Patents by Inventor William L. Athas
William L. Athas 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: 9445791Abstract: The present application describes an implant system useable for positioning an implant device such as a device useful for restricting passage of ingested food into the stomach. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a plurality of anchors that may be coupled to tissue within the stomach, or to a tissue tunnel formed by plicating stomach wall tissue. The anchor includes a loop. During use, the implant device is inserted through the loop and expanded such that it retains its position within the loop until removed. Instruments for implanting and explanting the implant device are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Daniel J. Balbierz, William L. Athas, John Lunsford, Kevin Van Bladel, Ashik Mohan, Samuel T. Crews, Shuji Uemura, Robert H. Hawes
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Publication number: 20160250055Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Richard S. STACK, William L. ATHAS, Richard A. GLENN, Daniel BALBIERZ, John LUNSFORD, Michael S. WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 9358145Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel Balbierz, John Lunsford, Michael S. Williams
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Patent number: 9358144Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams
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Patent number: 9314361Abstract: A gastric implant system includes a gastric implant such as a restrictive pouch or a gastric balloon, an anchor passable through the mouth and stomach and further through the stomach wall into engagement with abdominal wall tissue. When the anchor is engaged to abdominal wall tissue, the stomach wall and abdominal wall are brought into contact with one another such that a proximal portion of the anchor extends into the stomach interior while a distal portion of the anchor remains engaged to the abdominal wall. A locking element coupled to the proximal section of the anchor is sued to maintain contact between the stomach wall and abdominal wall. The gastric implant is advanced through the oral cavity into the stomach and is coupled to the anchor.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, William L. Athas
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Patent number: 9248038Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Daniel J. Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin Van Bladel, William S. Eubanks, Jr., William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Richard Kouri
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Publication number: 20160022464Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Richard A. GLENN, Daniel BALBIERZ, John LUNSFORD, William L. ATHAS
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Publication number: 20150342772Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Richard A. GLENN, William L. ATHAS, Michael S. WILLIAMS, Trevor J. MOODY, Fred E. SILVERSTEIN, Nathan EVERY
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Patent number: 9180035Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin van Bladel, William S. Eubanks, Jr., William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Richard Kouri
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Patent number: 9180036Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
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Publication number: 20150272763Abstract: Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Daniel J. Balbierz, William L. Athas, John Lunsford, William S. Eubanks, Kevin Van Bladel
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Patent number: 9138340Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Trevor J. Moody, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every
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Publication number: 20150202039Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams
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Patent number: 8992457Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams
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Publication number: 20150051533Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Richard S. STACK, William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel Balbierz, John Lunsford, Michael S. Williams
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Patent number: 8919348Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes a rigid tube carried by a mount. Cannulas having instrument channels and steerable distal ends extend distally from the rigid tube. During a procedure using the system, the mount is supported by an operating room fixture, and instruments are advanced through the steerable instrument channels. Manipulation of the instrument handles engages actuators positioned on the mount, which steer the distal ends of the cannulas through the action of pull cables. The distal ends of the instruments may thus be steered within the body by the distal ends of the steerable cannulas.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Transenterix Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Williams, Richard S. Stack, Geoffrey A. Orth, Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer, William L. Athas, Aurora Pryor
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Publication number: 20140364792Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Trevor J. Moody, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every
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Publication number: 20140350693Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
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Patent number: 8845753Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, William L. Athas, Michael S. William, Trevor J. Moody, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every
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Publication number: 20140249465Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Daniel J. BALBIERZ, John LUNSFORD, Kevin Van BLADEL, William S. EUBANKS, JR., William L. ATHAS, Richard A. GLENN, Richard KOURI