Patents by Inventor William N. Aldrich
William N. Aldrich 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: 8236026Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 8182497Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Francisco Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Publication number: 20120123228Abstract: Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: William N. Aldrich, David Miller
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Patent number: 8128644Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Publication number: 20110313452Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: INTEGRATED VASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 7991474Abstract: Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Endovx, Inc.Inventors: William N. Aldrich, David Miller
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Publication number: 20110144668Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: INTEGRATED VASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Jana Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 7962225Abstract: Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Endovx, Inc.Inventors: William N. Aldrich, David Miller
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Publication number: 20110106148Abstract: A closure system and methods of use are provided for use in sealing an opening in a body tissue, such as a vascular puncture site. A method of closing the opening in the body tissue can be performed with the closure system having a closure clip. The method can include positioning the closure clip in a first closure clip position adjacent to the opening in the body tissue such that a plurality of spikes of the closure clip are inserted into the tissue at a location outward from a central axis of the opening. Subsequently, the closure clip can be positioned in a second closure clip position such that the plurality of spikes are pulled inward toward the central axis of the opening so as to pull the tissue between the opening and each of the spikes together and close the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: INTEGRATED VASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, William N. Aldrich, William Martin Belef, Steven N. Roe, Michael T. Carley, Ronald J. Jabba, Stephen M. Salmon, Anthony J. Pantages, Francisco Javier Sagastegui
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Patent number: 7909846Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: MAQUET Cardiovascular LLCInventors: Charles S. Taylor, William N. Aldrich, Federico J. Benetti, Richard S. Ginn, Dwight P. Morejohn, Brent Regan, Eugene E. Reis, Ivan Sepetka, William F. Witt
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Patent number: 7901428Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention includes an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, William N. Aldrich
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Patent number: 7887555Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 7879071Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 7828817Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip to close an opening through tissue includes a sheath and a carrier assembly including a clip therein that is slidable on the sheath. An actuator assembly is connectable to the sheath, and telescoping actuator members extend from the handle that are connectable to the carrier assembly for advancing the carrier assembly along the sheath. An obturator on the actuator assembly includes splines that may be deployed beyond a distal end of the sheath, and expanded to a transverse expanded configuration for positioning the sheath before deploying the clip. The actuator members include cooperating detents that selectively release the actuator members as the carrier assembly reaches predetermined positions along the sheath for deploying the clip from the carrier assembly, and that collapse the splines to allow removal of the apparatus after deploying the clip.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: W. Martin Belef, William N. Aldrich, Michael T. Carley, Ronald J. Jabba, Stephen M. Salmon, Anthony Pantages, Javier Sagastegui
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Patent number: 7819895Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, William N. Aldrich
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Patent number: 7806904Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Integrated Vascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Janina Sagastegui, legal representative, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Patent number: 7783358Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating obesity by an energy delivery device, such as a high focus ultrasound transducer, mounted for movement along two or three axes relative to the esophagus to deliver transesophageal energy to interrupt the function of vagal nerves. Preferably, movement along a longitudinal axis of the esophagus changes the site to which the energy is directed and movement transversely along a radius of the esophagus focuses the energy on a vagal nerve. The third degree of freedom relative to the esophagus is to rotate the transducer about the longitudinal axis of the esophagus.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Endovx, Inc.Inventors: William N. Aldrich, David Miller
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Patent number: 7699774Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLCInventors: Charles S. Taylor, William N. Aldrich, Federico J. Benetti, Richard S. Ginn, Dwight P. Morejohn, Brent Regan, Eugene E. Reis, Ivan Sepetka, William F. Witt
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Publication number: 20090177212Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: INTEGRATED VASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael T. Carley, Richard S. Ginn, Javier Sagastegui, Ronald J. Jabba, William N. Aldrich, W. Martin Belef
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Publication number: 20090018473Abstract: Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: William N. Aldrich, David Miller