Patents Assigned to SciMed
  • Patent number: 7931029
    Abstract: A system and method for surgery on a hollow organ comprises a source of a biocompatible gellable fluid in a flowable state and an insertion device for introducing the gellable fluid into a hollow organ of a patient, the gellable fluid transitioning from the flowable state to a gel-like state to form a gel mass within the hollow organ to support a wall of the hollow organ in combination with a state control apparatus for transitioning the gel mass from the gel-like state to the flowable state and a removal device for removing from the hollow organ the gellable fluid in the flowable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon T. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 7933079
    Abstract: Optical assemblies for use in medical or other devices so as to image an object under examination onto an image sensor include a plurality of lens elements that can be retained in lens barrel. The lens elements and the lens barrel can be sealed with a compressible gasket. In one example, at least one lens element is made of an injection-moldable plastic and at least one lens element is made of a relatively dispersive optical glass. A lens barrel diameter or lens diameter can be selected to permit access to the object under examination with surgical or other tools. Aperture plates can be situated so as to reduce flare in the object image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Ning, Robert Lu, William Lucas Churchill, Sergey S. Grigoryants
  • Patent number: 7931683
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, articles are provided which comprise a substrate and a ceramic coating which covers at least a portion of the substrate surface. The ceramic coating includes raised ceramic shells connected by a ceramic layer that is conformal with the substrate. According to another aspect of the present invention, carbon nanotubes are provided, which comprise a ceramic coating covering at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Michele Zoromski
  • Patent number: 7931932
    Abstract: A medical device with a therapeutic agent-releasing polymer coating. The medical device is provided by a method that comprises: (a) attaching at least one reactive species to a medical device surface, which reactive species leads to chain growth polymerization in the presence of monomer; (b) contacting the reactive species with at least one monomer species, thereby forming a polymer coating on the surface of the medical device; and (c) providing at least one therapeutic agent within the polymer coating. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated during formation of the polymer coating or after formation of the polymer coating. The at least one reactive species can comprise, for example, a free radical species, a carbanion species, a carbocation species, a Ziegler-Natta polymerization complex, a metallocene complex, and/or an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Herrmann, Frederick H. Strickler, Wendy Naimark, Peter L. Dayton
  • Patent number: 7933659
    Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Zelickson, Robert A. Ganz
  • Publication number: 20110091519
    Abstract: The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianmin Li, Samuel Baldwin, Tim Harrah
  • Publication number: 20110093055
    Abstract: A stent-graft comprising an expandable stent and a plurality of graft segments, each graft segment having a first end attached to the stent and a second end not attached to the stent. In one embodiment, the plurality of overlapped graft segments form a continuous conduit wherein each overlap between axially adjacent graft segments comprises a fluid-tight seal when the stent in the radially expanded configuration sandwiches the graft segments against a wall of a body lumen. In another embodiment, there are one or more discontinuities in the plurality of graft segments. The discontinuities may be aligned with branch lumens. The graft segments may be cut perpendicular to the stent-graft axis, or on a bias. A delivery system for and method of deploying the stent-graft are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Kujawski
  • Patent number: 7926320
    Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Perreault, Mark Edin, Bruce Asmus
  • Patent number: 7927620
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include (a) a substrate and (b) a coating that includes an antifouling copolymer, an adhesive copolymer, or both. Antifouling copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one antifouling polymer block having multiple pendant alkoxy functional groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block. Adhesive copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one adhesive polymer block having multiple pendant ring-hydroxyl-substituted aromatic groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: John Benco
  • Patent number: 7927362
    Abstract: The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Shippy, III, Karl Alan Jagger
  • Patent number: 7927342
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treating female stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. The methods include transvaginally accessing the pelvic cavity and introducing a suburethral sling into the retropubic space. In some embodiments the ends of the sling are attached to an anatomical support structure. In other embodiments, the ends of the suburethral sling are not attached to an anatomical support structure. The devices include a surgical instrument for blunt dissection of the pelvic cavity which includes a curved shaft and a blunt distal end. A hook deployment device may optionally be attached to the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Rioux
  • Patent number: 7922758
    Abstract: A bifurcated stent that uses turning segments to reduce the strain at regions which bend at extreme angles. The turning segments can be placed on side branch petals or on connectors connecting the petals to the stent body. Combining the turning segments with connectors of different length and tethers provides for a stent with high flexibility that can accommodate various shaped body vessels. This design allows the bifurcation branch to extend easily, to a useful distance, and to be deployed along oblique angles. Best of all, this design avoids the problems of angularly strained side branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gregorich, Kevin Grotheim, Michael P. Meyer, Shawn Sorenson, Samuel Robaina
