Patents by Inventor Robert L. Clark, III
Robert L. Clark, III 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: 20240081903Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
-
Patent number: 11844566Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
-
Patent number: 11844526Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
-
Patent number: 11389167Abstract: Closure devices and methods are provided for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. Generally, the closure devices include an elongate body, a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop, and a shuttle connected to the snare and releasably coupled to the elongate body and retractable therein. In some variations, the shuttle may be configured to fit into the lumen. In other variations, a handle may be attached to the elongate body, and the handle may comprise a track and a snare control coupled to the track. The handle may be configured to release the shuttle from the elongate body and allow movement of the snare control along the track to retract the snare loop and the shuttle into a lumen of the elongate body.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Alan L. Bradley, Gregory W. Fung
-
Patent number: 11337725Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Patent number: 11224435Abstract: Closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally, include an elongate body having a first lumen therethrough, a snare loop assembly, a vacuum tube, and an imaging device. The snare loop assembly may include a snare and a suture loop releasably coupled to the snare and may at least partially extend from a distal end of the elongate body. The vacuum tube may be slidably positioned within the first lumen to extend through the snare loop assembly. The imaging device may be disposed within the lumen of the vacuum tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
-
Patent number: 11213618Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. A tool is provided to aspirate excess fluid and tissue from the treatment area.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Patent number: 11207073Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Gregory W. Fung, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano, Greg Liu
-
Publication number: 20210338262Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation . The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Patent number: 11096708Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation. The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Publication number: 20210205010Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
-
Patent number: 11026690Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Russell A. Seiber, Robert L. Clark, III
-
Patent number: 10959734Abstract: Described herein are tissue closure devices and methods for ligating a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The tissue closure devices may have an elongate body, a snare at least partially housed within the elongate body, a suture at least partially housed within the elongate body, and a tightening element coupled to the suture. The suture may have a suture loop, and the tightening element may be configured to decrease the size of the suture loop when the area of a tissue within the suture loop decreases.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
-
Patent number: 10799288Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SentreHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
-
Patent number: 10716571Abstract: Surgical and percutaneous devices for closing tissue, for example, the left atrial appendage, may have an elongate body with a stiffened proximal portion, a flexible middle portion, a distal portion, a closure element with a loop having a continuous aperture therethrough, and a suture loop. The closure devices may have a malleable member attached to the elongate body that may be configured to retain a curve after a force is applied to the malleable member. System and methods for closing the left atrial appendage may utilize a closure device and a curved guide device, and the closure device and curved guide device may be self-orienting.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: SENTREHEART LLCInventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell Pong, Russell A. Seiber
-
Publication number: 20200187971Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Publication number: 20200163692Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Patent number: 10603066Abstract: A minimally invasive skin treatment system includes a platform having a recessed area on its bottom and one or more injection ports orthogonal to its top, each injection port including a through-hole to the recessed area. The system includes an injection device including a needle slidably disposed in a selective port such that the needle passes into the recessed area and percutaneously through a dermis disposed within the recessed area. A nozzle is configured to discharge a fluid at a high pressure in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the needle and parallel to the top of the platform to cut create a plane of dissection within the subcutaneous tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.Inventors: Sowmya Ballakur, Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Ben F. Brian, III, David M. Clapper
-
Patent number: 10531888Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
-
Patent number: 10485573Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III