Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lawrence C. Akers
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Patent number: 5824077Abstract: A body compatible stent is formed of multiple filaments arranged in two sets of oppositely directed helical windings interwoven with one another in a braided configuration. Each of the filaments is a composite including a central core and a case surrounding the core. In the more preferred version, the core is formed of a radiopaque and relatively ductile material, e.g. tantalum or platinum. The outer case is formed of a relatively resilient material, e.g. a cobalt/chromium based alloy. Favorable mechanical characteristics of the stent are determined by the case, while the core enables in vivo imaging of the stent. The composite filaments are formed by a drawn filled tubing process in which the core is inserted into a tubular case of a diameter substantially more than the intended final filament diameter. The composite filament is cold-worked in several steps to reduce its diameter, and annealed between successive cold-working steps.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) IncInventor: David W. Mayer
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Patent number: 5810837Abstract: The endoprosthesis is inserted under tension in a recess of a flexible inner catheter and secured by means of a tube-shaped outer catheter. To release the endoprosthesis into a vessel, the outer catheter is pushed back over the recess. The recess is formed by a connector piece that connects a tip to a piece of tubing of the inner catheter. The inner catheter can be designed with a smaller outer diameter in the region of the recess than was previously the case with at least the same flexibility and resistance to buckling.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.Inventors: Eugen Hofmann, Marc Gianotti
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Patent number: 5807396Abstract: An osteosynthesis device comprises a plate and screws which are screwed into bone through holes in the plate. The diameters of the holes at the top face of the plate are larger than at the bottom face of the plate. The screws have a spherical head which, when screwed in rests snugly against the wall of the screw hole with an annular contact surface. Both when the screw is located perpendicularly with respect to the plate and when located at an angle with respect to the plate, the contact surface is located above the center line of the hole depth.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Howmedica Leibinger GmbHInventor: Joram Raveh
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Patent number: 5800559Abstract: A femoral hip component for use in hip arthroplasty has a stem portion for contact with bone cement. The stem portion is formed from a biocompatible material having a surface finish of less than about four microinches. This surface is coated with a uniform layer of material selected from the group consisting of diamond-like carbon, chromium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium carbo-nitride, chromium and zirconium and a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Howmedica Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Higham, Larry T. Warfield
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Patent number: 5800549Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting an elastic spinal implant into a cavity in a spinal disc so as to treat disc degeneration are given. The method and apparatus can be used in a variety of surgical approaches with respect to the patient. An elastic spinal nucleus prosthesis is very quickly inserted into the cavity through a small opening in the disc so that permanent deformation of the prosthesis is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Howmedica Inc.Inventors: Qi-Bin Bao, Paul A. Higham, Charanpreet S. Bagga, Hansen A. Yuan
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Patent number: 5792142Abstract: A new cutting tip and a very simple method for making the tip are given. The tip has no flutes but has a built-in chip clearance. It is self-drilling, self-tapping, and self-locating and can be positioned on a threaded or unthreaded member. When it is the tip on a suture anchor, it maximizes holding strength of the anchor.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Howmedica, Inc.Inventor: Barry D. Galitzer
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Patent number: 5792075Abstract: A docking assembly for the extension of a guidewire. The docking assembly comprises a plug formed at the proximal end of the guidewire, and a socket formed of a tubing permanently bent so as to have a V shaped portion comprised between two straight portions. The end of straight portion is affixed to the distal end of extension wire. A sleeve is slidably engaged over the tubing to substantially straighten it and facilitate insertion of plug into the tubing. Removal of sleeve allows the tubing to recover its preshaped deformation, thereby assuring locking of plug in tubing. To release the assembly it suffices to pull the guidewire and extension wire oppositely to slip the plug out from the tubing.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.Inventor: Michael Schwager
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Patent number: 5788626Abstract: The expandable stent-graft generally defines a cylindrical lumen made from a stent having a discontinuous wall that is at least substantially covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene covering may be a biaxially oriented, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having nodules and longitudinal and circumferential fibrils or a uniaxially oriented, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material. The expandable stent-graft expands and compresses in association with the stent structure as it is contracted and expanded.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) IncInventor: Paul J. Thompson
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Patent number: 5788654Abstract: A catheter guide wire comprises a main section having a circular cross-section and a distal end section surrounded by a spiral. The distal end section has a portion adjoining the guide wire tip, in the shape of a wedge, the height of which diminishes towards the guide wire tip and the width of which increases towards the guide wire tip.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.Inventor: Michael Schwager
