Patents Examined by Ryan Severson
  • Rotational alignment wire system for an endovascular delivery system
    Patent number: 9005267
    Abstract: An endovascular delivery system includes an endovascular prosthetic device and a signal active guide wire engaging the endovascular prosthetic device. A rotary encoder is coupled with the guide wire and the endovascular prosthetic device to provide an encoder signal on the guide wire. The encoder signal is indicative of axial angular position of the endovascular prosthetic device during implantation of the endovascular prosthetic device in a body of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Roy K. Greenberg, Karl J. West, Vikash Ravi Goel
  • Specimen retrieval apparatus
    Patent number: 9005215
    Abstract: A specimen retrieval apparatus includes a housing having an elongated tubular member extending distally therefrom. The elongated tubular member defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the elongated tubular member. The end effector assembly is configured to retain a specimen retrieval bag thereon. An articulation mechanism is operatively coupled to the elongated tubular member and the end effector assembly. The articulation mechanism is configured for selectively articulating the end effector assembly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Simon Roderick Grover, Oliver Brian Godbold, Alistair Ian Fleming, Charles Alan Seegert
  • Fluid ejection device and method of controlling fluid ejection device
    Patent number: 9005227
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes: a fluid chamber; a volume varying unit configured to vary the volume of the fluid chamber; a fluid supplying unit configured to supply fluid to the fluid chamber at a predetermined pressure; and an ejection command switching unit configured to switch a fluid ejection between a pulsed flow ejection which ejects the fluid in a pulsed manner by activating the volume varying unit and varying the volume of the fluid chamber and a continuous flow ejection which ejects the fluid with a fluid supply pressure from the fluid supplying unit higher than that in the case of the pulsed flow ejection in a state in which the volume varying unit is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kojima, Shigeo Sugimura, Kunio Tabata
  • Lancet gripper for use in a lancet device
    Patent number: 8998940
    Abstract: A gripper device for use in a lancet device for generating a sample of a body fluid. In the lancet device, a plurality of lancets can be provided in succession on a carrier element in an application position. The gripper device is equipped to seize one lancet at a time in the application position and carry out a piercing movement using the lancet. The gripper device includes at least one stop element, which is equipped to stop the lancet in the application position and temporarily prevent further movement of the carrier element. The gripper device further includes at least one positioning element, which is equipped to position the lancet during the piercing movement in a direction transverse to a piercing direction. The gripper device can further include at least one counter-gripper, which is equipped to cooperate with the stop element whereby the lancet can be held with a form fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmet Konya
  • System and method for sealing access
    Patent number: 8998950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for sealing a puncture in a tubular tissue structure or the wall of a body cavity. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for sealing a puncture site in the wall of a tubular tissue structure, or in the wall of a body cavity with a stabilizer used to stabilize the material used to seal the puncture site as the material is positioned. The material is inserted into the puncture site as a ribbon or sheet on an introducer element such as a needle, a cannula, a guide wire, an introducer element adapted for dialysis, an introducer element adapted for catheterization, a trocar, or any other introducer element used to access the lumen of a tubular tissue structure or used to access a body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Eric Berens
  • Expandable shield instrument for use in intraocular surgery
    Patent number: 8992560
    Abstract: An instrument capable of providing large-area shielding within an isolated operating region, such as the eye, while being passable through a small incision in the region through which the instrument must be inserted. For example, an instrument capable of being passed through a typical 3 mm (or smaller) phacoemulsification incision without undue damage to ocular tissue, and which expands to provide large-area shielding, e.g. to occlude a large-diameter (e.g. approx. 6 mm) posterior capsule opening. The surgical instrument includes two or more leaves, the leaves being interconnected by at least one fastener in a manner that causes expansion of a leading or distal portion of the instrument when the following or proximal portions of each leaf are manipulated, whether by a user or through interaction with a wall of the incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Anita Nevyas-Wallace, Benjamin Wallace
  • High speed pneumatic vitrectomy control
    Patent number: 8986332
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the cutting speed of a cutting device employable in an ocular surgical procedure is provided. The apparatus includes a control module, a variable gas pressure regulator arrangement configured to receive gas from a gas pressure supply, wherein the variable pressure regulator arrangement is connected to the control module and the control module is configured to regulate gas received from the gas pressure supply, and an accumulator configured to store gas received from the variable gas regulator arrangement at a selected gas pressure. Gas at the desired pressure is delivered from the accumulator to the cutting device. The gas may be air, and the variable gas pressure arrangement may include a single variable pressure regulator or multiple pressure regulators which typically are not variable with respect to the pressure delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: James Gerg, Ernesto Flores, Fred Lee
  • Devices, systems, and methods to control stomach volume
    Patent number: 8986337
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for reducing stomach volume in a subject. In certain embodiments, a subject receives a stomach-volume-reducing device that optionally includes at least one reservoir configured to release at least one appetite suppressant. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device is responsive to one or more environmental conditions of the subject, for example, pH or chemical chemicals in the stomach of the subject. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device controls hunger in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Method of treating paravalvular leakage after prosthetic valve implantation
    Patent number: 8986371
    Abstract: A method for treating paravalvular leakage at a location of a stented prosthetic valve includes the steps of delivering a clip to a location adjacent chordae tendinae of a native valve, and deploying the clip such that the clip captures at least some of the chordae tendinae of the native valve, thereby increasing tension in the captured chordae tendinae. The clip is delivered to the location in a collapsed stated and is released from a sheath convert to an undeflected or relaxed state. After the clip is released from the sheath, the clip is rotated to capture the chordae tendinae. The clip is then released from the delivery system and the delivery system is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Jason Quill, Paul Rothstein
