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).

  • Patent number: 7104987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Roger A. Stern, Christopher James Danek
  • Publication number: 20060137698
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Patent number: 6997189
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies for reducing the volume of a lung. A plurality of anchors are anchored at different positions in the lung. A cord is attached to each of the anchors. The anchors are drawn towards one another via the cords to cause the lung to collapse, thus compressing the tissue in the lung and establishing a reduction in lung volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Bryan Eugene Loomas, Sanjay S. Bagade
  • Publication number: 20050192526
    Abstract: Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Thomas Keast, Bryan Loomas, Don Tanaka, David Thompson, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, Halil Karabey, Russ Redmond, Claude Vida, Mike Collinson, Cary Cole, Michael Willink
  • Publication number: 20050137712
    Abstract: Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Thomas Keast, Bryan Loomas, Don Tanaka, David Thompson, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, Halil Karabey, Russ Redmond, Claude Vidal, Mike Collinson, Cary Cole, Michael Willink
  • Publication number: 20050137518
    Abstract: Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduit includes a radially expandable center section having a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending from the first end to the second end. A control segment may be associated with the conduit to limit the degree of radial expansion. The conduit further includes a plurality of deflectable members extending from the ends of the center section. A tissue barrier may coaxially surround the conduit such that tissue ingrowth is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Thomas Keast, Bryan Loomas, Don Tanaka, David Thompson, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, Halil Karabey, Russ Redmond, Claude Vidal, Mike Collinson, Cary Cole, Michael Willink
  • Publication number: 20040182399
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Publication number: 20040078054
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies for reducing the volume of a lung. A plurality of anchors are anchored at different positions in the lung. A cord is attached to each of the anchors. The anchors are drawn towards one another via the cords to cause the lung to collapse, thus compressing the tissue in the lung and establishing a reduction in lung volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Bryan Eugene Loomas, Sanjay S. Bagade
  • Publication number: 20040031494
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Publication number: 20040010289
    Abstract: 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(&agr;ei+&bgr;ei−1+&ggr;ei−2) where &agr;, &bgr; and &ggr; are preset values and &agr; is from 1 to 2; &bgr; is from −1 to −2; and &ggr; is from −0.5 to 0-5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Roger A. Stern, Christopher James Danek
  • Publication number: 20030233099
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Danaek, Michael Biggs, Keith M. Burger, Bryan Loomas, Thomas Keast, Dave Haugaard
  • Patent number: 6634363
    Abstract: This relates to treating a lung having at least one symptom of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device to at least reduce the ability of the lung to produce at least one of the symptoms of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease. This also includes additional steps that reduce the ability of the lung to produce at least one of the symptoms of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease and to reduce the resistance to the flow of air through a lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Patent number: 6599311
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies for reducing the volume of a lung. A plurality of anchors are anchored at different positions in the lung. A cord is attached to each of the anchors. The anchors are drawn towards one another via the cords to cause the lung to collapse, thus compressing the tissue in the lung and establishing a reduction in lung volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Steven Masterson, Keith M. Burger, Dave Haugaard, James M. Davenport, John Arthur Ross
  • Publication number: 20030070676
    Abstract: Devices and related methods are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, conduits maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduits include a center section with a passageway extending through the center section. The conduits further include a distal cage structure which has a passageway and at least one opening in fluid communication with the center section passageway. The medical kits disclosed herein are also directed to maintain collateral openings through airway walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Joel D. Cooper, Thomas Keast, Bryan Loomas, Ed Roschak, Gary Kaplan, Sandra Saenz, Mike Collinson, Russ Redmond, Claude Vidal, David Chandos, Michael Biggs, Halil Karabey, Don Tanaka, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 5049884
    Abstract: In a police radar warning receiver with a self-contained battery source of supply, battery life may be prolonged by duty cycling the RF front end circuitry of the receiver and, especially, the swept oscillator thereof at a duty cycle rate not greater than 25% with the circuitry being energized not more than once every approximately one-half second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Jaeger, Michael A. Biggs
  • Patent number: 4862175
    Abstract: A radar warning receiver is provided having a police radar signal band discrimination circuit which generates evaluation signals, the state of which indicates the voltage level relative a threshold voltage of a discriminator output as the local oscillator is swept through the radar bands. The times during which the evaluation signals are in one state or the other are utilized to identify in which band the received signal is operating (e.g., X-band or K-band).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Biggs, James L. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 4750215
    Abstract: A radar warning receiver is provided having a police radar signal detection circuit which generates evaluation signals, the state of which indicates the voltage level relative a threshold voltage of a discriminator output as the local oscillator is swept through the radar band. The times during which the evaluation signals are in one state or the other are utilized to identify whether the received signal is from a fixed frequency (e.g., police radar) source or a variable frequency source (e.g., spurious signals).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Biggs