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Patent number: 5788704Abstract: An apparatus for performing prosthesis surgery has a phantom implant component. Elements are provided for holding said phantom component accurately and stationary relative to a cavity in a bone. The phantom component has a tapered insert portion, the dimensions of which are identical to the insert portion of an implant component which is to be fitted. A method of performing prosthesis surgery is included which uses the apparatus set forth above which includes preparing an opening in a bone with cement, inserting the insert portion of the phantom component, allowing the cement to at least partially set, removing the phantom component, inspecting the cement and then inserting the implant component with the identical insert portion dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Howmedica International Inc.Inventor: Andrew J. Timperley
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Patent number: 5786425Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree. C. to -40.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) IncInventors: Leslie H. Sperling, Clarence J. Murphy, Vinay Mishra
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Patent number: 5786426Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree. C. to -40.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) IncInventors: Leslie H. Sperling, Clarence J. Murphy, Vinay Mishra
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Patent number: 5783633Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's), composed of polyisoprene (PI) and polyurethane (PU), together with a process for their preparation and their use in the manufacture of medical devices, such as catheters and catheter balloons, are disclosed. Both components are elastomers. The PI component is chemically crosslinked. The PU component is crystallizable and contains only physical crosslinks. The IPN's have glass transition temperatures in the range of from -65.degree.C. to -40.degree.C.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) IncInventors: Leslie H. Sperling, Clarence J. Murphy, Vinay Mishra
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Patent number: 5782776Abstract: The guidewire attachment assembly comprises a tubing affixed to the proximal end of a guidewire. Inside the tubing is a shoulder and a ramp for directing and positioning a bolt arranged at the end of a resilient shaft affixed to the distal end of the extension wire. The assembly provides a positive locking action for the guidewire and extension wire and direct unlocking thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Schneider A.G.Inventor: Robert Hani
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Patent number: 5782925Abstract: A knee implant rotational alignment apparatus comprising a non-implantable femoral trial component having substantially the same configuration as a femoral implant, a cooperating tibial articulating trial component having two parallel guide rails protruding from the upper surface thereof, which rails engage with grooves in the lower surface of the femoral trial component, which engagement prevents rotation of the femoral trial component relative to the tibial articulating trial component in a transverse plane but allows flexion and extension rotation of both components, a tibial trial baseplate having an outer periphery substantially identical to the outer periphery of a tibial implant baseplate of corresponding size, which baseplate accommodates a spring clip activator the rotation of which facilitates selection of the rotational alignment of the prosthesis.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1997Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Howmedica Inc.Inventors: Carlos E. Collazo, Stuart L. Axelson, Donald G. Eckhoff
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Patent number: 5776101Abstract: The balloon dilatation catheter has a first lumen extending along the entire length of a shaft, which lumen is connected to a pump and, at the distal end of the catheter, to the inside of the balloon. Through this lumen there also passes a support wire connected firmly to the catheter. The shaft has an additional lumen which opens outwards via an opening behind the proximal end of the balloon. A controllable guide wire can be introduced into this lumen via an attachment piece. Similarly, a measuring apparatus or an apparatus for introducing a contrast medium or drug can be connected to this additional lumen. The catheter is particularly suitable for treating strictures in an arterial ramification.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.Inventor: Jean-Jacques Goy
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Patent number: 5772632Abstract: A dilation-drug delivery catheter comprises a dilation portion for dilating a stenosis and a drug delivery portion for delivering antithrombolytic, antiproliferative, or any other type of medication, to the dilation site. The drug delivery portion of the catheter is located within the dilation portion, which can be retracted to reveal the drug delivery portion, after dilation. Occlusion balloons are preferably provided on the drug delivery portion to isolate the dilation site during drug delivery.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Schneider (USA) Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Forman
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Patent number: 5772662Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Howmedica Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
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Patent number: 5772659Abstract: A constant power control circuit for an electrosurgical generator and a method for maintaining the electrical power output of an electrosurgical generator at a generally constant value throughout a given tissue impedance range are disclosed. The constant power control circuit and the method recognize and use the unique and simple linear characteristics associated with certain electrosurgical generator designs to monitor and control the electrical power output without having to calculate or monitor the actual output power. The constant power control circuit includes a current sampling circuit, a linear conversion circuit, and a feedback correction circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Valleylab Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Becker, Michael Steve Klicek
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Patent number: 5766178Abstract: The plug is made of a plastic material and acts as a cement barrier for openings produced by an operative procedure in medullated bones. The plug is clamped between the side walls of the opening of the bone by means of elastic flanges and prevents the bone cement from escaping downwards on insertion of an intramedullary stem or upon pressurization of the bone cement.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Howmedia Inc.Inventors: Michael Michielli, Roger N. Levy