Patents by Inventor Michael W. Drobnik

Michael W. Drobnik 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: 12257174
    Abstract: An example female fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier at least defines a chamber and an opening. The female fluid collection assembly also includes at least one porous material disposed in the chamber. The porous material extends across the opening. In an embodiment, the portion of the porous material that extends across the opening include a protrusion that extends outwardly from the opening. In an embodiment, the porous material includes at least one expandable material that is configured to expand (e.g., increase in volume) when the expandable material exposed to one or more bodily fluids (e.g., urine).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: PureWick Corporation
    Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen, Kathleen Davis
  • Publication number: 20250000684
    Abstract: Examples relate to systems and methods to periodically apply inward pressure against the contents of non-intrusive bodily waste collection devices. The systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a non-intrusive bodily waste collection device having an outermost fluid impermeable barrier forming a chamber therein, one or more ports on the fluid impermeable barrier for removing fluids therefrom via a vacuum source, and one or more input ports fluidly coupled to a positive pressure source to input fluid into the chamber to collectively apply periodic inward pressure against the contents of the bodily waste collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
  • Patent number: 12053409
    Abstract: Examples relate to systems and methods to periodically apply inward pressure against the contents of non-intrusive bodily waste collection devices. The systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a non-intrusive bodily waste collection device having an outermost fluid impermeable barrier forming a chamber therein, one or more ports on the fluid impermeable barrier for removing fluids therefrom via a vacuum source, and one or more input ports fluidly coupled to a positive pressure source to input fluid into the chamber to collectively apply periodic inward pressure against the contents of the bodily waste collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Pure Wick Corporation
    Inventors: Jill M. Walthall, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20230285177
    Abstract: Examples relate to devices, systems, and methods of using non-intrusive bodily waste collection devices. The devices, systems, and methods of disclosed herein include a non-intrusive bodily waste collection device having an outermost fluid impermeable barrier forming a chamber therein, a filter bag disposed in the chamber, an annular body defining an opening into the chamber and that is sized and shaped to interface with a wearer's anus or stoma, and one or more ports on the fluid impermeable barrier for removing fluids therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20220117775
    Abstract: An example female fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier at least defines a chamber and an opening. The female fluid collection assembly also includes at least one porous material disposed in the chamber. The porous material extends across the opening. In an embodiment, the portion of the porous material that extends across the opening include a protrusion that extends outwardly from the opening. In an embodiment, the porous material includes at least one expandable material that is configured to expand (e.g., increase in volume) when the expandable material exposed to one or more bodily fluids (e.g., urine).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher J. Clark, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen, Kathleen Davis
  • Publication number: 20220062023
    Abstract: Examples relate to systems and methods to periodically apply inward pressure against the contents of non-intrusive bodily waste collection devices. The systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a non-intrusive bodily waste collection device having an outermost fluid impermeable barrier forming a chamber therein, one or more ports on the fluid impermeable barrier for removing fluids therefrom via a vacuum source, and one or more input ports fluidly coupled to a positive pressure source to input fluid into the chamber to collectively apply periodic inward pressure against the contents of the bodily waste collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jill M. Walthall, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
  • Patent number: 9884205
    Abstract: Brachytherapy seed insertion and fixation devices and systems to decrease implanted brachytherapy seed migration within tissue and minimize trauma. Component(s) with cavity or opening features are attached to a brachytherapy seed or series of seeds. The cavity or opening features interact with the patient's tissue to fix the seed and component assembly in place and inhibit movement/migration of the seed(s). The cavity or opening features may optionally be filled with an adhesive or other beneficial material. The seed(s) or seed and component assembly may be inserted using a delivery device having a needle through which the seed(s) or assembly are implanted and a stylet extending through the needle to cut tissue and facilitate insertion of the needle. The stylet has a reduced diameter cutting tip to cut a narrow hole in tissue, and a tapered region that stretches the narrow hole to accommodate insertion of the larger diameter needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: John Spittle, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Mike Krachon
  • Patent number: 9604076
    Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20150375011
    Abstract: Brachytherapy seed insertion and fixation devices and systems to decrease implanted brachytherapy seed migration within tissue and minimize trauma. Component(s) with cavity or opening features are attached to a brachytherapy seed or series of seeds. The cavity or opening features interact with the patient's tissue to fix the seed and component assembly in place and inhibit movement/migration of the seed(s). The cavity or opening features may optionally be filled with an adhesive or other beneficial material. The seed(s) or seed and component assembly may be inserted using a delivery device having a needle through which the seed(s) or assembly are implanted and a stylet extending through the needle to cut tissue and facilitate insertion of the needle. The stylet has a reduced diameter cutting tip to cut a narrow hole in tissue, and a tapered region that stretches the narrow hole to accommodate insertion of the larger diameter needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: C. R. BARD, INC.
