Patents by Inventor Susan L. Critzer
Susan L. Critzer 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).
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Patent number: 10292812Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 9925042Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 9358104Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Publication number: 20160038279Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 8444691Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 8241356Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Publication number: 20110190883Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Publication number: 20110186058Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Publication number: 20110190884Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 7947076Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Charles Vassallo, Susan L. Critzer
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Patent number: 7703460Abstract: An airway condition of a patient's is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a tongue of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the tongue near a base of the tongue to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the tongue. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the tongue with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the tongue near the base and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a jaw bone of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the jaw bone.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Conrad, Susan L. Critzer, Brian J. Erickson, Anja K. Metzger, John P. Sopp
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Patent number: 7673635Abstract: An airway condition of a patient is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a soft palate of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the soft palate near a trailing end of the soft palate to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the soft palate. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the soft palate with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the soft palate near the trailing end and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a hard palate of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the hard palate.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Medtronix Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Conrad, Susan L. Critzer, Brian J. Erickson, Anja K. Metzger, John P. Sopp
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Patent number: 7401611Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Conrad, Susan L. Critzer, Brian J. Erickson, Anja K. Metzger, John P. Sopp
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Patent number: 7322356Abstract: A method for treating a patient diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea includes identifying a patient as having sleep apnea susceptible to a first positive airway treatment which is at a first operating pressure level in excess of that which is otherwise tolerable to the patient. The patient is treated with an airway treatment selected to alter a portion of an airway tissue of the patient. The patient is then treated with a second positive airway pressure treatment at a second pressure level, which is below the pressure threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Critzer, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 7237554Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include placing a tissue contractor within the tissue. The contractor includes a static end and a tissue in-growth engaging end. The static end is secured to a bony structure adjacent to tissue to be contracted. The tissue in-growth engaging end is secured to the tissue and spaced from the bony structure. A spacing between the tissue engaging end and a bony end is contracted in order to place the tissue under tension.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Conrad, Susan L. Critzer, Brian J. Erickson, Anja K. Metzger, John P. Sopp
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Patent number: 7213599Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Conrad, Susan L. Critzer, Brian J. Erickson, Anja K. Metzger, John P. Sopp