  • Patent number: 7922650
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises a catheter having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which an image transmission member is routed, and an endoscope having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which the catheter is routed. The catheter and endoscope are connected by an endoscope attachment device such that a handle of the catheter is mounted distal of the endoscope access port and the catheter access port is distal to the mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John O. McWeeney, Benjamin E. Morris, David W. Robertson, David I. Freed, James F. Schuermann, John B. Golden, Jozef Slanda, Brian Keith Wells, Jesse Leonard Farris, III, Michael S. H. Chu, Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr., Todd A. Hall, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams
  • Patent number: 7922684
    Abstract: The anti-obesity dual stent includes a tubular outer structure within which is located a coaxial tubular inner structure. The outer structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The outer and inner structures communicate with the pylorus and papilla of Vater to provide conduits for the chyme and digestive fluid. Alternatively, the anti-obesity dual stent may include a tubular papilla-supplied structure which has a lateral orientation relative to a tubular pylorus-supplied structure. The papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied structures each are sized to fit longitudinally within the duodenum. The pylorus-supplied and papilla-supplied structures communicate with the pylorus and papilla of Vater to provide conduits for the chyme and digestive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Weitzner, Katie Krueger, Claude Clerc, William Bertolino
  • Patent number: 7922756
    Abstract: A stent with strut bands and connectors, wherein the strut bands have long and short struts with a junction positioned between the short struts. Each junction defines a reservoir, wherein the reservoirs of a strut band are substantially circumferentially aligned. The connectors each have arms, wherein each arm includes an opposing U-shaped link. The opposing links have a shared portion disposed between a peak on one strut band and a longitudinally adjacent trough of an adjacent strut band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason T. Lenz, Daniel Gregorich
  • Patent number: 7922710
    Abstract: A wire station is disclosed for securing and managing multiple wire members used in a catheter system. The wire management system includes means for securing the proximal portion of two wire members in a spatially separate arrangement. The wire station of the present invention additionally provides a physician with the flexibility of either directly attaching the wire station of the present invention to the catheter system directly, or positioning the wire station at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracee E. J. Eidenschink, Richard C. Mattison
  • Patent number: 7923509
    Abstract: A composition for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The composition comprises: (a) a biocompatible block copolymer comprising one or more elastomeric blocks and one or more thermoplastic blocks and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent. The block copolymer is preferably of the formula X-(AB)n, where A is an elastomeric block, B is a thermoplastic block, n is a positive whole number and X is a seed molecule. The elastomeric blocks are preferably polyolefin blocks, and the thermoplastic blocks are preferably selected from vinyl aromatic blocks and methacrylate blocks. According to another aspect of the invention, a medical device is provided, at least a portion of which is insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical device comprises (a) the above biocompatible block copolymer and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Pinchuk, Sepideh Hashemi, Marlene C. Schwarz, Kalpana Kamath, Ni Ding
  • Patent number: 7922753
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter which includes a catheter shaft and a balloon positioned thereon. A rotatable sheath is rotatably disposed about a portion of the catheter. The rotatable sheath has a first portion inner diameter and a second portion inner diameter, which are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracee Eidenschink, Jan Weber
  • Patent number: 7922654
    Abstract: A steerable imaging catheter is provided, including an elongated catheter tube, at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end thereof, and a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube. The fiber optic cable transmits illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end and transmits an image from its distal end to its proximal end. In one embodiment, two or more steering cables are used, and the catheter tube is configured to have greater flexibility near its distal end than its proximal end so as to concentrate the movement (flexing) of the catheter tube at its distal end. The use of two or more steering cables, together with the catheter tube having varying flexibility, permit better control of the distal end of the catheter tube while reducing undue twisting of the remainder of the catheter tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Boutillette, David Micky Graves, M. Kevin Richardson, David I. Freed, Paul M. Scopton
  • Patent number: 7922740
    Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft, a balloon and a pair of collars engaged to the catheter shaft. Each collar has a body portion and at least one lip portion extending radially outward from the body portion. Each collar has a nonactivated state and an activated state, wherein in the nonactivated state the balloon is rotatable about the collars and each lip portion is constructed and arranged to abut a portion of the balloon to prevent the balloon from moving longitudinally relative thereto. In the activated state the body portion of each collar is sealingly engaged to at least a portion of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracee Eidenschink, Jan Weber