Patents by Inventor Michael S. Williams

Michael S. Williams 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).

  • System and method for multi-instrument surgical access
    Publication number: 20110118545
    Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes a rigid tube carried by a mount. Cannulas having instrument channels and steerable distal ends extend distally from the rigid tube. During a procedure using the system, the mount is supported by an operating room fixture, and instruments are advanced through the steerable instrument channels. Manipulation of the instrument handles engages actuators positioned on the mount, which steer the distal ends of the cannulas through the action of pull cables. The distal ends of the instruments may thus be steered within the body by the distal ends of the steerable cannulas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard S. Stack, Geoffrey A. Orth, Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, William L. Athas, Aurora Pryor
  • Intraluminal Prostheses and Carbon Dioxide-Assisted Methods of Impregnating Same with Pharmacological Agents
    Publication number: 20110118824
    Abstract: Intraluminal prostheses and methods of impregnating same with pharmacological agents for delivery within a body of a subject are provided. An intraluminal prosthesis comprising polymeric material is immersed in a mixture of carrier fluid and pharmacological agent(s). The mixture of carrier fluid and pharmacological agent is pressurized for a time sufficient to cause the polymeric material of the intraluminal prosthesis to swell such that the carrier fluid and pharmacological agent at least partially penetrate the swollen polymeric material. Pressure is then removed such that the carrier fluid diffuses out of the swollen polymeric material and such that a predetermined amount of the pharmacological agent remains elutably trapped within the polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • MULTI-INSTRUMENT ACCESS DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20110112371
    Abstract: A multi-instrument access device includes a base positionable within a percutaneous opening formed in a body. Ports are positioned on the base for receiving instruments to be inserted into the body for use in a procedure. Tubular instrument tubes having steerable distal ends may be insertable through the ports for receiving the instruments and for orienting the operative ends of the instruments toward a target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey A Smith, Geoffrey A. Orth, Michael S. Williams, William L. Athas, Daniel W. Fifer
  • System and method for transvascularly stimulating contents of the carotid sheath
    Patent number: 7925352
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for stimulating contents of the carotid sheath using an intravascular pulse generator and lead. The lead carries an energy delivery device such as an electrode, which is anchor within the portion of the internal jugular vein that is disposed within the carotid sheath. The energy delivery device is energized to transvenously direct energy to target contents of the carotid sheath external to the internal jugular vein. Such target contents may include nervous system elements associated with the carotid sinus baroreceptors, the carotid sinus nerve and associated nerve branches, and or the vagus nerve and associated nerve branches. The system may be used to control blood pressure and/or to lower heart rate and may be suitable for treatment of hypertension, heart failure, or other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Synecor LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Michael S. Williams, Daniel W. Fifer, Richard A. Glenn, Geoffrey A. Orth, Lynn Elliott, Colleen Stack N'diaye
  • Intraluminal prostheses having polymeric material with selectively modified crystallinity and methods of making same
    Patent number: 7919162
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polymeric intraluminal prostheses include annealing the polymeric material to selectively modify the crystallinity thereof. Annealing may be utilized to selectively modify various properties of the polymeric material of an intraluminal prosthesis, including: selectively increasing the modulus of the polymeric material; selectively increasing the hoop strength of the intraluminal prosthesis; selectively modifying the elution rate (increase or decrease) of a pharmacological agent subsequently disposed on or within the annealed polymeric material; selectively increasing/decreasing stress in the intraluminal prosthesis; and selectively modifying the polymeric material such that it erodes at a different rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: SyneCor, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Michael S. Williams
  • PROCEDURAL CANNULA AND SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
    Publication number: 20110066173
    Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate support advanceable into a body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard S. Stack, Geoffrey A. Orth, Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, William L. Athas, Aurora Pryor
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETAINING MEDICAL IMPLANTS WITHIN BODY VESSELS
    Publication number: 20110054555
    Abstract: The present application describes a retention device for anchoring a medical device within the vasculature. The device may include expandable member coupled to an intravascular medical device and proportioned for receipt within a vessel. At least a portion of the expandable member is expandable to radially engage a vessel wall and to thereby retain the medical device within the vessel. The system is suitable for a variety of intravascular devices, including but not limited to ICD's, pacemakers, and intravascular drug delivery systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Terrance Ransbury, Richard A. Glenn, Kevin Holbrook
  • Intravascular System and Method
    Patent number: 7899554
    Abstract: The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one electrode attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The electrode or electrodes are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Synecor LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Terrance Ransbury, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, Kevin Holbrook
  • Polymeric endoprostheses with modified erosion rates and methods of manufacture
    Publication number: 20110038913
