Michael J Heffernan

US Patent:

20220192810, Jun 23, 2022

Filed:

Dec 21, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/557970

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US
Deepti Gopinath - Houston TX, US
Christine Luk - Houston TX, US
Carine Rizk - Houston TX, US
Amanda Gibbens - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the application of medical devices that manage urinary incontinence. The inter-bladder/urethra implanted device allows for passive urine leakage above a threshold bladder pressure and subject-controlled opening and closing of a valve to allow urine passage, below the threshold bladder pressure. The valve is preferably a deformable sac which seals against the interior of the urethra when closed. The valve can be opened by withdrawing slightly from the urethra surface. Passive urine leakage to prevent over-pressure can be facilitated by including external channels on the valve sac. In another embodiment, the valve sac has a central passage which expands and contracts for opening and closing, respectively.

US Patent:

20200393453, Dec 17, 2020

Filed:

Aug 5, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/985475

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Leo Linbeck, III - Houton TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/543
G01N 33/53
G01N 21/78
B01L 3/00

Abstract:

In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change

US Patent:

20190091691, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Nov 12, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/186922

Inventors:

- HOUSTON TX, US
Leo Linbeck, III - Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
G01N 33/483
C12M 1/32

Abstract:

In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change

US Patent:

20190091692, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Nov 13, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/188329

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Leo LlNBECK, III - Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US
Brad Ernest Munoz - Spring TX, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
G01N 33/483
C12M 1/32

Abstract:

In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change

US Patent:

20180111123, Apr 26, 2018

Filed:

Oct 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/793384

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Leo LlNBECK, III - Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US
Atul Varadhachary - Bellaire TX, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00

Abstract:

The invention relates to conducting assays with an apparatus including a substantially transparent assay cartridge loaded with magnetic beads, and a magnet carrier base positioned below a scanning platform holding the assay cartridge. A microcomputer controls a stepping motor which controls movement of the magnet carrier base, and causes the magnetic beads to travel from one well to another, where the wells contain different assay reagents. An electromagnetic coil-spring assembly induces mixing of well contents with the magnetic beads on actuation. The assay cartridge is authenticated by sending its encoded identifier to a server or website, and assay instructions are provided remotely to the microcomputer. Following assay completion, the cartridge can have color change or other assay indication detected, and the results sent to the server or website or another recipient. Concurrently assaying a control allows modification of assay results based on measured field conditions.

US Patent:

20180111128, Apr 26, 2018

Filed:

Oct 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/793490

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Leo LlNBECK, III - Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US
Brad Ernest Munoz - Spring TX, US
Atul Varadhachary - Bellaire TX, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
C12M 1/32
G01N 33/483

Abstract:

In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change

US Patent:

20180113126, Apr 26, 2018

Filed:

Oct 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/793445

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Leo LlNBECK, III - Houston TX, US
Michael John Heffernan - Katy TX, US
Atul Varadhachary - Bellaire TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/543
G01N 33/487
G01N 35/00
B01L 3/00
H01F 7/06
H01F 7/121

Abstract:

The invention herein relates to conducting assays with an apparatus including a substantially transparent assay cartridge loaded with magnetic beads, and a magnet carrier base positioned below a scanning platform holding the assay cartridge. The assay cartridge includes magnetic beads, sample and control solutions in some wells, and assay reagents in others. A microcomputer controls a stepping motor which controls movement of the magnet carrier base, and causes the magnetic beads to travel from one well to another. An electromagnetic coil-spring assembly induces mixing of well contents with the magnetic beads on actuation. The assay cartridge is authenticated by sending its encoded identifier to a server or website, and assay instructions are provided remotely to the microcomputer. Following assay completion, the cartridge can have color change or other assay indication detected, and the results sent to the server or website or another recipient.

US Patent:

20170135772, May 18, 2017

Filed:

Jan 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/402135

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Michael Heffernan - Katy TX, US

International Classification:

A61B 34/30
B25J 9/14
B25J 9/10

Abstract:

Provided herein are actuation transmission lines used for robotic systems, for example, MRI guided robots, for image-guided robot-assisted surgical and medical intervention procedures. This actuation transmission lines may include any of the following: one or more sections of a flexible channel; one or more sections of a rigid channel in a connecting relationship with the one or more sections of a flexible channel; solid media disposed inside the channel; one or more mechanical links in contact with the solid media inside the channel electronically or mechanically linked to a power source; a fine-tuning module disposed in the flexible channel; and one or more media motion sensors.