Patents Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates
  • Patent number: 11969369
    Abstract: An endoprosthesis delivery system includes an expandable endoprosthesis including a side branch portal, a first primary sleeve releasably constraining a proximal portion of the expandable endoprosthesis to a collapsed configuration, a second primary sleeve in parallel with the first primary sleeve, the second primary sleeve releasably constraining a distal portion of the expandable endoprosthesis to the collapsed configuration, and a secondary sleeve within the first primary sleeve. Upon release of the first primary sleeve, the secondary sleeve releasably constrains the proximal portion of the expandable endoprosthesis to a partially expanded configuration allowing access to the side branch portal via the partially expanded proximal portion of the expandable endoprosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin A. Byrne, Patrick M. Norris
  • Publication number: 20240123205
    Abstract: Described herein are encapsulation devices that include an inner layer, an outer layer, a cell containment layer positioned between the inner and outer layer, and structural elements disposed within the cell containment layer to separate the inner and outer layers by a separation distance. The structural elements define reservoir spaces for the retention of a biological moiety (such as cells) therein. The structural elements maintain a separation distance both under external compressive forces and under internal expansive forces, such as undergoing a geometric change in the encapsulation device or during crushing and subsequent expansion of the cell encapsulation device. In some embodiments, a reinforcing layer is positioned between the inner layer and the cell containment layer. In addition, the encapsulation device may include at least one configuration element. Methods of placing encapsulation devices in a body conduit intra-luminally, extra-luminally, and via an open surgical procedure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Erin Hutchinson, Paul D Drumheller, Justin Tettenborn, Regina M Dell
  • Patent number: 11944556
    Abstract: A stent graft device that includes a frame, a cover material covering the frame, and an anchoring member having an adjustable geometry is provided. The anchoring member may be incorporated as part of the frame or coupled thereto. The anchoring member may be formed of a material having a tensile strength such that it can be bent, straightened, or otherwise changed in shape. Tissue growth over and/or around the anchoring member anchors the stent graft device within a lumen. During removal of the stent graft device, the geometry of the anchoring member changes to allow the anchoring member to be removed from the tissue growth along a removal path with minimal trauma. The design and/or shape of the anchoring member is not particularly limited so long as the anchoring member has an adjustable geometry that permits tissue overgrowth and subsequent removal from the tissue overgrowth with minimal trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher S. Michalak
  • Patent number: 11938294
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implantable encapsulation devices for housing a biological moiety or a therapeutic device that contains a biological moiety. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an implantable apparatus that includes a distal end, a proximal end, a manifold including at least one access port positioned either at the distal end or the proximal end, and a plurality of containment tubes affixed to the manifold and in fluid communication with the at least one access port. Additionally, the encapsulation device may contain a flush port and a tube that are fluidly connected to the manifold. The containment tubes may contain therein a biological moiety (e.g., cells) or a therapeutic device (e.g. a cell encapsulation member).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Edward Gunzel, Keith Knisley, Greg Rusch, Lauren Zambotti
  • Patent number: 11931553
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical delivery devices that include a barrel having an inner surface, and in at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The medical delivery device may further include a stopper may having an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated to the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact angle of the inner surface of the barrel is less than about 58°. Additionally, the stopper includes a sliding surface that is less than about 2.0 mm. The barrel provides inner surface that in combination with the fluoropolymer laminate or fluoropolymer film achieve high levels of air and liquid impermeability while also maintaining an acceptably low break loose force, low average glide force, and low glide force variation. In some embodiments, the compressibility stopper against the barrel is greater than about 7.9%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Berg, Daniel H. Todd, Eric J. Van Voorhees
  • Patent number: 11918757
    Abstract: A multi lumen catheter assembly. The assembly provides an expandable, low profile, fixed length sheath and catheter, with fixed infusion ports. The assembly has an expandable outer sheath that expands upon pressure activation with a fluid and the sheath allows the fluid to exit from at least one predetermined fixed location from a distal end of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly can be used in various medical device procedures, such as a TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) procedure, or anywhere a low profile, multi lumen, infusion catheter system is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome S. Conia, Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, James L. Goepfrich, Woodrow W. Watson
  • Patent number: 11918708
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a medical device assembly comprising an expandable medical device wrapped with an improved constraining sleeve. The sleeve in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is thin walled and translucent, having reduced edge sharpness. The sleeve in accordance with the present disclosure exhibits resistance to ripping and delamination. Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods of making sheet material usable for constraining sleeves from flattened film tubes. Methods for making improved constraining sleeves and medical device assemblies that comprise an improved constraining sleeve are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Jacoby, Andrew W. Sloan
  • Patent number: 11911135
    Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the implantable medical device includes a fluid shunt extending through a wall separating a first cavity and a second cavity within the heart. The fluid shunt includes a first portion adapted to extend into the first cavity within the heart, a second portion adapted to extend into the second cavity within the heart, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The fluid shunt having a lumen extending between the first and second portions that is adapted to fluidly couple the first and second cavities within the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Vecchio
  • Patent number: 11911537
    Abstract: A length extensible implantable device includes a porous member and a longitudinal constraining member. The longitudinal constraining member can constrain at least a portion, up to the entire length of, the porous member in the longitudinal direction. The length of the longitudinally constrained portion can be expanded by applying force to the porous member. The porous member may be a porous tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan
  • Patent number: 11911258
