Patents by Inventor Michael J. Constant

Michael J. Constant 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: 20130274362
    Abstract: Hydrogels are described that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment and as well as their methods of manufacture and use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant
  • Publication number: 20130253087
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and associated methods to occlude structures and malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments with delayed controlled rates of expansion permitting the repositioning of the device once inside the structure or malformation. Further described is a device for implantation in an animal comprising a difunctional, low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated shapeable macromer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a radiopaque element, wherein said device contains no support members. Methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant, Edward Michael Keeley, Terrance T. Tran
  • Patent number: 8470035
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and associated methods to occlude structures and malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments with delayed controlled rates of expansion permitting the repositioning of the device once inside the structure or malformation. Further described is a device for implantation in an animal comprising a difunctional, low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated shapeable macromer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a radiopaque element, wherein said device contains no support members. Methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant, Michael E. Keeley, Terrance T. Tran
  • Patent number: 8465779
    Abstract: Generally, hydrogels are prepared by forming a liquid reaction mixture that contains a) monomer(s) and/or polymer(s) at least portion(s) of which are sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., changes in pH or temperature), b) a crosslinker and c) a polymerization initiator. If desired, a porosigen may be incorporated into the liquid reaction mixture to create pores. After the hydrogel is formed, the porosigen is removed to create pores in the hydrogel. These hydrogels may be prepared in many forms including pellets, filaments, and particles. Biomedical uses of these hydrogels include applications wherein the hydrogel is implanted in the body of a patient and an environmental condition at the implantation site causes the hydrogel to expand in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant
  • Publication number: 20120302654
    Abstract: Generally, hydrogels are prepared by forming a liquid reaction mixture that contains a) monomer(s) and/or polymer(s) at least portion(s) of which are sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., changes in pH or temperature), b) a crosslinker and c) a polymerization initiator. If desired, a porosigen may be incorporated into the liquid reaction mixture to create pores. After the hydrogel is formed, the porosigen is removed to create pores in the hydrogel. These hydrogels may be prepared in many forms including pellets, filaments, and particles. Biomedical uses of these hydrogels include applications wherein the hydrogel is implanted in the body of a patient and an environmental condition at the implantation site causes the hydrogel to expand in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant
  • Patent number: 8231890
    Abstract: Hydrogels that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment (e.g., a change in pH or temperature) and their methods of manufacture and use. Generally, the hydrogels are prepared by forming a liquid reaction mixture that contains a) monomer(s) and/or polymer(s) at least portion(s) of which are sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., changes in pH or temperature), b) a crosslinker and c) a polymerization initiator. If desired, a porosigen may be incorporated into the liquid reaction mixture to create pores. After the hydrogel is formed, the porosigen is removed to create pores in the hydrogel. The hydrogel may also be treated to cause it to assume a non-expanded volume in which it remains until a change in its environment causes it to expand. These hydrogels may be prepared in many forms including pellets, filaments, and particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant
  • Publication number: 20110212178
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and associated methods to occlude structures and malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments with delayed controlled rates of expansion permitting the repositioning of the device once inside the structure or malformation. Further described is a device for implantation in an animal comprising a difunctional, low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated shapeable macromer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a radiopaque element, wherein said device contains no support members. Methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Constant, Gregory M. Cruise, E. Michael Keeley, Alejandro Berenstein
  • Publication number: 20110184455
    Abstract: Devices for the occlusion of body cavities, such as the embolization of vascular aneurysms and the like, and methods for making and using such devices. The devices may be comprised of novel expansile materials, novel infrastructure design, or both. The devices provided are very flexible and enable deployment with reduced or no damage to bodily tissues, conduits, cavities, etceteras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: E. Michael Keeley, Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant, Sheila Warner, Maricela Walker
  • Publication number: 20090164013
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and associated methods to occlude structures and malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments with delayed controlled rates of expansion permitting the repositioning of the device once inside the structure or malformation. Further described is a device for implantation in an animal comprising a difunctional, low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated shapeable macromer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a radiopaque element, wherein said device contains no support members. Methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant, Edward Michael Keeley, Terrance T. Tran
  • Patent number: 6878384
    Abstract: Hydrogels that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment (e.g., a change in pH or temperature) and their methods of manufacture and use. Generally, the hydrogels are prepared by forming a liquid reaction mixture that contains a) monomer(s) and/or polymer(s) at least portion(s) of which are sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., changes in pH or temperature), b) a crosslinker and c) a polymerization initiator. If desired, a porosigen may be incorporated into the liquid reaction mixture to create pores. After the hydrogel is formed, the porosigen is removed to create pores in the hydrogel. The hydrogel may also be treated to cause it to assume a non-expanded volume in which it remains until a change in its environment causes it to expand. These hydrogels may be prepared in many forms including pellets, filaments, and particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant
  • Publication number: 20020176880
    Abstract: Hydrogels that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment (e.g., a change in pH or temperature) and their methods of manufacture and use. Generally, the hydrogels are prepared by forming a liquid reaction mixture that contains a) monomer(s) and/or polymer(s) at least portion(s) of which are sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., changes in pH or temperature), b) a crosslinker and c) a polymerization initiator. If desired, a porosigen may be incorporated into the liquid reaction mixture to create pores. After the hydrogel is formed, the porosigen is removed to create pores in the hydrogel. The hydrogel may also be treated to cause it to assume a non-expanded volume in which it remains until a change in its environment causes it to expand. These hydrogels may be prepared in many forms including pellets, filaments, and particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Micro Vention, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Cruise, Michael J. Constant