Patents by Inventor Virgil F. Voeller

Virgil F. Voeller 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).

  • Patent number: 8784337
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?6 to about 9×10?5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?3 to about 5×10?3 lbs-inches2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil F. Voeller, Clay Northrop, Ted Layman
  • Publication number: 20140081244
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes a pressure sensing guidewire. The pressure sensing guidewire may include an elongate shaft including a core wire having a distal portion and a coil disposed over the distal portion. A pressure sensor may be disposed along the distal portion of the core wire and within the coil. One or more leads may be coupled to the pressure sensor. An opening may be formed in the coil that provides access to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: VIRGIL F. VOELLER, ROGER N. HASTINGS, BRIAN J. HANSON, KEVIN D. EDMUNDS, LEONARD B. RICHARDSON, MICHAEL J. PIKUS
  • Publication number: 20140052107
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?6 to about 9×10?5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?3 to about 5×10?3 lbs-inches2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: VIRGIL F. VOELLER, CLAY NORTHROP, TED LAYMAN
  • Patent number: 8551021
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?6 to about 9×10?5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?3 to about 5×10?3 lbs-inches2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil F. Voeller, Clay Northrop, Ted Layman
  • Patent number: 8222566
    Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice L. Shireman, Brian R. Reynolds, Dave B. Johnson, Alan D. Eskuri, Virgil F. Voeller, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8105246
    Abstract: An elongate medical device such as a guidewire, that may comprise a first elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, a second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the second elongate member at least partially disposed in the first elongate member, a first connection between first elongate member and the second elongate member at the proximal end of the first elongate member, a second connection between the first elongate member and the second elongate member at the distal end of the first elongate member, and a third connection between the first elongate member and the second elongate member, the third connection disposed at a point between the first connection and the second connection, wherein the third connection is substantially at a location selected by the Method for Enhancing the Ratio of Torsional Stiffness to Transverse Flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil F. Voeller, Clay W. Northrop, Justin M. Crank, Ted W. Layman
  • Publication number: 20110245808
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?6 to about 9×10?5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10?3 to about 5×10?3 lbs-inches2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: VIRGIL F. VOELLER, CLAY NORTHROP, TED LAYMAN
  • Publication number: 20090036832
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example of medical devices includes a core member and a tubular member disposed over a portion of the core member. The core member may include an outer diameter region that has an outside diameter that is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the tubular member so that the core member can be attached to the tubular member. The medical device may also include a coil that is coupled to the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: PETER SKUJINS, DAVE B. JOHNSON, VIRGIL F. VOELLER
  • Publication number: 20090036834
    Abstract: An elongate medical device such as a guidewire, that may comprise a first elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, a second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the second elongate member at least partially disposed in the first elongate member, a first connection between first elongate member and the second elongate member at the proximal end of the first elongate member, a second connection between the first elongate member and the second elongate member at the distal end of the first elongate member, and a third connection between the first elongate member and the second elongate member, the third connection disposed at a point between the first connection and the second connection, wherein the third connection is substantially at a location selected by the Method for Enhancing the Ratio of Torsional Stiffness to Transverse Flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: VIRGIL F. VOELLER, CLAY W. NORTHROP, JUSTIN M. CRANK, TED W. LAYMAN
  • Patent number: 7316656
    Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice L. Shireman, Brian R. Reynolds, Dave B. Johnson, Alan D. Eskuri, Virgil F. Voeller, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7182735
    Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice L. Shireman, Brian R. Reynolds, Dave B. Johnson, Alan D. Eskuri, Virgil F. Voeller, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040167442
    Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Brice L. Shireman, Brian R. Reynolds, Dave B. Johnson, Alan D. Eskuri, Virgil F. Voeller, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040167443
    Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice L. Shireman, Brian R. Reynolds, Dave B. Johnson, Alan D. Eskuri, Virgil F. Voeller, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6230604
    Abstract: A canister for launching a missile having a cylindrical outer tube with a hemispherical head releaseably secured to its lower end connected through stiffeners to an inner tubular member to form a passage for the gases generated when the missile is fired. A restraint mechanism secures the missile to a base plate, which is itself mounted on shock absorbers, with a release mechanism responsive to the firing of the missile for disabling the restraint mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventors: Lowell Richard Larson, Garry Lee Teigland, Neil Anderson, James M. Ickstadt, Virgil F. Voeller, II, John D. Buehler, Angela Flakne