Patents by Inventor Philip Houle

Philip Houle 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: 10595867
    Abstract: Systems and methods introduce and deploy prosthesis into a blood vessel or hollow body organ by intra-vascular access. The prosthesis is secured in place by fasteners which are implanted by an applier that is also deployed by intra-vascular access. The applier is configured to permit controlled, selective release of the fastener in a step that is independent of the step of implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Bolduc, Philip Houle
  • Patent number: 9808250
    Abstract: Systems and methods introduce and deploy prosthesis into a blood vessel or hollow body organ by intra-vascular access. The prosthesis is secured in place by fasteners which are implanted by an applier that is also deployed by intra-vascular access. The applier is configured to permit controlled, selective release of the fastener in a step that is independent of the step of implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Bolduc, Philip Houle
  • Publication number: 20170303922
    Abstract: Systems and methods introduce and prosthesis into a blood vessel or hollow body organ by intra-vascular access. The prosthesis is secured in place by fasteners which are implanted by an applier that is also deployed by intra-vascular access. The applier is configured to permit controlled, selective release of the fastener in a step that is independent of the step of implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Lee Bolduc, Philip Houle
  • Publication number: 20080073610
    Abstract: A stopcock control valve including a valve seat member defining a hollow area, the valve seat member having an aperture and a rigid member having an outer circumferential surface. The outer circumferential surface having a tangential groove defined thereon, the groove tapering, the tapering including sections of varying volume from a large volume to a small volume, wherein the rigid member rotatably fits within the hollow area of the valve seat member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Casey Manning, Philip Houle, William Larkins
  • Publication number: 20070085049
    Abstract: A cassette for controlling the flow of IV fluid from a patient to a source. The cassette preferably includes, along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber, and a stopcock-type valve. The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve, which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber. The stopcock control valve preferably has two rigid cylindrical members with complementary surfaces, wherein one member includes a tapered groove defined on its complementary surface. The two complementary surfaces define a space therebetween, instead of having an interference fit, and a resilient sealing member is disposed in this space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: DEKA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Philip Houle, William Larkins
  • Publication number: 20060287661
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods support tissue in a body organ for the purpose of restoring or maintaining native function of the organ. The devices, systems, and methods do not require invasive, open surgical approaches to be implemented, but, instead, lend themselves to catheter-based, intra-vascular and/or percutaneous techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Lee Bolduc, Andrew Chiang, Philip Houle, Gilbert Laroya
  • Publication number: 20060184094
    Abstract: Fluid delivery devices having a porous applicator, as well as methods for using the same in the highly localized delivery of fluid to a target site, are provided. The subject devices have a porous applicator through which fluid must flow in order to contact the target delivery site. The subject devices find use in a variety of fluid delivery applications in which the localized delivery of a fluid to a target site is desired. Also provided are systems and kits that include the subject fluid delivery devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Brent Constantz, Jerome Riebman, Philip Houle
  • Publication number: 20050177180
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods support tissue in a body organ for the purpose of restoring or maintaining native function of the organ. The devices, systems, and methods do not require invasive, open surgical approaches to be implemented, but, instead, lend themselves to catheter-based, intra-vascular and/or percutaneous techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Kaganov, Lee Bolduc, Andrew Chiang, Philip Houle, Gilbert Laroya
  • Patent number: 6709417
    Abstract: A valve (7) for use in controlling the flow of IV fluid from a source to a patient. A cassette may include along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves (6, 7) on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber (50), and a stopcock-type valve (20). The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve (7), which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber (50). The membrane defining the valving chamber of the second membrane-based valve (7) is preferably large and resilient, so that the valving chamber(75) may provide a supply of pressurized intravenous fluid to the patient, when the valve (6) is closed and the stopcock valve (20) provides a restriction downstream of the valve (7). The pressure-conduction chamber (50) preferably has a membrane (41) that is stable in the empty-chamber position but relatively unstable in the filled-chamber position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Philip Houle, William T. Larkins, Richard Lanigan
  • Patent number: 6364857
    Abstract: A cassette for use in controlling the flow of IV fluid from a patient to a source. The cassette may include along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves (6, 7) on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber (50), and a stopcock-type valve (20). The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve (7), which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber (50). The membrane defining the valving chamber of the second membrane-based valve (7) is preferably large and resilient, so that the valving chamber (75) may provide a supply of pressurized intravenous fluid to the patient, when the valve (6) is closed and the stopcock valve (20) provides a restriction downstream of the valve (7). The pressure-conduction chamber (50) preferably has a membrane (41) that is stable in the empty-chamber position but relatively unstable in the filled-chamber position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Philip Houle, William T. Larkins
  • Patent number: 6165154
    Abstract: A cassette for controlling the flow of IV fluid from a patient to a source. The cassette preferably includes, along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves (6, 7) on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber (50), and a stopcock-type valve (20). The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve (7), which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber (50). The membrane defining the valving chamber of the second membrane-based valve (7) is preferably large and resilient, so that the valving chamber (75) may provide a supply of pressurized intravenous fluid to the patient, when the valve is closed and the stopcock valve provides a restriction downstream of the valve. The pressure-conduction chamber (50) preferably has a membrane (41) that is stable in the empty-chamber position but relatively unstable in the filled-chamber position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Philip Houle, William T. Larkins
  • Patent number: 5935105
    Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus is disposed in an intravenous fluid line. At the top end of the line is attached a chamber where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber, a metering chamber or the intravenous supply. When air is detected, a valve or valves are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line between the pump and the separation chamber so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Robert Manning, William T. Larkins, Philip Houle, Dean L. Kamen, Valentine Faust
  • Patent number: 5713865
    Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus 5 is disposed in an intravenous fluid line 3. At the top end of the line 3 is attached a chamber 1, 2, 12 where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber 12, a metering chamber 2 or the intravenous supply 1. When air is detected, a valve 11 or valves 7, 9 are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump 4 is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber 1, 2, 12. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line 31 between the pump 4 and the separation chamber 1, 2, 12, so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Robert Manning, William T. Larkins, Philip Houle, Dean L. Kamen, Valentine Faust