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).
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Patent number: 12628818Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2025Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20260083632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2025Publication date: March 26, 2026Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250374918Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2025Publication date: December 11, 2025Inventors: Michael Tajima, William Lucas Churchill
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Patent number: 12485064Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2024Date of Patent: December 2, 2025Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250339335Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2025Publication date: November 6, 2025Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250311717Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250311718Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250311719Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Ben Bulka, Pratik Patel
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Patent number: 12357533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2024Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Paragonix Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250064052Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250064674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20250064050Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Ben Bulka, Arkady Shinder-Lerner, William Lucas Churchill, Michael Tajima, Pratik Patel
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Publication number: 20230284614Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Lisa Maria Anderson, Adam Lafreniere, Michael Tajima
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Patent number: 10335526Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tajima
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Patent number: 10286132Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima
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Publication number: 20180036462Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Timothy Michael McSWEENEY, Brad AURILIA, Michael TAJIMA
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Publication number: 20170354772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventor: Michael TAJIMA
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Patent number: 9814815Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima
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Publication number: 20160175502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Timothy Michael McSweeney, Brad Aurilia, Michael Tajima