Patents Examined by Katrina Stransky
  • Uniport having a one-piece body anchor and an elongated surgical instrument passageway for use in single site surgical procedures
    Patent number: 9687271
    Abstract: One aspect provides a multiple access body uniport for performing single site surgery on a body that comprises a one-piece body anchor defined by a longitudinal length and an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface. The uniport includes at least two surgical instrument passageways located through the one-piece body anchor and terminate at an entrance aperture on the uppermost surface and at an exit aperture on the lowermost surface, and also includes at least a third surgical instrument passageway located through the one-piece body anchor and having an elongated access opening extending across a portion of the uppermost surface and having an exit aperture on the lowermost surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Axcess Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Norton, Noel D. Ischy
  • Minimal access tool
    Patent number: 9675370
    Abstract: A minimal access tool includes a frame arranged to be attached to an arm of a user, a tool shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, where the tool shaft proximal end is connected to the frame. The tool further includes an input joint having a first end connected to the frame and a second end arranged to receive user input, the input joint including a virtual center-of-rotation (VC) mechanism which provides a center of rotation that generally coincides with a wrist joint of the user. An output joint is connected to the tool shaft distal end, where the output joint is coupled to the input joint via a mechanical transmission connected therebetween to correlate motion of the input joint to motion of the output joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Shorya Awtar, Jens Nielsen, Tristan Thomas Trutna, Andrew Mansfield, Rosa Abani, Patrick Quigley, James Geiger
  • Methods and apparatus for treating glottic insufficiency
    Patent number: 9675447
    Abstract: A method to treat glottic insufficiency includes creating a window in a thyroid cartilage and inserting an implant through the window and into a paraglottic space. The implant includes a balloon with a port connector and a band comprising a proximate end attached to a portion of the balloon. The method further includes securing the band to a thyroarytenoid muscle complex and inflating the balloon to pull on the band, which in turn pulls on the thyroarytenoid muscle, which in turn rotates an arytenoids cartilage to medialize and tighten a vocal cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APREVENT MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Guan-Min Ho, Yenyu Chen, Chia-Yuan Chang
  • Puckering seal for reduced paravalvular leakage
    Patent number: 9668856
    Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a heart valve, a self-expandable and collapsible stent, and a sealing member. The stent includes an inflow end and an outflow end and is configured to support the heart valve internally. The sealing member is connected to and extends circumferentially around the stent. The sealing member includes a plurality of radially outward extending protrusions comprising a fold of material of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea N. Para
  • Prosthetic valve with vortice-inducing baffle
    Patent number: 9662203
    Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprising a stent frame, a valve structure, and a baffle structure. The stent frame defines a lumen. The valve structure is disposed within the lumen, and defines an inflow side and an outflow side. An outflow track is established within the lumen downstream of the outflow side and along which fluid flow from the valve structure progresses. The baffle structure is connected to the stent frame downstream of the outflow side and is configured to induce vortical flow, for example including a vortex ring. In some embodiments, the prosthetic valve is a transcatheter prosthetic mitral valve having three leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond Sheahan, Niall Duffy
  • Collet based locking mechanism
    Patent number: 9655637
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing supporting first and second actuators, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, and an end effector supported by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. A tensile member extending through the elongated shaft is coupled to the first actuator and the end effector such that first actuator may be manipulated to induce motion of the end effector. A locking mechanism associated with the tensile member selectively impedes motion of the end effector. The locking mechanism includes a collet disposed about the tensile member and a collet clamp for receiving the collet. Receipt of the collet into the collet clamp induces radial compression of the collet to impede the motion of the tensile member therethrough. An actuation member extending through the elongated shaft induces insertion and withdrawal of the collet from the collet clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Peter M. Mueller
  • Suture tape assembly having a midpoint mark
    Patent number: 9655612
    Abstract: A method of forming a suture tape assembly having a visually distinguishable midpoint includes weaving a longitudinally central portion of a length of round suture material together with other strands of material to form a length of suture tape. This suture tape has a longitudinal first end and a longitudinal second end, and the length of round suture material extends from both the first end and second end. Next, a center part of the length of the round suture material is grasped and pulled outwardly from the suture tape, to form a partial loop extending outwardly from the suture tape. This partial loop is cut from the suture tape, thereby leaving a longitudinally medial segment of the suture tape without the round suture material, and thereby being made visibly distinguishable from neighboring suture tape, which includes the round suture material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: RIVERPOINT MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Edward Ferguson, Patrick Joseph Ferguson
  • Polymeric heart valve
    Patent number: 9655720
    Abstract: A polymeric valve which may include a heart valve, and also may include a trileaflet heart valve includes a stent having a base and a plurality of outwardly extending posts from the base and equidistant from each other. A plurality of leaflets each connected to a corresponding one of the posts at one end, and each of the leaflets connected to the base. Each of the leaflets having an operative end opposite the end connected to the post, and the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other. The operative ends are configured to rhythmically open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets include multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Danny Bluestein, Thomas E. Claiborne, Marvin J. Slepian
  • Soft tissue repair devices, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9655625
    Abstract: Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue, such as, a lacerated tendon. A repair device includes a frame having a tubular structure with a longitudinal length and struts at least partially defining the tubular structure. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion with an intermediate portion therebetween, each extending along the longitudinal length. The intermediate portion is configured to substantially maintain a fixed position and is configured to be positioned over first and second ends of the lacerated tendon to substantially maintain the first end abutted against the second end. The first portion and the second portion of the frame are configured to be positioned over separate portions of the tendon and configured to move and elongate along a length of the respective first portion and second portion of the frame as the portions of the tendon elongate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CoNextions, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik N. Kubiak, Shawn P. Reese
  • Tubular conduit
    Patent number: 9649186
    Abstract: A tubular conduit comprising: a tubular portion made from a flexible material. There is an external helical formation extending around the exterior of, and parallel to the axis of, the tubular portion and defining a first region of the tubular portion. The external helical formation is for supporting the tubular portion. There is also an internal helical formation, protruding inwardly of the interior of the tubular portion and extending parallel to the axis of the tubular portion and defining a second region of the tubular portion. The internal helical formation is for imparting helical flow on fluid passing through the tubular portion. The first region does not extend throughout the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Vascular Flow Technologies Limited
    Inventors: John Graeme Houston, Peter Arno Stonebridge
  • Method for repair of ligament or tendon
    Patent number: 9649190
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for repair of a ligament and/or tendon in a patient comprising applying a patch to said ligament or tendon, wherein the patch is flexible, and bio-compatible and comprises a support layer and a matrix layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TRB Chemedica International S.A.
