Patents by Inventor Michael A. GILMORE
Michael A. GILMORE 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: 11988341Abstract: A fluid injection system for dispensing a solution into a fluid flow in a flow line, the fluid injection system including a storage tank having a product to be dispensed therein. The system includes a connector for connection to a fluid flow line. The connector has an outlet port for diverting fluid from the flow line into the tank, an inlet port for returning a mixture of fluid and/or product back into the fluid flow line, and a restrictor provided between the inlet and outlet ports. The system includes an inlet dip tube and an outlet dip tube provided inside the tank and a mixing chamber connected between the inlet dip tube and the outlet dip tube. The mixing chamber is configure to mix the fluid with the product to create a fluid/product mixture, wherein the fluid/product mixture is injected back into the fluid flow line via the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: EZ-FLO INJECTION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Danny Craig Gilmore, Jeffery Michael Gilmore
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Publication number: 20230210515Abstract: A tissue anchor system is provided that includes a first tissue anchor, a second tissue anchor that is separate and distinct from the first tissue anchor, and one or more tethers, which are configured to couple the first tissue anchor to the second tissue anchor. When the first tissue anchor is unconstrained, a head thereof is coaxial with an axis of a shaft thereof, and a tissue-coupling element thereof extends from a distal end of the shaft, is generally orthogonal to the axis, and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 11497485Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. The shaft includes a seal that is configured to form a blood-tight seal between the shaft and a heart wall, and to promote hemostasis. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 11484303Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided for delivery by a deployment tool in a constrained state, the tissue anchor including a shaft; a tissue-coupling element, which includes a wire including a shape-memory alloy; and a flexible elongate tension member, which is distinct from the wire. The flexible elongate tension member includes a distal portion that is fixed to a site on the wire such that, when the tissue anchor is not constrained by the deployment tool, the flexible elongate tension member applies, to the tissue-coupling element, tension that constrains lateral expansion of the tissue-coupling element away from a central longitudinal axis of the shaft, by preventing the tissue-coupling element from automatically assuming a predetermined shape provided by the shape-memory alloy of the wire. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 11389152Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a shaft, a tissue-coupling element, and a flexible elongate tension member. The tissue-coupling element includes a wire, which is shaped as an open loop having more than one turn when the tissue anchor is unconstrained. The tension member includes a distal portion that is fixed to a site on the open loop, a proximal portion, which has a longitudinal segment that runs alongside at least a portion of the shaft, and a crossing portion, which (i) is disposed between the distal and the proximal portions along the tension member, and (ii) crosses at least a portion of the open loop when the tissue anchor is unconstrained. The tissue anchor is configured to allow relative axial motion between the at least a portion of the shaft and the longitudinal segment of the proximal portion of the tension member when the tissue anchor is unconstrained.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: 4TECH INC.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, Kevin Lynn, Idan Tobis, Evin William Donnelly, Charlotte Murphy, Thomas Campbell
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Publication number: 20220178502Abstract: A fluid injection system for dispensing a solution into a fluid flow in a flow line, the fluid injection system including a storage tank having a product to be dispensed therein. The system includes a connector for connection to a fluid flow line. The connector has an outlet port for diverting fluid from the flow line into the tank, an inlet port for returning a mixture of fluid and/or product back into the fluid flow line, and a restrictor provided between the inlet and outlet ports. The system includes an inlet dip tube and an outlet dip tube provided inside the tank and a mixing chamber connected between the inlet dip tube and the outlet dip tube. The mixing chamber is configure to mix the fluid with the product to create a fluid/product mixture, wherein the fluid/product mixture is injected back into the fluid flow line via the inlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2021Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: EZ-FLO INJECTION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Danny Craig Gilmore, Jeffery Michael Gilmore
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Patent number: 11337686Abstract: A method is provided including introducing, during a transcatheter procedure, a tissue anchor into a cardiac chamber of a heart of a subject, while a tissue-coupling element of the tissue anchor is constrained by a deployment tool. The tissue-coupling element is delivered distally through a cardiac wall. The tissue anchor is at least partially released from the deployment tool such that the tissue-coupling element is unconstrained by the deployment tool. After the tissue-coupling element is delivered through the cardiac wall and the tissue anchor is at least partially released from the deployment tool, whether the tissue-coupling element overlies a coronary blood vessel is ascertained, and, if the tissue-coupling element overlies the coronary blood vessel, the tissue anchor is rotated until the tissue-coupling element no longer overlies the coronary blood vessel. Thereafter, the tissue-coupling element is proximally pulled by applying tension to the tissue anchor. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Publication number: 20220047389Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes first and second tissue-engaging elements, and first and second flexible longitudinal members, coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respectively. The apparatus further includes a first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the first flexible longitudinal member, a second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the second flexible longitudinal member, and a flexible longitudinal guide member reversibly coupled to the first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element. The first and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements. Other applications are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Idan Tobis, Michael Gilmore, Mohamed Azeem Latib
