Patents Assigned to W.L. Gore and Associates Inc.
  • Single step shape memory alloy expansion
    Patent number: 9976207
    Abstract: Exposing nitinol to a shape setting temperature while the nitinol is in an unstrained or minimally strained condition. The nitinol is then substantially deformed in shape while at elevated temperature. After deformation, the nitinol remains at the elevated temperature for a time to shape set the material. The nitinol is then returned to approximately room temperature 20° C. by means of water quenching or air cooling for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Greene, Christopher C. Lasley
  • Anastomotic connectors
    Patent number: 9974543
    Abstract: An anastomotic connector includes a tubular shell and a porous biocompatible liner configured to connect two or more natural and/or artificial lumens, such as blood vessels and/or grafts. The tubular shell may be bioabsorbable, ultimately dissolving in the body, while the biocompatible liner can remain in the body and connected to the lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, James L. Goepfrich
  • Delivery and deployment systems for bifurcated stent grafts
    Patent number: 9974675
    Abstract: A system for endoluminal delivery of a medical device, wherein the medical device includes a bifurcated stent graft having a trunk, a first leg and a second leg shorter than the first leg. The system includes a sheath having a tubular wall having a cylindrical inner surface defining a lumen for receiving the stent graft therein to constrain the stent graft toward a delivery configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery, and a generally cylindrical core member extending through the lumen. The core member has a first annular surface for engaging an end of the first leg. The core has a second annular surface for engaging an end of the second leg while at least the end of the second leg remains constrained by the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Beard, Martin J. Sector
  • Vertical coaptation zone in a planar portion of prosthetic heart valve leaflet
    Patent number: 9968443
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valve leaflets of a particular shape that allows redundant coaptation height in the leaflets when a planar segment is present in each leaflet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Bruchman, Cody L. Hartman
  • Septal closure device with centering mechanism
    Patent number: 9949728
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for occluding an aperture in a body, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), including a first side adapted to be disposed on one side of the septum and a second side adapted to be disposed on the opposite side of the septum. The device has an elongated, low-profile delivery configuration and a shortened, radially expanded deployment configuration. The first and second sides are adapted to occlude the aperture upon deployment of the device at its intended delivery location. The device also includes a radially expandable center portion. In some embodiments, the center portion includes a plurality of ribs provided by slits in device. The ribs expand radially when the device is deployed. The expandable center portion facilitates the positioning of the device in the aperture. The device can be secured in the deployed configuration using a catch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Cahill
  • Stent having adjacent elements connected by flexible webs
    Patent number: 9943428
    Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are typically web-shaped and result from creating slits or apertures in a covering of graft material applied to the stent and then, for example, applying heat to cause the slits or apertures to enlarge. The remaining graft material forms the interconnecting webs between the adjacent stent elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Burkart, Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Cody L. Hartman, James D. Silverman
  • Contamination resistant air permeable fabric laminate and garments made therefrom
    Patent number: 9944044
    Abstract: A contamination-resistant air permeable fabric laminate is disclosed that comprises a textile layer attached by discontinuous attachments to an asymmetric porous membrane comprising at least two porous regions or layers through the thickness of the membrane. Methods for making the fabric laminate are disclosed as well as garments made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Sturgill, Michael E. Hodgins, Peter J. Walsh, William G. Hardie
  • Prosthetic valved conduits with mechanically coupled leaflets
    Patent number: 9937037
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame and a non-sewn mechanically coupled leaflet. The described leaflet frames have projections that are configured to couple with apertures located within the leaflet attachment region of a leaflet. Some embodiments are further directed toward pulmonary valved conduits incorporating such leaflet and leaflet frame constructs. Methods of making and using such prosthetic valve devices are also described amongst others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin V. Dienno, Michael G. Dunham, Cody L. Hartman
  • Method for producing porous articles from alternating poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) and articles produced therefrom
    Patent number: 9932429
    Abstract: Poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) polymers having an average molecular weight of at least 300,000 g/mol and a melt enthalpy of at least 57 J/g are provided. The ETFE polymer may include at least one additional comonomer. The ETFE polymer is used to form a porous tape or membrane that has a node and fibril structure. A porous ETFE tape may be formed by lubricating the ETFE polymer and subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the ETFE polymer. Optionally, the ETFE tape may be expanded at a temperature below the melting temperature of the ETFE polymer to form an expanded ETFE membrane. Alternatively, the ETFE polymer may subjected to heat and pressure without the addition of a lubricant to form a dense preform. The dense preform may be subsequently slit in a length direction and stretched to form a dense ETFE fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy A. Sbriglia
  • Elastic stent graft
    Patent number: 9931193
