Rodney D Perkins

US Patent:

6398775, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Oct 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/425272

Inventors:

Rodney A. Perkins - Woodside CA
Peter P. Soltesz - San Jose CA
Robert Kotmel - Burlingame CA

Assignee:

Pulmonx - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604514, 604 35, 60410703, 60416403, 60416413

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i. e. , beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.

US Patent:

6554761, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/429894

Inventors:

Sunil Puria - Mountain View CA
Rodney C. Perkins - Woodside CA

Assignee:

Soundport Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25, 381326, 381114

Abstract:

This relates to flextensional microphones which are made up of a piezoelectric substrate having opposing surfaces, typically parallel surfaces when the substrate is crystalline or ceramic, and at least one sound receiving surface physically tied to the piezoelectric substrate. The microphones are at least partially isolated via a biocompatible material, e. g. , by a covering or a coating. The inventive microphones may be subcutaneously implanted. The microphones may be used as components of surgically implanted hearing aid systems or as components of hearing devices known as cochlear implants. Preferably the microphones are used in arrays and when used as a component of a hearing assistance or replacement device, are used in conjunction with a source of feedback information, usually another microphone. The feedback information usually relates to sound re-emitted from physical portions of the ear, e. g. , the eardrum, where those portions have been directly or indirectly driven by the actuator of the implanted hearing aid.

US Patent:

6629922, Oct 7, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/430213

Inventors:

Sunil Puria - Mountain View CA
Rodney C. Perkins - Woodside CA

Assignee:

Soundport Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25, 381312

Abstract:

This relates to devices and methods for improving hearing, particularly in the field of hearing aids. The described output actuator is a component of a class of hearing devices known as surgically implantable hearing aids. This relates to both fully implanted and partially implanted hearing aids. More particularly, methods and devices disclosed herein provide an actuator for directly driving the inner-ear fluid, or the middle-ear bones referred to as the ossicular chain, resulting in the sensation of hearing.

US Patent:

6709401, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/898703

Inventors:

Rodney A. Perkins - Woodside CA
Peter P. Soltesz - San Jose CA
Robert Kotmel - Burlingame CA

Assignee:

Pulmonx - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600529, 600532

Abstract:

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

US Patent:

6878141, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/606320

Inventors:

Rodney A. Perkins - Woodside CA, US
Peter P. Soltesz - San Jose CA, US
Robert Kotmel - Burlingame CA, US
Anthony D. Wondka - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Pulmonx - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61M031/00

US Classification:

604516, 604509

Abstract:

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

US Patent:

6913579, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Apr 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/136874

Inventors:

Csaba Truckai - Saratoga CA, US
Rodney Perkins - Woodside CA, US
John H. Shadduck - Tiburon CA, US

Assignee:

SurgRx, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B010/00
A61B018/18

US Classification:

600564, 606 39, 606 48

Abstract:

An electrosurgical working end and method for obtaining a tissue sample for biopsy purposes, for example, from a patient's lung or a liver. The working end provides curved jaw members that are positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable extension member that is laterally flexible with inner surfaced that slide over the jaw members to clamp tissue therebetween. As the extension member advances, the jaws compress the tissue just ahead of the advancing extension member to allow the laterally-outward portion of the extension member to ramp over the tissue while a cutting element contemporaneously cuts the tissue. By this means, the transected tissue margin is captured under high compression. The working end carries a bi-polar electrode arrangement that engages the just-transected medial tissue layers as well as surface layers to provides Rf current flow for tissue welding purposes that is described as a medial-to-surface bi-polar approach.

US Patent:

7141046, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Dec 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/017068

Inventors:

Rodney A. Perkins - Woodside CA, US
Peter P. Soltesz - San Jose CA, US
Robert Kotmel - Burlingame CA, US

Assignee:

Pulmonx - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61M 31/00

US Classification:

604514

Abstract:

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

US Patent:

7181297, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Sep 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/407751

Inventors:

Vincent Pluvinage - Atherton CA, US
Rodney Perkins - Woodside CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
H04R 29/00
A61B 5/00

US Classification:

700 94, 381 60, 600559

Abstract:

A method for providing customized audio data products that includes the steps of (1) storing a machine readable hearing profile for a customer, (2) accepting via a data input device or data network for example, machine readable orders from the customer for a particular audio data product, (3) associating the hearing profile for the customer with the particular audio data product, (4) modifying the particular audio data product according to the hearing profile to produce a customized audio data product, (5) delivering the customized audio data product to the customer, for example via a network or by a machine readable storage medium, (6) accepting feedback from the customer concerning the subjective performance of the customized audio data product, and (7) modifying the hearing profile in response to the feedback is provided. A system that includes a source of an audio data product, such as an Internet accessible registry, and processing resources that are configured to receive a request for the audio data product, and to associate the audio data product with a customer hearing profile is provided.