Patents Represented by Attorney José W. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7303525
    Abstract: A sling assembly including a surgical sling configured to be implanted during a surgical sling procedure. The sling includes first and second regions and a central portion. The sling assembly further includes a removable sheath assembly situated about the surgical sling. The removable sheath assembly includes first and second upper sheaths. The first upper sheath is configured to be situated about the first region of the surgical sling, and the second upper sheath is configured to be situated about the second region of the surgical sling. The removable sheath assembly further includes a lower sheath. The lower sheath is configured to be situated about the central portion of the surgical sling and to be in cooperative association with both the first and second upper sheaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Watschke, Robert E. Lund, Kimberly A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7299803
    Abstract: A urological drape is provided defining a vaginal aperture and a finger cot for accessing the rectum of a patient without making contact therewith. The drape includes an adhesive backing for fixing the drape relative to the patient. Preferably, a pouch is provided which is constructed and arranged to catch any fluids which might be discharged from the vagina during an examination or surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: S. Robert Kovac, Robert E. Lund
  • Patent number: 7291104
    Abstract: Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: American Medical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Johann J. Neisz, Robert E. Lund, Kimberly A. Anderson, Vicki R. Vandersloot, Terence M. Moore, Mark S. Bouchier, Randy L. Morningstar, Gary A. Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 7273448
    Abstract: The present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a substrate, an inflatable pillow attached to the substrate, a pressurized reservoir in fluid communication with the pillow and a restrictor. Upon compression of the inflatable pillow, inflating agent is transferred from the inflatable pillow to the pressurized reservoir. Upon terminating compression, inflating agent returns to the inflatable pillow. The urethral prosthesis may be implanted such that the inflatable pillow prevents unintentional voiding of a patient's bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Arnal, Steven W. Siegel
  • Patent number: 7267645
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The invention is a repositionable handle for an arcuate needle configured to be minimally invasive. The invention is for use with a sling assembly that allows a sling to be controllably implanted in a therapeutically effective position. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: American Medical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Anderson, Johann J. Neisz, Gary A. Rocheleau, John W. Westrum, Jr., David R. Staskin
  • Patent number: 7250026
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis is provided, which includes at least one cylinder, a reservoir, and a pump including a pump housing, at least one reservoir channel fluidly coupling the pump housing to the reservoir, at least one cylinder tube fluidly connecting the pump housing to the cylinders, and a fluid passageway fluidly coupled to the cylinder tube and a transfer chamber. The pump also includes a pump bulb fluidly connected to the fluid passageway between the bypass input channel and bypass output channel along the length of the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 7244227
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis is provided, which includes at least one cylinder, a reservoir, and a pump including a pump housing, at least one reservoir channel fluidly coupling the pump housing to the reservoir, at least one cylinder tube fluidly connecting the pump housing to the cylinders, and a fluid passageway fluidly coupled to the cylinder tube and a transfer chamber. The pump further includes a first poppet and a second poppet, each of which is biased toward its respective valve seat within the fluid passageway. A bypass chamber is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel and a bypass output channel. The bypass chamber comprises a bypass check valve biased toward a closed position. The pump also includes a pump bulb fluidly connected to the fluid passageway between the bypass input channel and bypass output channel along the length of the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Patent number: 7229453
    Abstract: Surgical articles, implants and components suitable creating composite slings are described. Novel procedures for assembling and utilizing composite slings are also detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Anderson, Robert E. Lund, Mark S. Bouchier, Francis D. Sturzl, III, James A. Gohman, Timothy A. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7223229
    Abstract: A novel surgical instrument is shown and described. The surgical instrument is useful in pelvic floor repair procedures such as sling procedures for treating incontinence. Also, a novel, ornamental design for a handle for a surgical instrument is shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mona J. Inman, John W. Westrum, Jr., Johannes N. Gaston, Douglas J. VanOrnum, Robert E. Lund, Brian P. Watschke, Johann J. Neisz, Vicki R. Vandersloot
  • Patent number: 7198597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a first and a second arm that join to form a junction, and a stem that is also joined to the junction. The junction is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a portion of a patient's urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient's bladder. However, upon exerting a tension force on the stem, the pressure exerted by the junction is reduced such that the patient's bladder may be intentionally voided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Siegel, Kevin R. Arnal, Robert E. Lund, Kimberly A. Anderson, Brian P. Watschke
  • Patent number: 7182773
    Abstract: A design and method of manufacture are disclosed for a cavity measurement device used during surgical procedures. The cavity measurement device includes an inflation tube assembly comprising an elongated tube having a distal end and a proximal end and a balloon mounted at the distal end of the elongated tube. The elongated tube and the balloon comprise dissimilar materials and include an adhesive free seal between the elongated tube and the balloon. The inflatable balloon is inserted into a cavity and inflated with a volume of fluid, whereby the balloon volume represents the cavity volume. The mechanical attachment of the balloon onto the tube is substantially leakproof and has an attachment strength greater than the balloon material tensile strength. The mechanical attachment of the present invention substantially eliminates the potential for bond separation and preparatory operations typically associated with adhesive bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Bouchier
  • Patent number: 7172602
    Abstract: A device for inserting a penile implant prosthesis through an incision into a corpus cavernosum is provided. The device includes an elongated, rigid body having a tip portion and tail portion, the tip portion including two prongs extending in a tip direction and a center portion between the two prongs, the prongs and center portion defining a notch adapted to engage and exert a force along the tip direction on a corner where a cylinder portion and a pump tubing of the prosthesis join each other, the prongs and center portion further defining a recess on one side of the center portion, the recess adapted to at least partially receive the cylinder portion or the pump tubing. The elongated body of the device defines a channel disposed along a substantial portion of the elongated body. The tail portion of the elongated body can be formed as a paddle adapted to be inserted between the cylinder and tissues near or at the incision to prevent puncturing of the cylinder when the incision is being sutured closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, James A. Gohman
  • Patent number: 7169103
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to penile implants that are easier to implant and reduce trauma because they provide for a smaller effective width during implantation, after implantation, or both. The present disclosure also provides for a shorter tubing junction while reducing effective width, further reducing trauma to the body. In a first aspect, the penile implant includes a tubing junction that is smaller in effective diameter while implanted in the body. The penile implant includes an axially extending cylinder having an inflation chamber and a rear tip. The cylinder also includes a tubing junction disposed between the inflation chamber and rear tip and extending from the cylinder. The tubing junction includes a bore in fluid communication with the inflation chamber. In one example, this bore is in the strain relief of the tubing junction. The bore is configured to include a compound curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Ling, Randy L. Morningstar, Stephanie A. George
  • Patent number: 7160325
    Abstract: A medical balloon, implantable in human tissue, of unitary silicone construction. The balloon is self-sealing upon removal of an inflation implement. The balloon device comprises a molded valve portion which is dip-coated in a silicone dispersion to create a balloon wall around and integral with the valve portion. Preferably, both the valve portion and the balloon wall are comprised of the same silicone material. The dipping process, combined with a vulcanizing process, creates a laminar wall which is strong and resistant to separation during inflation. The balloons may be used in for the treatement of urinary incontinence or vesicoureteral reflux, alternative procedures such as emboliztion or blocking of veins or arteries to accomplish the treatement of enlarged blood vessels in the brain or for treating severe uterine bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Patent number: 7104949
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical instrument for placing an implantable article about a tubular tissue structure is disclosed. The surgical instrument is particularly useful for treating urological disorders such as incontinence. Surgical methods using the novel instrument are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Anderson, Brian P. Watschke, Randy L. Morningstar, Timothy A. Bachman, Johann J. Neisz
  • Patent number: 7089064
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a prostate in a patient in need thereof and a heating catheter, or an electromagnetic radiation applicator, system suitable for effecting the present inventive method. The present inventive method provides for substantial unexpected improvement in patient outcome by providing, inter alia, a preferred therapeutic temperature for thermotherapy of the prostate and a method of decreasing a patient's intolerance due to pain. The present inventive system provides for, inter alia, automatic implementation of the present inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. Manker, Aaron P. Perlmutter, Theron N. Schaefermeyer, Dixie T. Sells, Paul F. Turner
  • Patent number: 7070556
    Abstract: Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a mesh for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Anderson, Brian R. Watschke, Georges Mellier, Johann J. Neisz
  • Patent number: 6991647
    Abstract: A bio-compatible and bioresorbable stent is disclosed that is intended to restore or maintain patency following surgical procedures, traumatic injury or stricture formation. The stent is composed of a blend of at least two polymers that is either extruded as a monofilament then woven into a braid-like embodiment, or injection molded or extruded as a tube with fenestrations in the wall. Methods for manufacturing the stent are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Balkrishna S. Jadhav
  • Patent number: 6916377
    Abstract: A semi-automated coating system for providing medical devices with antimicrobial coatings is disclosed. The semi-automated coating system extends the coating solution's usable life span by minimizing exposure to light, air and temperature extremes. Moreover, the disclosed semi-automated coating system minimizes operator and environmental exposure to the coating solutions. Methods disclose techniques for preparing coating solutions, setting up the coating system and operating the device. Moreover, the systems and methods described herein minimize operator intervention with the coating processes and provide superior product consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Bouchier, Robert E. Lund, James A. Gohman
  • Patent number: D534650
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mona J. Inman, Johannes N. Gaston, Douglas J. VanOrnum, John W. Westrum, Jr., Johann J. Neisz, Vicki R. Vandersloot