Ronald William French

US Patent:

6511458, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

Jan 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/765777

Inventors:

Charles F. Milo - Union City CA
Matthew R. Selmon - Woodside CA
Richard E. Hill - Berkeley CA
Fred H. Co - Santa Clara CA
Ronald G. French - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

LuMend, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 5178

US Classification:

60416413, 604272, 600585

Abstract:

Total occlusions are crossed by passing a guidewire or other penetrating wire from a point proximal to the occlusion into a subintimal space between the intimal layer and adventitial layer of the blood vessel wall. The wire is advanced to a point distal to the occlusion and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn and the guidewire is available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters.

US Patent:

6514217, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Apr 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/557379

Inventors:

Matthew R. Selmon - Atherton CA
Charles F. Milo - San Mateo CA
Fred Co - Santa Clara CA
Mark Campello - Millbrae CA
Ronald French - Palo Alto CA
Amiel Aguilar - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

LuMend, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600585, 604523

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for crossing totally to substantially occluded blood vessels by passing a redirectable wire such as a guidewire from a relatively proximal point past the occlusion within a subintimal space formed between the intimal layer and the adventitial layer of a blood vessel wall. The wire may be advanced to a point distal to the occlusion, and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. The deflecting catheter may include a flapper valve assembly or preformed actuator wire for redirecting the guidewire. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn, and the guidewire may be available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters for performing procedures such as stenting.

US Patent:

6558400, May 6, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871297

Inventors:

Mark E. Deem - Mountain View CA
Douglas S. Sutton - Pacifica CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Redwood City CA
Ronald G. French - Santa Clara CA

Assignee:

Satiety, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61B 1708

US Classification:

606151

Abstract:

Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e. g. , GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

US Patent:

6679264, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Mar 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519735

Inventors:

Mark E. Deem - Mountain View CA
Ronald French - San Jose CA
Douglas Sutton - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

Emphasys Medical, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820716, 12820024, 128912

Abstract:

Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patients trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.

US Patent:

6694979, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Mar 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/797910

Inventors:

Mark E. Deem - Mountain View CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Redwood City CA
Sunmi Chew - San Jose CA
Antony J. Fields - San Francisco CA
Ronald French - Santa Clara CA
Ronald R. Hundertmark - San Mateo CA
Alan R. Rapacki - Redwood City CA
Douglas S. Sutton - Pacifica CA
Peter M. Wilson - Foster City CA

Assignee:

Emphasys Medical, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820714

Abstract:

An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patients lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

US Patent:

6695769, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/963921

Inventors:

Ronald G. French - Santa Clara CA
Sunmi K. Chew - San Jose CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Redwood City CA

Assignee:

The Foundry, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

600 37

Abstract:

This is a surgical device and a method of using it. In particular, the device is one for supporting or constraining at least some part of the epicardial surface of the heart during a portion of the heartbeat, in particular during diastoly. This device may be used to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure. The device, generically, is an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. The interior surface is preferably made in such a way that it tends not to or does not form adhesions with or accept ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The device preferably has at least on rib-like structural member. The rib component may extend from end-to end or preferably extends helically around the heart, preferably with at least one revolution. The device may be configured to be self-adherent, i. e. , preferably adherent only to itself, and to form a unitary support in the pericardial space after installation.

US Patent:

6719725, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/308568

Inventors:

Charles F. Milo - Union City CA
Matthew R. Selmon - Woodside CA
Richard E. Hill - Berkeley CA
Fred H. Co - Santa Clara CA
Ronald G. French - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

LuMend, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 5178

US Classification:

60416401, 60416411, 600585

Abstract:

Total occlusions are crossed by passing a guidewire or other penetrating wire from a point proximal to the occlusion into a subintimal space between the intimal layer and adventitial layer of the blood vessel wall. The wire is advanced to a point distal to the occlusion and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn and the guidewire is available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters.

US Patent:

6723039, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Apr 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/844446

Inventors:

Ronald French - Santa Clara CA
Bernard H. Andreas - Redwood City CA

Assignee:

The Foundry, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

A61M 112

US Classification:

600 16

Abstract:

An implantable pump system including an external driver. The implantable pump is driven by the external driver during normal operation but may also operate on a battery. The external driver is used to drive the pump with the mechanical energy of the impeller also being used to charge the battery. The external driver is also useful during emergency situations to directly drive the pump if the battery or internal coils should fail. The pump is also preferably implanted in a subpectoral location outside the patients rib cage.