    Abstract: An erodible prosthesis comprising alternate rates of erosion is disclosed, wherein said alternate rates of erosion can be selectively initiated. Some embodiments according to the invention may comprise an agent for initiating an alternative rate of erosion, such as, for example, a sensitizer, dissolution inhibitor, photo-acid generator, biochemically active additive, thermally activated catalyst, light activated catalyst, electromagnetic radiation activated catalyst, hydration activated catalyst, pH activated catalyst, low melting agent, and/or enzyme activated catalyst. One or more of the foregoing agents may be dispersed within one or more layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • Photocurable endoprosthesis methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 7857748
    Abstract: Methods of manufacture of endoprostheses comprising one or more photocurable materials are disclosed. The endoprostheses may comprise regions wherein the photocurable materials are selectively disposed about the endoprosthesis and are cured according to desired parameters to achieve varying desired properties. Photolithographic masking material may be selectively disposed about an inflatable balloon and exposed to a radiation emitting catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Syne Cor, LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Kevin D. Holbrook, Richard A. Glenn, Jeffrey A. Smith, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • SATIATION DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20100298631
    Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams
  • Method and apparatus for retaining medical implants within body vessels
    Patent number: 7840282
    Abstract: A retention device for anchoring a medical device within the vasculature is described. The device may include expandable member coupled to an intravascular medical device and proportioned for receipt within a vessel. At least a portion of the expandable member is expandable to radially engage a vessel wall and to thereby retain the medical device within the vessel. The system is suitable for a variety of intravascular devices, including but not limited to ICD's, pacemakers, and intravascular drug delivery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Synecor LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Terrance Ransbury, Richard A. Glenn, Kevin Holbrook
  • Procedural cannula and support system for surgical procedures
    Patent number: 7833156
    Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate support advanceable into a body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable using pivotable frame members to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Transenterix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard S. Stack, Geoffrey A. Orth, Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, William L. Athas, Aurora Pryor
  • Endoprostheses and methods of manufacture
    Publication number: 20100256734
    Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, Jeffrey A. Smith, Kevin D. Holbrook, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • INTRAVASCULAR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20100211131
    Abstract: An intravascular lead is used to deliver energy for stimulating nervous system targets using energy delivery elements (e.g. electrodes) that are in direct contact with the nervous system targets. The lead may be positioned within the internal jugular vein and the nervous system targets may include the carotid artery/carotid sinus bulb and/or associated baroreceptor afferents, and/or surrounding nervous system targets in the region of the internal jugular vein, such as the carotid sinus nerve and/or associated nerve branches and/or the vagus nerve and/or associated nerve branches. Stimulation energy travels along a conductive bridge that extends from the intravascular lead to the nervous system target, or is relayed from the intravascular lead to another device disposed within or surrounding the target structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer
  • ENERGY HARVESTING FOR IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20100171394
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device positionable within a blood vessel for use in generating energy for powering all or a portion of the functions of a diagnostic or therapeutic medical implant. The energy harvesting device includes piezoelectric elements arranged to generate a voltage in response to mechanical blood vessel activity such as bending, expansion or contraction of the blood vessel, or flow of blood through the blood vessel. The electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric elements may be used to recharge a battery, stored in a capacitor, and/or used in real time to generate the energy used for operation of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, Michael S. Williams
  • Implantable medical device having pre-implant exoskeleton
    Patent number: 7747335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implanting a medical device within a living body. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve positionable with a living body, such as within a blood vessel, and a medical device insertable into the sleeve. During use, the sleeve is retained within the body, and the medical device is sealed within the sleeve. The sleeve substantially avoids biological growth onto the medical device, and thus permits removal of the medical device independently of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Synecor LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Williams
  • COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING TEXTILES AND CARPET AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF
    Publication number: 20100151184
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for treating textiles, including carpet and other floor coverings. Compositions of the present invention, in some embodiments, can impart flame resistant and/or stain resistant properties to fibers, including synthetic fibers comprising polyolefins, polyamides, and polyesters such as polytrimethylene terephthalate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Grigat, Ralph R. Sargent, Michael S. Williams
  • Implantable intravascular device for defibrillation and/or pacing
    Patent number: 7734343
    Abstract: The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one lead attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The lead or leads are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Synecor, LLC
    Inventors: Terrance Ransbury, Michael S. Williams
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING TEXTILE FIBERS
    Publication number: 20100136335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating textile fibers and, in particular, to compositions and methods for treating fibers of carpet and other floor coverings. In one aspect, the present invention provides compositions and methods that can reduce energy consumption and conserve water resources in the production of dyed fibrous substrates having desirable repellency and stain resistant properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph R. Sargent, Michael S. Williams, Michael Grigat, Billy Lee Hullender