Patents by Inventor Robert E. Atkinson

Robert E. Atkinson 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: 20110276079
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a side port, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, directing the distal portion within the vascular wall such that the distal portion moves at least partially laterally, and directing the side port towards the vascular lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110276072
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a lumen extending therein; inserting the device into the vascular lumen; positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall; and directing the distal portion within the vascular wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Chad J. KUGLER, Robert E. ATKINSON
  • Patent number: 8025655
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall to at least partially surround the occlusion, and removing at least a portion of the surrounded occlusion from the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110202106
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
  • Publication number: 20110202137
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Keith, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110196445
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen L Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20110160794
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110152966
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 7938819
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a side port, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, directing the distal portion within the vascular wall such that the distal portion moves at least partially laterally, and directing the side port towards the vascular lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7918870
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a lumen extending therein; inserting the device into the vascular lumen; positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall; and directing the distal portion within the vascular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgepoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110071591
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 7905923
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Keith, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7896825
    Abstract: Devices and methods for compressing a patient's limb or limbs (e.g., legs or arms) for treating or preventing ailments due to compromised venous or lymphatic circulation of the limb. Exemplary embodiments include, but are not limited to, sub-atmospheric compression, micro-pneumatic compression, and active fabric compression devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgepoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Atkinson, Chad J. Kugler
  • Publication number: 20110015714
    Abstract: Devices and methods for stabilizing a lead in a cardiac vein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert E. Atkinson, Peter T. Keith, Michael Berman
  • Patent number: 7809442
    Abstract: Devices and methods of use are provided for treating a person having a hypoglossal nerve and an upper airway. In one embodiment, a method may include providing a nerve cuff electrode including a cylindrical cuff body. The method may further include chronically implanting the nerve cuff electrode on a portion of the hypoglossal nerve. The method may also include delivering a stimulus to the hypoglossal nerve via the nerve cuff electrode to mitigate obstruction of the upper airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 7797053
    Abstract: Devices and methods for stabilizing an electrical lead in a cardiac vein of a heart using a tether and a stent anchor. The stent anchor may include a proximal eccentric apex such that the distal electrode of the lead lies against and establishes electrical contact with tissue of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Aetherworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Atkinson, Peter T. Keith, Michael Berman
  • Publication number: 20100209897
    Abstract: An intraoral behavior monitoring and aversion device to assist a user in quitting an undesirable behavior such as tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing, use of snuff, illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive food consumption, and/or other undesirable activity facilitated via the mouth. The aversion device may be wholly or partially configured to be disposed in the user's mouth, for example. The aversion device may include a detector and a output device, wherein the detector is configured to detect a parameter indicative of the user engaging in the habit or undesirable activity. If (and only if) the detector detects such a parameter, the output device may, optionally, deliver a negative stimulus to the user, thus providing negative feedback and creating an incentive for the user to limit if not eliminate the undesirable activity. The device may be configured to store and/or relay data representing sensed conditions in the mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: David Scott Utley, Michael Berman, Peter T. Keith, Robert E. Atkinson, Jack Denton Utley, JR.
  • Patent number: 7753941
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Keith, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20100174341
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20100139667
    Abstract: Devices and methods for maintaining an open airway are described. Systems and methods are described for maintaining an opening of an airway by application of force to a patient's tissues in one of inferior, anterior, and lateral directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. ATKINSON, Chad J. Kugler