Patents by Inventor Michael Banik
Michael Banik 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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Publication number: 20050256367Abstract: Provided are artificial muscle patches, which are adapted to be implanted adjacent a patient's heart, and artificial sphincter cuffs, which are adapted to be implanted around a body lumen, such as the urethra, the anal canal, or the lower esophagus. The devices of the present invention comprise: (a) one or more electroactive polymer actuators; and (b) a control unit for electrically controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators to expand or contract the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Inventor: Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050245789Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: David Smith, Richard Clark, Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050222499Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon, Dennis Boulais, Albert Chin, Francis Macnamara, Frank Anderson, Stephen Fantone, Daniel Orband, Daniel Braunstein, Neil Mehta, David Smith, Richard Clark
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Publication number: 20050215859Abstract: A steerable endoscopic sheath has a proximal end, a distal end and a working channel lumen disposed therein. A plurality of solid state light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes are positioned near the distal end of the sheath and are selectively energized to illuminate internal body tissues. An imaging device such as a photo diode or CCD array creates an image from light reflected from the tissue. The distal tip of the endoscopic sheath is selectively moveable with a deflection device that is insertable into the sheath. The deflection device includes a tip deflection mechanism that allows a user to move the tip of the deflection device. With the deflection device inserted in the sheath, movement of the distal tip causes a corresponding movement in the distal tip of the sheath. The distal tip of the sheath has a shape retaining mechanism that allows it to retain the shape imparted by the deflection device once the deflection device is removed from the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yem Chin, Louis Barbato, Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050203338Abstract: A video endoscope in which the imaging chip at the distal tip is connected to the proximal connector and operator console by an optical fiber. Video data (preferably digital) is impressed on the optical fiber by a pulse-code modulator (PCM) circuit and light emitter with lensing. A small, inexpensive, flexible optical fiber in the endoscope body conveys the PCM optical data to the receiving circuit, preferably via an optical connector at the proximal end of the endoscope, and to decoding and display circuits in the operator console. The fiber optic transmission overcomes the difficulty of electrical transmission of wide band (digital video) signals via miniature cables, which can be expensive, bulky, inflexible, susceptible to noise and interference, and constitute a potential electrical safety risk by leakage currents. The PCM circuits may be integrated into the camera chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Lucien Couvillon, Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050197536Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon, Dennis Boulais, Albert Chin, Francis MacNamara, Frank Anderson, Andrew Kirouac, Eric Saperstein, Richard Clark, David Smith, Richard Wiesman, Neil Mehta, Patsy Coppola, Amna Greaves, Stephen Fantone, Daniel Orband, Michael Saber, Daniel Braunstein, Vincent Turturro, David Weissburg, William Stewart
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Publication number: 20050177226Abstract: A stenting system for insertion into the lumen of a body duct or vessel for delivering a therapeutic agent to a treatment site on the duct or vessel. The stenting system includes an a tubular stent member having a lumen there through to allow the passage of material, an outer membrane attached to the stent at least a portion of which is porous to the therapeutic agent to allow the agent to pass to the treatment site, an inner membrane attached to the stent which is nonporous to the therapeutic agent to prevent the agent from entering the lumen of the stent, and a chamber located between the inner and outer membranes for holding the therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent in the chamber may diffuse through the porous portion of the membrane and be deposited directly on the body site.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2005Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Kurt Geitz
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Publication number: 20050154262Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon, Dennis Boulais, Stephen Fantone, Daniel Orband, Michael Saber, Daniel Braunstein
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Publication number: 20050119527Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon, Dennis Boulais, Richard Wiesman, Timothy Mason, Neil Mehta
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Publication number: 20050075538Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Dennis Boulais, Lucien Couvillon, Albert Chin, Frank Anderson, Francis Macnamara, Stephen Fantone, Daniel Braunstein, Daniel Orband, Michael Saber, Ian Hunter, Patsy Coppola, Andrew Kirouac, Richard Clark, Richard Wiesman, Timothy Mason, Neil Mehta, Amna Elona Greaves
