Patents Assigned to Scientific Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 6038021Abstract: Denier and other optically transmissivity-dependent parameters of yarn are monitored on-line and in real-time with a preferably microprocessor-controlled high frequency modulated-demodulated optically-based system. An LED is spaced-apart from an array of preferably identical photodetector ("PD") diodes that will track one another, with the yarn spaced between one of the PDs. The LED outputs preferably collimated light in response to a periodic LED drive signal, and yarn characteristics will affect light received by at least one PD in the array. An output signal from a first PD is fedback to the LED driver to continuously compensate the system against dust or other factors affect LED transmission and PD light reception. An output signal from a second PD is coupled to a fraction of the drive signal so as to enhance dynamic range. This signal is amplified and AC-coupled to a sample and hold that samples during a stable active portion of the LED drive signal to demodulate the relevant signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Scientific Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John S. Piso, Dennis K. Briefer
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Patent number: 6010530Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis formed of a support member with or without a continuous skin totally encapsulating the support member. The skin can include drugs or other leaching agents, or radiopaque material. A portion of the prosthesis can be tapered to fit within a tapered artery. The prosthesis is particularly adapted for use in small caliber arteries.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventor: George Goicoechea
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Patent number: 6001104Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5984871Abstract: An ultrasound transducer having an extended focus for enabling an ultrasound imaging catheter to image features at a distance from the transducer with a high resolution and a high penetration depth. The ultrasound transducer is configured such that the acoustic path-length from the periphery of the transducer is increased relative to the acoustic path-length from the center of the transducer thereby increasing the transition length and focal length of the transducer. The ultrasound transducer may include an acoustic element having a convex surface on a side which transmits and receives ultrasound waves. An acoustic backing material may be attached to the acoustic element opposite the side where ultrasound waves are transmitted and received, and an acoustic matching layer may be provided on the convex surface of the acoustic element. The acoustic matching layer may have a substantially uniform thickness such that it also has a convex outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Harm TenHoff, James D. Koger
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Patent number: 5938686Abstract: A bone anchor implantation device is positioned over a bone, and a bone anchor is installed in a bone.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome, Sheila Wallin
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Patent number: 5938696Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: George Goicoechea, John Hudson, Claude Mialhe
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Patent number: 5916263Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: George Goicoechea, John Hudson, Claude Mialhe, Andrew H. Cragg, Michael D. Dake
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Patent number: 5906354Abstract: An improved ball valve for lethal gas or fluid service is disclosed having a novel triple redundant stem to bonnet seal design. A ceramic seal ring forms the primary stem to bonnet seal. The ceramic seal ring has a first seal surface lapped for sealing engagement with a corresponding lapped surface on the stem and a second seal surface lapped for sealing engagement with a corresponding lapped surface on the bonnet. The ceramic seal ring first seal surface lapped for sealing engagement with a corresponding lapped surface on said stem and the corresponding lapped surface on the stem may be frustoconically or spherically shaped. An elastomeric seal and a compression type seal between the stem and bonnet act as redundant seals. A preloading means to maintain the ceramic seal ring and lapped sealing surfaces on the bonnet and stem in sealing engagement is shown.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Sigma Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gregory N. Gilbert, Curry B. Walker
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Patent number: 5860425Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5842478Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is described. The methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are provided. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5842994Abstract: A multi-function intraluminal ultrasound catheter assembly includes an axially disposed lumen having at least a first portion with a flat inner wall forming a "D-shaped" cross-section. An acoustic imaging window having a circular cross-section is connected to a distal end of the catheter assembly, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the D-shaped portion of the lumen that extends from the flat inner wall is less that the available inner diameter of the imaging window. A flexible drive-shaft extends through the lumen and is connected to a transducer housing disposed in the acoustic imaging window area, the transducer housing having a substantially "D-shaped" outer perimeter, wherein the drive-shaft and connected transducer housing may thereby be retracted from the catheter assembly by first rotating the transducer housing until its D-shaped outer perimeter is substantially oriented with the D-shaped cross-section of the lumen.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Harm TenHoff, Isaac Ostrovsky, James D. Koger
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Patent number: 5836315Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is described. The methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are included. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5838007Abstract: An optical scintillometer is provided which is operative to measure atmospheric wake vortex turbulence intensity up to a distance of ten kilometers. The optical scintillometer provides real time continuous measurements of aircraft generated wake vortex turbulence intensity in the field of operations employing a transmitter, receiver, and digital processing circuitry. The signal is digitized before comparison with a threshold to eliminate events attributable to objects moving through the path of the optical transmitter and receiver. The system is thereby able to perform calculations to adjust the first order log-amplitude variance function in the saturation regime. An extremely important aspect of the invention is the digitization of the signal and its comparison with the threshold signal. Because a digital signal is compared with a threshold signal level, invalid signal inputs are excluded from the calculation of path-averaged turbulence intensity.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventor: Ting-I Wang
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Patent number: 5836314Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence includes: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. These methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are described. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5813408Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome
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Patent number: 5800508Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: George Goicoechea, John Hudson, Claude Mialhe
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Patent number: 5766221Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices for use in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. Methods for positioning a bone anchor implantation device over a bone and for installing a bone anchor in a bone are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome, Sheila Wallin
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Patent number: 5766237Abstract: A method of implanting a tubular intraluminial stent which is made of a predetermined length of wire having a zig-zag configuration and defining a series of axially displaced hoop members, each hoop member having a successive series of zig-zags, the apices of axially oppositely disposed zig-zags in adjacent hoop members abutting one another, wherein the wire is a shape-memory material and the stent is compressible and radially expandable by thermal transformation, using a tubular sheath disposed between an entry location in a body and the location of implantation and a catheter. The method includes the steps of compressing the stent; inserting the compressed stent into the tubular sheath; pushing the compressed stent through the sheath to the implantation location using the catheter; withdrawing the sheath while holding the stent at the implantation location with the catheter; and expanding the stent within the implantation location by thermal transformation.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Andrew H. Cragg
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Patent number: 5752971Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the treatment of the symptoms of obstructive prostatism. The apparatus includes an expandable dilation catheter and preferably an axially elongate sheath, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra. The sheath is ellipsoid in cross-section, and provides an initial path through which the catheter and a standard cystoscope lens is guided. The dilation catheter or the sheath are provided with a non-radiological locating feature for positioning the dilation portion of the catheter with respect to an anatomical landmark. Once the catheter has been properly positioned with respect to both the bladder neck and the sphincter, the dilation balloon may be inflated to force open the affected prostatic urethra and eliminate the obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Rosenbluth, Jay Alan Lenker, George Robert Greene, Barry M. Calvarese
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Patent number: 5749884Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices for use in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. Methods for positioning a bone anchor implantation device over a bone and for installing a bone anchor in a bone are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1994Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.Inventors: Theodore V. Benderev, Neil H. Naves, Mark J. Legome