Patents Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11504461
    Abstract: An arteriovenous dialysis access graft configured to be implanted in a subject includes: at least one flexible conduit having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to connect to an artery of the subject and the second end portion is configured to connect to a vein of the subject such that blood flows through the at least one conduit; and at least one cannulation chamber positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one conduit. The chamber includes: an elongated housing having an inlet and an outlet, a posterior wall, a pair of sidewalls, and an open anterior portion defining a cannulation port; and a self-sealing material extending across the cannulation port. The posterior wall and the sidewalls of the housing are formed of a substantially rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn M. Gage, Jeffrey H. Lawson
  • Patent number: 11504454
    Abstract: The invention is an improved biocompatible surface for a variety of medical purposes. The biocompatible surface employs a unique tight microstructure that demonstrates enhanced cellular response in the body, particularly when placed in contact with blood. As a blood contact surface, the present invention can be beneficially employed in a wide variety of implantable devices and in many other devices and equipment that come in contact with blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Knisley, Vishnu T. Marla, Rachel Radspinner, Paul A. Silvagni, Jason J. Strid, Michael J. Vonesh
  • Patent number: 11504222
    Abstract: A branched graft method includes securing a first end of a branch graft into a first conduit and subsequently moving the second end into a second conduit. The first conduit may be a branch vessel, such as a renal artery and the second conduit may be a main graft that extends over an aortic aneurysm. The branch graft may be deployed starting at an offset distance from the first end, thereby preventing the deployed portion from insertion into the first conduit and predetermining the insertion length into the target vessel. The first end may then be deployed to secure the first end to the first conduit. A branch graft may be a self-expanding stent graft having one or more ripcords, and/or a serpentine ripcord that enables non-linear deployment of the branch graft, or deployment that does not progress from one end to the opposing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Howard Power
  • Patent number: 11501893
    Abstract: A jacket for an elongated assembly is disclosed. The jacket, which may be a tubular shape or sheet, comprises a film layer to surround a core member of the elongated assembly, wherein the film layer has a first surface to be arranged abutting the core member in a non-bonded relationship; a braided, woven, or warp-knit layer comprising high-melt filament having a titer from 30 to 800 denier; and a bonding region between the braided, woven, or warp-knit layer and a second surface of the film layer, opposing to the first surface, to adhere at least a portion of the high-melt fibers. The jacket may further comprise an inner film layer in a non-bonded relationship with the film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, inc.
    Inventors: James Carothers, Kim Ritchie, John Dolan
  • Patent number: 11497601
    Abstract: An implantable device is disclosed. The device includes a leaflet frame subcomponent and an anchor frame subcomponent that are configured to be delivered in a series configuration and subsequently nested or telescoped in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Burkart, Cody L. Hartman, Ryan S. Titone
  • Patent number: 11497838
    Abstract: There is described inter alia a device having a surface comprising a layered coating wherein the outer coating layer comprises a plurality of cationic hyperbranched polymer molecules characterized by having (i) a core moiety of molecular weight 14-1,000 Da (ii) a total molecular weight of 1,500 to 1,000,000 Da (iii) a ratio of total molecular weight to core moiety molecular weight of at least 80:1 and (iv) functional end groups, whereby one or more of said functional end groups have an anti-coagulant entity covalently attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Karin Leontein, Per Antoni, Daniel Nyström, Paul Begovac, Krzysztof Pietrzak
  • Patent number: 11471276
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame and a leaflet construct. The leaflet construct is at least partially coupled to a leaflet frame outer side of the leaflet frame and being coupled thereto by a retention element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 11457925
    Abstract: An occlusive device includes a frame element having a distal end and a proximal end, and a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The occlusive device also includes an occlusive face having a peripheral edge, where the occlusive face positioned toward the proximal end of the frame element. The occlusive device also includes at least one anchor positioned at the peripheral edge of the occlusive face, where the at least one anchor extends at an acute angle to the peripheral edge of the occlusive face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Coby C. Larsen, Steven J. Masters, Edward E. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11458007
    Abstract: A medical securing device that includes (1) a pointed tip and (2) a depth stop is provided. The depth stop includes an apex portion coupled to a trough portion. The depth stop limits the depth of penetration of the pointed tip into a wall of a body lumen. In one or more embodiment, the medical securing device may be constructed from a length of shape memory wire. Thus, during deployment, the medical securing device may spring away from a medical device to which the medical securing device is coupled such that the pointed tip makes contact with and punctures, to a limited depth, a body lumen wall. In various embodiments, a pair of barbs may be coupled to from an integral two pronged barb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher S. Michalak
  • Patent number: 11456476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll construction of laminated material that inhibits delamination of the polymer layer from a backer film upon unwinding of the roll construction. Particularly, aspects of the present invention are directed to a roll construction of laminated material prepared by a process that includes providing the laminated material having an ion-exchange resin layer, a release film, and a base layer, and feeding the laminated material to a roller to generate the roll of the laminated material. The laminated material is fed to the roller such that a first layer of the laminated material wound around the core includes the inner surface of the base layer of the first layer contacting an outer surface of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc, W. L. Gore & Associates G. K.