    Inventor: Burkhard Mathies
  • System for positioning on a patient an observation and/or intervention device
    Patent number: 9643325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for positioning with respect to a patient's body an observation and/or intervention device having a portion penetrating into the patient's body comprising a base disposed over the patient's body; a means for supporting the device formed of a first portion movably assembled on the base according to a connection with one degree of freedom, and of a second portion movably assembled on the first portion according to a connection with one degree of freedom and connected to the device; and means for actuating the first portion with respect to the base, and the second portion with respect to the first portion, in which the base surrounds at a distance at least partially the device, said device being detachably connected to the second portion to enable removal of the positioning system while leaving in place the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÉ GRENOBLE ALPES
    Inventors: Peter Berkelman, Philippe Cinquin, Alain Jacquet, Jean Arnault
  • Articulable surgical instrument
    Patent number: 9642603
    Abstract: An instrument includes, a lumen, a handpiece affixed to the proximal end of the lumen and including an actuator, a proximal articulable segment, the proximal end of the proximal articulable segment pivotably attached to the distal end of the lumen via a proximal hinge pin extending in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lumen, an actuation cable extending from the actuator through the lumen and into the proximal articulable segment, and a cable router comprising a proximal pulley assembly rotatable about the proximal hinge pin, wherein the cable is wrapped about the proximal pulley assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MICROLINE SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Woolfson, Sharad H Joshi, Jean-Luc Boulnois, Albert A. LePage, Christopher Devlin
  • External nasal dilator
    Patent number: 9642995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an external nasal dilator, more specifically to an improved external nasal dilator, which provides a focused and efficient spring force to the outer wall tissues of a first and second nasal passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline, LLC
    Inventors: Gustav R. Fenton, Snigdha Mishra
  • Sheath device for inserting a catheter
    Patent number: 9642984
    Abstract: In a sheath device for inserting a catheter into a patient's body, comprising a first sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when used as intended the distal end of the first sheath is provided for arrangement in the patient's body and the proximal end of the first sheath is provided for arrangement outside the patient's body, and wherein the first sheath comprises a tubular section and a sheath housing, which is disposed at the proximal end of the section and comprises a receiving channel for a catheter, according to the invention the tubular section is detachably held in a clamping element of the sheath housing in a non-positive manner so as to be able to easily shorten the tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ECP ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventors: Joerg Schumacher, Lars Bredenbreuker, Robert Decke
  • Collagen fiber ribbons with integrated fixation sutures and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 9636209
    Abstract: The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis and constructs having an implantable woven ribbon with at least one integrated suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MiMedx Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Koob, Mengyan Li
  • Injection zone markers for biomedical implants
    Patent number: 9636210
    Abstract: A mammary implant and method of making are provided herein. The implant includes an outer shell configured to retain fluid therein, an injection element coupled to the outer shell and adapted to receive therethrough an injection device for injecting fluid into the outer shell, and an injection marker zone made of a material having ultrasonically detectable markers incorporated therein. The markers are a plurality of microcavities that are located relative to the injection element so that, when ultrasonically detected, such detection indicates a location of the injection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mentor Worldwide LLC
    Inventors: Krasimira Hristov, Leo B. Kriksunov, Robert J. Tannhauser
  • Support for ear base
    Patent number: 9636202
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for ear restoration surgery. Certain embodiments provide an improved framework that provides enhanced cooperation between an ear base and a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Poriferous, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Noble
  • Valve delivery tool
    Patent number: 9629718
    Abstract: A system includes a medical device for implanting in a valve of a subject, the implantable medical device having a self-expanding frame; and a holder configured to retain the frame of the implantable medical device in a constricted configuration and to control expansion of the frame. The holder has a controllably constrictable and expandable loop, wherein the loop is disposed about at least a portion of the self-expanding frame such that constriction or expansion of the first loop controls constriction or expansion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gloss, Timothy Groen, Carolyn Majkrzak, Behrooz Nadian, Matthew Rust, Timothy Ryan, Matthew Weston, Marc Anderson, Evelyn Birmingham, Mark Casley, Deirdre McGowan Smyth
  • Ligament reconstruction fixation system
    Patent number: 9629706
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an assembly for fixing a ligament in bone. The assembly includes a suspension member and an implant having a mechanism for fixedly receiving the suspension member and at least partially suspending the suspension member and the received bone graft within the implant, allowing for bony in-growth. A method of fixing a ligament in bone is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Konsei Shino, Stephen Santangelo, Jeffrey Wyman