Patents Examined by Corrine McDermott
  • Stent and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 7182788
    Abstract: A stent includes a cylindrical main body contractible and expandable in a circumferential direction, a cover member coated on inner and/or outer circumference of the main body, and an inverse current preventing member for preventing food or fluid from reversely flowing. The inverse current preventing member is disposed in the main body and includes a fixing layer defining a passage having a diameter capable of allowing food and fluid to pass, the fixing layer being fixed in the main body and a valve layer extending from the fixing layer to a distal end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: M. I. Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In-Kwon Jung, Sung-Soon An, Hun-Kuk Park
  • Device for use in eye surgery
    Patent number: 7182780
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens inside a capsular bag after the natural lens has been removed employs a sealing device comprising a plug part adapted to seal a rhexis in a capsular bag, thus preventing displacement through the rhexis of a lens-forming liquid material injected through the rhexis and adapted to replace the natural lens and form an intraocular lens implant. The plug part has a slightly larger area than the capsulorhexis and is made of a deformable polymer. The sealing device further comprises an adjusting means connected to the plug part and adapted to position the plug part to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: AMO Groningen, B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Terwee, Steven Koopmans
  • Intraocular lens for implantation in an eye and instrument and methods for insertion of such a lens
    Patent number: 7179292
    Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optical portion (7; 607; 907; 1107) of a transparent, deformable material, at least one haptic (5, 6; 205, 206; 405, 406, 706; 806; 905; 1005; 1105; 1205) radially projecting from the optical portion for supporting the optical portion in a position parallel to and against an anterior iris surface plane (936; 1136), and at least one aperture (13; 213; 713; 913; 1013; 1113) bounded by the haptic. At least a stiff portion of the haptic has a higher stiffness against bending about an axis in the radial direction than the optical portion. Furthermore, the stiff portion has a width (a) measured parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the radial direction, which is smaller than the size (b) of the optical portion in the direction of the width. An instrument and methods for preparing and carrying out insertion of such a lens are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ophtec B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Gerben Frans Worst, Harry Franciscus Simon, Martinus Aponno
  • Method of ameliorating vision-inhibiting effects of cataracts and the like
    Patent number: 7178530
    Abstract: A technique and apparatus for ameliorating, at least temporarily, vision-inhibiting effects of cataracts and the like within the lens of an eye, wherein MHz high-frequency ultrasound of relatively low power much less than that which would cause rupturing or fragmentation of the lens is used to treat the eye and for limited irradiation periods sufficient, however, to agitate and move around protein clumps or the like within the lens that cause the cataracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert H. Rines
  • Apparatus and method for improving vision utilizing a cornea-supported artificial intraocular lens
    Patent number: 7175661
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving vision including an intraocular lens, haptics extending outwardly from a periphery of the intraocular lens, a first anchor connected to the haptics and a second anchor connected to the haptics so as to position the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber of a cornea. Each of the first and second anchors is implanted into the cornea or into the sclera adjacent to the cornea. The intraocular lens has a truncated circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Young Taek Chung, Mu Suk Lee, Byung Ki Ahn
  • Intragastric stent for duodenum bypass
    Patent number: 7175669
    Abstract: A porous weave of bioabsorbable filaments is encased in an elastic membrane to form a thin-walled stent. The stent is sized to be snugly fitted in the proximate portion of the duodenum of a patient, to induce weight loss by limiting uptake of food passing through the stent. After a predetermined period, the stent degrades and passes from the body without surgical intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt Geitz
  • Cataract surgery devices and methods for using same
    Patent number: 7172601
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus having a surgical tip, comprising: cooling means for freeze-sealing mammalian tissue, and control means, which control and induce coolant flow from coolant supply means, through a coolant outflow tube into an expansion chamber at the surgical tip. The temperature at the tip is thus lowered to a temperature at which mammalian tissue contacting the expansion chamber would adhere to the apparatus. The apparatus additionally comprises electrically powered heating means acting to raise and regulate the temperature of the apparatus; control means for activating the heating means, and power supply means. The apparatus is especially useful for surgery of tissue within a capsule, such as cataract surgery. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus additionally comprises: a drill member coupled with a motor, an irrigation tube and an aspiration tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Itos International Ltd.
