Patents by Inventor Aaron M. Fortson

Aaron M. Fortson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180221020
    Abstract: A suturing system is provided. In an embodiment, the suturing system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. A needle is disposed distal the sheath in a pre-deployed configuration with a needle tip of the needle being orientated proximally towards the sheath. A body is disposed within the sheath, the body comprising a guide reducing an outer cross-sectional dimension of the body at the guide and forming a space between the body and the sheath, the guide being configured to receive the needle and direct the needle proximally toward the proximal end of the sheath. A suture is attached to the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda, Stephanie Henze, Kristopher M. Konawalik, Leah M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20170360421
    Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advancable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advancable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Aaron M. Fortson
  • Patent number: 9757108
    Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advanceable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advanceable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20170049426
    Abstract: A method for closing a puncture in a vessel wall of a blood vessel that includes advancing a guide member into proximity with a puncture in a vessel wall, positioning a distal end of an angle adjustment member distal to openings of the guide member, deploying the needle guides from the guide member through the openings, advancing the deflected needle guides and the suture securing devices through the vessel wall, retracting the needle guides to release the suture securing devices distally of the vessel wall, and establishing tension in the sutures to move the suture securing devices toward each other to thereby close the puncture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Marc G. Gianotti, Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20170020518
    Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may include a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent a proximal portion of a suturing system. The proximal portion of the suturing system may include a plurality of needle lumens. The needle removal device may also include a plurality of needle receptacles at least partially defined by the base member. The needle receptacles may be positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumens of the suturing system. The needle receptacles may be further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from the needle lumens of the suturing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda, Stephanie Henze, Kristopher M. Konawalik, Leah M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20170020495
    Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advancable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advancable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20160367234
    Abstract: A surgical device for suturing body lumen is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device can include a body having a shaft and a foot for insertion into an opening in a body lumen. The device can include tissue ports between configured to receive tissue surrounding the opening in the body lumen. The foot can include a suture secured to needle capture devices. The device can include needles that can be advanced through tissue and into the needle capture devices. The needle capture devices can then be withdrawn, thereby harvesting the suture, which can then be used to close the opening in the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda
  • Patent number: 9486191
    Abstract: A vessel closure device is provided that may include a guide member, one or more needle guides disposed at least partially within the guide member, and an angle adjustment member movably attached to the guide member. The needle guides may be configured to move between a first position wherein the needle guides are substantially straightened at least partially within the guide member and a second position wherein the needle guides at least partially extend radially and distally away from the guide member. The angle adjustment member may be configured to move between a first position and a second position wherein the angle adjustment member can selectively deflect the needle guides radially toward the guide member when the needle guides are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Marc G. Gianotti, Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20160271363
    Abstract: Adjustable catheter including an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a length therebetween. The elongate tubular shaft has a guidewire lumen defined therein extending along at least the distal portion of elongate tubular member and further has at least one pressure lumen defined therein extending along at least a section of the length of the elongate tubular shaft. The at least one pressure lumen having a proximal end and a closed distal end. A fluid adaptor is in fluid communication with the at least one pressure lumen. The catheter has a stiffness profile and a flexibility profile along a length there of and at least one of the stiffness profile and the flexibility profile selectively adjustable upon introduction of a pressurizing fluid into the at least one pressure lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jochen Bauer, Aaron M. Fortson, John M. Ziobro, David J. Milazzo
  • Patent number: 9414820
    Abstract: A closure system is provided that may include a plurality of needle carriers each having detachable needles and at least one of the detachable needles detachably coupled to the needle carriers. The detachable needle may be configured to resist proximal movement when deployed in a vessel wall. The closure system may further include at least one suture secured to each of the detachable needles and a guide member having a plurality of first lumens in which each of the first lumens is sized to receive one of the needle carriers and one of the detachable needles coupled to the needle carrier. The first lumens may direct the needle carrier and the detachable needle radially outward and distally away from the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT VASCULAR INC.