    Abstract: A stent graft including (1) a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and (2) a covering of a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer is provided. The cover can be used to cover the outer and/or the inner surface of the stent. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane contains serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially and/or circumferentially wrapped around the stent. The composite material is fold-free throughout its operating diameter range and exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The stent graft can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction. The stent graft can advantageously be implanted undersized with respect to a nominal diameter without having material infolding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H Cully, Jeffrey B Duncan, Ryan D Kariniemi, Thomas E Kariniemi, Jeffrey J Kustusch, Jared S Nelson
  • Method for producing porous articles from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
    Patent number: 9926416
    Abstract: Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymers that have an average molecular weight of at least 500,000 g/mol and an enthalpy of at least 190 J/g is provided. The UHMWPE polymer may include at least one comonomer. The UHMWPE polymer is used to form a membrane, that, when expanded, has a node and fibril structure. The UHMWPE membrane has an endotherm of about 150° C. associated with the fibrils in the membrane. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%, and in exemplary embodiments, the percent porosity is at least 60%. Additionally, the UHMWPE membrane has a thickness less than 1 mm. An UHMWPE membrane may be formed by lubricating the UHMWPE polymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the UHMWPE polymer to form a tape, and expanding the tape at a temperature below the melting temperature of the UHMWPE polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy A Sbriglia
  • Stent with varying cross-section
    Patent number: 9913740
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for endoluminal devices, such as stents, that have components with varying cross-sections at various points about the length of the endoluminal device, with various benefits resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent L. Perko
  • Controlled deployable medical device and method of making the same
    Patent number: 9907683
    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: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislaw L. Zukowski, Edward H. Cully, Keith M. Flury, Michelle L. Gendron, Patrick S. Young
  • Implantable intraluminal device
    Patent number: 9907641
    Abstract: This document provides implantable intraluminal stent graft medical devices. In some embodiments, the stent graft devices provided herein are implantable in bodily conduits that have side branches, and the stent graft devices are operable to allow the flow of fluids between the conduit and the side branches. In some embodiments, the walls of the stent graft devices provided herein include compliant channels which allow for fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the stent graft devices. In some embodiments, the compliant channels are configured to inhibit or reduce tissue ingrowth, tissue bridging, and/or endothelialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Johnson
  • Retractable sheath devices, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9901715
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delivery medical devices that enable consistent “on-demand” delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel. The medical device of the current invention comprises retractable sheath comprising neckable elements. The design and methods disclosed herein ensures that therapeutic agent delivery occurs essentially only upon necking of the outer sheath, minimizing coating and/or therapeutic agent loss to the bloodstream and providing controlled delivery to the treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Peter Heicksen
  • Stent having adjacent elements connected by narrow flexible webs
    Patent number: 9895243
    Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent metallic stent element(s) across an intervening space and have optimized geometries. In one configuration the metallic elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having intervening spaces between adjacent helical windings of the wire. The polymeric connecting elements are designed to fold within the space between the outer diameter of the stent and the inner diameter of the stent when the stent is subjected to compaction or bending. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan D. Kariniemi, Jeffrey J. Kustusch, Mark J. Ulm
  • Methods and apparatus for an adjustable stiffness catheter
    Patent number: 9889273
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Benjamin M. Trapp
  • Catheter assembly
    Patent number: 9884170
    Abstract: Novel catheter constructions comprising thin covering or wrapping materials such as polymer films. A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. Moreover, polymer film can be used in combination with one or more elements to produce novel catheter constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Carey V. Campbell, Edward H. Cully, Sherif Eskaros, George N. Foutrakis, James William Mann, Peter J. Roeber, Benjamin M. Trapp, Michael J. Vonesh
  • Post-implantation contractible or expandable devices and method of using and making the same
    Patent number: 9883956
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the controlled over-expansion of a body conduit and controlled constriction or expansion of a vessel in a patient are disclosed. The devices and methods can employ a bio-corrodible expandable support structure and an implant coaxially adjacent the support structure. The support structure can have a delivery diameter and an expanded supporting diameter. The implant can have a collapsed deformed diameter, an undeformed neutral diameter and an over-expanded deformed diameter. Contraction of the implant can occur when the support structure is bioabsorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward H. Cully
  • Inflatable imbibed polymer devices
    Patent number: 9878133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex R. Hobson, Michael Houghton, David R. King, Joseph E. Korleski, Jr., Brian C. Lentz, Kenneth Newcomb, Peter J. Roeber, John Streeter