    Inventor: Joshua Ben-Nun
  • Medical device with magnetic resonance visibility enhancing structure
    Patent number: 7172624
    Abstract: A medical device that inhibits distortion of medical resonance images taken of the device. In particular, various structures are utilized to allow visibility proximate, and inside of, a tubular member, such as a stent. In one embodiment, the stent does not contain electrically conductive loops. In an alternative embodiment, rings in the stent are arranged such that current in one ring portion is opposed by current in another ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Lixiao Wang
  • Sealing sleeve for sealing residual limb in a prosthetic socket
    Patent number: 7169188
    Abstract: A prosthetic socket is fitted at a distance from its distal end with an annular chamber. This annular chamber is closed by a contour-conforming sealing wall facing the inner side of the prosthetic socket, said wall being designed to hermetically rest against the outer side of a residual limb. The space between the contour-conforming wall and the hard prosthetic socket is vented to atmosphere, whereby self-enhancing compression by the sealing wall against a residual limb arises when a partial vacuum arises in the distal prosthetic socket between the wall and the distal end. A liner having a sealing wall also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ossur hf
    Inventor: Felix Carstens
  • Active shock module prosthesis
    Patent number: 7169190
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing shock module comprises two pylons telescopingly engaged to permit axial and rotational motion therebetween. A resilient element, such as a spring-fluid combination, a plurality of interconnected disks, or a Belleville spring, provides axial shock absorption. A tubular torque-resisting cuff provides rotational resistance, or torsion-resistance. A fluid valve is optionally provided so that the fluid pressure may be varied to adjust the torsion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: Össur. hf
    Inventors: Van L. Phillips, Hilary D. Pouchak
  • Prosthetic or orthotic sleeve having external surface peripheral profiles
    Patent number: 7169189
    Abstract: A prosthetic or orthotic sleeve includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a center portion extending between the distal and proximal portions. An external surface of the sleeve includes at least one peripheral profile portion having an undulating wall thickness defined as a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ossur hf
    Inventors: Asmundur Bergmann Bjarnason, Magnus Oddsson
  • Voice prosthesis
    Patent number: 7166128
    Abstract: A voice prosthesis to be mounted in a fistula between trachea and esophagus comprises a spool-shaped element with a through passage and a valve mechanism controlling the connection through said passage and having sealing surfaces which can be pressed against each other, means being provided to produce a magnet force acting between the sealing surfaces to keep said surfaces pressed against each other in the closed position of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Atos Medical AB
    Inventor: Jan-Ove Persson
  • Heart valve repair apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 7166126
    Abstract: Valve repair apparatus and methods for ensuring proper coaptation and operation of the leaflets of a heart valve. Main aspects of the disclosure relate to devices including a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, a post extending from the support member away from the plane of the annulus and a connector coupled with the post and configured for attachment to at least one of the leaflets. The various embodiments may include a replacement heart valve connected with the support member for facilitating full replacement as opposed to near repair of an existing native heart valve. Various other devices include support structure and one or more posts connected to opposite sides of the support structure and extending from one side of the valve annulus to another to modify the shape of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Spence, Mark Ortiz
  • Intraluminal grafting system
    Patent number: 7166125
    Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a delivery catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a capsule mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member and including a graft disposed within the capsule. The graft is comprised of a tubular body configured to be secured to a blood vessel by a self expanding attachment system. The attachment system comprises a generally sinusoidal wire frame having apices which extend longitudinally outward from the end of the tubular body apices which are secured within the tubular body. Both the protruding apices and the base apices are formed with helices which bias the attachment system radially outward. The attachment system further includes a plurality of lumen piercing members that are oriented in a responsive relationship to the radially outward bias of the attachment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Baker, Dinah B. Quiachon, Alec A. Piplani, Wesley D. Sterman, Ronald G. Williams
