Patents by Inventor Michael J. Drews

Michael J. 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).

  • Patent number: 7556647
    Abstract: Devices for attaching a first mass and a second mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be made from an resilient, elastic or deformable materials. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve ring to a biological annulus. The devices can also be used for wound closure or a variety of other procedures such as anchoring a prosthesis to surrounding tissue or another prosthesis, tissue repair, such as in the closure of congenital defects such as septal heart defects, tissue or vessel anastomosis, fixation of tissue with or without a reinforcing mesh for hernia repair, orthopedic anchoring such as in bone fusing or tendon or muscle repair, ophthalmic indications, laparoscopic or endoscopic tissue repair or placement of prostheses, or use by robotic devices for procedures such as those above performed remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Arbor Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Drews, Donnell W. Gurskis, Steven R. Bacich
  • Publication number: 20090105748
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. FOGARTY, Michael J. DREWS, D. Bruce MODESITT, Neil HOLMGREN, David B. WILLIS
  • Publication number: 20090036903
    Abstract: A fastener delivery tool includes a belt including pairs of features for releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state defining a loop. The tool includes a loading chamber for receiving a fastener from the belt, a retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber, an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber, a handle including an actuator, and a tongue and pusher member coupled to the actuator. Activation of the actuator advances the tongue to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a U-shaped constrained state, and advances the pusher member to direct the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track. The tool may include a trigger for ejecting the fastener completely from the ejection track. The fastener may be used to secure a prosthetic heart valve or components thereof into surrounding tissue, e.g., within a tissue annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Arbor Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Harry Ino, Michael J. Drews, Donnell W. Gurskis, Dwight J. Knab, JR.
  • Patent number: 7481821
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Patent number: 6939365
    Abstract: A fixturing assembly is provided that includes a needle and a fixturing device. The needle includes a first sharpened end and a second end including a can. The fixturing device includes an elongate filament having first and second ends, and an enlarged fixturing device on the first end of the filament. The second end of the filament is held by the can by frictional resistance, the second end of the filament being removable from the can when a tensile force is applied between the needle and the second end of the filament that exceeds the frictional resistance. For example, the can may include a coil, corrugations, or a roughened inner surface to removably hold the end of the fixturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Arbor Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, Neil Holmgren, D. Bruce Modesitt
  • Publication number: 20040260382
    Abstract: An intravascular implant and methods of using the implant within the vasculature of the body, for example near a vascular aneurysm, are disclosed. The method of attaching a second implant, such as a vascular graft, to the intravascular implant is also disclosed. The implant can be made from an anchor, a connector and a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, Neil Holmgren, D. Bruce Modesitt
  • Publication number: 20040210249
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20040122516
    Abstract: A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, Neil Holmgren, D. Bruce Modesitt
  • Publication number: 20040122514
    Abstract: A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, Neil Holmgren, D. Bruce Modesitt
  • Patent number: 6592494
    Abstract: A clutch pedal assembly is provided including a support bracket for pivotally mounting a clutch arm and an actuator arm. The clutch arm includes a clutch pedal for enabling actuation by a vehicle operator and the actuator arm is attached to a linkage for manipulating a master cylinder of a hydraulically actuated clutch release system. The clutch arm and actuator arm are interconnected via a pair of drag links, whereby operator actuation of the clutch arm results in corresponding actuation of the actuator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John C St. Pierre, Robert L Brown, Michael J Drews, Michael X Schafer, Brian L Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20030064859
    Abstract: A clutch pedal assembly is provided including a support bracket for pivotally mounting a clutch arm and an actuator arm. The clutch arm includes a clutch pedal for enabling actuation by a vehicle operator and the actuator arm is attached to a linkage for manipulating a master cylinder of a hydraulically actuated clutch release system. The clutch arm and actuator arm are interconnected via a pair of drag links, whereby operator actuation of the clutch arm results in corresponding actuation of the actuator arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: John C. St. Pierre, Robert L. Brown, Michael J. Drews, Michael X. Schafer, Brian L. Wagoner