    Abstract: An occlusive device includes a covering component configured to modulate passage of blood or thrombus therethrough, and an occlusion frame that includes a plurality of elongate occlusion frame members. The elongate occlusion frame members are arranged to form a generally disc-shaped member. The occlusion frame is at least partially covered by the covering component. The device further includes an anchor frame that includes a plurality of elongate anchor frame members. The device further includes a first hub component from which the elongate frame members extend, and a second hub component from which the elongate frame members extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Center, Edward H. Cully, Nathan L. Friedman, Cody L. Hartman, Nichlas L. Helder, Brandon A. Lurie, Steven J. Masters, Thomas R. McDaniel, Nathan K. Mooney, Aaron L. Paris, Roark N. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 11911272
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a plurality of absorbable filaments arranged in a support structure and configured degrade within a defined time period and a membrane arranged about the plurality of absorbable filaments and configured to contain fragments of the plurality of absorbable filaments in response to a fracture or degradation of a filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Chan, Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Byron K. Hayes, Samuel Joynson, Tom R. McDaniel, David J. Messick, Edward E. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11903856
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of making a sleeve comprising a conical frustum having first and second end profiles and a lumen there through for covering and constraining an expandable device, and apparatuses, systems, and assemblies comprising an expandable device and a sleeve having a frustoconical shape when the expandable device is at least partially expanded. The present disclosure further describes methods for deploying an expandable device in a patient comprising releasing a releasable seam disposed on a sleeve and everting the sleeve while retracting it from the expandable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. Sondreaal
  • Patent number: 11904590
    Abstract: The present invention provides stretchable laminates with a flat appearance on the visible surface. The laminates comprise a textile layer, a functional layer, and a plurality of elastic fibers. The plurality of elastic fibers are in a substantially parallel arrangement and the internal distance between adjacent fibers does not exceed the maximum fiber spacing, which depends on laminate thickness in a stretched state. Also provided are garments and footwear comprising the stretchable laminates and methods of producing the stretchable laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kelsey
  • Patent number: 11903858
    Abstract: A delivery system for endoluminal delivery of an expandable device comprising a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end configured to support an expandable device, a primary sheath having a delivery position in which the primary sheath constrains the expandable device toward a collapsed configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery, and a handle including a first actuator that is actuatable to cause the expandable device to expand from the collapsed configuration, the handle further including a second actuator for operating one or more functions of the handle, wherein the second actuator is initially hidden to prevent actuation of the second actuator prior to the expandable device expanding and is configured to be revealed when the expandable device is expanded, the second actuator being actuatable once revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin W. Sokel, Adam T. Storey, Jared L. Van Cleave
  • Patent number: 11903855
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes implantable medical devices comprising covers, such as a balloon cover. Such devices can comprise a first layer of a porous polymeric material, such as ePTFE, surrounded by layers of a porous polymeric material having an imbibed elastomer, such as polyurethane. The cover can be used to assist in deployment of an expandable implant, such as a stent-graft, within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Deenu G. Kanjickal, James J. Nickerson, Thomas G. Triebes
  • Patent number: 11896811
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward implantable medical devices, systems, and methods for cardiac assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Bryson, Dustin C. Burkart, Zachary A. Crannell, Joshua D. Cross, Robert M. Depue, James L. Goepfrich, Paul D. Goodman, Brandon C. Hedberg, Jason D. Hemmer, Jeffrey Kennington, Elton R. Migliati, Bryan Reep, Edward E. Shaw, James D. Silverman, Richard D. Strones
  • Patent number: 11896967
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a catalytic composite that comprises porous supported catalyst particles durably enmeshed in a porous fibrillated polymer membrane. The supported catalyst particles are composed of at least one metal or metal oxide catalyst dispersed on a porous support substrate. In some embodiments, the porous fibrillated polymer membrane is perforated or otherwise contains mechanically formed holes therein. The supported catalyst particles have a large particle population based, at least in part, a d90 value greater than 100 microns. The catalytic membrane composite may be used in filtration applications to remove air polluting substances such as Sox, NOx, dioxin/furan, CO, and others and convert them into non-polluting or less-polluting gas components. Additionally, the catalytic article may be in the form of a filter bag, a honeycomb, a monolith or any other suitable geometrically structured forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Knopf, Franz J. Shelley, Zhuonan Song
  • Patent number: 11877942
    Abstract: An endoprosthesis constraining sleeve includes a single sheet of material forming at least two folds, and a common bond line constraining the single sheet of material to maintain the at least two folds and to form at least two discrete lumens. A first lumen of the at least two lumens is configured to receive a constrained endoprosthesis therein. A second lumen of the at least two lumens is configured to receive a control feature therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl R. Chung, Susan J. Rudes
  • Patent number: 11865496
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method comprising obtaining a sorbent polymer composite material, contacting the sorbent polymer composite material with mercury vapor to form a used sorbent polymer composite material; wherein the used sorbent polymer composite material comprises oxidized mercury and wherein the used sorbent polymer composite material emits oxidized mercury vapor; and contacting the used sorbent polymer composite material with a halogen source, so as to result in a treated sorbent polymer composite material. In some embodiments, the treated sorbent polymer composite material emits less than 0.01 ?g oxidized mercury vapor per minute per gram of the treated sorbent polymer composite, compared to a used sorbent polymer composite, when measured at 65° C. in air having a relative humidity of 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Hardwick
  • Patent number: 11865276
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise occlusion and drug delivery devices and methods. One aspect of the disclosure comprises a drug delivery device comprising an inner expansion member and an outer drug delivery component. Another aspect of the disclosure comprises bioabsorbable, lumen-occluding implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Douglas S. Paget, Rachel Radspinner, Edward E. Shaw, Michael J. Vonesh