Patents by Inventor Richard J. Fechter

Richard J. Fechter 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: 11607223
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for safely forming anastomoses comprise magnetic members configured to accommodate different tissue types and patients of differing size and weight. The magnetic members may comprise first and second magnetic members configured to engage each other with a force sufficient to form anastomosis while taking a sufficiently long time to allow the intestinal walls to fuse together. The first and second magnetic members can be configured to form anastomoses between both similar and different types of intestinal tissue. An elongate surgical placement instrument can be configured to engage and manipulate the first and second magnet members through the intestinal wall from outside the intestinal wall in order to place each of the magnetic members at desired locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Publication number: 20200138438
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for safely forming anastomoses comprise magnetic members configured to accommodate different tissue types and patients of differing size and weight. The magnetic members may comprise first and second magnetic members configured to engage each other with a force sufficient to form anastomosis while taking a sufficiently long time to allow the intestinal walls to fuse together. The first and second magnetic members can be configured to form anastomoses between both similar and different types of intestinal tissue. An elongate surgical placement instrument can be configured to engage and manipulate the first and second magnet members through the intestinal wall from outside the intestinal wall in order to place each of the magnetic members at desired locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Patent number: 10500086
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Patent number: 9655767
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Patent number: 9526652
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. An accelerometer is disposed to measure kinematic variables or movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Publication number: 20150144142
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. An accelerometer is disposed to measure kinematic variables or movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Patent number: 9031628
    Abstract: A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: ViOptix, Inc., Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash, William Lyon, Richard J. Fechter
  • Patent number: 8915915
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Patent number: 8808158
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Publication number: 20140128868
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Patent number: 8623036
    Abstract: A magnamosis system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using implants with magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The implants with their magnetic members have a mating surface and polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Publication number: 20130253548
    Abstract: A magnamosis system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using implants with magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The implants with their magnetic members have a mating surface and polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Dillon A. Kwiat, Richard J. Fechter
  • Patent number: 8439915
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient. An implant such as an internal jackscrew is implanted at the anatomical and has first and second attachment points that secure to spaced-apart locations on the anatomical feature, an internal rotor coupled to the jackscrew, and is configured to drive motion of the jackscrew to manipulate the anatomical feature. The system further includes an external rotor that is magnetically coupled to the internal rotor such that rotation of the external rotor at an exterior location to the patient's body affects a corresponding internal rotation of the internal rotor to manipulate the anatomical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran, Darrell Christensen
  • Publication number: 20120184799
    Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Kathryn H. Rosenbluth, Dillon A. Kwiat, Eric J. Kezirian, Richard J. Fechter, Darrell Christensen
  • Patent number: 8142454
    Abstract: A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran, Darrell Christensen
  • Patent number: 8043290
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for incrementally manipulating an internal body member of a patient are disclosed. The apparatus has a magnetic implant adapted to be received on a location of the body member, a platform external to the patient, and a magnetic member coupled to the platform, wherein the magnetic member generates a magnetic force between the implant and the platform to incrementally manipulate the body member. The implant and external magnetic member are preferably rare earth magnets or an array of rare earth magnets, and are configured to generate an attractive or repulsive force between the implant and the platform to reposition, reorient, deform, or lengthen the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran
  • Publication number: 20100114103
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient. An implant such as an internal jackscrew is implanted at the anatomical and has first and second attachment points that secure to spaced-apart locations on the anatomical feature. An internal motor is coupled to the jackscrew, and is configured to drive motion of the jackscrew to manipulate the anatomical feature. The system further includes an external driver that is inductively coupled to the internal motor to manipulate the anatomical feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran, Darrell Christensen
  • Publication number: 20090292187
    Abstract: A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: VIOPTIX INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash, William Lyon, Richard J. Fechter
  • Publication number: 20090048618
    Abstract: A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran, Darrell Christensen