John G Almli

US Patent:

6730017, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/010498

Inventors:

Gregory J. Henkel - Chanhassen MN
Larry E. Waldack - Bloomington MN
Charles C. Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN
Randy L. Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN
John G. Almli - Chaska MN

Assignee:

AMS Research Corporation - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 500

US Classification:

600 40, 623 1111

Abstract:

A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

US Patent:

7438682, Oct 21, 2008

Filed:

Apr 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/821232

Inventors:

Gregory J. Henkel - Chanhassen MN, US
Larry E. Waldack - Bloomington MN, US
Charles C. Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy L. Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US
John G. Almli - Chaska MN, US

Assignee:

AMS Research Corporation - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 5/00

US Classification:

600 40

Abstract:

A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

US Patent:

8276591, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Oct 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/250689

Inventors:

Gregory J. Henkel - Chanhassen MN, US
Larry E. Waldack - Bloomington MN, US
Charles C. Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy L. Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US
John G. Almli - Chaska MN, US

Assignee:

AMS Research Corporation - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 5/00

US Classification:

128898

Abstract:

A method of preventing inadvertent inflation of an implantable prosthetic includes biasing a valve assembly such that an outlet is substantially closed and using inadvertent pressure increases from the inlet to supplement the biasing of the valve assembly. It may further include the step of preventing fluid flow through the outlet by selectively varying fluid pressure within a bypass passageway having a first end which is in fluid communication with an inlet and a second end which is in fluid communication with a chamber. And, may also additionally include the step of displacing a flexible abutting wall disposed between the chamber and the valve assembly so that the abutting wall is caused to contact the valve assembly and urge the valve assembly into a closed position when the fluid pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.

US Patent:

20020082708, Jun 27, 2002

Filed:

Dec 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/749075

Inventors:

John Almli - Chaska MN, US
Charles Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US

Assignee:

American Medical Systems Inc.

International Classification:

A61F002/04
A61F002/26

US Classification:

623/023670, 623/023680

Abstract:

A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prothsesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The pump bulb has a different size than than the valve assembly, further facilating the differention between the two based on tactile perception.

US Patent:

20020082709, Jun 27, 2002

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/006335

Inventors:

John Almli - Chaska MN, US
Charles Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Kevin Watts - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

American Medical Systems

International Classification:

A61F002/04

US Classification:

623/023670, 623/023680

Abstract:

A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.

US Patent:

20040193005, Sep 30, 2004

Filed:

Apr 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/820660

Inventors:

John Almli - Chaska MN, US
Charles Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Kevin Watts - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

A61F005/00

US Classification:

600/040000

Abstract:

A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.

US Patent:

20090287042, Nov 19, 2009

Filed:

Jul 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/507451

Inventors:

John G. Almli - Chaska MN, US
Charles C. Kuyava - Eden Prairie MN, US
Randy L. Morningstar - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Kevin R. Watts - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 5/00

US Classification:

600 40

Abstract:

A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.