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Patent number: 11006946Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that is configured to be delivered in a constrained state within a deployment tool. The tissue anchor includes a shaft and a tissue-coupling element, which (a) extends from a distal end of the shaft, and (b) is configured to be advanced through a heart wall and be coupled to a far side of the heart wall. The tissue anchor further includes a sealing element, which is (a) disposed around the shaft, (b) sized and shaped to be disposed entirely within the heart wall, and (c) configured to promote hemostasis. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 10937705Abstract: Defects are detected using surface topography data. The defects may be detected by determining topography characteristics within a region of interest on a sample, and the same topography characteristics of at least one reference surface. By comparing the topography characteristics in the region of interest for the sample and reference surface, common pattern structures may be removed, leaving only variations, which may be used to identify the presence of defects. For example, thresholds may be used to identify variations in the topography characteristics as defect candidates. Defects may be identified based on, e.g., size, height, shape, texture, etc. of candidate defects. In some implementations, rather than using a reference surface, the topography characteristic of the surface within the region of interest may be inspected based on prior knowledge of a required surface topography for the region of interest to determine if a defect is present.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Onto Innovation Inc.Inventors: Nigel P. Smith, Holly M. Edmundson, Michael A. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20200315798Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Andrea Guidotti, Idan Tobis, Kevin Lynn, Chris Moran, Michael Gilmore
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Publication number: 20200275921Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. The shaft includes a seal that is configured to form a blood-tight seal between the shaft and a heart wall, and to promote hemostasis. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Publication number: 20200261228Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Andrea Guidotti, Idan Tobis, Kevin Lynn, Chris Moran, Michael Gilmore
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Publication number: 20200205800Abstract: A tissue anchor (200, 258, 300) includes a shaft (122), a tissue-coupling element (128), and a flexible elongate tension member (202). The tissue-coupling element (128) includes a wire (150), which is shaped as an open loop (154) having more than one turn when the tissue anchor (200, 258, 300) is unconstrained. The tension member (202) includes a distal portion (204) that is fixed to a site (206) on the open loop (154), a proximal portion (208), which has a longitudinal segment (209) that runs alongside at least a portion (210) of the shaft (122), and a crossing portion (212), which (i) is disposed between the distal and the proximal portions (204, 208) along the tension member (202), and (ii) crosses at least a portion of the open loop (154) when the tissue anchor (200, 258, 300) is unconstrained.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 10682229Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Andrea Guidotti, Idan Tobis, Kevin Lynn, Chris Moran, Michael Gilmore
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Patent number: 10660755Abstract: A torque-delivery tool includes a cable and a distal coupling element. A tissue anchor includes an anchor head, which includes a shaft having a proximal coupling element. The distal and proximal coupling elements are shaped so as to define corresponding interlocking surfaces. An outer tether-securing element of the anchor is shaped so as to define a lateral opening through which a tether is disposed, and at least partially radially surrounds the shaft and a spring. In an unlocked state, a distal spring depressor restrains the spring in an axially-compressed state. In a locked state, the distal and proximal coupling elements are not coupled with one another, the distal spring depressor does not restrain the spring in the axially-compressed state, and the spring is in an axially-expanded state, in which the spring inhibits the sliding of the tether through the lateral opening by pressing the tether against the outer tether-securing element.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: 4TECH INC.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, Andrea Guidotti, Mohamed Azeem Latib
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Publication number: 20200129170Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an implantable tissue anchor for delivery in a constrained state within a deployment tool. The implantable tissue anchor includes an anchor shaft and a tissue-coupling element, which extends from a distal end of the anchor shaft. The tissue-coupling element includes a wire and a tip, which is fixed to a distal end of the wire, and has, at a widest longitudinal site along the tip, a greatest tip outer cross-sectional area that equals at least 150% of an average wire cross-sectional area of the wire. The tissue-coupling element is shaped as an open shape that is generally orthogonal to the anchor shaft when the tissue anchor is unconstrained by the deployment tool. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, Kevin Lynn, Idan Tobis, Evin Donnelly, Charlotte Murphy, Thomas Campbell
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Publication number: 20200121312Abstract: A method is provided including introducing, during a transcatheter procedure, a tissue anchor into a cardiac chamber of a heart of a subject, while a tissue-coupling element of the tissue anchor is constrained by a deployment tool. The tissue-coupling element is delivered distally through a cardiac wall. The tissue anchor is at least partially released from the deployment tool such that the tissue-coupling element is unconstrained by the deployment tool. After the tissue-coupling element is delivered through the cardiac wall and the tissue anchor is at least partially released from the deployment tool, whether the tissue-coupling element overlies a coronary blood vessel is ascertained, and, if the tissue-coupling element overlies the coronary blood vessel, the tissue anchor is rotated until the tissue-coupling element no longer overlies the coronary blood vessel. Thereafter, the tissue-coupling element is proximally pulled by applying tension to the tissue anchor. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell
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Patent number: 10617522Abstract: A system for repairing an atrioventricular valve of a patient is provided. First and second tissue-engaging elements are configured for implantation at first and second implantation sites of the patient, respectively. First and second flexible longitudinal members are coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respective. Each of the first and the second flexible longitudinal members comprises a braided polyester suture or a plurality of wires that are intertwined to form a rope structure. First and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are coupled to respective second end portions of the first and the second flexible longitudinal members. The first and the second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together during an implantation procedure to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: 4TECH INC.Inventors: Idan Tobis, Michael Gilmore
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Patent number: 10588618Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, (a) at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis, and (b) the area would partially overlap, at least 3 mm from the vertex, both rays of a second angle of between 45 and 180 degrees in the plane having the vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: 4Tech Inc.Inventors: Michael Gilmore, Paolo Denti, John Mullins, Charlotte Murphy, Kevin Lynn, Andrea Guidotti, Hugo Vanermen, Thomas Campbell