Indiana University

Advanced Research & Technology Institute

Thin Air Creation, LLC

Thin Air Creations, LLC

Brian L Patton

Keith Leonard March

David A Hathaway

David R Hathaway

Robert L Wilensky

The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for positive closure of an internal tissue membrane opening

A mechanism effectively mimics human facial expressions for use in animated characters. On the front surface of the mechanism, four gears, meshed in pairs, provide rotational surfaces for a series of cranks and pins. As the gears rotate, the cranks and pins engage a loop of elastomeric material. As pin distance from each other, the loop stretches. As pins approach each other, the loop contracts. Other pins located on the cranks or gears cause an inflection or deflection of the loop as the gears rotate. The resulting stretch or bending of the loop more accurately and efficiently mimics facial expressions.

Enhanced expressive feature mechanism for animated characters and devices

A mechanism for animated characters capable of visually communicating facial expressions is provided. The mechanism () has two mesh gears per upper or lower lip (FIG.). One gear of each pair is rotated by a single drive (). Each gear has two guidance devices (). Rotation of any gear to which the elastomeric material () is connected via a guidance device results in the stretch or ability to retract the elastomeric material. Secondary guidance devices () on a gear, when in contact with the elastomeric material, cause an inflection or deflection of the elastomeric material. Resulting stretch or bending of the elastomeric material mimics facial expressions.

Expressive feature mechanism for animated characters and devices

The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for positive closure of an internal tissue membrane

Restenosis following vascular recanalization is prevented by administering a photoactivatable psoralen and, in conjunction with recanalization, delivering ultraviolet radiation to the region of said recanalization.

Growing community of inventors

Thorntown, IN, United States of America

Brian L Patton