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: 20260130799Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2025Publication date: May 14, 2026Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
-
Patent number: 12539404Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2023Date of Patent: February 3, 2026Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
-
Publication number: 20250387265Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2025Publication date: December 25, 2025Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
-
Patent number: 12447046Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: October 21, 2025Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
-
Patent number: 12370085Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2022Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
-
Publication number: 20250082501Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: Tessa Bronez, Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly
-
Publication number: 20240325697Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
-
Publication number: 20240277523Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: August 22, 2024Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Tessa Bronez
-
Publication number: 20240173169Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventors: Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Robert Chang, Leticia Marquez Garcia, Richard Lilly
-
Patent number: 11865283Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
-
Publication number: 20230285192Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
-
Publication number: 20230263663Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Tessa Bronez, David Batten, Robert Chang, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Claudio Argento, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Eric Schultz, Richard Lilly
-
Publication number: 20230201544Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Eric Schultz, Tom Saul, Michael Drews, Richard Lilly, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Robert Chang
-
Patent number: 11596550Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
-
Publication number: 20220387216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
-
Publication number: 20220202613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Claudio Argento, Eric Schultz, Katherine Sapozhnikov, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews
-
Patent number: 11291585Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
-
Publication number: 20210251806Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Eric Schultz, Robert Chang, Tom Saul, Richard Lilly, Michael Drews, Claudio Argento, Katherine Sapozhnikov
-
Patent number: 10940875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Andreas Brueggen, Michael Drews, Thomas Reschat
-
Publication number: 20190016351Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: ANDREAS BRUEGGEN, MICHAEL DREWS, THOMAS RESCHAT