Patents Assigned to W.L. Gore and Associates Inc.
  • Conformable seamless three dimensional articles and methods therefor
    Patent number: 10314353
    Abstract: Waterproof, breathable garments and methods of making are provided. The garments may include a laminate of a seamless ePTFE membrane and at least one textile. The garment is conformable over a range of sizes, and may be shaped to fit numerous sizes and shapes of forming molds. The ePTFE membrane may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, a mold having a desired size to form a garment. Such a conformable ePTFE membrane may allow for forming multiple sizes of garments with various sizes and shapes of molds. In embodiments where the ePTFE membrane is seamless and continuous, the garment eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make garments waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Bacino, Norman E. Clough, Orlando Collazo, Jean Norvell, Franz Shelley
  • Wireless LC sensor reader
    Patent number: 10307067
    Abstract: An energy-efficient, wide-band, and compact wireless sensor reader remotely interrogates an implanted wireless inductive-capacitive (LC) sensor in order to measure a physiologic parameter of interest within a human body. The wireless sensor reader generates an instantaneous, spike-shaped, high-amplitude, low-energy pulse to excite the wireless LC sensor, causing it to emit a ring-down signal. The wireless sensor reader subsequently receives, amplifies, and filters the ring-down signal. Next, the wireless sensor reader digitizes the ring-down signal and transfers the digitized ring-down signal to a processing unit. The processing unit computes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the digitized ring-down signal and then locates the resonant frequency of the LC sensor using a threshold peak detection technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Minghua Xu
  • Balloon expandable endoprosthesis
    Patent number: 10299948
    Abstract: An improved medical device reduces the loss of longitudinal length during expansion of a stent-graft from a compressed state to an expanded state. For example, the stent-graft is placed over a cover that provides resistance to expansion of the balloon during inflation, which reduces longitudinal compressing forces exerted on the stent-graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane K. Bohn, Cody L. Hartman, Deenu G. Kanjickal, Bret J. Kilgrow, Joseph B. Koenig, James J. Nickerson, Thomas G. Triebes
  • Moisture-insensitive thermally protective materials and garments made therefrom
    Patent number: 10286234
    Abstract: Protective garments and methods for low wet pick-up from hose water, weather, etc. and from perspiration generated by the wearer, to minimize water impact on the insulative properties, minimize weight gain, and effectuate quick drying. For firefighting in particular, the disclosure provides that wet, hot air is driven out of the garment, away from the wearer (rather than in), and water entry is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Maples, Matthew Decker, Mukesh Jain, William Gorak
  • Everting transcatheter valve and methods
    Patent number: 10285808
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening, leaflet valve devices and systems for transcatheter delivery having a two-piece valve body as well as methods of making and delivering the two-piece valve devices. A transcatheter valve includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The transcatheter valve can further include an everted configuration and a non-everted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Bruchman, Cody L. Hartman
  • Medical balloon devices and methods
    Patent number: 10279084
    Abstract: A balloon or balloon cover comprising a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer material and an elastomer is provided. The expanded fluoropolymer material can contain serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially, helically, and/or circumferentially wrapped to form a balloon or balloon cover. The balloon or balloon cover exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The balloon or balloon cover can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Goepfrich, Joshua C. Haarer, Brandon C. Hedberg, Benjamin M. Trapp
  • Heart occlusion devices
    Patent number: 10278705
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an aperture occlusion device and a method for occluding an aperture, including a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. The aperture occlusion device includes a wire frame element. The wire frame forms geometric shapes that include an occluder region and a securing region. The occluder region and the securing region are separated by an attachment region including a waist. The occluder region and securing region can include membranous coverings. The device can be attached to a delivery hub. The wires forming the occluder region and securing region can have a shape-memory capability such that they can be collapsed and distorted in a sheath during delivery, but resume and maintain their intended shape after delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Zahid Amin, Edward H. Cully, Warren Cutright, Coby C. Larsen, Steven J. Masters, Edward E. Shaw
  • DIAMETRICALLY ADJUSTABLE ENDOPROSTHESES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20190125517
    Abstract: A diametrically adjustable endoprosthesis includes a controlled expansion element extending along at least a portion of a graft and is supported by a stent. The controlled expansion element diametrically constrains and limits expansion of the endoprosthesis. Upon deployment from a smaller, delivery configuration, the endoprosthesis can expand to the initial diameter set by the controlled expansion element. Thereafter, the endoprosthesis can be further diametrically expanded (e.g., using balloon dilation) by mechanically altering the controlled expansion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Marisa L. Sylvester, Daniel W. Yates, Michael J. Vonesh
  • Articles produced from VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers
    Patent number: 10266670