  • Devices, systems, and methods to control stomach volume
    Patent number: 8979885
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for reducing stomach volume in a subject. In certain embodiments, a subject receives a stomach-volume-reducing device that optionally includes at least one reservoir configured to release at least one appetite suppressant. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device is responsive to one or more environmental conditions of the subject, for example, pH or chemical chemicals in the stomach of the subject. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device controls hunger in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Devices, systems, and methods to control stomach volume
    Patent number: 8979887
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for reducing stomach volume in a subject. In certain embodiments, a subject receives a stomach-volume-reducing device that optionally includes at least one reservoir configured to release at least one appetite suppressant. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device is responsive to one or more environmental conditions of the subject, for example, pH or chemical chemicals in the stomach of the subject. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device controls hunger in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
  • Distal release retrieval assembly and related methods of use
    Patent number: 8979870
    Abstract: A device and related method of use is provided for the capture and removal of various unwanted objects present within the body's anatomical lumens. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device includes an external elongate member; an internal elongate member disposed within the external elongate member; and a retrieval assembly connected to the internal elongate member and retractable within and extendable from a lumen of the external elongate member. The retrieval assembly includes an end configured to be selectively open or substantially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Richardson
  • Nucleus chopper and splitter
    Patent number: 8979879
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for both chopping and splitting the nucleus of an eye has a handle housing a shaft mounted within a guide tube which slides into and out of the instrument to bring first and second jaws into and out of contact with one another. The jaws are planar and positioned approximately perpendicular with the axis of the handle. The bottom edges of the jaws are brought into alignment to form a cutting edge when the jaws are forced together, and separate to perform a splitting action within a cut when the jaws are moved apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Asico, LLC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Terao
  • Stabilization system and aspiration device with rapid diagnostics
    Patent number: 8979868
    Abstract: A device performs a myringotomy and includes a main body oriented along a central axis. The main body includes an attachment hub for receiving components that provide suction. A hollow positioning member extends at least partially along the central axis, is coupled to the main body and includes a distal end. A cutting edge is located at the distal end of the hollow positioning member and is configured to pierce a tympanic membrane of a body. A sampling chamber is coupled to the main body for collecting at least a portion of the fluid located behind the tympanic membrane of the body using the components that provide suction at the attachment hub. A diagnostic indicator is housed in the sampling chamber and includes a visible indication of a test outcome when exposed to the fluid collected in the sampling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Preceptis Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. H. Loushin, Keith J. Leland
  • Nucleus chopper and splitter
    Patent number: 8974480
    Abstract: A surgical instrument which both incises and splits the nucleus of a lens has a pair of 5 spring steel segments slidably received in a metallic tube. Each segment terminates in a tip. As the spring steel segments are drawn into the tube the tips come together to form a cutting edge useful for incising the lens. When the segments are extended from the tube the tips separate, forcing the incision open until the lens is split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Asico, LLC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Terao
  • Method and apparatus for sealing access
    Patent number: 8974493
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sealing a puncture in a tubular tissue structure or the wall of a body cavity are provided. The apparatus and method include a bioabsorbable member that is partially external to and partially internal to an introducer sheath before and during placement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Morris Innovative, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Morris, Andrew J. DeNardo
  • Shape memory bioresorbable polymer peripheral scaffolds
    Patent number: 8968387
    Abstract: Bioabsorbable scaffolds having high crush recoverability, high fracture resistance, and reduced or no recoil due to self expanding properties at physiological conditions are disclosed. The scaffolds are made from a random copolymer of PLLA and a rubbery polymer such as polycaprolactone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Stankus, Hugh Zhao, Mikael Trollsas, Syed Faiyaz Ahmed Hossainy, Michael H. Ngo, Yunbing Wang, Benny Serna
  • Controlled fracture connections for stents
    Patent number: 8961585
    Abstract: The invention provides for intra-luminal stents, especially stent having controlled fracture connection, as well as, methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a stent for implantation into a vessel has a plurality of annular segments collectively forming tubular shape, characterized by at least first and second adjacent annular segments each defined by a plurality of struts and at least one joint interconnecting respective struts of the first and second segments on a non-permanent basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jianlu Ma, Ott Khouengboua, Alex Grafov
  • Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices
    Patent number: 8951299
    Abstract: Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sadra Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Paul, Benjamin Sutton, Brian McCollum, Brian D. Brandt, Emma Leung, Kenneth M. Martin, Amr Salahieh, Daniel Hildebrand
  • Surgical fastening device with mesh retaining means
    Patent number: 8951268
    Abstract: The invention provides a surgical fastening or suturing device. The device of the invention has a slender shaft and an actuating mechanism configured to eject a surgical fastener from the distal end of the shaft or configured to perform suturing at the distal end of the shaft. The device also has an attachment arrangement for attaching a piece of surgical mesh material onto an external lateral surface of the shaft and around the distal end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: I.B.I. Israel Biomedical Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Eitan Hod, David Bleicher, Boaz Manash