Patents by Inventor Nicholas F. Warner
Nicholas F. Warner 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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Publication number: 20150112355Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member, the apparatus enabling the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user and providing an anti-unscrewing feature. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section having a slot therein. The fastener receiving member includes one or more apertures having a contact region through which one or more corresponding fasteners can be inserted. The contact region includes a matrix of protrusions having a density and strength sufficient to render contact region tappable by the thread of the head section of the fastener. The thread on the head section is driven into the contact region at the selected insertion angle. As a result, the protrusions project into the at least one slot preventing the fastener from backing out from fastener receiving member. A fastener driver is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Laurence E. Dahners, Nicholas F. Warner
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Patent number: 8870810Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Echo Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F Warner, Tuan A Elstrom
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Patent number: 8870931Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member. The apparatus enables the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user and further provides an anti-unscrewing feature. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section having at least one slot therein. The fastener receiving member includes one or more apertures having a contact region through which one or more corresponding fasteners can be inserted. The contact region includes a matrix of protrusions having a density and strength sufficient to render contact region tappable by the thread of the head section of the fastener. The thread on the head section is driven into the contact region at the selected insertion angle. As a result, the protrusions project into the at least one slot to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener receiving member. A fastener driver is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, AngleFix Tech, LLCInventors: Laurence E. Dahners, Nicholas F. Warner
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Publication number: 20130035566Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner, Tuan A. Elstrom
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Patent number: 8287483Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability of an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area of the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Echo Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner, Tuan A. Elstrom
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Patent number: 7432069Abstract: An hydrogel incorporating a biologically active component is provided that is useful as an interface material for transdermal sensing applications. Specifically, the hydrogel has a crosslinked gel structure and a biologically active component incorporated into the crosslinked gel structure, the biologically active component being capable of converting glucose into a compound having potentiometric activity.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Sontra Medical CorporationInventors: Shikha P. Barman, Helice A. Schramm, Nicholas F. Warner
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Publication number: 20080234677Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member. The apparatus enables the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user and further provides an anti-unscrewing feature. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section having at least one slot therein. The fastener receiving member includes one or more apertures having a contact region through which one or more corresponding fasteners can be inserted. The contact region includes a matrix of protrusions having a density and strength sufficient to render contact region tappable by the thread of the head section of the fastener. The thread on the head section is driven into the contact region at the selected insertion angle. As a result, the protrusions project into the at least one slot to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener receiving member. A fastener driver is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Laurence E. Dahners, Nicholas F. Warner
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Patent number: 7066884Abstract: A system, method, and device for non-invasive body fluid sampling is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a controller that controls the generation of ultrasound; an ultrasonic applicator that applies the ultrasound to an area of biological membrane; a receiver that contacts the area of biological membrane and receives body fluid through and out of the area of biological membrane; and a meter that interacts with the receiver and detects the presence of at least one analyte in the body fluid in the receiver. The receiver may include a membrane and a medium, such as a hydrogel, a fluid, or a liquid, that is contained in the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Sontra Medical, Inc.Inventors: Linda Custer, Tuan A. Elstrom, Scott C. Kellogg, Joseph Kost, Nicholas F. Warner
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Publication number: 20040236268Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability of an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area of the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Sontra Medical, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner, Tuan A. Elstrom
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Publication number: 20040171980Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability of an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area of the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Sontra Medical, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner, Tuan A. Elstrom
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Publication number: 20040087879Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for producing homogenous cavitation. An ultrasound souce comprising an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along the axis is disclosed The ultrasound transmitting element also has a first axial end and a second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves. The cross-section has an area having a maximum value at the first axial end and a minimum value at the second axial end. A method for producing homogenous cavitation at an area of skin comprises creating a volume of fluid having a uniformly dispersed concentration of cavitation nuclei adjacent the area of skin. Ultrasound is then applied to the volume of fluid and causes cavitation at the cavitation nuclei.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Sontra Medical, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner
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Patent number: 6620123Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for producing homogenous cavitation. An ultrasound souce comprising an ultrasound transmitting element having an axis and a cross-section along the axis is disclosed The ultrasound transmitting element also has a first axial end and a second axial end operable to produce ultrasonic waves. The cross-section has an area having a maximum value at the first axial end and a minimum value at the second axial end. A method for producing homogenous cavitation at an area of skin comprises creating a volume of fluid having a uniformly dispersed concentration of cavitation nuclei adjacent the area of skin. Ultrasound is then applied to the volume of fluid and causes cavitation at the cavitation nuclei.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Sontra Medical, Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Mitragotri, Joseph Kost, Scott C. Kellogg, Nicholas F. Warner
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Publication number: 20030100846Abstract: A system, method, and device for non-invasive body fluid sampling is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a controller that controls the generation of ultrasound; an ultrasonic applicator that applies the ultrasound to an area of biological membrane; a receiver that contacts the area of biological membrane and receives body fluid through and out of the area of biological membrane; and a meter that interacts with the receiver and detects the presence of at least one analyte in the body fluid in the receiver. The receiver may include a membrane and a medium, such as a hydrogel, a fluid, or a liquid, that is contained in the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Linda Custer, Tuan A. Elstrom, Scott C. Kellogg, Joseph Kost, Nicholas F. Warner
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Patent number: 6179826Abstract: Implantable therapy systems are disclosed for the local and controlled delivery of a biologically active factor to the brain, spinal cord and other target regions of a subject suffering from a dibilatating condition. The method of the invention involves surgically exposing an insertion site, generally located above a predetermined treatment site (12), in a patient. A cannula (20), having an obturator (30) or dilator (104) positioned therein, is inserted at the insertion site, defining a pathway to the treatment site. In some instances, the cannula can be inserted along the path of a guidewire (102) previously positioned at the treatment site. The cannula (20) is preferably a low friction polymeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The cannula (20) generally has an open proximal end for receiving the obturator (30) or dilator (104), and an open distal end, preferably a tapered end, for delivery of neurologically active factors to the treatment site (12).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1996Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Brown University Research FoundationInventors: Patrick Aebischer, Moses Goddard, John G. Moldauer, Paul J. Mulhauser, Anne M. Rathbun, Paul R. Sanberg, Alfred V. Vasconcellos, Nicholas F. Warner
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Patent number: 6123700Abstract: A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Brown University Research FoundationInventors: John F. Mills, Edward J. Doherty, Tyrone F. Hazlett, Keith E. Dionne, Nicholas F. Warner, Brian M. Cain, David H. Rein
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Method and apparatus for sealing implantable, membrane encapsulation devices containing living cells
Patent number: 5932460Abstract: A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33).Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Brown University Research FoundationInventors: John F. Mills, Edward J. Doherty, Tyrone F. Hazlett, Keith E. Dionne, Nicholas F. Warner, Brian M. Cain, David H. Rein -
Patent number: 5928264Abstract: A tissue grasping device is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end and a central axis extending from end to end. Three tissue engaging tines are located at the distal end, two of which are rotatable, and one of which is spaced from the other two and slidable lengthwise of the plicator. The tines are parallel to one another and to the main axis of the plicator. Actuating mechanism in the form of rack and pinion mechanisms rotate the rotatable tines relative to one another, to grip a portion of the tissue. The non-rotatable times space the portion of the tissue being operated on from the rotatable tine. A push-pull knob mechanism or a thumb-operated lever is employed at the proximal end of the plicator to slide the non-rotatable tine lengthwise of the device to position it in and out of its operating position.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Sugar Surgical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David J. Sugarbaker, Andy H. Levine, Nicholas F. Warner, Eric E. May, Lawrence Crainich
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Patent number: 5738673Abstract: A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33).Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Brown University Research FoundationInventors: John F. Mills, Edward J. Doherty, Tyrone F. Hazlett, Keith E. Dionne, Nicholas F. Warner, Brian M. Cain, David H. Rein
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Patent number: 5722990Abstract: A tissue grasping device is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end and a central axis extending from end to end. Three tissue engaging tines are located at the distal end, two of which are rotatable, and one of which is spaced from the other two and slidable lengthwise of the plicator. The tines are parallel to one another and to the main axis of the plicator. An actuating mechanism in the form of a rack and pinion mechanism rotate the rotatable tines relative to one another, to grip a portion of the tissue. The non-rotatable tines space the portion of the tissue being operated on from the rotatable tine. A knob mechanism is employed at the proximal end of the plicator to slide the non-rotatable tine lengthwise of the device to position it in and out of its operating position.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Sugar Surgical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David J. Sugarbaker, Andy H. Levine, Nicholas F. Warner, Eric E. May, Lawrence Crainich
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Patent number: 5713887Abstract: A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33).Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Brown University Research FoundationInventors: John F. Mills, Edward J. Doherty, Tyrone F. Hazlett, Keith E. Dionne, Nicholas F. Warner, Brian M. Cain, David H. Rein