    Inventors: Alexander Agapov, Andrew M. Marlett, Takeyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11457299
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include an acoustic apparatus. The apparatuses, systems and methods may include an acoustic membrane and a protective housing defining an interior space in which the acoustic membrane is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Banter, Mark D. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 11439757
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical delivery device that includes a barrel having an inner surface, a plunger rod having a distal end inserted within the barrel, and a stopper attached to the distal end of the plunger rod and contacting at least a portion of the inner surface of the barrel. In at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The stopper may include an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated with the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact width between at least one rib having a sealing surface and the portion of the inner surface of the barrel measured at a compressibility of greater than about 7.9% of the stopper is less than about 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Rusch, Robert C. Basham
  • Patent number: 11439502
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having synthetic leaflets that are configured to promote and encourage tissue ingrowth thereon and/or therein. The leaflets are coupled to a leaflet frame to form a prosthetic valve suitable for use in biological anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Busalacchi, Benjamin D. Campbell, Kyle W. Colavito, Carl M. Conway, Cody L. Hartman, Roy Manygoats, Jr., Frank E. Myers, Vi T. Pham, Joshua A. Sprinkle, David M. Warlop, Nathan L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 11439396
    Abstract: An implantable medical device for sealing and repairing defects in a body tissue or for creating an anastomosis includes a frame and a covering material. In some embodiments, the frame includes a single continuously wound wire that defines an apposition portion, a defect-occupying portion, and a sealing portion. In some embodiments, the tissue-sealing and anastomosis devices provided herein are well-suited for use in the GI tract including the small bowel and colon. In some embodiments, a two-part frame construct facilitates independent tailoring of apposition forces and radial forces exerted on tissues by the two-part frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Johnson, Nathan K. Mooney, Lindsey Rappleyea
  • Patent number: 11432952
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes medical devices comprising implantable expandable implants, such as stent-grafts. Such devices can comprise a constraining line. The constraining line can surround the proximal end of the expandable implant, and assist in positioning and deployment of the expandable implant within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. Sondreaal
  • Patent number: 11421086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fluoropolymer article having a high surface roughness and high coarseness which comprises the following steps: a) forming a paste comprising a fluoropolymer into a paste-formed fluoropolymer product at a temperature lower than 50° C., b) densifying the paste-formed product, and c) stretching the densified paste-formed fluoropolymer product in at least one direction. The present invention further relates to a fluoropolymer article obtainable by a process according to the invention. The present invention furthermore relates to a fiber comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a surface roughness expressed as a peak to valley distance (Rt) greater than 10 micrometer and/or an average surface roughness (Ra) greater than 1.5 micrometer. The present invention furthermore relates to a membrane comprising, or consisting of, a fluoropolymer having a coarseness index ?/EBP of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wendlandt, Wolfgang Bürger, John William Dolan
  • Patent number: 11413055
    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: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford P. Warner, Sherif A. Eskaros, Kenneth Mazich
  • Patent number: 11417311
    Abstract: Water impermeable, air permeable membrane assemblies are described herein. In some embodiments, the assemblies include a polymer membrane and at least one support structure. Certain assemblies are configured to provide an acoustic impedance having phase angle of +45 degrees to ?45 over a frequency range of 50 to 20,000 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary E. Lampert, Wayne M. Gibbons, Yitian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11406533
    Abstract: Glaucoma treatment devices are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment devices include multiple microporous layers arranged together to form a microporous body configured to help facilitate evacuation of fluid from a fluid-filled body cavity, and reabsorption of the evacuated aqueous humor by the body through tissue surrounding the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the glaucoma treatment device includes one or more portions configured to resist cellular ingrowth, and one or more portions configured to permit cellular ingrowth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Roeber, Jeffrey C. Towler
  • Patent number: 11412609
    Abstract: The present disclosure is flexible and stretchable conductive articles that include a printed circuit and a stretchable substrate. The printed circuit contains an electrically conductive trace. The electrically conductive trace may be positioned on the surface of or be imbibed into the pores through the thickness of a synthetic polymer membrane. The synthetic polymer membrane is compressed in the x-y direction such that buckling of the membrane occurs in the z-direction. Additionally, the synthetic polymer membrane may be porous or non-porous. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane is microporous. The printed circuit may be discontinuously bonded to the stretchable substrate. Advantageously, the flexible, conductive articles retain conductive performance over a range of stretch. In some embodiments, the conductive articles have negligible resistance change when stretched up to 50% strain. The printed circuits may be integrated into garments, such as smart apparel or other wearable technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Edmundson, Paul D. Gassler