Patents Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11389283
    Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure relate to flow devices including filters and occluders for modifying flow in body conduits such as blood vessels. In some examples, such devices include a support structure and a flow media coupled to the support structure. The medical device generally further includes one or more capture features. In some examples, the capture features are coupled to the support structure at one or more of the proximal and distal ends of the support structure. In various examples, the capture features facilitate retrograde and antegrade deployment of the medical device and retrograde and antegrade capture of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Montgomery, Edward E. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11382975
    Abstract: A catheter package and method of use which serve to straighten a curved catheter shaft. The straightening of the catheter shaft may be accomplished by passing the shaft through a pathway that bends the catheter in the opposite direction of the curvature imparted to the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft pathway may incorporate various shaped bumps, ridges, pins or rollers or other features which assist in straightening the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, James L. Goepfrich, William G. Hardie, Raymond P. Torrez
  • Patent number: 11382781
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Beard, Martin J. Sector, Matthew G. Sondreaal
  • Patent number: 11376127
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include device for chordae tendineae repair. The device may include a flexible cord having a first end and a second end; and a helical wire configured to attach to one of the first end and the second end of the flexible cord and anchor the flexible cord to a leaflet of a heart valve; and a capture device having a channel and configured to clamp the leaflet of the heart valve and deliver the flexible cord through the channel to anchor the helical wire to the leaflet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Trapp, James L. Goepfrich, Brandon C. Hedberg, Edward E. Shaw, Jason D. Hemmer, Paul D. Goodman
  • Patent number: 11376112
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include a self-expanding endoprosthesis having a reduced configuration and a deployed configuration. The self-expanding endoprosthesis may include a self-expanding stent element having an enlarged diameter and a graft component attached to at least a portion of the self-expanding stent element and having an enlarged diameter less than the enlarged diameter of the self-expanding stent element in the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Silverman, Olga Baykova
  • Patent number: 11375988
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. In some embodiments, the occluder is formed from filaments that are joined together to define a substantially cylindrical form with openings defining struts. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is engaged so that the occluder closes the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 11380927
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to composite membranes having: increased volume of the microporous polymer structure relative to the total volume of the PEM; decreased permeance and thus increased selectivity; and lower ionomer content. An increased amount of polymers of the microporous polymer structure is mixed with a low equivalent weight ionomer (e.g., <460 cc/mole eq) to obtain a composite material having at least two distinct materials. Various embodiments provide a composite membrane comprising a microporous polymer structure that occupies from 13 vol % to 65 vol % of a total volume of the composite membrane, and an ionomer impregnated in the microporous polymer structure. The acid content of the composite membrane is 1.2 meq/cc to 3.5 meq/cc, and/or the thickness of the composite membrane is less than 17 microns. The selectivity of the composite membrane is greater than 0.05 MPa/mV, based on proton conductance and hydrogen permeance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates G.K.
