Patents Examined by Andrew Bowman
  • Method for producing a layer on a molded article and use thereof
    Patent number: 8231928
    Abstract: A method for producing a layer on a molded article. The method includes providing a formable film. Galvanically catalytically active nuclei are anchored to at least one region of the formable film provided for the layer. The formable film is shaped so as to form the molded article. A galvanic deposition is performed on a surface of the molded article so as to bond the nuclei to form the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Nina Dambrowsky, Stefan Giselbrecht, Roman Truckenmueller
  • Medical device coating process
    Patent number: 8231929
    Abstract: Methods for coating medical devices for implantation within a body vessel are provided comprising providing a cylindrical container, placing a medical device inside the cylindrical container, and applying a polymer in liquid form inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Jichao Sun
  • Marked precoated medical device and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 8231927
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coated medical device, such as a medical guide wire, including at least applying a first colored coating to at least a first portion of an outer surface of a medical guide wire, securing a first end of the medical guide wire, and for each a designated quantity of turns, turn a second end of the medical guide wire upon a longitudinal axis of the medical guide wire. The method of manufacturing also includes securing the second end of the medical guide wire, blocking at least a first portion of the coated surface of the medical guide wire, applying a second contrasting colored coating to at least a second, unblocked portion of the outer surface of the medical guide wire and releasing the first end and the second end of the medical guide wire to display at least one spiral marking formed along a length of the medical guide wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Innovatech, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Nesbitt, Charles Berkelhamer
  • Marked precoated medical device and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 8231926
    Abstract: A medical device, such as a medical wire, which includes a coating applied to the surface of the medical wire. The coating includes a base layer bonded to the surface of the medical wire and an at least partially transparent low-friction top coat applied to the base layer. The base layer includes heat activated pigments that change color when heated above a color shifting temperature. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment in one area contrasts with the color of the pigment in an adjacent area without otherwise affecting the low-friction surface of the coating. The areas of different color created in locations along the length of the low-friction coated medical wire form markings which, as an example, enable a surgeon to determine the length of the medical wire inserted into a body by observing the markings on the portion of the marked medical wire located exterior to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Innovatech, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Nesbitt
  • Self-aggregating protein compositions and use as sealants
    Patent number: 8231930
    Abstract: An implantable member for use in the body is provided herein. This implantable member includes a porous biocompatible substrate; the substrate having at least one surface sealed fluid-tight with self-aggregating protein particles of substantially the same diameter range. The self-aggregated protein particles are formed from a deposited aqueous slurry of the protein particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Castro, Al Kuehn, Moon Hae Sunwoo
  • Laminated drug-polymer coated stent with dipped and cured layers
    Patent number: 8227016
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of applying a drug-polymer coating on a stent. A stent framework is dipped into a first polymeric solution including a first polymer, a first therapeutic agent, and a first solvent. The polymeric solution is dried and the first polymer is cured to form a thin drug-polymer layer on the stent framework. The steps of dipping the stent framework into the first polymeric solution, drying the first polymeric solution, and curing the first polymer are repeated until a target drug-polymer coating thickness is disposed on the stent framework. A drug-polymer coated stent including a stent framework and a laminated drug-polymer coated stent, a system for treating a vascular condition, and a method of treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronan Thornton, Finbar Dolan
  • Dental post
    Patent number: 8227018
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental post according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) overjacketing extrusion of at least one thermoplastic material over at least one filament or yarn, such that the thermoplastic material cross-sectionally enwraps the at least one filament or yarn; (ii) solidifying the extruded product of step (i); (iii) equipping the solidified extruded product of step (ii) with a surface texture, such that the thermoplastic wrapping is not modified in a way as to expose or damage the at least one filament or yarn. The invention allows for more flexibility in the manufacturing of dental posts, especially in generating surface textures of such dental posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Coltene Whaledent AG
    Inventors: Werner Mannschedel, Ralf Bohner, Barbara Muller
  • Heart valve prosthesis and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 8216631
    Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis having a frame and two or more leaflets (preferably three) attached to the frame. The leaflets are attached to the frame between posts, with a free edge which can seal the leaflets together when the valve is closed under back pressure. The leaflets are created in a mathematically defined shape allowing good wash-out of the whole leaflet orifice, including the area close to the frame posts, thereby relieving the problem of thrombus deposition under clinical implant conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aortech International PLC
