Patents Represented by Attorney Seager, Tufte & Wickhem, LLC
  • Patent number: 8265736
    Abstract: Approaches for selecting an electrode combination of multi-electrode pacing devices are described. Electrode combination parameters that support cardiac function consistent with a prescribed therapy are evaluated for each of a plurality of electrode combinations. Electrode combination parameters that do not support cardiac function are evaluated for each of the plurality of electrode combinations. An order is determined for the electrode combinations based on the parameter evaluations. An electrode combination is selected based on the order, and therapy is delivered using the selected electrode combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Alok S. Sathaye, M. Jason Brooke, Bruce A. Tockman
  • Patent number: 8265854
    Abstract: An engine control unit having a one-time integration of a model predictive control template via a potentially long software process. Changes to the control structure may subsequently be made via a calibration dataset connected to the engine control unit without incurring the potentially long and laborious software process of implementing the template of other approaches in the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Stewart, Francesco Borrelli, Jaroslav Pekar
  • Patent number: 8257362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a distance measuring instrument for pedicle screws which detects the spacing between two pedicle screws (3, 3?) with the ends (26, 27) of two crossing limbs (11, 12) and displays it on a crossbar (25) fixedly connected to one of the limbs at a scale (22). Since the second limb (12) is divided into a pointer (16a) and into a flexural spring extending parallel to it at which a pronounced thumb grip (21a) is fastened, and since the thumb grip is connected to a scale (24) via which a pre-determined pre-tension can be read off relative to the pointer (16a), a spacing measurement can take place under a controlled pre-tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Casutt, Nimrod Meier, Marc Huber
  • Patent number: 8257279
    Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark C. Davis, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clay W. Northrop, Ted W. Layman, Kevin T. Olson, Edward J. Snyder, D. Kent Backman, Todd H. Turnlund
  • Patent number: 8257382
    Abstract: A device, such as for use with lumen reentry, including a catheter including a balloon disposed at a distal end thereof, the catheter being formed with a first lumen through the balloon for passing therethrough a guidewire and a second lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, the catheter and the balloon being sized and shaped for entry between two layers of a wall of a body lumen, wherein upon expansion of the balloon when placed between the layers, a distal portion of the first lumen that passes through the balloon is bent with respect to a portion of the first lumen proximal to the balloon and is directed towards the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Limited
    Inventors: Dan Rottenberg, Abi Zakay
  • Patent number: 8257383
    Abstract: A method including introducing a catheter between two layers of a wall of a body lumen, the catheter including a balloon disposed at a distal end thereof, the catheter being formed with a first lumen through the balloon for passing therethrough a guidewire and a second lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, and expanding the balloon so that a distal portion of the first lumen that passes through the balloon is bent with respect to a portion of the first lumen proximal to the balloon and is directed towards the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Limited
    Inventors: Dan Rottenberg, Abi Zakay
  • Patent number: 8257343
    Abstract: A catheter shaft with an improved manifold bond and methods for making and using the same. The catheter shaft may include a sleeve disposed, for example, near its proximal end. The sleeve may include a first layer that is attached to the catheter shaft and a second layer to which a hub or manifold may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc
    Inventors: Huey Quoc Chan, Ting Tina Ye, Lawrence Charles Alpert, Sean McFerran, Roland S. Mompar
  • Patent number: 8251976
    Abstract: A catheter including a catheter shaft formed from a polymer blend and/or a braid. The polymer blend may include polyoxymethylene added in the dispersion phase to a polymer blend. The catheter braid can be formed from at least two continuous wires that are woven together. The catheter braid can include a proximal braid section and a distal braid section. Each of the continuous wires has a proximal diameter corresponding to the proximal braid section and a distal diameter corresponding to the distal braid section. The distal diameter of each wire can be less than the proximal diameter of that wire. A catheter braid so formed can be included in a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Pu Zhou
  • Patent number: 8252025
    Abstract: A vertebral stabilization assembly for stabilizing a vertebral segment. The assembly includes a vertebral anchor, a first stabilization member, a second stabilization member, and a threaded fastener. A post of the first stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a first socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor and a post of the second stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a second socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor. The threaded fastener is configured to threadedly engage a threaded opening of the head portion such that when the threaded fastener is threaded into the threaded opening, the threaded fastener engages both the post of the first stabilization member and the post of the second stabilization member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 8252029