    Inventors: Takeyuki Suzuki, Alexander Agapov, Mark Edmundson
  • Patent number: 11357611
    Abstract: A stent graft including a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and 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 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    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
  • Patent number: 11351089
    Abstract: A carrier for a storage bag is disclosed. The carrier includes a base and a lid that define an interior region in a closed configuration. The base and lid are configured to retain the storage bag and tubes of the storage bag within the interior region in the closed configuration. A distance between the base and lid in the closed configuration is adaptable between a contacting position and a floating position to allow for maximum contact of the storage bag with the base and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Alford, Lauren Myrick
  • Patent number: 11351058
    Abstract: Glaucoma treatment devices are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment devices include a body and a fluid conduit that are 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 is configured such that a flow resistance through the fluid conduit can be modified post-operatively one or more times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Roeber, Jeffrey C. Towler
  • Patent number: 11344307
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers, such as for connecting a gallbladder and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract to create an anastomosis, include a tubular structure having a plurality of apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The devices are endoscopically deployable and may include open cells or undulating edges that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Todd, Sakthi Sambandam
  • Patent number: 11338068
    Abstract: An implantable therapy delivery device that includes a porous pouch and a cell encapsulation device configured to fit inside the porous pouch. The porous pouch may include a bio-absorbable material and/or a vascularization promotor, and the porous pouch may be packaged separately from the cell encapsulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Rusch
  • Patent number: 11330711
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to flexible conductive articles (600) that include a printed circuit (650) and a stretchable or non-stretchable substrate (610). In some embodiments, the substrate has a printed circuit on both sides. The printed circuit contains N therein a porous synthetic polymer membrane (660) and an electrically conductive trace (670) as well as a non-conducive region (640). The electrically conductive trace is imbibed or otherwise incorporated into the porous synthetic polymer membrane. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane is microporous. The printed circuit may be discontinuously bonded to the stretchable or non-stretchable substrate by adhesive dots (620). The printed circuits may be integrated into garments, such as smart apparel or other wearable technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Edmundson, Paul D. Gassler, Justin J. Skaife, Scott J. Zero
  • Patent number: 11324617
    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, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Armstrong, Edward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Larry J. Kovach, Douglas F. Pajot, Brandon C. Short, Mark J. Ulm, Michael J. Vonesh
  • Patent number: 11326037
    Abstract: A compressible seal (400A) includes a compressible body (406) having a first surface (410) and a second surface. A pattern of discontinuous adhesive regions (412) is formed of an adhesive connected with at least one of the first surface (410) or the second surface of the compressible body (406). The compressible body (406) is operable to conform around the pattern of adhesive regions (412) to prevent fluid ingress when the compressible body (406) is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Goro & Associates GmbH
    Inventors: John Gardner, Amadeus Wiesemann
  • Patent number: 11324615
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberta A. Bloss, Dustin C. Burkart, Patrick M. Norris, Matthew G. Sondreaal, Stephanie M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 11311398
    Abstract: A delivery system for endoluminal delivery of an expandable device comprising a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end configured to support an expandable device, a primary sheath having a delivery position in which the primary sheath constrains the expandable device toward a collapsed configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery, and a handle including a first actuator that is actuatable to cause the expandable device to expand from the collapsed configuration, the handle further including a second actuator for operating one or more functions of the handle, wherein the second actuator is initially hidden to prevent actuation of the second actuator prior to the expandable device expanding and is configured to be revealed when the expandable device is expanded, the second actuator being actuatable once revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin W. Sokel, Adam T. Storey, Jared L. Van Cleave
  • Patent number: 11305227
    Abstract: Systems including a moisture pump for removing moisture from an inside environment to an outside environment. The moisture pump includes a housing defining a chamber with a heater, a heat spreader, and a desiccant for selectively adsorbing water vapor in the heating chamber when the heater is off and desorbing water vapor into the heating chamber when the heater is on. A valve assembly is also maintained by the housing transitionable between an adsorption position and desorption position. The adsorption position allows water vapor to be selectively transmitted into the heating chamber from the inside environment. The desorption position allows water vapor to be transmitted from the heating chamber for transmission into the outside environment. The adsorption and desorption ports can have asymmetric adsorption and desorption areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Ball, Michael Keough, David T DeGuiseppi
  • Patent number: 11298218
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward an embolic filter system. The embolic filter system generally includes a filter and an elongated element. In some examples, the elongate element extends to a position distal to a proximal end of the filter and operates to protect against medical devices entangling with the filter. In some examples, the elongate element is soft and compliant and operates with a hemostatic seal to provide for a hemostatic seal within a lumen of the elongate element while maintaining the lumen as a working lumen through which medical devices can be passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Montgomery, Edward E. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11298116
    Abstract: A medical device for sealing a defect in a body includes a wire frame that includes a plurality of wires that form a first occluding member and a second occluding member. In some embodiments, a sealing member is in contact with the wire frame. In some embodiments, the sealing member is configured to define one or more openings in the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler J. Brown, Khoa Hua, Devin M. Nelson, Keith O. Rust