Patents by Inventor William Lucas Churchill

William Lucas Churchill 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).

  • Patent number: 11918276
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Patent number: 11903602
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20230157742
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Patent number: 11559348
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Publication number: 20220233758
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Holigan, Joanna Myczkowska, William Lucas Churchill, Danny Macari
  • Patent number: 11311660
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Holigan, Joanna Myczkowska, William Lucas Churchill, Danny Macari
  • Publication number: 20220047291
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11045217
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20200375650
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Publication number: 20200297900
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: David J. HOLIGAN, Joanna MYCZKOWSKA, William Lucas CHURCHILL, Danny MACARI
  • Patent number: 10779877
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Publication number: 20200187926
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an articulation joint that can include a plurality of articulation links, wherein each articulation link can include an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Each articulation link can further include a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the elongate body, wherein each arm includes an inner end attached to the outer surface of the elongate body and a second lumen extending from a proximal side of the arm to a distal side of the arm. The articulation joint can also include a bending member positioned within the first lumen of the elongate body and a control member positioned within a plurality of second lumens, wherein each of the plurality of second lumens includes a common longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary KAPPEL, William Lucas Churchill, Francis MacNamara, Eric Gutierrez, Larry Stanton
  • Patent number: 10610209
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an articulation joint that can include a plurality of articulation links, wherein each articulation link can include an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Each articulation link can further include a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the elongate body, wherein each arm includes an inner end attached to the outer surface of the elongate body and a second lumen extending from a proximal side of the arm to a distal side of the arm. The articulation joint can also include a bending member positioned within the first lumen of the elongate body and a control member positioned within a plurality of second lumens, wherein each of the plurality of second lumens includes a common longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Kappel, William Lucas Churchill, Francis MacNamara, Eric Gutierrez, Larry Stanton
  • Patent number: 10524638
    Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Golden, John O. McWeeney, Christopher A. Benning, Robert Castoldi, John F. Howard, Brian Intoccia, Gary Kappel, William Lucas Churchill
  • Publication number: 20190183528
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20190133421
    Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. GOLDEN, John O. McWEENEY, Christopher A. BENNING, Robert CASTOLDI, John F. HOWARD, Brian INTOCCIA, Gary KAPPEL, William Lucas CHURCHILL
  • Patent number: 10201264
    Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Golden, John O. McWeeney, Christopher A. Benning, Robert Castoldi, John F. Howard, Brian Intoccia, Gary Kappel, William Lucas Churchill
  • Patent number: 10130389
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10117710
    Abstract: An endometrial tissue treatment device includes an elongate positioning member and an energy applicator coupled to a distal end of the positioning member, the energy applicator including a tissue contacting member and an expandable-collapsible support structure underlying the tissue contacting member, the expandable-collapsible support structure comprising a substantially non-compliant elongate balloon disposed within the tissue contacting member that, when inflated, has a length oriented substantially transverse to the positioning member, including a first closed end that positions a corresponding first corner portion of the tissue contacting member in a first cornu of a uterine cavity, and a second closed end that positions a corresponding second corner portion of the tissue contacting member in a second cornu of a uterine cavity, with a lengthwise portion of the balloon positioning a distal facing portion of the tissue contacting member for contacting a fundal wall of a uterus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Catherine Withers, Matthew LaPlaca, Victor M. Solano UmaƱa
  • Publication number: 20180280072
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen