Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Spinelli

Nicholas J. Spinelli 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).

  • Publication number: 20240122479
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a hollow flexible shaft having a central longitudinal axis and an imaging window therein. An optical fiber extends within the hollow flexible shaft substantially along the central axis. A distal tip of the optical fiber is attached to the hollow flexible shaft and aligned with the imaging window so as to transfer an optical coherence tomography signal through the imaging window. A handle is attached to the hollow flexible shaft configured rotate the hollow flexible shaft at speeds of greater than 1,000 rpm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Peter H. SMITH, Manish KANKARIA, Priyanshu GUPTA, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Charles W. MCNALL
  • Publication number: 20240084959
    Abstract: A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Emily Jo SPINELLI, Kaylin JACOBSEN, Sarah MICHAUD, Jeffrey SZUCS, Alex M. COLE, Michael J. RUTKOWSKI, Nicholas Christopher MAVROS, Jacob SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 11890076
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a hollow flexible shaft having a central longitudinal axis and an imaging window therein. An optical fiber extends within the hollow flexible shaft substantially along the central axis. A distal tip of the optical fiber is attached to the hollow flexible shaft and aligned with the imaging window so as to transfer an optical coherence tomography signal through the imaging window. A handle is attached to the hollow flexible shaft configured rotate the hollow flexible shaft at speeds of greater than 1,000 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Smith, Manish Kankaria, Priyanshu Gupta, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Charles W. McNall
  • Publication number: 20230329746
    Abstract: Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include a distal tip region that may be moved laterally so that its long axis is parallel with the long axis of the main catheter body axis. Displacing the distal tip region laterally out of the main catheter body axis exposes an annular blade and opens a passageway for cut tissue to enter a storage region within the catheter. The annular blade may be internally coupled to a drive shaft that rotates the blade, and thus the exposed blade edge may have the same crossing profile (OD) as the rest of the distal end region of the catheter. Also described herein are gear-driven atherectomy devices that may use a cable drive shaft to actuate the annular blade. Both push-to-cut and pull-to-cut variations are described, as are methods for cutting tissue and systems including these atherectomy catheters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael H. ROSENTHAL, Michael ZUNG, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Charles W. MCNALL, John B. SIMPSON, John F. BLACK
  • Publication number: 20230277317
    Abstract: A system for treating a diseased native valve in a patient includes a valve prosthesis and a delivery device. The prosthesis includes an anchor and a frame. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an anchor guide, and a tether. The anchor is shaped to encircle chordae or leaflets of a native valve. The frame is configured to sit within the anchor. The inner shaft is positioned within the outer sheath and translatable and rotatable relative to the outer sheath. The anchor guide is attached to a distal end of the inner shaft and has a curved distal section. The tether is configured to detachably couple to the anchor and to longitudinally translate the anchor within the inner shaft and anchor guide. The anchor is configured to be actuated from a delivery configuration to the deployed configuration when the anchor is translated out of the anchor guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Claudio ARGENTO, Andrew BACKUS, Alice YANG, Ali SALAHIEH, Jasper Ellington ADAMEK-BOWERS, Connor MULCAHY, Ryan William BOYD, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Tom SAUL
  • Patent number: 11717314
    Abstract: Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include a distal tip region that may be moved laterally so that its long axis is parallel with the long axis of the main catheter body axis. Displacing the distal tip region laterally out of the main catheter body axis exposes an annular blade and opens a passageway for cut tissue to enter a storage region within the catheter. The annular blade may be internally coupled to a drive shaft that rotates the blade, and thus the exposed blade edge may have the same crossing profile (OD) as the rest of the distal end region of the catheter. Also described herein are gear-driven atherectomy devices that may use a cable drive shaft to actuate the annular blade. Both push-to-cut and pull-to-cut variations are described, as are methods for cutting tissue and systems including these atherectomy catheters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AVINGER, INC.
    Inventors: Michael H. Rosenthal, Michael Zung, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Charles W. McNall, John B. Simpson, John F. Black
  • Patent number: 11471282
    Abstract: A system for treating a diseased native valve in a patient includes a valve prosthesis and a delivery device. The prosthesis includes an anchor and a frame. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an anchor guide, and a tether. The anchor is shaped to encircle chordae or leaflets of a native valve. The frame is configured to sit within the anchor. The inner shaft is positioned within the outer sheath and translatable and rotatable relative to the outer sheath. The anchor guide is attached to a distal end of the inner shaft and has a curved distal section. The tether is configured to detachably couple to the anchor and to longitudinally translate the anchor within the inner shaft and anchor guide. The anchor is configured to be actuated from a delivery configuration to the deployed configuration when the anchor is translated out of the anchor guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Argento, Andrew Backus, Alice Yang, Ali Salahieh, Jasper Ellington Adamek-Bowers, Connor Mulcahy, Ryan William Boyd, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Tom Saul
  • Publication number: 20220273337
    Abstract: Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include longitudinally displaceable drive shafts that drive actuation of one or more cutters at the distal end of the catheter. The catheters described herein may include one or more imaging sensors for imaging before, during or after cutting tissue. In some variations the imaging sensor may be rotated around the perimeter of the catheter independently of the rotation of the cutter. Also describe herein are imaging catheters that may be used without cutters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Himanshu N. PATEL, John B. SIMPSON, Charles W. McNALL, Maegan K. SPENCER, Michael ZUNG, Priyanshu GUPTA, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Myra L. FABRO, Eduardo SUCGANG, Theodore W. KETAI
  • Patent number: 11382653
    Abstract: Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include longitudinally displaceable drive shafts that drive actuation of one or more cutters at the distal end of the catheter. The catheters described herein may include one or more imaging sensors for imaging before, during or after cutting tissue. In some variations the imaging sensor may be rotated around the perimeter of the catheter independently of the rotation of the cutter. Also describe herein are imaging catheters that may be used without cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Himanshu N. Patel, John B. Simpson, Charles W. McNall, Maegan K. Spencer, Michael Zung, Priyanshu Gupta, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Myra L. Fabro, Eduardo Sucgang, Theodore W. Ketai
  • Publication number: 20220168011
    Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Himanshu N. PATEL, John B. SIMPSON, Anthony J. FERNANDEZ, Richard R. NEWHAUSER, Priyanshu GUPTA, Michael ZUNG, Wendy Ngo LAM, Maegan K. SPENCER, Peter Howard SMITH, Stephen C. DAVIES, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Charles W. MCNALL, Theodore W. KETAI, Manish KANKARIA, Mark W. ASKEW, Kent C.B. STALKER
  • Patent number: 11284916
    Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Himanshu N. Patel, John B. Simpson, Anthony J. Fernandez, Richard R. Newhauser, Priyanshu Gupta, Michael Zung, Wendy Ngo Lam, Maegan K. Spencer, Peter Howard Smith, Stephen C. Davies, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Charles W. McNall, Theodore W. Ketai, Manish Kankaria, Mark W. Askew, Kent C. B. Stalker
  • Publication number: 20220079617
    Abstract: Versatile tissue collection devices that can provide reduced crossing profiles, fluid pressure release, and/or easy cleaning or removal. In particular, devices having tissue collection devices with multiple configurations to facilitate navigation through narrow vessel cross-sections while also providing adequate tissue storage capacity. Additionally, the devices may include detachable components that allow easy removal, cleaning, and replacement during a procedure. Furthermore, venting elements and sections may be included to relieve fluid buildup in storage reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Priyanshu GUPTA, Christina VAN, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, John B. SIMPSON
  • Publication number: 20210177262
    Abstract: A system for imaging a body lumen includes a controller and a display. The controller is configured to connect to a proximal end of a catheter having an optical fiber extending along the length of an elongate catheter body. The controller is further configured to rotate a distal end of the optical fiber from a location near a proximal end of the elongate catheter body, acquire optical coherence tomography (OCT) images using the optical fiber as the distal end of the optical fiber rotates, and determine a rotational lag of the distal end of the optical fiber. The display is configured to display one or more OCT images corrected for the rotational lag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Maegan K. SPENCER, Christopher B. WHITE, Charles W. MCNALL, Dennis W. JACKSON, Michael ZUNG, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Benjamin NGO, Evangeline LUMABAS, Kin F. CHAN, John F. BLACK, Michael H. ROSENTHAL, John B. SIMPSON
