Darrell C Christensen

US Patent:

8439915, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/677700

Inventors:

Michael R. Harrison - San Francisco CA, US
Richard J. Fechter - San Rafael CA, US
Arthur Moran - San Bruno CA, US
Darrell Christensen - Petaluma CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606 60, 606105

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient. An implant such as an internal jackscrew is implanted at the anatomical and has first and second attachment points that secure to spaced-apart locations on the anatomical feature, an internal rotor coupled to the jackscrew, and is configured to drive motion of the jackscrew to manipulate the anatomical feature. The system further includes an external rotor that is magnetically coupled to the internal rotor such that rotation of the external rotor at an exterior location to the patient's body affects a corresponding internal rotation of the internal rotor to manipulate the anatomical feature.

US Patent:

20090048618, Feb 19, 2009

Filed:

Aug 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/189330

Inventors:

Michael R. Harrison - San Francisco CA, US
Richard J. Fechter - San Rafael CA, US
Arthur Moran - San Bruno CA, US
Darrell Christensen - Petaluma CA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/11

US Classification:

606153, 600 12

Abstract:

A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.

US Patent:

20100114103, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Nov 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/266485

Inventors:

Michael R. Harrison - San Francisco CA, US
Richard J. Fechter - San Rafael CA, US
Arthur Moran - San Bruno CA, US
Darrell Christensen - Petaluma CA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/58
A61F 2/44

US Classification:

606 90, 623 1716, 623 1711

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient. An implant such as an internal jackscrew is implanted at the anatomical and has first and second attachment points that secure to spaced-apart locations on the anatomical feature. An internal motor is coupled to the jackscrew, and is configured to drive motion of the jackscrew to manipulate the anatomical feature. The system further includes an external driver that is inductively coupled to the internal motor to manipulate the anatomical feature.

US Patent:

20120184799, Jul 19, 2012

Filed:

Jan 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/930834

Inventors:

Michael R. Harrison - San Francisco CA, US
Kathryn H. Rosenbluth - San Francisco CA, US
Dillon A. Kwiat - San Francisco CA, US
Eric J. Kezirian - San Francisco CA, US
Richard J. Fechter - San Rafael CA, US
Darrell Christensen - Petaluma CA, US

International Classification:

A61N 2/10

US Classification:

600 12

Abstract:

An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.

US Patent:

20150144142, May 28, 2015

Filed:

Jan 16, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/598436

Inventors:

- Oakland CA, US
Kathryn H. Rosenbluth - San Francisco CA, US
Dillon A. Kwiat - San Francisco CA, US
Eric J. Kezirian - Los Angeles CA, US
Richard J. Fechter - San Rafael CA, US
Darrell Christensen - Petaluma CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 5/56

US Classification:

128848

Abstract:

An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. An accelerometer is disposed to measure kinematic variables or movement.