Patents by Inventor Michael Tajima

Michael Tajima 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: 12628818
    Abstract: A transport container and methods for preserving a heart at a hypothermic temperature. The transport container can maintain the heart at a temperature of 6-8° C. for improved results after transplantation. The preservation of the heart within this range can improve transplantation outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20260083632
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining an oxygen concentration of a biological sample. The oxygen concentration can be maintained by measuring the oxygen concentration within the biological sample and adjusting a rate of an oxygen supplier in response to this measurement. For example, when the oxygen concentration is below a threshold, oxygen can be delivered to the biological sample at a higher rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250374918
    Abstract: A normothermic perfusion circuit can be used to perfuse a donor heart after transportation and before transplantation. The circuit can drain the organ storage container of cold preservation solution, perfuse the aorta of the heart with warm fluid to initiate heart activity, and then perfuse the left atrium of the heart with warm fluid to bolster heart activity and evaluate heart viability. Heart viability can be determined using parameters measured by sensors in the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2025
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Tajima, William Lucas Churchill
  • Patent number: 12485064
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining an oxygen concentration of a biological sample. The oxygen concentration can be maintained by measuring the oxygen concentration within the biological sample and adjusting a rate of an oxygen supplier in response to this measurement. For example, when the oxygen concentration is below a threshold, oxygen can be delivered to the biological sample at a higher rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250339335
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. The systems and methods herein can include an electronic pump that pumps gas into an organ and a mechanical pressure regulator to release gas based on organ pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250311717
    Abstract: A transport container and methods for preserving a heart at a hypothermic temperature. The transport container can maintain the heart at a temperature of 6-8° C. for improved results after transplantation. The preservation of the heart within this range can improve transplantation outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250311718
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an organ to an individualized temperature based on organ parameters. A transport container can store the organ at a target temperature determined based on characteristics of the organ and the donor. A processor can determine the target temperature for preservation of the organ. The determination may be based on preservation time, the type of the organ, the age of the donor, the circulatory condition of the donor, the brain condition of the donor, and the metabolic rate of the donor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250311719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a biological sample with different temperature cooling blocks. Warmer cooling blocks can be placed around a container and cooler cooling blocks can be placed above the container. The biological sample can be a pancreas, heart or other organs. The method and system can rely on convection, or gravity-based fluid movement, to make the temperature within the container consistent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
  • Patent number: 12357533
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. The systems and methods herein can include an electronic pump that pumps gas into an organ and a mechanical pressure regulator to release gas based on organ pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250064052
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining an oxygen concentration of a biological sample. The oxygen concentration can be maintained by measuring the oxygen concentration within the biological sample and adjusting a rate of an oxygen supplier in response to this measurement. For example, when the oxygen concentration is below a threshold, oxygen can be delivered to the biological sample at a higher rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250064674
    Abstract: The systems and methods relate to cyclically inflating and deflating a lung. The lung can be stored and transported while pumping a gas into the lung and removing another gas from the lung. The cyclical inflation and deflation of the lung can be performed at a rate enhanced or optimized for lung performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20250064050
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. The systems and methods herein can include an electronic pump that pumps gas into an organ and a mechanical pressure regulator to release gas based on organ pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
  • Publication number: 20230284614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secure, sterile, and temperature-controlled environment for transporting biological samples and further providing active tracking allowing a medical team, or any other interested party, to know the geographic location and condition of the biological sample, as well as the state of the consumables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Lisa Maria Anderson, Adam Lafreniere, Michael Tajima
  • Patent number: 10335526
    Abstract: A cover for a percutaneous connector extending through the skin of a patient. The cover includes a structure having an inner side and an outer side. A first separable connector is mounted to the structure and disposed entirely within the structure, the first separable connector being configured to detachably engage and electrically connect with the percutaneous connector. A second separable connector is mounted to the structure and electrically connected to the first separable connector, the second separable connector being exposed at the outer side of the structure and being configured to detachably engage and electrically connect with an external device. The inner side of the structure defines a skin-engaging surface at least partially surrounding the first separable connector and the percutaneous connector, when the first separable connector is engaged with the percutaneous connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Tajima
  • Patent number: 10286132
    Abstract: A connection system implantable within a living body having an exterior skin includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface surrounding the axis, at least one shaft contact carried on the shaft and exposed at the exterior surface, and a retaining element mounted to the shaft. The female connector includes a structure defining a bore extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, at least one bore contact mounted to the structure and exposed within the bore and a catch element mounted to the structure. The catch and retaining elements allow the shaft to be inserted into the bore to align the contacts. A locking element rotatably locks the shaft in the bore. A method of implanting the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima
  • Publication number: 20180036462
    Abstract: A connection system implantable within a living body having an exterior skin includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface surrounding the axis, at least one shaft contact carried on the shaft and exposed at the exterior surface, and a retaining element mounted to the shaft. The female connector includes a structure defining a bore extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, at least one bore contact mounted to the structure and exposed within the bore and a catch element mounted to the structure. The catch and retaining elements allow the shaft to be inserted into the bore to align the contacts. A locking element rotatably locks the shaft in the bore. A method of implanting the system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy Michael McSWEENEY, Brad AURILIA, Michael TAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20170354772
    Abstract: A cover for a percutaneous connector extending through the skin of a patient. The cover includes a structure having an inner side and an outer side. A first separable connector is mounted to the structure and disposed entirely within the structure, the first separable connector being configured to detachably engage and electrically connect with the percutaneous connector. A second separable connector is mounted to the structure and electrically connected to the first separable connector, the second separable connector being exposed at the outer side of the structure and being configured to detachably engage and electrically connect with an external device. The inner side of the structure defines a skin-engaging surface at least partially surrounding the first separable connector and the percutaneous connector, when the first separable connector is engaged with the percutaneous connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Michael TAJIMA
  • Patent number: 9814815
    Abstract: A connection system implantable within a living body having an exterior skin includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface surrounding the axis, at least one shaft contact carried on the shaft and exposed at the exterior surface, and a retaining element mounted to the shaft. The female connector includes a structure defining a bore extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, at least one bore contact mounted to the structure and exposed within the bore and a catch element mounted to the structure. The catch and retaining elements allow the shaft to be inserted into the bore to align the contacts. A locking element rotatably locks the shaft in the bore. A method of implanting the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima
  • Publication number: 20160175502
    Abstract: A connection system implantable within a living body having an exterior skin includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface surrounding the axis, at least one shaft contact carried on the shaft and exposed at the exterior surface, and a retaining element mounted to the shaft. The female connector includes a structure defining a bore extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, at least one bore contact mounted to the structure and exposed within the bore and a catch element mounted to the structure. The catch and retaining elements allow the shaft to be inserted into the bore to align the contacts. A locking element rotatably locks the shaft in the bore. A method of implanting the system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima