Patents Examined by Leslie Deak
  • Catheter
    Patent number: 9687632
    Abstract: A catheter comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, the inner and the outer sleeves being longitudinally displaceable relative to one another to enable the catheter to move from an open state to a closed state, each sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the catheter further comprising a retainer which is open in the open state, and closed in the closed state, the catheter further comprising a lock mechanism comprising lock formed in a lock portion of the catheter for locking the catheter in the open state, and a releaser for releasing the lock, the releaser being adapted to remove at least a part of the lock portion from the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Mediplus Limited
    Inventor: Robert Graham Urie
  • Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass
    Patent number: 9681975
    Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: ValenTx, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Neisz, James Wright, Christopher Thierfelder
  • Vial with free float valve for sterile pharmaceutical
    Patent number: 9682015
    Abstract: A package (10) for sterile fluids, such as contrast media. More particularly the invention relates to a package (10) comprising a container (20), a plug (40) and a float (15) residing in the container (20). The float (15) will close the exit (49) of the container before the container (20) is completely empty, preventing air from inadvertently being withdrawn from the container (20) when in the inverted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE AS
    Inventors: Martin Monteagle Browne, Marianne Weiby Wulff
  • Medical containers for use in blood collection and processing and medical systems, methods and apparatus for use in blood collection and processing
    Patent number: 9682014
    Abstract: Medical containers for use in blood collection and processing and medical systems, methods and apparatus for use in blood collection and processing are described. An example medical container to be used during blood collection and processing, the medical container includes an elongated body defining a compartment and a base coupled at a first end of the elongated body. Additionally, the medical container includes a divider extending through the compartment to separate the compartment into a first subcompartment and a second subcompartment, the divider comprising a first material and the elongated body comprising a second material, the first material being relatively more rigid than the second material, the first subcompartment and the subsecond compartment each to accommodate blood pack components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyungyoon Min
  • Apparatus and methods for noninvasive monitoring of cancerous cells
    Patent number: 9675327
    Abstract: A system for noninvasively monitoring cancerous cells within bodily fluid accumulated due to ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable pump having control circuitry; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge and communicate with the implantable pump to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable pump and charging and communication system. The implantable pump is configured to move fluid containing cancerous cells from a body cavity to the bladder such that the fluid may be excreted during urination, collected and analyzed with an analysis station to assess progress of the cancer or efficacy of a cancer treatment program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sequana Medical AG
    Inventors: Noel L. Johnson, Steve Whittaker
  • Device for prevention of shunt stenosis
    Patent number: 9675748
    Abstract: A method and a kit for the prevention of venous stenosis associated with the use of hemodialysis AV shunts. The kit may use a bifurcated needle for providing access to the shunt or blood vessel. One of the arms is used for returning the blood to the subject after dialysis treatment, while the other arm is used for inserting a device for cleaning the vein, the device being either an autonomous crawling device, or a passive tethered device moved down the vein by the blood flow. The autonomous crawling device may be a series of sequentially inflatable chambers, the stenosis being cleared by pressure from the outer walls of the chambers when inflated and moved. The passive device may be an element having a flexible disc-like structure, whose flexible peripheral edge slides along the inner walls of the blood vessel, compressing or clearing the material attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd., Microbot Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Shechtman, Moshe Shoham, Harel Gadot
  • Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass
    Patent number: 9675489
    Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ValenTx, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Neisz, Cole Chen, C. Daniel Smith, Jon St. Germain
  • Drug eluting ocular implant
    Patent number: 9668915
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye for reduction or prevention of symptoms of the disorder. The devices are capable of controlled release of one or more drugs and may also include structures which allow for treatment of increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: DOSE MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Haffner, Ken Curry, Harold Heitzmann, David Applegate
  • Medical treatment device
    Patent number: 9662244
    Abstract: A medical treatment device for treating glaucoma includes a spherical portion formed in a partially spherical shape configured to align with the curve of an eyeball; and at least one puncture portion protruding from a concave side of the spherical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonori Hatta, Makoto Narita
  • Implant device for use in salivary gland duct
    Patent number: 9662195
    Abstract: An implant device for placement within a salivary gland duct having a first end adjacent a parotid gland and a second end adjacent a submandibular gland. The implant device comprises an elongate body having a lumen, and a first and a second plate offset from the proximal end of the elongate body. The first plate is located on one side of the elongate body and the second plate is located on the other side of the elongate body. The first plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the first plate to a location adjacent the parotid gland. The second plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the second plate to a location adjacent the submandibular gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: E. BENSON HOOD LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Dennis Creedon, Lewis H Marten, Christopher Vettori, Rohan R Walvekar
  • Devices and methods for transferring fluid to or from a vial
    Patent number: 9662272
