Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Faegre & Benson
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Patent number: 8057539Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis in a vessel includes a wire element to slidingly guide the valve prosthesis towards an implantation site and an expandable element coupled to the wire element. The expandable element is expandable in the vessel to position the wire element in association with the implantation site. A method for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis includes securing a delivery instrument at an appropriate location at the implantation site and delivering the valve prosthesis to the implantation site using the delivery instrument.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Sorin Biomedica Cardio S.r.l.Inventors: Laura Ghione, Giovanni Righini, Eric Manasse, Giovanni Rolando, Paolo Gaschino, Dong Ik Shin
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Patent number: 8051553Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension having a gimbal with at least one gimbal arm. One embodiment of the invention includes a pair of first contacting members contacting a first side of the gimbal arm at a pair of spaced apart locations, and a second contacting member contacting a second side of the gimbal arm at an intermediate location between the spaced apart locations. The first and second contacting members move together relative to each other, plastically deforming the gimbal arm by the relative movement between the second and first contacting members while the spaced apart location between the first contacting members is maintained during the plastic deformation such that at least one of a pitch and roll parameter of the gimbal is adjusted to a desired amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Thomas H. Wick, Mark S. Hedeen, Jeremy J. Stroschein, John L. Schumann, Justin M. Eggert
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Patent number: 8052731Abstract: A medical electrical lead adapted to be at least partially implanted in a cardiac vessel includes a fixation feature operable to change from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the fixation feature is adapted to engage an inner surface of the cardiac vessel. A tendon is disposed within a lumen of the lead and is operatively connected to the fixation feature and adapted to cause the fixation feature to change from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration for acute and/or chronic fixation of the lead. In one embodiment, the fixation feature includes a deflectable region of the lead which in the deployed configuration causes a surface of the lead body to engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel. In another embodiment, the fixation feature includes a radially expandable structure for engaging the inner surface of the vessel in the deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Soltis, Bruce A. Tockman, Kent C. B. Stalker, Eric T. Johnson, Peter J. D'Aquanni
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Patent number: 8052702Abstract: A method and device for endoscopic harvesting of blood vessels from a patient for use in subsequent procedures. The device having a two piece headpiece. A vessel to be removed is inserted into the headpiece and the top and bottom portions of the headpiece are alternatively extended in reciprocating fashion to dissect above and below the vessel. The headpiece having electrodes for ligation of any side branch vessels which are uncovered in the dissection process.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Sorin Group USA, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Gary W. Knight, Michael F. Clem, Rudolph H. Nobis, Dale R. Schulze, Kristin L. Jambor
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Patent number: 8055352Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a lead assembly including a lead body, at least one conductor extending through the lead body, and a covering having varied material properties. In an example, the covering is made by forming pieces of material having varied material properties. In another example, the covering is made by varying parameters such as heat or tension during wrapping of a piece of material onto a lead assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Knapp, Kyle Hoecke, Mohan Krishnan, Rebecca Aron
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Patent number: 8055355Abstract: A lead having a distal end electrode assembly adapted for implantation on or about the heart or within a vein and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The electrode assembly includes conductive fixation features, such as conductive tines or flexible members, in combination with non-conductive fixation features. The conductive fixation features also include tines coated with a conductive material. The fixation features further include conductive tines which are retractable. A defibrillation coil is optionally disposed at the distal end of the lead in combination with the conductive tines.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Partridge, Jeffrey T. Bartig, Bruce H. KenKnight, Peter T. Kelley, Mohan Krishnan
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Patent number: 8055354Abstract: An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The lead body includes one or more longitudinally extending lumens. A conductor is received in, and extends along, a lumen. In varying examples, the implantable lead further comprises a tubular electrode co-axial with, and overlying portions of, the lead body. In one example, a lumen wall is sized and shaped to urge an electrically conductive interposer coupled with the conductor toward an inner surface of the electrode. In another example, a ring member is disposed within a lumen and the conductor is drawn and coupled thereto. In yet another example, an electrically conductive connector couples a first and a second conductor via grooves or threads. In a further example, an axial support member couples a distal end electrode and the lead body. Methods associated with the foregoing are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Zarembo, Mohan Krishnan, David Durand
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Patent number: 8055356Abstract: A lead system has an elongate body, an active fixation assembly movable relative to the elongate lead body, and a low variation friction member frictionally engaged with the active fixation assembly. In an option, the active fixation assembly undergoes greater torsional resistance as the active fixation assembly is moved in a direction to retract the lead.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Eric John Wengreen, Eric Falbe Hammill, Luke Thomas Babler, Neil Becker
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Patent number: 8047983Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the suburethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Coloplast A/SInventor: James Browning
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Patent number: 8050775Abstract: A lead having pre-formed biased portion is adapted for implantation on or about the heart within the coronary vasculature and for connection to a signal generator. The lead is constructed and arranged so that when it is implanted, the electrodes are housed in the coronary vasculature and are biased toward a vessel wall by the preformed biased portion, which operates to fixate the lead against the vessel wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Randy Westlund, Bruce A. Tockman, Christina Repasky, Lyle A. Bye, Brian D. Soltis
