Patents Examined by Corrine McDermott
  • Patent number: 9492196
    Abstract: A hair implant anchor usable with a hair implant anchor deployment device for inserting one or more hairs into a tissue portion is provided. The hair implant anchor includes a holder configured to grip one or more hairs and one or more selectably deployable leaves formed with the holder. When the anchor is in its first configuration prior to implantation of the hairs, the leaves are constrained by the deployment device in a position generally parallel to an insertion axis, and in a second configuration, subsequent to implantation of the hair, the leaves adopt a position extended away from the insertion axis, thereby securing the holder and hair gripped thereby within the tissue portion. The invention also provides a method for use of the anchor, a hair implantation system, a multi-hair implantation system and a hair implantation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HAIRSTETICS, LTD.
    Inventors: Dvir Keren, Boaz Shenhav
  • Patent number: 9492234
    Abstract: A motive device for use in magnetically sensitive environments includes a front supporting plate, a rear supporting plate, and at least one guiding rail extending longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates and supported thereby. At least one module is supported by the guiding rail, is located longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates, and is configured to provide at least one of translational and rotational motions to a moved structure extending from the at least one module longitudinally toward and beyond the front supporting plate. The translational motion is guided by motion of the module between the front and rear supporting plates longitudinally along the at least one guiding rail. The module provides the at least one of translational and rotational motions to the moved structure entirely pneumatically. The structures comprising the motive device are all made entirely from non-ferromagnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: David B. Comber, Eric J. Barth
  • Patent number: 9468549
    Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a single sleeve that constrains an expandable device to a dimension suitable for endoluminal delivery of the device to a treatment site, and further allows expansion of the device toward an outer peripheral dimension that is smaller than a fully deployed outer peripheral dimension to allow positioning of the device at the treatment site prior to full deployment and expansion of the device at the treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Norris, Anthony P. Peterson, Stephanie M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9468547
    Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a single sleeve that constrains an expandable device to a dimension suitable for endoluminal delivery of the device to a treatment site, and further allows expansion of the device toward an outer peripheral dimension that is smaller than a fully deployed outer peripheral dimension to allow positioning of the device at the treatment site prior to full deployment and expansion of the device at the treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Norris, Stephanie M. Walsh, Anthony P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9463039
    Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a longitudinal member, a pair of jaws installed at a distal end of the longitudinal member and configured to be freely opened and closed, a first grasping member supported by a first jaw of the pair of jaws, a second grasping member supported by a second jaw of the pair of jaws, the second body having a wire shape, flexibility, and being curved in a loop shape, a long operating transmission member having a distal end portion connected to the pair of jaws and installed to advance and retreat along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, and an open-close operating portion installed at a proximal end portion of the operating transmission member and configured to be manipulated to open and close the pair of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriko Kuroda, Kunihide Kaji, Takuo Yokota, Nobuko Matsuo, Takayasu Mikkaichi, Hiroko Sakamoto, Masatoshi Sato, Ryuhei Shimada, Satoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9456813
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and systems useful in the treatment of fistulae, and in certain embodiments those having openings extending into the alimentary canal, such as anorectal fistulae. Illustratively, an anorectal fistula can be treated by placing a volumetric construct within the primary opening of the fistula. In certain embodiments, the volumetric construct can include a rolled remodelable material processed to form a substantially unitary body. Advantageous such remodelable materials can include collagenous extracellular matrix materials, such as small intestine submucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated
    Inventors: F. Joseph Obermiller, Michael C. Hiles, Matthew R. Graham
  • Patent number: 9456814
    Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Kelly A. Pike, David A. Mackiewicz, Andrew Switky, Gina L. Romero, Jonathan I. Kaplan, Anthony P. Patron
  • Patent number: 9452047
    Abstract: Heart valve prosthesis recapture devices and methods for recapture are disclosed, which can be used for recapturing a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture device comprises a recapture sleeve, configured to envelop and collapse a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture sleeve comprises a distal end, configured to be securely attached to a guide wire, and a proximal end, comprising an opening along a longitudinal axis of the recapture sleeve. The opening can be configured to expand as it engages the heart valve prosthesis, and be biased toward a closed configuration. An attachment element can interface with the distal end of the recapture sleeve and be securely attached to a guide wire, such as by crimping. The recapture sleeve can include a support structure comprising at least one spine and a plurality of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway
    Inventor: Niall Duffy
  • Patent number: 9445835
    Abstract: A circumcision device (10) including a proximal end (16), a distal end (18), an inner recess (30) and an outer surface. The inner recess (30) opens from the proximal end (16) and is adapted to receive substantially all of a glans of a penis therein. The outer surface includes a plurality of indicators (26) spaced apart from the proximal end (16). In use, a foreskin is pulled over the outer surface until the foreskin reaches a predetermined one of the indicators (26), thereby providing a visual guide to the level of circumcision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Milad Melhem, Rachid Tabba
  • Patent number: 9433430
    Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a longitudinal member, a pair of jaws installed at a distal end of the longitudinal member and configured to be freely opened and closed, a first grasping member supported by a first jaw of the pair of jaws, a second grasping member supported by a second jaw of the pair of jaws, the second body having a wire shape, flexibility, and being curved in a loop shape, a long operating transmission member having a distal end portion connected to the pair of jaws and installed to advance and retreat along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, and an open-close operating portion installed at a proximal end portion of the operating transmission member and configured to be manipulated to open and close the pair of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriko Kuroda, Kunihide Kaji, Takuo Yokota, Nobuko Matsuo, Takayasu Mikkaichi, Hiroko Sakamoto, Masatoshi Sato, Ryuhei Shimada, Satoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9427248
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a probe body which includes an outer peripheral portion provided along a longitudinal axis, and a void defining surface defining a void, which is open to an outside along the longitudinal axis in at least one part of the outer peripheral portion, along the longitudinal axis. The void defining surface defines the void in the probe body from a first anti-node position of the ultrasonic vibrations to a second anti-node position of the ultrasonic vibrations different from the first anti-node position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsunetaka Akagane
  • Patent number: 9427343
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis includes a scaffold with a plurality of expandable segments axially spaced apart along a substrate, adjacent segments connected by one or more support members when the prosthesis is in a collapsed configuration and disconnected when the prosthesis is in an expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: David L. Bogert
  • Patent number: 9414843
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures are used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the deployment of one or more vascular occlusion devices via a through-and-through percutaneous procedure that leaves the vascular occlusion device or devices in a through-and-through condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC, Cook Biotech Incorporated, Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: Dusan Pavcnik, John A. Kaufman, Thomas Osborne, Brian Bates, Umesh Patel, Likang Chin, Chad S. McAlexander, Bhavin Shah
  • Patent number: 9414944
    Abstract: A medical device constraint includes an elastic element having proximal and distal ends, a continuous lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular elastic element; and a medical device disposed at least partially within the continuous lumen, wherein the generally tubular element has a first state in which the tubular element is longitudinally held in tension to conceal a gap between the medical device and a distal tip and a second state in which the tubular element is longitudinally relaxed and spaced apart from the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Kyle R. Buckley
  • Patent number: 9414889
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for improving hair harvesting and extraction. The device includes a mechanism for assisting in separation of the hair graft from the surrounding connective tissue. The apparatus and methods of the current invention are such that the viability of the follicular unit contained within the extracted plug is substantially preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Restoration Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Chandler, Miguel G. Canales
  • Patent number: 9408595
    Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and first and second devices. The wire assembly includes a first wire member and a second wire member that each include a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. At least portions of the second wire member are arranged side-by-side with the first wire member. The distal end portion of the first wire member is connected to the distal end portion of the second wire member, and a proximal end portion of the first wire member is disconnected from the proximal end portion of the second wire member. The first device is operable to advance over the first wire member. The second device is operable to advance over the second wire member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL PUERTO RICO LLC
    Inventors: Catherine A. Pipenhagen, Valerie J. Glazier, Scott A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 9398909
    Abstract: A needle holder includes a first shaft on which a first gripping body is provided at a front end, and a second shaft on which a second gripping body is provided at a front end and which slides in an axial direction relative to the first shaft. The first gripping body and the second gripping body have continuous curved convex shapes at at least sides opposed to each other and abut against each other as the second shaft slides relative to the first shaft. An abutment keeping mechanism by which abutment between the first gripping body and the second gripping body is kept while the first shaft and the second shaft are separated from each other as the second shaft further slides relative to the first shaft in the same direction from a state where the first gripping body and the second gripping body abut against each other is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Shu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9398967
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Syntach AG
    Inventor: Richard Cornelius
  • Patent number: 9398920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument system encompassing a morcellator with a hollow shaft on whose distal end a cutting blade is configured, as well as a gripping instrument with a shaft on whose distal end a tool consisting of at least two jaw members and on whose proximal end a handle consisting of at least two gripping members is configured to activate the tool, in such a way that the gripping instrument can be inserted into the hollow shaft of the morcellator so that it can slide in the longitudinal direction of the morcellator shaft. To ensure versatile application along with simple structure, it is proposed with the invention that the morcellator with the insertable gripping instrument can be inserted into a hollow shaft of an additional medical instrument, in particular a resectoscope, and that an additional irrigation and/or suction canal is configured between the shaft of the morcellator and the inside of the hollow shaft of the additional medical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Doll, Christian Walter, Walter Roesch
  • Patent number: 9392968
    Abstract: Assembly for use on a device includes a member comprising a plurality of lancet needles arranged generally parallel to each other and one of a cap comprising a single lancet opening structured and arranged to receive therein an end portion of a finger tip and a cap comprising a plurality of openings which are each sized to allow one of the lancet needles to pass therethrough. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: STAT MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Schraga