Patents by Inventor William T. Fisher
William T. Fisher 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: 7771370Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a means for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, means for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a means for introducing a sealing member into the open end of said tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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Publication number: 20100152720Abstract: Various embodiments of an offset catheter are provided. In some embodiments, an offset catheter includes a guidewire tube and a catheter coupled with an elastic and/or compressible rib. The compressible rib provides an offset or separation between the catheter and the guidewire tube in its resting state. The rib has an initial resting state, but may be forced into a compressed state. When released from the compressed state, the rib returns to its resting state. An offset catheter may be compressed and slid through a sheath. When the offset catheter emerges from the sheath, the distal tip will return to its resting state providing an operation offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: SpectraneticsInventors: Dennis M. Sauro, William T. Fisher
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Publication number: 20100145259Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring an infusate pump, and an aspiration pump, both powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal. The working head may be operated to separate and move away from the guide wire to come within a closer proximity of the obstructive material to more effectively remove it from the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: The Spectranetics CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, Greg Walters, Dennis M. Sauro, Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
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Patent number: 7674253Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: William T. Fisher, David E. Yaeger, John E. Nash, Douglas G. Evans
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Patent number: 7666161Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring an infusate pump, and an aspiration pump, both powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal. The working head may be operated to separate and move away from the guide wire to come within a closer proximity of the obstructive material to more effectively remove it from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: The Spectranetics CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, Greg Walters, Dennis M. Sauro, Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
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Publication number: 20090292276Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, JR.
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Publication number: 20090235634Abstract: A system for heating the inlet-air of a gas turbine is provided. The system may incorporate an external energy source to increase the temperature of the inlet-air. The system may extend the turndown of a gas turbine operating at partload.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Renhua Wang, Gregory L. DiAntonio, Erwing Calleros, TsungPo Lin, William T. Fisher
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Patent number: 7534249Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7367982Abstract: A method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The method entails using an instrument to deploy the stent at occlusive material within the blood vessel to open the lumen, whereupon some debris may be produced. Operating a debris extraction system for removing debris during deployment of the stent.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080097298Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: William T. Fisher, David E. Yaeger, John E. Nash, Douglas G. Evans
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Patent number: 7226425Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. The apparatus features a means for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, means for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a means for sealing the open end of said tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for re-opening the sealed tubular guide wire and letting the fluid out. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire is maintained by utilizing an apparatus to crimp the end of the tubular guide wire, effectively sealing the inside bore of the tubular guide wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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Patent number: 7048696Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a means for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, means for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a means for introducing a sealing member into the open end of said tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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Patent number: 7004914Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. In one embodiment, the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire is maintained by utilizing an apparatus to crimp the end of the tubular guide wire, effectively sealing the inside bore of the tubular guide wire. Here, a deflation tool might be employed to sever the crimp from the rest of the tubular guide wire, unsealing the bore of the tubular guide wire. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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Patent number: 6936056Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, Jr., John Michael Henderson, Joseph W. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 6926707Abstract: A tubular instrument including a hollow wall portion and a connector arranged to be used with a guide-wire. The guide-wire has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion of the guide-wire is arranged to be extended to some interior position within the body of a living being, with the proximal end portion of the guide-wire being located outside the being's body. The connector is located at the distal end of the instrument and is arranged to be readily manipulated by a twisting action to connect the instrument onto the guide-wire for sliding movement therealong.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, H. Michael Cunningham, Gregory Walters
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Patent number: 6905505Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6902535Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a mechanism for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a sealing member into the open end of the tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Kansey Nash CorporationInventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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System and method of use for revascularizing stenotic bypass grafts and other occluded blood vessels
Patent number: 6843797Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Kensey Nash CorporationInventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson, Jr. -
Publication number: 20040210164Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a mechanism for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a sealing member into the open end of the tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Mark Eberhart, William T. Fisher, John E. Nash, Dennis M. Sauro
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Publication number: 20040097995Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction subsystem. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction subsystem introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Charles W. Dodson