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Patent number: 8048160Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen
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Patent number: 8048033Abstract: A hemostasis seal configured for use in a splittable hemostasis valve, hub, or introducer sheath to permit passage of a medical device therethrough. The seal provides a substantially fluid-tight seal around the medical device without causing excessive frictional resistance that would otherwise unduly restrict movement of the medical device through the seal. In one embodiment, the seal includes first and second resilient seal portions each having a contoured mating surface to provide a first fluid seal with respect to the medical device. The seal also may include one or more projecting portions and one or more mating receiving portions which interact to provide a second fluid seal with respect to the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Neil M. Becker, Christopher C. Andrews
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Patent number: 8045296Abstract: An integrated lead flexure having a spring metal layer, a dielectric insulating layer on a side of the spring metal layer, a conductor layer on the side of the insulating layer opposite the spring metal layer and a coverlay on the side of the conductor layer opposite the insulating layer. The flexure further includes base region, a gimbal region extending from the base region, and a tail region extending from the base region opposite the gimbal region. The conductor layer includes terminal pads at the tail region and head bond pads at the gimbal region. Traces in the conductor layer extend between the terminal pads and the head bond pads across the tail, base and gimbal regions. One or more spring metal windows in the spring metal layer at the tail region are adjacent to substantial portions of at least some of the traces. One or more coverlay windows in the coverlay at the tail region are adjacent to substantial portions of the tail region spring metal windows.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventor: Michael E. Roen
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Patent number: 8046084Abstract: A lead assembly includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and the lead body includes two or more conductors disposed therein. The second conductor is disposed within the first conductor, and the first conductor has a coating of insulation disposed on a portion thereof. In another option, a sleeve of insulative material is disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey P. Bodner
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Patent number: 8044502Abstract: An electrical interconnect assembly for electrically interconnecting terminals on a first circuit member with terminals on a second circuit member. The electrical interconnect includes a housing having a plurality of through openings extending between a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of composite contacts are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The composite contacts include a conductive member having a central portion and at least first and second interface portions. One or more polymeric layers extend along at least the central portion conductive member. One or more coupling features on the composite contacts engage with the housing. At least one engagement feature formed in the polymeric layers proximate the first interface portion mechanically couples with the terminals on the first circuit member.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Gryphics, Inc.Inventor: James J. Rathburn
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Patent number: 8041431Abstract: A system and method for in situ trimming of oscillators in a pair of implantable medical devices is provided. Each frequency over a range of oscillator trim frequencies for an initiating implantable medical device is selected and a plurality of commands are sent via an acoustic transducer in situ over the frequency selected. Each frequency over a range of oscillator trim frequencies for a responding implantable medical device is selected and a response to each of the commands received is sent via an acoustic transducer in situ over the frequency selected. The responses received by the initiating implantable medical device are evaluated and a combination of the oscillator trim frequencies for both implantable medical devices that together exhibit a strongest acoustic wave is identified. Oscillators in both implantable medical devices are trimmed to the oscillator trim frequencies in the combination identified.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Thomas J. Harris, Binh C. Tran, Ramprasad Vijayagopal
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Patent number: 8039001Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions including a complexes of papillomavirus capsid polypeptide L2 and polypeptide including an immunotherapeutic epitope, and GST fusions thereof. Other embodiments also provide complexes comprising chimeras of papillomavirus L2 polypeptides non-covalently associated with papillomavirus L1 polypeptides, and GST fusions thereof. These compositions may be used to elicit immune responses in a patient to papillomavirus. Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for the prevention and treatment of viral infection, especially papillomavirus infection and cervical cancers and warts associated therewith, made from compositions of this invention, are also disclosed. Nucleic acids and expression vectors coding for compositions are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporateInventors: Robert L. Garcea, Renee Finnen
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Patent number: 8033059Abstract: A paneling system for use as a wing and/or return panel for dividing large open office areas into smaller work stations. The paneling system includes a frame having top and bottom surfaces, and side surfaces. Attachment assemblies are used for removably attaching one or more paneling system to one or more of a spine wall, post, wing panel, return panel, and work surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: James Contois, Robert K. Nichols, Teresa Falck, Gregory Ferris, Matthew C. Brown, Ronald Hartman, Mark Roumfort, Christopher J. Mefford
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Patent number: 8034103Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis including an inner tubular member having a lateral wall and exhibiting auxetic behavior when subject to a tensile stress along the longitudinal axis of at least one of its portions. The auxetic behavior may be obtained by perforating the tubular member with apertures of desired shape, thus obtaining, for instance, re-entrant honeycomb cell structures or cell structures with two-dimensional chiral symmetry.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Sorin Biomedica Cardio S.r.l.Inventors: Gaetano Burriesci, Giovanni Bergamasco
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Patent number: D648027Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Tornier, Inc.Inventors: David W. Vancelette, Lew C. Schon, Ronald George Litke