Patents Examined by Christine Matthews
  • Patent number: 8882655
    Abstract: An implantable injection port comprises a base. A first gear is coupled to the base, and a first anchor is coupled to the first gear. A second gear is coupled to the base, and a second anchor is coupled to the second gear. A top portion of the injection port is spaced apart from the base of the port and has a first plurality of top teeth that engage with a first plurality of gear teeth on the first gear. This engagement occurs prior to rotation of the second gear. The top portion rotates, which causes rotation of the first gear, which in turn causes movement of the first anchor through the anchor opening of the base and into the tissue of the patient. The first gear and the second gear rotate non-simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Nitka, Edwin J. Kayda
  • Patent number: 8876694
    Abstract: Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to utilizing a guiding tip to connect two open ends of respective tubes of a gastric banding system. More particularly, one of these tubes may include a barbed element at or near the point of connection which makes it difficult to connect the two tubes as the barbed element may be larger than an opening to receive the barbed element. The guiding tip provides a solution to this problem by acting as an interface between the barbed element and the receiving tube. In this manner, the sealing functionality of the barbed element may be retained while improving the ease of inserting the barbed element into the receiving tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Honaryar, Sean Snow, Marcos Borrell
  • Patent number: 8876691
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of collagenous tissue at an anatomical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianmin Li, Michael Madden, Hamid Davoudi
  • Patent number: 8876693
    Abstract: A surgical procedure for repairing vaginal prolapse, including apical descent (vaginal vault or uterine descensus), cystocele and/or rectocele, avoids bladder injury, the need for laparoscopic suturing, and difficulties in tensioning the mesh used to hold the vagina in the correct anatomical position, and can be practiced with off the shelf components. The procedure typically comprises exposing a female patient's peritoneum; making a peritoneal incision (e.g. over the patient's sacrum); mobilizing the peritoneum; incising the patient's vagina and attaching the anterior and posterior surfaces of a first (e.g. generally rectangular) mesh component, with a truncated stem and first locking element, to the apex of the patient's vagina; passing a mesh base component having a second locking element at a distal end, and a proximal end, underneath the peritoneum; moving the first and second locking elements together into locking relationship; anchoring the mesh base (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Elliot Rapp
  • Patent number: 8876695
    Abstract: A foot-sleeve dildo harness uses any of a variety of dildo devices secured in position on a bottom or heel of the foot and extending perpendicularly therefrom. The dildos provide vaginal or anal hands-free stimulation performed on a wearer or on a sexual partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Wilson, Andrew R Conner
  • Patent number: 8876688
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of bioactive agent use by an individual and/or modifying an artificial sensory experience to alter at least one effect of the bioactive agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthhardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8876697
    Abstract: A device for maintaining an erection has tubes connected to C-shaped balloons disposed at the base and neck of the penis. The air pressure inside the tubes helps to maintain the erection, while the C-shaped balloons help to retain the blood inside Corpora Cavernosa due to the choke-like grip around the base and neck of the penis. The air pressure is supplied by a pump actuated by movements of a pubic bone during sexual activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Fernando Suarez
  • Patent number: 8870743
    Abstract: A support device includes a support member and a frame member. The support member has a body portion and an elongated arm extending from the body portion. The elongated arm has a width smaller than a width of the body portion of the support member. The body portion is configured to help support an anatomical structure located in a pelvic region of a patient. The frame member is coupled to the support member and comprised of a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James Goddard, Jon T. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 8870746
    Abstract: A female stimulation device contained in a housing to deliver pulsating positive air pressure to the clitoris and other regions of the female genital region having an air pump/compressor, a length of tubing connected to the air pump/compressor, a variable control on the pump to increase or decrease the frequency of the pulsation, a regulator to vary the positive air pressure, a pressure gauge attached to the pump outlet and the regulator, a container connected to the compressor to provide a means to include a lubricant and/or scent in the air flow. Various tips to direct the pulsating positive air flow and direct mechanical stimulation to the clitoris and nearby regions are connectable to the tubing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Courtney A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8870737
    Abstract: Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NeoSync, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Phillips, Yi Jin
  • Patent number: 8870745
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to sling assemblies for pelvic floor repair that utilize one or more materials, attached without a mechanical fixation device, and related methods of use and fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Toso, Doreen Rao
  • Patent number: 8858417