    Inventors: John Spittle, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Mike Krachon
  • Publication number: 20150005617
    Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Patent number: 8834340
    Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Patent number: 8808157
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of like items and a track inside the housing. The track extends in a first direction, and a plunger may be slidable along the track in the first direction and configured to urge the items toward a first end of the housing. The cartridge may include a gate attached to the housing. The gate may be movable between a first position preventing the items from being removed from the housing and a second position allowing one of the items to be removed from the housing. The gate may be configured to remove the one item from being urged by the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Breese J. Watson, Michael W. Drobnik, Jeffrey Neaves, Robert Brownwell, Jr., Erick Rios
  • Patent number: 8454489
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an implant comprising at least two sheets of a biocompatible material, and at least one radioactive seed disposed between said sheets of material. The disclosure also relates to a method for treating a patient, comprising fixing to the tissue of the patient at least one implant comprising at least two sheets of a biocompatible material, and at least one radioactive seed disposed between said sheets of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20120253177
    Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: C. R. BARD, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20110054235
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermo formed tray having an upper half and a lower half. The upper half and the lower half define a closed configuration when the upper half and the lower half are substantially adjacent one another and an open configuration when the upper half and the lower half are substantially apart from one another. A predetermined area is provided in at least one of the upper half and the lower half for containing a product in the closed configuration, the product having at least one radioactive seed held in a predetermined seed configuration. At least one cutter guide is contained in the thermo formed tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, James Stewart, Michael Johnson, Mark Ralph
  • Publication number: 20100228074
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an implant comprising at least one sheet of a biocompatible material, at least one shielding apparatus fixed to the biological material, and at least one radioactive seed partially disposed in the shielding apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method for treating a patient, comprising fixing to the tissue of the patient at least one implant comprising at least one sheet of a biocompatible material, at least one shielding apparatus fixed to the biological material, and at least one radioactive seed partially disposed in the shielding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20100200778
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermo formed tray having an upper half and a lower half. The upper half and the lower half define a closed configuration when the upper half and the lower half are substantially adjacent one another and an open configuration when the upper half and the lower half are substantially apart from one another. A predetermined area is provided in at least one of the upper half and the lower half for containing a product in the closed configuration, the product having at least one radioactive seed held in a predetermined seed configuration. At least one cutter guide is contained in the thermoformed tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, James Stewart
  • Publication number: 20090312593
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example has a treatment balloon or similar device that may be implanted into a tumor bed or cavity, and filled with or carrying a radioactive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Patent number: 7588528
    Abstract: An applicator system for interstitial radiation therapy that uses a brachytherapy needle assembly for simultaneously dispensing an effective amount of medicine, such as anti-inflammatory agents, along with radioactive seeds. A medicine cartridge or a modified seed cartridge, having a reservoir on its proximal end, can be attached to the applicator body for dispensing medicine into a needle or medicine can be injected into the needle via a three-way fitting attached to the applicator body. Alternatively, a modified stylet having a reservoir on its proximal end containing medicine can be used to deliver medication to a needle. Additionally, the brachytherapy needle or the radioactive seeds and spacers can be coated with medication that would be absorbed by the body upon implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
  • Publication number: 20090216065
    Abstract: A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed comprises a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content comprises a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a defined magnetic resonance signature of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D Drobnik, Michael W Drobnik