  • Bioprosthesis and method for suturelessly making same
    Patent number: 7163556
    Abstract: A bioprosthetic valve graft comprises a valve frame and valve flaps, the latter acting to open or close a valve aperture to directionally control fluid flow through the bioprosthesis. The bioprosthetic valve graft comprises a biomaterial suturelessly bonded to the valve frame, avoiding sutures and substantially reducing medical complications in implantations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Providence Health System - Oregon
    Inventors: Hua Xie, Lisa A. Buckley
  • Modular stent graft assembly and use thereof
    Patent number: 7160318
    Abstract: A modular stent graft assembly (10) for repairing a ruptured abdominal aorta aneurysm (90) and having an aortic section tubular graft (12) and an iliac section tubular graft (14). The aortic section graft has a proximal attachment stent (32) thereon for suprarenal attachment of the assembly (10) to the aorta. A proximal end portion (50) of the iliac section graft (14) underlies the distal end portion (28) of the aortic graft (12) and presses outwardly thereagainst forming a a friction fit, at a telescoping region (64). The assembly (10) can be selected from an inventory (300) containing a set of delivery systems (100) of four size aortic section grafts (12) and a set of delivery systems (200) of four size iliac section grafts (14), that together accommodate a large majority of aneurysm sizes, and delivery systems (250) containing four standard sizes of occluders (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy K. Greenberg, Jason A. Mead
  • Hip replacement incision locator
    Patent number: 7160307
    Abstract: Methods and devices for performing hip replacement surgery are described. According to one embodiment, a method comprising providing an incision locator comprising a first wing and a second wing, the first wing adapted to be oriented generally along the femoral axis of a femur forming the hip on which the surgery is being conducted, positioning a proximal portion of the first wing adjacent to the greater trochanter, positioning other portions of first wing generally parallel to the femoral axis, indicating a proper placement of an incision based at least in part on the position of the second wing of the incision locator, performing an incision using at least one incision guide in at least one of the first and second wings, and completing the surgical procedure is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: David Harwood, Phillip Frederick, Russell Walter
  • Sigmoid notch implant
    Patent number: 7160331
    Abstract: A sigmoid notch resurfacing prosthesis for application to the sigmoid notch of the distal radius. The sigmoid notch prosthesis generally includes a saddle and a radius portion for attachment to the distal radius. The saddle may be formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or another durable self-lubricating material. The saddle includes an at least partially concave contoured depression having rounded edges that is securable to the radius portion. The saddle may be secured by a sliding notch snap fit design. The prosthesis may be adapted for articulation with the natural head of the ulna or with an ulnar head prosthesis that has replaced the ulnar head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Research and Education
    Inventors: William P. Cooney, III, Richard A. Berger, David A. Leibel
  • Set of humeral components for total shoulder prosthesis
    Patent number: 7156878
    Abstract: A set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, wherein each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation in the form of a portion of a sphere. The offset between an axis of symmetry of this surface and a central axis of the metaphyseal part varies between the different components of the set. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during a movement of adduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Tornier
    Inventors: Alain Tornier, Francois Sirveaux, Gilles Walch, Daniel Mole, Christophe Levigne, Pascal Boileau, Luc Favard
  • Femur fixture and set of femur fixtures
    Patent number: 7156879
    Abstract: A femur fixture for a hip-joint prosthesis comprising an intraosseous anchoring structure of a generally circular cross-section for screwing laterally into a complementary bore drilled laterally into the neck of a femur after resection of the femur head to an anchored position. The intraosseous anchoring structure has a proximal end, a distal end, a relatively short frusto-conical proximal section at the proximal end, and a proximal cylindrical section having a screw thread profile thereon. The proximal cylindrical section extends from the frusto-conical proximal section towards the distal end of the anchoring structure. The frusto-conical proximal section and the proximal cylindrical section each being dimensioned so as to bear against the cortex of the femur neck when the intraosseous anchoring structure is in the anchored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Astra Tech AB
    Inventors: Tomas Albrektsson, Lars Carlsson, Magnus Jacobsson, Warren MacDonald, Stig Wennberg