    Inventors: Bernard O'Connor, David John Wheatley, Gillian Maureen Bernacca, William Stafford Haworth
  • Spotting device and method for high concentration spot deposition on microarrays and other microscale devices
    Patent number: 8210119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spotter device and methods for the formation of microassays, biochips, biosensors, and cell cultures. The spotter may be used to deposit highly concentrated spots of protein or other materials on a microarray a slide, wafer, or other substrate. The spotter uses microfluidic conduits and orifices to deposit proteins, other biomolecules, or chemicals on a spot on a substrate. Each orifice is part of a fluid pathways that includes an inlet and outlet conduit. When the spotter contacts a substrate a seal is formed between the orifices and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bruce Gale, David Chang-Yen, David Myszka
  • Method for selectively coating surfaces of a stent
    Patent number: 8197879
    Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Fox, Nathan Harold, Barry Templin, Andrew Tochterman
  • Apparatus and method for coating implantable devices
    Patent number: 8192785
    Abstract: A coating for implantable devices, such as stents, and a method of making the same is disclosed. Moreover, an apparatus for depositing the coating is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Apparatus for selectively coating a medical article
    Patent number: 8191501
    Abstract: A mask for masking a stent during a coating procedure may include a mask body that has a negative pattern or an approximate negative pattern of a stent pattern being masked by the mask body. An apparatus for selectively coating a predetermined portion of a medical article may include a dispenser of a coating composition, a mask, a device for creating a relative movement between the mask and the medical article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed F. A. Hossainy, Gordon Stewart, Srinivasan Sridharan, Arkady Kokish, Klaus Kleine, Benjamyn Serna, Bjorn G. Svensson
  • Method of coating a stent with a polysaccharide layer and associated stents
    Patent number: 8173196
    Abstract: The invention concerns methods of coating stents and stents produced in accordance therewith. The object of the invention is to provide methods of coating stents with a polysaccharide layer which has improved adhesion capacity on the substrate surface of the implant, and to afford correspondingly functionalized stents. That is achieved inter alia by covalent bonding of a non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid to a substrate surface of the stent with the formation of hyaluronic acid layer and crosslinking of the hyaluronic acid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Biotronik Mess-und Therapiegeraete GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gerd Bayer, Markus Nagel, Alexander Borck
  • Apparatus and methods for applying coatings
    Patent number: 8166909
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Chappa
  • Multi-purpose holding device
    Patent number: 8161902
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-purpose holding device to handle, support and rotate one or more hollow cylindrical objects. The holding device consists of a rigid frame and support members for precise alignment and rotation of one or more objects within the frame structure. A method is also provided to reproducibly support, rotate and inspect the hollow cylindrical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ingo Scheer
  • Direct coating solid dosage forms using powdered materials
    Patent number: 8161904
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dry coating solid dosage forms. The method includes the steps of placing solid dosage forms in a rotatable, electrically grounded housing, and spraying a film forming polymer powder composition into the housing during rotation thereof to form a polymer coating on the solid dosage forms, the polymer powder composition being sprayed using an electrostatic spray gun, and curing the coated solid dosage forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: Jiangxu Zhu, Yanfeng Luo, Ying Liang Ma, Hui Zhang
  • Reduced thermal conductivity thermal barrier coating by electron beam-physical vapor deposition process
    Patent number: 8147928
    Abstract: A method for reducing thermal conductivity in thermal barrier coatings broadly includes the steps of depositing a mixture containing a ceramic matrix and a metallic dispersant capable of forming a metal oxide upon a substrate to form one or more layers; and heating the layers at a temperature and for a time sufficient to oxidize the metallic dispersant and form one or more layers of a thermal barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Coporation
    Inventor: Nicolas E. Ulion
  • Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
    Patent number: 8142852
    Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Hans Jansen, Patricius Aloysius Jacobus Tinnemans, Leon Joseph Maria Van Den Schoor, Sjoerd Nicolaas Lambertus Donders, Bob Streefkerk
  • Preparation of controlled release skeletal muscle relaxant dosage forms
    Patent number: 8137734
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an extended release pharmaceutical composition comprising cyclobenzaprine, comprising coating inert particles with a cyclobenzaprine-containing a drug layering composition to form IR beads, then coating the IR beads with an extended-release coating to form ER beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Aptalis Pharmatech, Inc.
    Inventors: Gopi M. Venkatesh, James M. Clevenger, Timothy Grinstead
  • Method of fabricating electrode catalyst layers with directionally oriented carbon support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell
    Patent number: 8137858
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the invention comprises an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane therebetween, the anode and the cathode each comprising a patterned sheet of longitudinally aligned transition metal-containing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are in contact with and are aligned generally perpendicular to the membrane, wherein a catalytically active transition metal is incorporated throughout the nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Di-Jia Liu, Junbing Yang