    Abstract: An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration and the lateral portions each comprise a superior lateral portion and an inferior lateral portion adapted to reside on the lateral side of the respective superior and inferior spinous process in the deployed configuration to maintain positioning of the interspinous process spacer between the two adjacent vertebrae. The lateral portions each comprise an expandable lateral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Anne Catherine Morancy-Meister, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Nicole Gronau, Walter Gross, Michael Motzko, Fabio Bernhardsgrütter, Jochen Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 8251297
    Abstract: Methods and Systems for controlling boiler systems are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a derivative action control is used reduce the likelihood of overshoot from a newly activated boiler. When a newly activated boiler becomes active, the boiler is held at a low firing rate for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may be cut short or even entirely eliminated under certain conditions. The methods and devices are further adapted for use in multi-stage boiler systems. In one embodiment, only the first stage of a multi-stage boiler system that becomes active is held at the low firing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Pouchak, Jeffrey M. Hammer
  • Patent number: 8252026
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method are provided for supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra (14, 16) relative to each other by anchoring a support frame (30) to the superior spinous process (24) and the inferior spinous process (28) of two adjacent vertebra (14, 16); and anchoring the support frame (30) to either the superior facets (34) or inferior facets (32) of the two adjacent vertebrae (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Abhijeet B. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8246659
    Abstract: A system for implantation of a spinal stabilization system includes a vertebral anchor having a top portion. The top portion has a perimeter and a first engaging element. The first engaging element has a first longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the top portion. The perimeter extends around the second longitudinal axis. The system also includes a driving tool that has a second engaging element that is configured to cooperate with the first engaging element to substantially restrict rotation of the driving tool relative to the top portion about the second longitudinal axis. The first engaging element is configured to slidably receive the second engaging element in a direction along the first longitudinal axis, and the second engaging element is configured to extend substantially within the perimeter of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Vonwiller, Mark W. Darst Rice
  • Patent number: 8246662
    Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine. A plate is provided to contact a region of a skull and be secured thereto. A spinal rod is configured to extend from a location adjacent the plate to a location adjacent at least one vertebra. An adjustable housing is provided to secure the rod to the plate, and has a first position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate can be adjusted and a second position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Lemoine, Brian J. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 8246624
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for inserting a spinal stabilization rod. A rod insertion tool can include a body defining a passage, a pivot rod disposed in the passage and a rod retaining member. Movement of the pivot rod can cause the rod retaining member to rotate and consequently the spinal stabilization rod to rotate. The rod insertion tool can be sized to fit through channels in sleeves used during implantation of a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 8245987
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank. The polymeric body may also includes a threaded portion that is configured to threadably engage a threaded spud in a water heater tank such that the distal end of the sensor portion extends into the water tank of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, James E. Eickson, Douglas Bird, Bruce L. Hill
  • Patent number: 8241315
    Abstract: Occluded vasculature such as occluded arterial vasculature can be recanalized using a device that is configured to penetrate an occlusion, while limiting a distance that said penetration structure can extend in order to limit inadvertent vascular damage. The device can include an elongate sheath and a stylet disposed within the elongate sheath. The elongate sheath and the stylet can include, in combination, an engagement section that is configured to limit relative axial movement between the elongate sheath and the stylet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenson, William J. Drasler, Daniel M. Lafontaine
  • Patent number: D666508
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Vincent Boutin, Virginie Turcotte, Evelyne Tremblay
  • Patent number: D666509
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Vincent Boutin
  • Patent number: D666510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Tomas Peciva, Tarik Khoury, Heidi Finch, Pavel Kalina