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a patient support assembly and an air circulation system coupled to the patient support assembly, which includes first and second air flow channels which are separate from one another. The first and second air flow channels may be separately activated, depending upon the air flow required. Additionally, the elements of the air circulation system are easily disassembled, so as to allow easy cleaning of the system which, in turn, maintains a sterile patient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Khodak, Tobias Otte
  • Patent number: 8858420
    Abstract: The present application discloses a vibration-based hearing prosthesis configured to measure the vibration applied by a hearing prosthesis to the skull of the hearing prosthesis recipient while the recipient is wearing the hearing prosthesis. Directly measuring the applied vibration in situ allows hearing characteristics to be more accurately mapped to voltage inputs. A recipient's hearing threshold and associated voltage input may be directly measured. Additionally, measuring the applied vibrations allows co-listening. A doctor can monitor the sound output from a vibration-based hearing prosthesis as it is worn by a recipient. Directly measuring the vibration output also allows an additional degree of freedom in diagnostics because a recipient can perform diagnostic tests at home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Rasmus Elofsson
  • Patent number: 8858418
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a patient support platform, a patient chamber, a heating source, and a rigid connection member for connecting hoses to the patient chamber. The rigid connection member provide an interface between hoses disposed inside the patient chamber, and hoses disposed outside. The connection member preferably includes one or more interconnection nozzles, removably attached thereto, for connecting the internal hoses to the external hoses. Each of the interconnection nozzles preferably includes an interior connection surface exposed to an interior of the patient chamber, and an external connection surface exposed to an external of the patient chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Chilton, III
  • Patent number: 8852073
    Abstract: A relaxation inducing sleep mask includes a comfortable eye mask and a sleep module carried by the eye mask providing audible and/or visible patterns each intended to promote relaxation and to induce sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Headwater R&D Inc
    Inventors: Philippe J. Genereux, Troy G. Anderson, Rudy A. Vandenbelt
  • Patent number: 8852074
    Abstract: A device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system comprises a band wrapped around the neck with a vibrator positioned over the larynx. Upon activation by a button on a spoon held by an operator, such as the subject, the vibrator moves and vibrates the larynx. The patient initiates the sensory stimulation immediately prior to the patient's own initiation of a swallow by viewing on a display screen a movement feedback signal, possibly from a piezo-electric sensor also contained in the band which will also be displayed on the display screen. The signal from the switch device initiating sensory stimulation will be presented on the same display screen for the patient and trainer to observe when the button or switch is activated for sensory stimulation in relation to the onset of the swallow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Christy Leslie Ludlow, Newlin Morgan, George Dold, Soren Lowell
  • Patent number: 8855758
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining EEG data includes a signal processing component for receiving EEG signals from each of a plurality of electrodes and a data output component. The signal processing component is arranged to convert respective EEG signals in real time to a reduced data set and provide the reduced data set to the data output component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Esther O. Rodriquez-Villegas, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 8845512
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to surgical articles useful for implanting support members in patients. The articles disclosed herein include a support member, such as a sling for urinary incontinence, tissue anchors, filamentary elements for associating the support member with the anchors, and introducer needles for placing the anchors in a patient. The support members can also be configured for use in pelvic floor repair, such as for treating cystoceles, rectoceles, and enteroceles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Evans
  • Patent number: 8840540
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an implanted microphone having reduced sensitivity to vibration. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable vibration by utilizing at least one motion sensor to produce a motion signal when an implanted microphone is in motion. This motion signal is used to yield a microphone output signal that is less vibration sensitive. In a first arrangement, the motion signal may be processed with an output of the implantable microphone transducer to provide an audio signal that is less vibration-sensitive than the microphone output alone. Specifically, the motion signal may be scaled to match the motion component of the microphone output such that upon removal of the motion signal from the microphone output, the remaining signal is an acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Scott Allan Miller, III
  • Patent number: 8839798
    Abstract: A system for determining a location of an instrument within an anatomy is provided. The system can include a first instrument, which can define at least one lumen. The system can further include a second instrument, which can be received through the at least one lumen. The system can include at least one electrode, which can be coupled to a distal end of the first instrument. The electrode can be responsive to electrical activity to generate at least one signal. The system can include a sensing unit, which can be in contact with the anatomy to sense electrical activity within the anatomy at a location near the instrument. The sensing unit can be in communication with the electrode to receive the signal. The system can further include a control module that can determine, based on the sensed electrical activity and the signal, the location of the first instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Toby Markowitz, Chad Giese, Jeff Jannicke, Steven L. Waldhauser