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).
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Patent number: 11918276Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
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Patent number: 11903602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
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Publication number: 20230157742Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
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Patent number: 11559348Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
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Publication number: 20220233758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: David J. Holigan, Joanna Myczkowska, William Lucas Churchill, Danny Macari
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Patent number: 11311660Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: David J. Holigan, Joanna Myczkowska, William Lucas Churchill, Danny Macari
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Publication number: 20220047291Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
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Patent number: 11045217Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
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Publication number: 20200375650Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
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Publication number: 20200297900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: David J. HOLIGAN, Joanna MYCZKOWSKA, William Lucas CHURCHILL, Danny MACARI
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Patent number: 10779877Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
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Publication number: 20200187926Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Gary KAPPEL, William Lucas Churchill, Francis MacNamara, Eric Gutierrez, Larry Stanton
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Patent number: 10610209Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Gary Kappel, William Lucas Churchill, Francis MacNamara, Eric Gutierrez, Larry Stanton
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Patent number: 10524638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20190183528Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
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Publication number: 20190133421Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 10201264Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 10130389Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
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Patent number: 10117710Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Catherine Withers, Matthew LaPlaca, Victor M. Solano UmaƱa
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Publication number: 20180280072Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen