Patents by Inventor Ward Small
Ward Small 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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Publication number: 20240008875Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Patent number: 11864989Abstract: A system comprising first, second, and third shape memory polymers (SMPs); wherein (a) the first SMP is a biodegradable open cell foam that includes a first channel; (b) the second SMP includes a second channel and is included in the first channel; (c) the foam is in a first state and is configured to expand to a second state, radially outward from the second foam, in response to thermal stimulus; (d) the third SMP is between the first and second SMPs and includes a stent having a first strut that includes the third SMP and a second strut that includes the third SMP; and (e) each of the first, second, and third SMPs is coupled to a wire.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, William J. Benett, Jonathan Hartman, David Saloner
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Patent number: 11866594Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a product includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer structure having elastomeric shape memory, where the structure includes a material comprising a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The 3D printed polymer structure has hierarchical porosity.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Amanda Wu, Taylor Maxwell Bryson, Eric Duoss, Thomas R. Metz, Ward Small, Thomas S. Wilson, Stephanie Schulze, Emily Cheng
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Patent number: 11771435Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Publication number: 20230098681Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland, Nicole Docherty, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Jason Ortega, Pooja Singhal
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Publication number: 20220370086Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Jason Szafron, Duncan Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, Andrea D. Muschenborn
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Patent number: 11459439Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland, Nicole Docherty, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Jason Ortega, Pooja Singhal
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Patent number: 11406401Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Jason Szafron, Duncan Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, Andrea D. Muschenborn
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Publication number: 20220064481Abstract: A product includes a porous three-dimensional printed structure having printed filaments arranged in a geometric pattern. The printed filaments include a material having a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The printed structure has hierarchical porosity including an inter-filament porosity defined by the arrangement of the printed filaments, and an intra-filament porosity of the material. The intra-filament porosity is defined by the plurality of gas-filled microballoons in the material of the printed filament.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Jennifer Nicole Rodriguez, Eric B. Duoss, Alexandra Golobic, Jeremy M. Lenhardt, Lemuel Perez Perez, Ward Small, IV, Thomas S. Wilson, Amanda Wu, Timothy Dexter Yee, Stephanie Schulze
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Publication number: 20220022883Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Jason M. Ortega, William J. Benett, Ward Small, Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Patent number: 11141164Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel or vein, wherein the aneurysm has a dome, an interior, and a neck. The system includes a shape memory polymer foam in the interior of the aneurysm between the dome and the neck. The shape memory polymer foam has pores that include a first multiplicity of pores having a first pore size and a second multiplicity of pores having a second pore size. The second pore size is larger than said first pore size. The first multiplicity of pores are located in the neck of the aneurysm. The second multiplicity of pores are located in the dome of the aneurysm.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Jason M. Ortega, William J. Benett, Ward Small, Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Publication number: 20210137527Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Publication number: 20210022847Abstract: A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, William J. Benett, Jonathan Hartman, David Saloner
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Patent number: 10898199Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, William J. Benett, Jason M. Ortega, Duncan J. Maitland, Jonathan Hartman
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Publication number: 20200362134Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland, Nicole Docherty, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Jason Ortega, Pooja Singhal
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Patent number: 10806561Abstract: A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Thomas S. Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, William J. Benett, Jonathan Hartman, David A. Saloner
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Patent number: 10781294Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Landon D. Nash, Duncan J. Maitland, Nicole Docherty, Thomas S. Wilson, Ward Small, IV, Jason Ortega, Pooja Singhal
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Publication number: 20200107841Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Jason Szafron, Duncan Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick R. Buckley, Andrea D. Muschenborn
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Publication number: 20200109300Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a product includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer structure having elastomeric shape memory, where the structure includes a material comprising a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The 3D printed polymer structure has hierarchical porosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Amanda Wu, Taylor Maxwell Bryson, Eric Duoss, Thomas R. Metz, Ward Small, Thomas S. Wilson, Stephanie Schulze, Emily Cheng
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Patent number: 10499935Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Jason Szafron, Duncan Maitland, Ward Small, IV, Patrick Buckley, Andrea D. Muschenborn