Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Swanick
Thomas M. Swanick 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: 8734518Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.Inventors: Alan Lombardo, Mark Semler, Joseph F. Ferraro, Theodore Karwoski, Thomas M. Swanick, Brian C. Sunter
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Publication number: 20140099461Abstract: A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventor: Thomas M. Swanick
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Publication number: 20130345816Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Alan Lombardo, Mark Semler, Joseph F. Ferraro, Theodore Karwoski, Thomas M. Swanick, Brian C. Sunter
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Publication number: 20130331940Abstract: A deployment device, system, and method for deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device includes a housing, a rod disposed within the housing and adapted to rotate relative to the housing, and one or more support members (e.g., bushings, bearings, etc.) rotatably supporting the rod within the housing. An elongate slit is disposed in and entirely through the housing and is positioned in a way that enables the prosthesis to pass therethrough from a loaded, rolled configuration on the rod. The deployment device is generally flexible, e.g., has a bending stiffness of at most about 0.87 N/mm (e.g., about 0.05 N/mm to about 0.87 N/mm). Furthermore, the deployment device enables a user to deploy (e.g., unroll) a prosthesis therefrom at a rate determined manually by the user and in a piece-by-piece fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: ATRIUM MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas M. Swanick, Joseph Bienkiewicz
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Patent number: 8574618Abstract: A bio-absorbable stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The bio-absorbable stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. The stand-alone film has one or more perforations or depressions formed therein. Corresponding methods of making the bio-absorbable stand-alone film with one or more perforations or depressions include molding, cutting, carving, puncturing or otherwise suitable methods to create the perforations or depressions in the bio-absorbable stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Atrium Medical CorporationInventors: Steve A. Herweck, Thomas M. Swanick, Joseph Ferraro, Paul Martakos, Lisa Rogers, Theodore Karwoski, Keith M. Faucher, Philip McNamara, Roger Labrecque, Suzanne Conroy, Trevor Carlton
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Patent number: 8518116Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.Inventors: Alan Lombardo, Mark Semler, Joseph F. Ferraro, Theodore Karwoski, Thomas M. Swanick, Brian C. Sunter
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Patent number: 8388685Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.Inventors: Alan Lombardo, Mark Semler, Joseph F. Ferraro, Theodore Karwoski, Thomas M. Swanick, Brian C. Sunter
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Patent number: 8367099Abstract: A bio-absorbable stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The bio-absorbable stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. The stand-alone film has one or more perforations or depressions formed therein. Corresponding methods of making the bio-absorbable stand-alone film with one or more perforations or depressions include molding, cutting, carving, puncturing or otherwise suitable methods to create the perforations or depressions in the bio-absorbable stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Atrium Medical CorporationInventors: Steve A. Herweck, Thomas M. Swanick, Joseph Ferraro, Paul Martakos, Lisa Rogers, Theodore Karwoski, Keith M. Faucher, Philip McNamara, Roger Labrecque, Suzanne Conroy, Trevor Carlton
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Publication number: 20120304444Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: BLACKSTONE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Alan Lombardo, Mark Semler, Joseph F. Ferraro, Theodore Karwoski, Thomas M. Swanick, Brian C. Sunter
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Publication number: 20100233232Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fatty acid-based particles, and methods of making such particles. The particles can be associated with an additional, therapeutic agent. Also provided herein is a method of forming fatty acid particles, comprising associating a cross-linked, fatty acid-derived biomaterial with a cryogenic liquid; and fragmenting the bio material/cryogenic liquid composition, such that fatty acid particles are formed. The particles can be used for a variety of therapeutic applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Thomas M. SWANICK, Joseph FERRARO, Lisa ROGERS, Paul MARTAKOS
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Publication number: 20100183697Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide adhesion barriers having anti-adhesion and tissue fixating properties. The adhesion barriers are formed of fatty acid based films. The fatty acid-based films may be formed from fatty acid-derived biomaterials. The films may be coated with, or may include, tissue fixating materials to create the adhesion barrier. The adhesion barriers are well tolerated by the body, have anti-inflammation properties, fixate, well to tissue, and have a residence time sufficient to prevent post-surgical adhesions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: ATRIUM MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas M. SWANICK, Joe BIENKIEWICZ, Joseph FERRARO, Paul MARTAKOS, Keith M. FAUCHER, Alicia DALE
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Patent number: 6774155Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for fabricating devices from polymer precursors, along with devices so fabricated. The methods of the invention include the steps of plasma treating a polymer based resin, paste, preform billet, or extrudate, and employing the treated polymer in the fabricated device. According to one embodiment, the fabricated device can include implantable prosthetics such as heart valves, sutures, vascular access devices, vascular grafts, shunts, catheters, single layered membranes, double layered membranes, and the like. Devices fabricated according to one embodiment of the invention include regions having selected porosity, permeability and/or chemistry characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Atrium Medical CorporationInventors: Paul Martakos, Thomas M. Swanick, Theodore Karwoski
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Publication number: 20030149126Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for fabricating devices from polymer precursors, along with devices so fabricated. The methods of the invention include the steps of plasma treating a polymer based resin, paste, preform billet, or extrudate, and employing the treated polymer in the fabricated device. According to one embodiment, the fabricated device can include implantable prosthetics such as heart valves, sutures, vascular access devices, vascular grafts, shunts, catheters, single layered membranes, double layered membranes, and the like. Devices fabricated according to one embodiment of the invention include regions having selected porosity, permeability and/or chemistry characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Paul Martakos, Thomas M. Swanick, Theodore Karwoski
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Publication number: 20030114923Abstract: A graft has a seamless flow dividing structure. A method of manufacturing the flow dividing graft structure includes providing a first section of graft material having at least one side, a first end, and a second end. An opening is drawn out through the at least one side. A second section of graft material is coupled with the opening. An angled section is formed along the first section of graft material. The angled section provides a seamless division of flow supplied from the second section to the first section and directs the flow to each of the first and second ends of the first graft material. The resulting graft structure includes a main graft section. A branch graft section is coupled with the main graft section at an angled divider section. The angled divider section is seamless and is suitable for dividing flow through the flow dividing graft structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Thomas M. Swanick, Joseph Ferraro, Ibrahim Dagher, Paul Martakos, Theodore Karwoski, Steven A. Herweck
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Patent number: 6573311Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for fabricating devices from polymer precursors, along with devices so fabricated. The methods of the invention include the steps of plasma treating a polymer based resin, paste, preform billet, or extrudate, and employing the treated polymer in the fabricated device. According to one embodiment, the fabricated device can include implantable prosthetics such as heart valves, sutures, vascular access devices, vascular grafts, shunts, catheters, single layered membranes, double layered membranes, and the like. Devices fabricated according to one embodiment of the invention include regions having selected porosity, permeability and/or chemistry characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Atrium Medical CorporationInventors: Paul Martakos, Thomas M. Swanick, Theodore Karwoski