    Inventors: Laveille K. Voss, Aaron M. Fortson
  • Patent number: 9414824
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes vessel closure devices, systems, and methods. A closure device configured to close an opening in a body lumen may include an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end. An anchor member may be disposed on the elongate member proximate the distal end of the elongate member. A cap member may also be disposed on the elongate member a distance from the distal end of the elongate member. The anchor member and the cap member cooperate to close the opening in the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT VASCULAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda
  • Patent number: 9370353
    Abstract: A surgical device for suturing body lumen is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device can include a body having a shaft and a foot for insertion into an opening in a body lumen. The device can include tissue ports between configured to receive tissue surrounding the opening in the body lumen. The foot can include a suture secured to needle capture devices. The device can include needles that can be advanced through tissue and into the needle capture devices. The needle capture devices can then be withdrawn, thereby harvesting the suture, which can then be used to close the opening in the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda
  • Patent number: 9345474
    Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may include a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent a proximal portion of a suturing system. The proximal portion of the suturing system may include a plurality of needle lumens. The needle removal device may also include a plurality of needle receptacles at least partially defined by the base member. The needle receptacles may be positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumens of the suturing system. The needle receptacles may be further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from the needle lumens of the suturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Wouter E. Roorda, Stephanie Henze, Kristopher M. Konawalik, Leah M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20160135805
    Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Timothy C. Reynolds, Dinorah Merrill, Dawn Ma, David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20160106402
    Abstract: A suture securing system is provided for use in closing a vessel puncture site while eliminating the need for sutures to be manually tied in knots. The system may include an elongate body comprising a shaft and a barrel slidably mounted on the shaft. A knot replacement element may include an outer surface and an inner lumen configured to receive suture lengths. The knot replacement element may be at least partially positioned within the distal end of the barrel adjacent to the distal portion of the shaft and may be configured to selectively fasten the suture lengths together over the vessel repair site. The system may also include a snare configured to draw the suture lengths through the knot replacement element and at least a portion of the elongate body. A trimmer member may be configured to selectively trim the suture lengths extending from the knot replacement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Wouter E. Roorda
  • Patent number: 9301746
    Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advancable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advancable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron M. Fortson
  • Patent number: 9259552
    Abstract: A catheter comprising a first lumen for receiving a guidewire and having an exit opening at a distal tip of the catheter. A second lumen, adjacent the first lumen and separated from the first lumen by a common wall, the second lumen configured for receiving contrast fluid, wherein perforations are formed in the common wall; a guidewire in the first lumen the guidewire being configured to be capable of advancement distally to extend out of the exit opening, the guidewire having two conditions: a first condition in which the guidewire is advanced distally to block the perforations whereby fluid may not flow from the second lumen to the first lumen; a second condition in which the guidewire is withdrawn proximally to unblock the perforations whereby fluid may flow from the second lumen into the first lumen and thence out of the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Marc Gianotti, David Milazzo
  • Patent number: 9241707
    Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Timothy C. Reynolds, Dinorah Merrill, Dawn Ma, David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson
  • Publication number: 20150327870
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying targeted force to a radial access puncture site to provide hemostasis and close the puncture site. The system may include a cuff for placement over a wrist, a fluid source from which an inflation fluid may be delivered into an inflatable balloon associated with the cuff during use, and an inflatable balloon attached to the cuff. The balloon is disposed over the puncture site and inflated during use. The system may include one or more features configured to focus or target the applied force to the puncture site. For example, the balloon may include varying wall thickness, with a thinner-walled portion that applies a focused pressure to the puncture site, two balloons where one applies focused force, or an outer sheath with a hole placed over the balloon so that a portion of the balloon protrudes through the hole and applies focused force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Timothy C. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20150327871
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for applying targeted force to a radial access puncture site to aid in arresting bleeding at the puncture site. Such a device may include a cuff (e.g., band) for placement over a wrist of a patient, and an inflatable balloon attached to the cuff and disposed over the puncture site during use, such that the inflatable balloon applies pressure to the site during use. The device includes targeting indicia disposed on (i) the inflatable balloon, and/or (ii) an optional rigid or semi-rigid member (e.g., as a backing layer for the balloon). The targeting indicia identifies that portion of the balloon to be positioned on the puncture site so that the inflated balloon applies pressure to the site during use. An associated system may include a cuff device, and a fluid source from which an inflation fluid may be delivered into the inflatable balloon during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Timothy C. Reynolds