Patents Examined by Henry J. Recla
  • Catheter having flow diffusing tip
    Patent number: 6293958
    Abstract: An intravascular catheter having a flow diffusing distal tip includes a plurality of cuts formed through the tubular wall thereof so as to define a plurality of generally U-shaped flaps, the flaps being disposed in at least one and preferably two axially displaced bands. When contrast fluid or the like is injected under pressure into the proximal end of the catheter, the flow of the liquid exits the openings in which the plurality of flaps are hinged, causing the flaps to vibrate and effectively eliminate any tendency for the contrast media to be expelled as a jet from the open distal end of the catheter. Having an open distal end allows the catheter to be passed over a guidewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Acist Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Berry, David R. Holmes, Robert S. Schwartz, Robert A. VanTassel
  • Transmyocardial revascularization catheter and assembly
    Patent number: 6290709
    Abstract: A transmyocardial revascularization catheter which includes an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis. The TMR catheter also includes a cutting tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The tip has a distally disposed cutting edge and a longitudinally extending lumen therethrough. A motor is coupled to the drive shaft for rotation of the cutting tip. The shaft defines a longitudinally extending lumen in fluid communication with the tip lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Louis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson
  • Stent keeper for a self-expanding stent delivery system
    Patent number: 6287329
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus including an outer sheath, made from an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends. The apparatus further includes a self-expanding stent located within the distal end of the sheath along a load area. The stent makes frictional contact with the inner layer of said sheath. Lastly, the apparatus includes a readily removable member or keeper, which is disposed along the outer sheath along at least a portion of the load area. The member has sufficient rigidity to prevent the outer sheath from expanding along the load area prior to delivery of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Nitinol Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Duerig, Dieter Stockel
  • Multi-stage prosthesis
    Patent number: 6287337
    Abstract: A porous tube suitable for use as a vascular graft prosthesis and a method of making it is disclosed. It has a structure of porous polytetrafluoroethylene having a fibrous structure of nodes and fibers connecting the nodes together and an integrated intrawall circumferential support adjacent to areas of variable porosity. This invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer in a porous form useful as artificial internal organs for, for example vascular bypass, vascular access, and endovascular prosthesis. PTFE walls are found with radial zones of differing porosity are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Atrium Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Martakos, Peter Gingras, Theodore Karwoski, Steve A. Herweck
  • Method of catheterization and inhibition of arterial bleeding
    Patent number: 6287323
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a perforation in a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or other animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hemodynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius G. Hammerslag
  • Cannula with balloon tip
    Patent number: 6287319
    Abstract: A cannula is provided with a balloon tip at an implantable end thereof. The balloon tip comprises a sealed, flexible, inflatable portion adapted to receive an inflating material via a lumen in fluid communication therewith. The lumen comprises a gap formed in the tubular wall of the cannula, and may be defined by a supply tube disposed within the lumen and extending between an inflatable material source and the balloon tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Amed Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walid N. Aboul-Hosn, William R. Kanz, Eloy T. Padilla, Terry M. Wonder
  • Suturing device with tensioning adjustment member
    Patent number: 6283979
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method of suturing a body part by the use of an elongated articulable suture device comprising the steps of: providing a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; attaching an elongated, articulable suture needle at the distal end of said handle; placing a movable sheath about the suture needle; threading a tensionable member through the suture needle from a proximal to distal path and back again through a distal to proximal path, one end of the tensional member being fixed to the handle, and a second end of the tensional member being attached to a tension adjusting member; placing a suture thread in a holder in said distalmost end of the suture and threading a body part by movement of the suture needle about a body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: William Charles Mers Kelly, David Young Phelps, Bryan Patrick Kiple
  • Modular fixator assembly
    Patent number: 6283964
    Abstract: A modular fixator assembly capable of allowing motion at the wrist during treatment of wrist fractures. The fixator assembly includes a distractor device, a pin outrigger attached to the distrator device, at least one pin for fixating the fracture fragments, and pin clamping assemblies for attaching the pin to the outrigger. The outrigger conforms to the anatomical configuration of the fractured bone thereby enabling direct fixation of the fracture fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Lon S. Weiner
  • Combination of balloon and stent with specific sizes
    Patent number: 6283990
    Abstract: A balloon having a predetermined maximum expandable size is combined with a stent having a predetermined maximum expandable size, which is equal to the maximum expandable size of the balloon. The stent is formed of a plurality of rows of cylindrical strut sections situated side by side in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of connecting members for connecting two rows of the struts adjacent to each other. The strut section includes struts, and bending portions located at ends of the struts. A strut angle is defined by the strut and a line parallel to a central axis of the stent and extending through the bending portion. The strut angle is at least 75 degrees and less than 90 degrees when the stent is fully expanded. Thus, the stent fully expanded by the balloon is not easily collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Nozomu Kanesaka
  • Magnetic stopper
    Patent number: 6282730