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Publication number: 20050065500Abstract: The present invention is directed to a drug delivery pump apparatus, which comprises: (a) an expandable and contractible enclosure having an interior volume that defines a medication reservoir; (b) one or more electroactive polymer actuators; (c) a medication outlet port providing fluid communication between the interior volume of the contractible and expandable enclosure and an exterior of the delivery pump apparatus; and (d) a control unit electrically coupled to the one or more actuators and sending control signals to the same. The one or more electroactive polymer actuators act to reduce the interior volume of the contractible and expandable enclosure based upon the received control signals. The present invention is also directed to a method of delivering a liquid therapeutic agent to a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Lucien Couvillon, Pete Nicholas, Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050065400Abstract: An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators, transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more electronically controller actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Michael Banik, Lucien Couvillon
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Publication number: 20050038322Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope with a beam deflecting mechanism at or adjacent its distal end for directing a beam of illumination light over an area of interest. Reflected light is gathered by one or more lenses and supplied to a light sensor and an image processor/computer that produces an image of the tissue. In one embodiment, the beam deflecting mechanism comprises a pair of mirrors that are oscillated such that light is scanned in a raster pattern over the area of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2003Publication date: February 17, 2005Inventor: Michael Banik
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Publication number: 20050004425Abstract: Provided are artificial muscle patches, which are adapted to be implanted adjacent a patient's heart, and artificial sphincter cuffs, which are adapted to be implanted around a body lumen, such as the urethra, the anal canal, or the lower esophagus. The devices of the present invention comprise: (a) one or more electroactive polymer actuators; and (b) a control unit for electrically controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators to expand or contract the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventor: Michael Banik
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Patent number: 6761685Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Adams, Michael Banik, Charles Pugsley
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Publication number: 20040111009Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Adams, Michael Banik, Charles Pugsley
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Patent number: 6613060Abstract: An elastic band for ligating tissue within a living body comprises an inner tissue engaging surface which, when in an operative position within the body, surrounds and directly contacts the tissue. At least a portion of the inner tissue engaging surface defines a plurality of discontinuities formed by one of projections and depressions. A method of ligating tissue within a living body using such a ligating band comprises the steps of positioning the elastic band, which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough, adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated. The tissue to be ligated is then drawn through the central opening of the elastic band and the elastic band is released so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald David Adams, Michael Banik, Steve Moreci
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Publication number: 20030097141Abstract: An elastic band for ligating tissue within a living body comprises an inner tissue engaging surface which, when in an operative position within the body, surrounds and directly contacts the tissue. At least a portion of the inner tissue engaging surface defines a plurality of discontinuities formed by one of projections and depressions. A method of ligating tissue within a living body using such a ligating band comprises the steps of positioning the elastic band, which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough, adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated. The tissue to be ligated is then drawn through the central opening of the elastic band and the elastic band is released so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Ronald David Adams, Michael Banik, Steve Moreci
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Patent number: 6527784Abstract: An elastic band for ligating tissue within a living body comprises an inner tissue engaging surface which, when in an operative position within the body, surrounds and directly contacts the tissue. At least a portion of the inner tissue engaging surface defines a plurality of discontinuities formed by one of projections and depressions. A method of ligating tissue within a living body using such a ligating band comprises the steps of positioning the elastic band, which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough, adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated. The tissue to be ligated is then drawn through the central opening of the elastic band and the elastic band is released so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald David Adams, Michael Banik, Steve Moreci
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Publication number: 20020183767Abstract: An elastic band for ligating tissue within a living body comprises an inner tissue engaging surface which, when in an operative position within the body, surrounds and directly contacts the tissue. At least a portion of the inner tissue engaging surface defines a plurality of discontinuities formed by one of projections and depressions. A method of ligating tissue within a living body using such a ligating band comprises the steps of positioning the elastic band, which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough, adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated. The tissue to be ligated is then drawn through the central opening of the elastic band and the elastic band is released so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 1999Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: RONALD DAVID ADAMS, MICHAEL BANIK, STEVE MORECI