Patents by Inventor Michael Drews

Michael Drews 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).

  • Publication number: 20260130799
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2025
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
  • Patent number: 12539404
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
  • Publication number: 20250387265
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
  • Patent number: 12447046
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
  • Patent number: 12370085
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
  • Publication number: 20250082501
    Abstract: The present technology provides microfluidic shunting systems having multiple channels and associated methods of making the same. In some embodiments. the microfluidic shunting systems comprise a plurality of layers or drainage elements that are stacked and adhered together. In some embodiments, individual channels can be positioned in separate layers or drainage elements. and/or can span multiple layers or drainage elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Tessa Bronez, Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly
  • Publication number: 20240325697
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
  • Publication number: 20240277523
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include an actuation assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the actuation assembly can include one or more fluid inlets in fluid communication with an environment external to the system. The actuation assembly can further include one or more actuators configured to move a corresponding control element to control the flow of fluid through the fluid inlets. The actuator can also have a first actuation element and a second actuation element configured to move the control element between a first position in which the control element substantially prevents fluid flow through the corresponding inlet and a second position in which the control element does not substantially prevent fluid flow through the fluid inlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Tessa Bronez
  • Publication number: 20240173169
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region, and can include a shunting element, an aperture in the shunting element, and an actuator for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through the aperture. The actuator can include a gating element moveable between a first position in which it does not substantially interfere with fluid flow through the aperture and a second position in which it at least partially blocks fluid flow through the aperture, and a shape memory actuation element configured to move the gating element from the first position to and/or toward the second position when actuated. The system can further include a friction element configured to frictionally engage the gating element to releasably retain the gating element at and/or proximate the second position following actuation of the shape memory actuation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Robert Chang, Leticia Marquez Garcia, Richard Lilly
  • Patent number: 11865283
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
  • Publication number: 20230285192
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
  • Publication number: 20230263663
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Tessa Bronez, David Batten, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Claudio Argento, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Eric Schultz, Richard Lilly
  • Publication number: 20230201544
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
  • Patent number: 11596550
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
  • Publication number: 20220387216
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
  • Publication number: 20220202613
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
  • Patent number: 11291585
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
  • Publication number: 20210251806
    Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
  • Patent number: 10940875
    Abstract: A vehicle, particularly a rail vehicle, includes at least two coach bodies being coupled together and at least one line bridging a gap between the coach bodies. The line, which is an outwardly electrically insulated high-voltage line, is flexible and is guided by a cable guiding device in the region of the gap between the coach bodies at least in sections. The cable guiding device includes a multiplicity of guiding elements which are mechanically coupled together and can be pivoted in relation to each other in a guiding plane. The cable guiding device is flexible in the guiding plane and is less flexible in a plane which is perpendicular thereto than in the guiding plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Brueggen, Michael Drews, Thomas Reschat
  • Publication number: 20190016351
    Abstract: A vehicle, particularly a rail vehicle, includes at least two coach bodies being coupled together and at least one line bridging a gap between the coach bodies. The line, which is an outwardly electrically insulated high-voltage line, is flexible and is guided by a cable guiding device in the region of the gap between the coach bodies at least in sections. The cable guiding device includes a multiplicity of guiding elements which are mechanically coupled together and can be pivoted in relation to each other in a guiding plane. The cable guiding device is flexible in the guiding plane and is less flexible in a plane which is perpendicular thereto than in the guiding plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: ANDREAS BRUEGGEN, MICHAEL DREWS, THOMAS RESCHAT