    Abstract: VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000,000 g/mol and a melt temperature less than about 240° C. The VDF copolymer contains at least about 50 mol % VDF monomer and may include an amount of at least one other monomer. The VDF copolymer may be used to form a membrane that has a node and fibril structure. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%. A VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymer membrane may be formed by lubricating the VDF copolymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the VDF copolymer to form a preform material, and expanding the preform material at a temperature below the melting temperature of the VDF copolymer. Dense VDF copolymer articles, filled VDF copolymer membranes, and VDF copolymer fibers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy A. Sbriglia, Gregory J. Shafer
  • Anastomotic device and methods
    Patent number: 10245371
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments comprise AV fistulas and other anastomotic devices for creating new or reinforcing existing side-branch vessels, and/or bridging neighboring vessels together. An exemplary embodiment may comprise a sidewall port, such as a flanged sidewall port, and/or flow frame design, such as a partially bare, flexible stent or a whisk, for purposes of creating a transmural flow. Another exemplary embodiment may comprise a compliant vessel support to aid in the transition from device to vessel and/or vessel to device, and to promote vessel dilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Karan B. Sangha
  • Wireless cylindrical shell passive LC sensor
    Patent number: 10240994
    Abstract: A sensor includes two coaxial RF shielding members arranged to create a coaxial RF shielding structure that is electrically open and is formed from partially enclosed cylindrical shells. The RF shielding members are spaced from one another. The sensor also includes one or multiple electrically conductive coaxial coils between the coaxial RF shielding members. This configuration creates an LC circuit without requiring a separate capacitor electrically connected to the inductor. The RF shielding structure minimizes the surrounding tissue effects (e.g., parasitic capacitance), which improves the overall accuracy of the sensor. The LC circuit also can be remotely interrogated by external reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Minghua Xu
  • Systems and methods for detecting syringe seal defects
    Patent number: 10242437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting syringe seal defects are described, including associated syringe stopper designs having seal areas and indicating areas, as well as associated inspection systems and methods for optical imaging and analysis for syringe seal defects in dry and wet syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Rusch, Kevin N. Murphy
  • Microanchors for anchoring devices to body tissues
    Patent number: 10226270
    Abstract: Tissue anchoring devices in the form of microanchors that partially penetrate tissue, thereby avoiding full thickness penetration of the tissue, yet are secure enough to enable reliable device fixation and easy removal of the device while maintaining normal GI tract functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford P. Warner, Sherif A. Eskaros, Kenneth Mazich
  • Sleeve retraction system
    Patent number: 10219929
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems for endoluminal devices utilizing a sleeve for constraining an expandable device toward a constrained configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery to a treatment site along vasculature; and a mechanism for retracting at least a portion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Norris, Matthew G. Sondreaal
  • Controlled deployable medical device and method of making the same
    Patent number: 10219925
    Abstract: Controlled deployable medical devices that are retained inside a body passage and in one particular application to vascular devices used in repairing arterial dilations, e.g., aneurysms. Such devices can be adjusted during deployment, thereby allowing at least one of a longitudinal or radial re-positioning, resulting in precise alignment of the device to an implant target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Keith M. Flury, Michelle L. Gendron, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Devices and methods for approximating the cross-sectional profile of vasculature having branches
    Patent number: 10219922
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices and related methods for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure. In various embodiments, an implantable device for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure comprises a first elongated segment, and a second elongated segment, and one or more branch segments in fluid communication with one of the first elongated segment and the second elongated segment. The elongated segments have a combined cross section that is substantially conformable to an intraluminal cross section of a body lumen into which they are implanted. A method of installing an implantable medical device into the body of a patient comprises deploying a first elongated segment, deploying a second elongated segment, and deploying one or more branch segments in a target region of a vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Robison
  • Evertable sheath devices, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 10213329
    Abstract: The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Craig W. Irwin, James D. Silverman
  • Functional porous substrates for attaching biomolecules
    Patent number: 10209252
    Abstract: A substrate comprising a microporous microstructure, an interlayer over at least a portion of the microstructure and a functional layer attached to the interlayer, the functional layer having functional sites with a density of at least 50 nanomoles/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Anit Dutta, Heidi Flannery, William P. Mortimer, Jr.
  • Endoprosthesis delivery systems with improved retraction
    Patent number: 10195064
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, a tip, and an end cap. The tip and end cap can be integral to each other. The covering member can extend beyond the distal end of the endoprosthesis and onto the end cap. The end cap can comprise a tapered profile, which may assist in retraction of the catheter tip and end cap into an outer sheath. The end cap can further comprise one or more fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret J. Kilgrow, Larry J. Kovach, Brandon C. Short, Anna F. Timbie
  • Endoprosthesis having aligned legs for ease of cannulation
    Patent number: 10195063
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski