University of Michigan

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Lafayette College

Brent Allen Utter

Diann Brei

Jonathan E Luntz

Daniel H Teitelbaum

Farokh R Demehri

Jennifer Freeman

Nancy L Johnson

Paul W Alexander

Ariel Uzziah Spencer

Leslie Ann Weaver

Yumi Fukatsu

Clover Thebolt

Meredith Barrett

Joseph T Belter

Jennifer L Vermeesch

Alexander D Farr

Makram P Debbas

Diann Erbschloe Brei

An inhalation device comprising a housing, a sensor, a microcontroller, and an actuating device controlled by the microcontroller; the housing comprises a mouthpiece having an opening connected to a passage in said housing, wherein the other end of the passage provides an opening for a cartridge; said sensor being in communication with the microprocessor and configured to detect a parameter based on an action to the mouthpiece, and wherein a parameter being reached, the microcontroller engages the actuating device which engages the cartridge to deliver medication through the passage and out of the mouthpiece.

Inhalation device with shape memory alloy actuator

A mechanotransductive bowel extender device that can be used to correct short bowel syndrome by applying tension to the bowel tissue which, via the process of mechanotransduction, grows in length in response to the applied tension. Such a device is placed within the small bowel and applies tension over a period of several days or weeks by attaching to the lumen of the bowel at two different locations and moving those two points apart, stretching the tissue between. The extender device further capable of localized application and/or evacuation of medically relevant liquid and other material within the bowel.

Mechanotransductive bowel extender device having local delivery of medically relevant liquids

An attachment system for selectively attaching to an interior surface of a hollow member, which includes an expanding device selectively enlargeable from a first size position to an enlarged second size position, a friction enhancement disposed about the expanding device that is engageable with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the enlarged position, and a fenestrated decoupling system extending between at least a portion of the friction enhancement of the expanding device and the interior surface of the hollow member. The fenestrated decoupling system generally prevents contact of the friction enhancement with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the first size position and permits contact of the friction enhancement with the interior surface of the hollow member when the expanding device is in the enlarged position.

Fenestrated decoupling system for internal selective attachment to soft tissue organs

An indwelling device for insertion in a biological tubular structure comprising an elongated device having a body and opposing ends. The body has a bending stiffness transverse to a longitudinal axis that is greater than a stiffness of the biological tubular structure. An atraumatic tip member, having a proximal end and a distal end, extends from the end of the elongated device. The proximal end has a first bending stiffness transverse to a longitudinal axis and the distal end has a second bending stiffness transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second bending stiffness being less than the first bending stiffness.

Atraumatic tip geometry for indwelling devices

A system for controlling motion of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a damper operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and having a movable portion that moves with the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator contracts during electrical activation. An electronic switch is operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and to the damper. The electronic switch has an open position preventing electrical power flow to the SMA actuator, and a closed position permitting electrical power flow to the SMA actuator. A biasing element applies a biasing force that urges the electronic switch to the closed position. The damper overcomes the biasing element to move the switch to the open position only when velocity of the movable portion equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, and to return to the closed position when the velocity of the movable portion falls below the predetermined threshold velocity.

System with damper-controlled switch for shape memory alloy actuator motion control

A bowel extension device implantable into a body for treatment of short bowel syndrome. The bowel extension device comprises a housing and a displaceable member coupled to the housing. The bowel extension device is configured to apply a tensile force sufficient to promote bowel growth without causing damage to the bowel. In some embodiments, the bowel extension device can be completely contained with the body.

Mechanical extension implants for short bowel syndrome

Growing community of inventors

Easton, PA, United States of America

Brent Allen Utter