    Abstract: A waste outlet fitting for use in tubs, sinks and basins. A magnetic plug is mounted in the waste outlet which can be rotated between open and closed positions through the use of a rotatable magnetic located proximate to the plug. The magnetic is rotatable by use of a remotely located handle employing cable, wire or rods for connecting the handle and magnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: E-Ticket Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Polymer covered vaso-occlusive devices and methods of producing such devices
    Patent number: 6280457
    Abstract: This is a medical device for forming an embolism within the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, it concerns an occlusion device comprising an inner core covered with a polymer. The medical device encourages cellular attachment and growth while maintaining favorable handling, deployment and visualization characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wallace, Delilah Yin Hui
  • Releasable basket
    Patent number: 6280451
    Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be released from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Bates, James A. Teague
  • Head acupuncture instrument
    Patent number: 6280454
    Abstract: A head acupuncture instrument is disclosed. The head acupuncture instrument includes headgear with electrode probes mounted thereon, a wire dispenser, a plurality of wires extending from an electricity supply to the electrode probes via the wire dispenser, and a column with a bottom end secured to the headgear and a top end extensively received in the wire dispenser. The electrode probes offer stimulating current to acupuncture points needed to be stimulated in a patient's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Wang
  • Surgical instrument for facilitating the detachment of an artery and the like
    Patent number: 6280455
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to aid in performing a procedure of detaching an internal mammary artery (IMA) and the like, from the connecting tissues and side branch vessels which surround the artery in its native location, wherein the detaching procedure is preliminary to the performing of a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure and wherein the IMA is detached via a minimally invasive thoracotomy. To this end, an elongated slender rod includes a handle at its proximal end and an artery engaging loop, arc, fork configuration, or hook at its distal working end. Embodiments may incorporate electrosurgical capability or electrical insulation. A surgeon thus has means for harvesting an intact and undamaged graft vessel from its native location through a minimally invasive incision with enhanced speed, visibility, and freedom of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: CardioThoracic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, Hani Shennib, Charles S. Taylor, Ivan Sepetka
  • Dark-initiated liquid flow control circuit for scrub sink
    Patent number: 6279179
    Abstract: A control circuit for flow control of liquid into a scrub sink wherein a differential amplifier is provided with an adjustable input signal based on the ambient condition and an input signal from a photocell which is mounted on the exterior of the edge of the scrub sink. An electrically responsive valve is in the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: William J. Register
  • Delivery system for deployment and endovascular assembly of a multi-stage stented graft
    Patent number: 6280467
    Abstract: A multi-stage stent graft for implantation into a blood vessel is disclosed. Each stage or layer may comprise radially compressible spring stents with or without a fabric covering, or may comprise a foamed tube. The various stages or layers may also have an adhesive coated thereon. The multi-stage stented graft and the adhesive coatings provide a surface for the in growth of cells and promote healing. Also disclosed is a coaxial delivery system for the delivery and endovascular assembly of the multi-stage stented graft during one trip into the vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: World Medical Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Howard J. Leonhardt
  • Methods for treating bone
    Patent number: 6280456
    Abstract: A method for treating bone employs a tool comprising an outer catheter tube having a distal end and an inner catheter tube extending within the outer catheter tube and having a distal end region that extends beyond the distal end of the outer catheter tube. The tool includes an expandable structure having a proximal end secured to the distal end of the outer catheter tube and a distal end secured to the distal end region of the inner catheter tube. Thus, the distal end region of the inner catheter tube is enclosed within the expandable structure. The method manipulates the tool to introduce the expandable structure into bone while in a generally collapsed geometry. The method causes the expandable structure to assume an expanded geometry inside bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Kyphon Inc
    Inventors: Robert M Scribner, Michael L Reo
  • Devices for tissue repair and methods for preparation and use thereof
    Patent number: 6280474
    Abstract: Methods and implant devices for use in tissue repair. The implant devices include resorbable, swellable implant bodies, formed from a dehydrated crosslinked biocompatible polymer. The implant devices are capable of swelling after insertion into tissues to become anchored in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Neucoll, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Cassidy, Jeff E. Yeung, Jacqueline Anne Schroeder, Vivek Shenoy, Melissa K. C. Brown
  • Prosthesis gripping system and method
    Patent number: 6280464
    Abstract: A delivery catheter and gripping system for enabling manipulation of a prosthesis deployed or implanted at a repair site in a corporeal lumen, for repositioning of the prosthesis. The delivery catheter includes a grip at the proximal end, a jacket enlarged portion at the distal end, and a shaft therebetween, and has a channel extending therethrough, for enabling insertion, removal, expansion and compression of the gripping system. The gripping system is housed in the delivery catheter, and includes a grip and biasing spring at the proximal end, a plurality of resilient gripping elements at the distal end, and a deploying wire therebetween for enabling gripping, maneuvering, and repositioning of the prosthesis to the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Reid Hayashi
  • Driven rotary incision scalpel
    Patent number: 6277135
    Abstract: A driven rotary incision scalpel having a pistol handle-shaped housing halves providing for mounting of a small form factor motor having a drive shaft. A gear on the front end of the drive shaft is enmeshed with the inner teeth of a ring gear of a two-stage reduction mount, which in turn drives a bevel gear that is enmeshed with a second driven bevel gear on a hollow rotary scalpel. When a trigger assembly is pulled backward and locked in, the outer barrel simultaneously moves to the rear, causing the front end of the hollow rotary scalpel to extend and switching on the motor that drives the blade at the front end into synchronous rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Kuen-Chyr Wang