Patents by Inventor Michael G. Fourkas

Michael G. Fourkas 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: 12295557
    Abstract: Biodegradable scaffold for wound closure including a central rod and upper and lower plates that each at least partially circumscribe the central rod. Each of the upper and lower plates is attached to the central rod and includes an upper section and a lower section that are connected by a helical middle section. The upper section and lower section of the upper plate respectively include first and second bottom surfaces and the upper section and lower section of the lower plate respectively include first and second top surfaces that are respectively spaced apart from and face the first and second bottom surfaces. The first and second bottom surfaces and first and second top surfaces may lie in different planes that are each perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the central rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: LAP IQ, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Klein, Michael G. Fourkas, James Su, Matias Bruzoni
  • Publication number: 20230414211
    Abstract: Biodegradable scaffold for wound closure including a central rod and upper and lower plates that each at least partially circumscribe the central rod. Each of the upper and lower plates is attached to the central rod and includes an upper section and a lower section that are connected by a helical middle section. The upper section and lower section of the upper plate respectively include first and second bottom surfaces and the upper section and lower section of the lower plate respectively include first and second top surfaces that are respectively spaced apart from and face the first and second bottom surfaces. The first and second bottom surfaces and first and second top surfaces may lie in different planes that are each perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the central rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael S. Klein, Michael G. Fourkas, James Su, Matias Bruzoni
  • Patent number: 11759189
    Abstract: A biodegradable scaffold for wound closure including a central rod and two spaced-apart plates. The central rod may have an engagement block on top for stabilizing an implanting tool. The two spaced-apart plates include an upper plate connected to the central rod and a lower plate connected to the central rod. Each of the upper and lower plates may include perforations which may be useful for detachably connecting an implanting tool and which encourage ingrowth of the tissue. The biodegradable scaffold allows tension free anatomic alignment of tissue within the plates and facilitates wound healing. The upper and lower plate may have a helical portion, in which each plate may extend around the central rod. The helical portion serves to draw or pull tissue around the wound defect into the scaffold in the course of deploying the scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LAP IQ, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Klein, Michael G. Fourkas, James Su, Matias Bruzoni
  • Publication number: 20220160443
    Abstract: Robotic surgical methods and apparatuses, including systems, for determining positioning information using a combination of AI landmark-identification and visual imaging. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses for determining how to train the AI. Also described herein are end effector devices that may be used with any of the robotic surgical methods and apparatuses. Also described herein designs and techniques incorporating AR into robotic surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Duluth Medical Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel R. Spykerman, Michael G. Fourkas, Daniel J. Solomon, Jeffrey J. Barry, Ruchi Dana, Fred R. Seddiqui
  • Publication number: 20210113725
    Abstract: Hand held and portable disinfection units for use with patients having indwelling catheters or are hospitalized or under care in an intensive care unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey Etter, John E. Ashley, Ian Tran, Jochen Backs, Julia A. Rasooly, Michael G. Fourkas
  • Publication number: 20200222035
    Abstract: A biodegradable scaffold for wound closure including a central rod and two spaced plates. The central rod may have an engagement block on top for stabilizing a implanting tool. The two spaced plates include an upper plate connected to the central rod and a lower plate connected to the central rod. Each of the upper and lower plates may include perforations which may be useful for detachably connecting an implanting tool and which encourage growth of the tissue. The biodegradable scaffold allows tension free anatomical alignment of tissue within the plates and facilitate wound healing. The upper and lower plate may have a helical, in which each plate may extend around the central rod greater than 360 degrees. The helical shape creates a camber feature that serves to draw or pull tissue around the wound defect into the scaffold during the course when deploying the scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: LAP IQ
    Inventors: Michael S. Klein, Michael G. Fourkas, James Su, Matias Bruzoni
  • Patent number: 6808520
    Abstract: A sheath for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath includes an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A normally closed primary valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable le to an open position. A normally open secondary valve, movable to a closed position, may be configured in the backflow adapter proximal the sheath tube and distal the primary valve. The primary and secondary valves when open permit a catheter or other medical instrument to be inserted into the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fourkas, Steven G. Baker, David H. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6652492
    Abstract: A large-diameter sheath and assembly for use in introducing a catheter or other medical device into a vessel of the body of a patient. The sheath comprises an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough of a predetermined maximum diameter. The sheath tube may either be expandable, with the distal extremity folded longitudinally to a smaller folded diameter, or of a constant diameter. If expandable, the sheath tube may be self-expanding or may be reinforced with a self-expanding wire or expandable stents. A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bell, Doug Izuno, Michael G. Fourkas
  • Patent number: 6197016
    Abstract: A large-diameter expandable sheath for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The expandable sheath comprises an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough of a maximum predetermined diameter. The distal extremity of the elongate sheath tube is folded longitudinally to a smaller folded diameter. The sheath tube may be self-expanding or may be reinforced with a self-expanding wire or expandable stents. A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A normally closed primary valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fourkas, Steven G. Baker, David H. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5935122
    Abstract: A sheath assembly for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath assembly includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member with a conically shaped cap at its distal end. A locking mechanism prevents advancement of the inner tubular member and associated cap in a distal direction of the vessel of the patient independent of the outer tubular member, but allows free movement of the inner tubular member in the proximal direction independent of the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fourkas, Steven G. Baker, David H. Mitchell