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a housing and a bag. In some embodiments, an initial volume of a regulating fluid can be contained within the bag. In some embodiments, the regulating fluid flows into the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Dee E. Warren, Dan Lopez
  • Apparatus and methods for treating excess intraocular fluid
    Patent number: 9655779
    Abstract: An ocular drainage system is provided for treating diseases that produce elevated intraocular pressures, such as glaucoma, wherein the system includes an implantable device and an external control unit. The implantable device includes a non-invasively adjustable valve featuring at least one deformable tube and a disk rotatably mounted within a housing, such that rotation of the disk using the external control unit causes the disk to apply a selected amount of compression to the deformable tube, thereby adjusting the fluidic resistance of the deformable tube and regulating the intraocular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Stéphane Bigler, Nikolaos Stergiopulos
  • Nasal aspirator
    Patent number: 9656005
    Abstract: A nasal aspirator is adapted to remove fluid or tissue from a nasal passageway. The aspirator includes an aspirator tube sized to fit in a nasal passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James R Varney, Bryan R Hotaling
  • System and method for diagphragm pumping using heating element
    Patent number: 9655777
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating an ocular condition includes a heating chamber comprising a material expandable when heated and comprising a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet. A heating element is arranged and disposed to introduce heat in the heating chamber. A flexible diaphragm separates the heating chamber from the flow passage, and is moveable between a first position and a second position to change a volume of one of the pump chamber and flow passages in response to a temperature change in the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Michael LeRoy Gelvin
  • Endolumenal esophageal restriction device
    Patent number: 9655757
    Abstract: Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a novel esophageal device implantable in the patient's body and designed to replicate the restrictive and satiety mechanism associated with gastric banding systems known in the art. The device can be a compliant and tubular-shaped and fixated within the gastro-esophageal lumen using tissue anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery US, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Schwab, Zachary Dominguez, Jason Metzner
  • Adjuncts for gastrointestinal devices
    Patent number: 9649185
    Abstract: An adjunct for a gastrointestinal device and a system including said adjunct are described herein and include a substrate configured to attach to a gastrointestinal device, the substrate including a first surface and a second surface, and a plurality of at least one type of commensal microbe associated with at least a portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Wayne R. Kindsvogel, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Shunt flow monitor
    Patent number: 9649481
    Abstract: A shunt including an implantable housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A pressure sensitive valve is contained within the housing at a position between the proximal end and the distal end, and the pressure sensitive valve is capable of controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. The shunt further including a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the pressure sensitive valve, wherein the sensor assembly is mechanically actuated and capable of detecting the flow of fluid through the pressure sensitive valve. A condition of the shunt can be detected by detecting a flow of fluid through the shunt and generating a signal indicative of a period of fluid flow through the implantable shunt based on the detecting. The signal can be output to an external device capable of determining, from the signal, whether the shunt is malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Siddharth Sadanand
  • Medical vial cap
    Patent number: 9649254
    Abstract: A crown, for a medical vial opening, has a top portion and a skirt surrounding the top portion. The skirt terminates at a lower edge defined in a first horizontal plane. An opener assembly is mounted to a portion of the top. A first scoring line extends from the portion of the top to which the opener assembly is mounted to the lower edge of the skirt in a continuous radial direction, and a second scoring line provides an upper radial segment extending from the opener assembly to the skirt along a radial axis, and a lower annular segment that extends circumferentially along the skirt in an annular direction and extending from a terminus of the upper radial segment. The lower annular segment is defined in a second horizontal plane equidistant to the first horizontal plane associated with the lower edge of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: WORLD BOTTLING CAP, LLC
    Inventor: Abe Frishman
  • Ostomy bag with a compacted sheath
    Patent number: 9642738
    Abstract: There is provided a disposable ostomy bag assembly (1) comprising a bag (3) for receiving bodily waste materials; a compactable sheath (2) for closing and sealing the bag (3) after use; and a flange (4) for securing the assembly to the body of a patent and provided with an orifice to enable bodily waste to be received by the bag (3). The ostomy assembly (1) solves the problem of escaping malodor and bodily waste when the patient detaches the ostomy bag from the body (face plate (5)). The compactable sheath (2) can be stretched to acquire a cylindrical sheath (2) extending from the flange (4), whereby the sheath (2) may be closed in order to seal the contents of the bag (3). Closing the sheath (2) may simply be done by tying a knot (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: STOMA GUARD APS
    Inventors: Joergen-Ulrik Brandt, Tina Joergensen
  • Monitoring fluid volume for patients with renal disease
    Patent number: 9642960
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring an indicator of fluid volume of a patient via a sensor device, and setting an initial fluid volume removal prescription for a blood fluid removal session based on the monitored indicator of fluid volume. The method may further include transmitting data regarding the indicator of fluid volume from the implantable sensor device to fluid removal device. The system includes a blood fluid removal device configured to set the initial fluid removal volume and rate prescription. In some embodiments, the fluid removal device sets or calculated the initial fluid volume removal prescription based on the data received from the implantable sensor. The indicator of fluid volume may be an indicator of tissue fluid volume or an indicator of blood fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Gerber, John Burnes, Suping Lyu, Manda R. VenKatesh, Bryant Pudil