  • Publication number: 20210076949
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a hollow flexible shaft having a central longitudinal axis and an imaging window therein. An optical fiber extends within the hollow flexible shaft substantially along the central axis. A distal tip of the optical fiber is attached to the hollow flexible shaft and aligned with the imaging window so as to transfer an optical coherence tomography signal through the imaging window. A handle is attached to the hollow flexible shaft configured rotate the hollow flexible shaft at speeds of greater than 1,000 rpm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Peter H. SMITH, Manish KANKARIA, Priyanshu GUPTA, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Charles W. MCNALL
  • Publication number: 20200315654
    Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Himanshu N. PATEL, John B. SIMPSON, Anthony J. FERNANDEZ, Richard R. NEWHAUSER, Priyanshu GUPTA, Michael ZUNG, Wendy Ngo LAM, Maegan K. SPENCER, Peter Howard SMITH, Stephen C. DAVIES, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Charles W. MCNALL, Theodore W. KETAI, Manish KANKARIA, Mark W. ASKEW, Kent C.B. STALKER
  • Patent number: 10729326
    Abstract: A system for imaging a body lumen includes a controller and a display. The controller is configured to connect to a proximal end of a catheter having an optical fiber extending along the length of an elongate catheter body. The controller is further configured to rotate a distal end of the optical fiber from a location near a proximal end of the elongate catheter body, acquire optical coherence tomography (OCT) images using the optical fiber as the distal end of the optical fiber rotates, and determine a rotational lag of the distal end of the optical fiber. The display is configured to display one or more OCT images corrected for the rotational lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Christopher B. White, Charles W. McNall, Dennis W. Jackson, Michael Zung, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Benjamin Ngo, Evangeline Lumabas, Kin F. Chan, John F. Black, Michael H. Rosenthal, John B. Simpson
  • Patent number: 10722121
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a hollow flexible shaft having a central longitudinal axis and an imaging window therein. An optical fiber extends within the hollow flexible shaft substantially along the central axis. A distal tip of the optical fiber is attached to the hollow flexible shaft and aligned with the imaging window so as to transfer an optical coherence tomography signal through the imaging window. A handle is attached to the hollow flexible shaft configured rotate the hollow flexible shaft at speeds of greater than 1,000 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Smith, Manish Kankaria, Priyanshu Gupta, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Charles W. McNall
  • Publication number: 20200060718
    Abstract: Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include longitudinally displaceable drive shafts that drive actuation of one or more cutters at the distal end of the catheter. The catheters described herein may include one or more imaging sensors for imaging before, during or after cutting tissue. In some variations the imaging sensor may be rotated around the perimeter of the catheter independently of the rotation of the cutter. Also describe herein are imaging catheters that may be used without cutters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Himanshu N. PATEL, John B. SIMPSON, Charles W. McNALL, Maegan K. SPENCER, Michael ZUNG, Priyanshu GUPTA, Nicholas J. SPINELLI, Myra L. FABRO, Eduardo SUCGANG, Theodore W. KETAI
  • Patent number: 10548478
    Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body and an imaging shaft connected to the imaging element and extending within the catheter body. The cutter and the imaging element are mechanically isolated, and the drive shaft is configured to be axially translated relative to the imaging shaft and the catheter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Simpson, Priyanshu Gupta, Michael Zung, Wendy N. Lam, Maegan K. Spencer, Peter H. Smith, Stephen C. Davies, Nicholas J. Spinelli, Charles W. McNall, Theodore W. Ketai, Manish Kankaria, Mark W. Askew, Kent C. B. Stalker
  • Patent number: 10363062
    Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes a deflectable distal tip, a rotatable cutter proximal to the distal tip, a cutter drive shaft configured to rotate the rotatable cutter, and a pull shaft concentric with the drive shaft and coupled to the distal tip. The pull shaft is configured such that pulling the pull shaft deflects the distal tip, thereby exposing the rotatable cutter. Also disclosed herein is a magnetic drive system configured for non-contact actuation of a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Nicholas J. Spinelli