Patents by Inventor Stephen H. Diaz

Stephen H. Diaz 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: 20160128724
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20160030082
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20160000461
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Patent number: 9186176
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Patent number: 9161778
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ENTOURAGE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20150223792
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Steese-Bradley Gary
  • Patent number: 9044267
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: ENTOURAGE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20150148748
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for injecting, comprising a syringe body defining an interior medicine chamber; a stopper member configured to be inserted into the interior medicine chamber to contain medicine within the medicine chamber; a plunger member configured to be manually manipulated to insert the stopper member relative to the syringe body; a needle having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end comprising an anchoring geometry configured to be at least partially penetrated into the stopper member such that upon retraction of the stopper member, the needle is pulled proximally along with the stopper to be at least partially contained within the interior medicine chamber; and an energy-storing member operatively coupled between the stopper member and the syringe body, the energy-storing member configured to facilitate retraction of the stopper member relative to the syringe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Credence Medsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, John F. Shanley, Jeff Tillack, Dan Thayer
  • Publication number: 20150119934
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for closing a wound created across a portion of a tissue structure, comprising a suture member having proximal and distal ends; an anchor member coupled to the distal end of the suture member; a tension retainer assembly releasably coupleable to the suture member; and a suture buttress movably intercoupled to the suture member between the anchor member and the tension retainer and configured to minimize direct sliding contact between the suture member and the tissue structure portion around the location of the suture buttress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz
  • Publication number: 20150119905
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for closing a wound created at least partially across a tissue structure wall, comprising: a helical needle; a suture member coupled to the helical needle and configured to be pulled along a helical pattern with helical movement of the helical needle; an outer delivery member rotatably coupled to the helical needle; a drive shaft axially movably coupled to the outer delivery member; and a plurality of suture guide struts projecting distally from the outer delivery member; wherein upon helical insertion of the helical needle relative to the outer delivery member, the helical needle is advanced such that it becomes disposed around the guide struts, such that the guide struts prevent radial migration of the suture as it is helically wound into the tissue structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz
  • Publication number: 20150088194
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20150011935
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a safety syringe system, comprising a syringe body; a plunger tip positioned within the syringe body; a needle assembly removably coupleable to the distal end of the syringe body such that a medicinal fluid may be transferred through a retractable needle coupled to a needle housing comprising the needle assembly upon insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; and a plunger control assembly coupled to the plunger tip and configured to facilitate manual insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; wherein the needle assembly comprises a needle housing member removably coupled to the retractable needle and also removably coupled to a needle cover, the needle cover providing a relatively large geometric guiding surface for aligning a proximal end of the retractable needle as it is guided into fluidic contact with the fluid reservoir of the syringe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Credence Medsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Diaz, John F. SHANLEY, Alan E. Shluzas, Jeff TILLACK, Dan THAYER
  • Publication number: 20150011934
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a safety syringe system, comprising: an off-the-shelf syringe assembly comprising a syringe body and a plunger tip; a needle assembly removably coupleable to the distal end of the syringe body such that medicinal fluid may be transferred through a retractable needle coupled to a needle housing comprising the needle assembly upon insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; and a plunger control assembly coupled to the plunger tip and configured to facilitate manual insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; wherein upon insertion of the plunger tip to a final insertion state and release of an associated manual insertion load, the plunger tip may be proximally withdrawn, pulling the retractable needle proximally relative to the needle housing to a safe locked and retracted state wherein it is no longer exposed for injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: CREDENCE MEDSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Diaz, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Jeff Tillack, Dan Thayer
  • Patent number: 8926657
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20150005707
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a pre-filled safety syringe system, comprising a syringe body; a plunger tip positioned within the syringe body; a needle assembly removably coupleable to the distal end of the syringe body such that a medicinal fluid may be transferred through a retractable needle coupled to a needle housing comprising the needle assembly upon insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; and a plunger control assembly coupled to the plunger tip and configured to facilitate manual insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; wherein upon insertion and release of the plunger tip, a retraction load coupled between the syringe body and the plunger tip causes the plunger tip to be proximally withdrawn, pulling the retractable needle proximally relative to the needle housing to a safe locked and retracted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Credence Medsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. DIAZ, John F. SHANLEY, Alan E. Shluzas, Jeff TILLACK, Dan THAYER
  • Publication number: 20150005706
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a safety syringe system, comprising a syringe body; a plunger tip positioned within the syringe body; a needle assembly removably coupleable to the distal end of the syringe body such that a medicinal fluid may be transferred through a retractable needle coupled to a needle housing comprising the needle assembly upon insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; and a plunger control assembly coupled to the plunger tip and configured to facilitate manual insertion of the plunger tip relative to the syringe body; wherein upon insertion and release of the plunger tip, a retraction load coupled between the syringe body and the plunger tip causes the plunger tip to be proximally withdrawn, pulling the retractable needle proximally relative to the needle housing to a safe locked and retracted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Credence Medsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Diaz, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Jeff Tillack, Dan Thayer
  • Publication number: 20150005741
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for safe injection, comprising: providing an injection assembly and inserting a plunger tip of the injection assembly to a final insertion state and releasing an associated manual insertion load. A retraction load developed sufficient to cause the plunger tip to be proximally withdrawn pulls the retractable needle proximally relative to the needle housing to a retracted state wherein a distal tip of the needle becomes mechanically locked into an encapsulated configuration wherein it is no longer exposed for injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Credence Medsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. Diaz, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Jeff Tillack, Dan Thayer
  • Publication number: 20140288530
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of conducting an injection, comprising: providing an assembly of a syringe plunger movably coupled to a syringe body which may contain fluid for infusion, the syringe body having a distal end that is removably coupled to a Luer adaptor, the Luer adaptor defining a needle lumen through which a needle may be coupled, the Luer adaptor comprising a distal surface configured to be removably coupled to a Luer fitting of another device; deciding upon infusion via needle injection or Luer coupling; and selectably configuring the assembly for needle injection or Luer coupling by removing the Luer adaptor to further expose the needle for needle injection, or by leaving the Luer adaptor in place and coupling it to the Luer fitting of the other device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Reprise Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, John F. Shanley
  • Publication number: 20140100604
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Litvack, John F. Shanley, Alan E. Shluzas, Stephen H. Diaz, Gary Steese-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20140100594
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank LITVACK, John F. SHANLEY, Alan E. SHLUZAS, Stephen H. DIAZ, Gary STEESE-BRADLEY