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).
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Patent number: 12257174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: PureWick CorporationInventors: Jill W. Jones, Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen, Kathleen Davis
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Publication number: 20250000684Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
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Patent number: 12053409Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Pure Wick CorporationInventors: Jill M. Walthall, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20230285177Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20220117775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Jill W. Jones, Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher J. Clark, Patrick Hudson Chancy, Hoang D. Nguyen, Kathleen Davis
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Publication number: 20220062023Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Jill M. Walthall, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
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Patent number: 9884205Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: John Spittle, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Mike Krachon
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Patent number: 9604076Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20150375011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: C. R. BARD, INC.Inventors: John Spittle, Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik, Mike Krachon
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Publication number: 20150005617Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Patent number: 8834340Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Patent number: 8808157Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Breese J. Watson, Michael W. Drobnik, Jeffrey Neaves, Robert Brownwell, Jr., Erick Rios
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Patent number: 8454489Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Inventors: Michael W. Drobnik, Christopher D. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20120253177Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: C. R. BARD, INC.Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20110054235Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, James Stewart, Michael Johnson, Mark Ralph
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Publication number: 20100228074Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20100200778Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik, James Stewart
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Publication number: 20090312593Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Patent number: 7588528Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Drobnik, Michael W. Drobnik
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Publication number: 20090216065Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D Drobnik, Michael W Drobnik