Patents Assigned to SciMed
  • Medical device control system
    Patent number: 8057462
    Abstract: A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Weitzner, John Golden, Richard Rothstein, Anna Chen, Dan Bacon, Kim Dang
  • Chemoablation of tissue using biodegradable, solid salt dosage forms
    Patent number: 8057827
    Abstract: Novel methods for the chemical ablation of tissue (e.g. prostatic tissue) are described. These methods include the steps of: (a) providing one or more solid salt dosage forms comprising 50-100% w/w salt; and (b) inserting one or more of such solid salt dosage forms into the tissue. The solid salt dosage forms is optionally inserted into the tissue under real-time ultrasonic observation. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate toxic byproducts. For example, where NaCl-based solid salt dosage forms are used to effect localized chemical ablation, the concentration is ultimately reduced to the level of normal saline (i.e., about 0.9%) upon absorption by the body of the subject being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph V. DiTrolio
  • Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 8057534
    Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Boismier, Timothy S. Girton, Steven R. Larsen, Matt Shedlov, Ken Merdan, Barry O'Brien
  • Catheter with skived tubular member
    Patent number: 8057430
    Abstract: An elongate shaft of a medical catheter including a thermoset polymeric tubular member including a skived distal portion. The skived distal portion includes a distally extending trough having a convex surface and a concave surface. A thermoplastic tubular sleeve may be positioned over at least a portion of the skived distal portion of the thermoset polymeric tubular member. In some instances, the thermoplastic tubular sleeve includes a crescent-shaped tubular portion defining a crescent-shaped lumen. The trough of the skived distal portion may extend through the crescent-shaped lumen. The thermoplastic tubular sleeve is thermally bonded to the inner and outer tubular members of a distal section of the elongate shaft at a guidewire port joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Grovender, Benjamin Gundale, Thomas Knowles, Roger W. McGowan, Todd Rowe, Charles Rundquist, Chuanjing Xu
  • Apparatus with visual marker for guiding deployment of implantable prosthesis
    Patent number: 8057533
    Abstract: An apparatus for use by an operator in a cavity of a mammalian body with a scope having a distal face providing a field of view. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate member having a distal extremity adapted for extending into the cavity and a proximal extremity accessible from outside of the mammalian body when the distal extremity is disposed in the cavity. An expandable prosthesis is releaseably secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A visual marker capable of being seen by the operator in the field of view is secured to one of the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and the prosthesis for facilitating placement of the prosthesis in the mammalian body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Mangin, Peter J. Shank
  • Systems, devices and methods for treating pelvic floor disorders
    Patent number: 8057383
    Abstract: Disclosed are single-incision surgical procedures for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, kits, and methods. Implants are also disclosed for use in the exemplary procedures. In certain embodiments, soft tissue anchors are used to anchor the surgical implants to obturator membranes of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Weiser, George Mamo, Michael S. H. Chu, Brett Nowlin
  • Method for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents
    Patent number: 8057459
    Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Rioux, Paul DiCarlo
  • Self-retaining stent
    Patent number: 8057461
    Abstract: A stent is designed to be placed in a lumen of a patient and extend therethrough. The stent includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a distal retention structure and the proximal end includes a plurality of radially extending flexible segments to prevent migration of the stent through the lumen. At least one radially extending flexible segment at the proximal end is able to assume an outwardly everted configuration. The stent of the invention, due to its dimensions, shape, and rigidity, minimizes the force of contact and abrasion to sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the trigone region of the bladder and the ureteral-vesical junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Deal
  • Resonator for medical device
    Patent number: 8058593
    Abstract: A device resonator for medical device is provided. The resonator device includes a helical structure and a capacitor structure. The resonator device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, including a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Weber
  • Method of intravascularly delivering stimulation leads into direct contact with tissue
    Patent number: 8060207
    Abstract: A method of treating a disorder in a patient is provided. The method comprises delivering a stimulation lead within a blood vessel, intralumenally puncturing a wall of the blood vessel to create an exit point, and then introducing the stimulation lead through the exit point into direct contact with tissue the stimulation of which treats the disorder. Optionally, the method comprises implanting a source of stimulation within the patient's body, and then electrically coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead to the implanted stimulation source. Using the stimulation lead, the tissue can then be stimulated in order to treat the disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Wallace, Kamal Ramzipoor, Robert J. Garabedian, Robert M. Abrams
  • Methods and apparatus for guiding a needle
    Patent number: 8057487
    Abstract: A needle is guided to a target along a pre-determined needle insertion trajectory. A method that utilizes a fluoroscope can be used to locate the target. The target can be an internal structure within the human body. A device can be used with the fluoroscope to aim and insert a needle or sharp probe along the pre-determined trajectory to the target. By using the device with the fluoroscope, a user can receive real time visual confirmation of contact between the needle and the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. H. Chu, Armand A. Morin, Barry N. Gellman, Jozef Slanda
  • DEVICE FOR FASTENING TISSUE LAYERS
    Publication number: 20110276063
    Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The endoluminal device includes a tissue fastener, a flexible needle having means for grasping and releasing a portion of the tissue fastener, and a deflector for deflecting and guiding the needle toward the multiple tissue layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey S. GRIGORYANTS, Liem T. Vu
  • Device for manipulating material in a tissue
    Patent number: 8052694
    Abstract: A medical device for manipulation of material in a tissue includes a sheath, an object engaging unit, and a flexible coupler. The object engaging unit has an operative end and a base. The flexible coupler includes a longitudinal axis and a distal portion; the distal portion is associated with the base of the object engaging unit and is bendable in an arc to various ranges. The flexible coupler confers lateral movement on the object engaging unit thereby permitting manipulation and/or retrieval of material lodged or disposed in heretofore often inaccessible tissue regions. The sheath has a longitudinal axis and a lumen. The object engaging unit is in a collapsed position when it is within the sheath lumen and an expanded position when it is extended beyond the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kear
  • Embolic protection device
    Patent number: 8052717
    Abstract: The invention provides an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for preparing said filter for retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Husnija Mujkanovic
  • Medical devices and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 8052744
    Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Girton
  • Surgical methods and apparatus for stimulating tissue
    Patent number: 8052676
    Abstract: Surgical systems, devices and methods including one or more tissue stimulation elements that, in some instances, may also be used for sensing purposes. Some of the surgical devices also include a tissue coagulation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Swanson
  • Method for forming an endoscope articulation joint
    Patent number: 8052597
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis R Boulais
  • Medical devices with cutting elements
    Patent number: 8052703
    Abstract: Medical devices having one or more cutting elements are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an elongated catheter configured to be inserted into a body, and a cutting element carried by the catheter. The cutting element has an alloy including from about 12% to about 16% by weight of chromium, from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of molybdenum, and iron. The alloy has a martensitic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. St. Martin, Randall O. Wallingford
  • Endoprosthesis
    Patent number: 8052745
    Abstract: In embodiments a stent includes a stent body and a wire-form carrying a drug located along the stent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Weber
  • Transducer/sensor assembly
    Patent number: 8052603
    Abstract: An imaging transducer assembly is combined with a sensor of a medical positioning system, forming a transducer/sensor assembly. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a coil proximally coupled with the imaging transducer. A cable having first and second wires are proximally coupled to the coil. A non-conductive potting layer is wrapped around the coil. Traces are formed in the non-conductive potting layer that are used to electrically couple the imaging transducer with the first and second wires of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hamm, Louis J. Barbato, Isaac Ostrovsky