Patents Examined by David Isabella
  • Adjustable absorber designs for implantable device
    Patent number: 8709090
    Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing device changes the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Moximed, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Clinton N. Slone, Alan C. Regala, Michael E. Landry, William G. Tammen
  • Method and device for treatment of mitral insufficiency
    Patent number: 8709074
    Abstract: A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences AG
    Inventors: Jan Otto Solem, Per-Ola Kimblad, Randolf von Oepen, Bodo Quint, Gerd Seibold, Kenneth J. Michlitsch, Suk-Woo Ha, Karl-Ludwig Eckert, Ib Joergensen, Stevan Nielsen
  • Flanged graft with trim lines
    Patent number: 8709069
    Abstract: A vascular graft with trim lines is described, the trim lines providing a guide for precision shaping of the cuff. The trim lines may be printed or otherwise disposed on a surface of the cuff or included on a template designed for disposition over the cuff. The trim lines may also be disposed on a side of a pocket into which the cuff is positioned for trimming. Also described is an apparatus and method for precise trimming of a vascular graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Scholz, John D. McDermott, Robert M. Carr, Jr., Debra A. Bebb
  • Two-piece prosthetic valve
    Patent number: 8709076
    Abstract: A two-piece prosthetic valve having first and second members, a first end of the first member being sized and configured to receive a second end of the second member therein, the second end of the second member being attached to the first member at at least one commissure connection point to form at least one leaflet therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cormatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Matheny, Zachary Reinhardt
  • Stent with preferential coating
    Patent number: 8709071
    Abstract: This invention relates to stents, a type of implantable medical device, with an antiproliferative coating and a prohealing luminal coating and methods of fabricating stents with an antiproliferative coating and a prohealing luminal coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Huang, David C. Gale, Daniel A. Castro, Vincent J. Gueriguian
  • Actuator assembly for prosthetic or orthotic joint
    Patent number: 8709097
    Abstract: A system and method associated with the movement of a limb. In one example, the system, such as a prosthetic or orthotic system, includes an actuator that actively controls, or adjusts, the angle between a foot unit and a lower limb member. The actuator preferably selectively locks during a desired phase in a gait cycle and minimizes friction against a rotor of the actuator. A processing module may control movement of the actuator based on data obtained from a sensor module. For instance, data may include information relating to a user's gait and may be used to adjust the foot unit to substantially mimic the movement of a natural ankle. The system may accommodate level ground walking, traveling up/down stairs or sloped surfaces, and various other user movements. In addition, the processing module may receive user input, such as a heel height, or display output signals through an external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Össur hf
    Inventors: Helgi Jónsson, Arinbjörn Viggo Clausen, Gudni Ingimarsson, Christophe Lecomte, Larus Sigfusson, Heiörún Gígja Ragnarsdóttir
  • Ocular implant with substantially constant retinal spacing for transmission of nerve-stimulation light
    Patent number: 8709078
    Abstract: An improved prosthesis and method for stimulating vision nerves to obtain a vision sensation that is useful for the patient that has lost vision due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and other diseases. The present invention utilizes infrared light to cause action potentials in the retinal nerves similar to those which result from rods and cones stimulated by visible light in healthy retinas. In some embodiments, the invention provides a pathway or “image pipe” for transmitting a stimulation pattern of infrared light from an external stimulator array through the eye and focusing the stimulation pattern of infrared light on the retina, especially the fovea. Some embodiments provide improved resolution down to a group of nerves, or even the individual nerve level, with sufficient energy density so as to cause a desired action potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Friend, Yongdan Hu
  • Endoprosthesis
    Patent number: 8709072
    Abstract: A stent includes a MOF which adjusts pore size upon desorption or adsorption of organic molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mourad Rahi, Liliana Atanasoska, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Robert W. Warner, Barry Cool
  • Bilateral vertebral body derotation system
    Patent number: 8709015
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system including an implant assembly and an instrument configured to work in conjunction to manipulate vertebral bodies to affect derotation. The implant assemblies include a removable attachment element that allows for the attachment of the instrument. The instrument is configured to attach to two implant assemblies that have been inserted bilaterally into a vertebral body. When the instrument is attached to the implant assemblies, forces applied to the instrument are translated and transferred to the implant assemblies and the vertebral body into which the implant assemblies have been inserted thereby providing a rotational force on the vertebral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kolb, James R. Donahue, Christopher Mickiewicz
  • Double bundle ACL repair
    Patent number: 8702796
    Abstract: A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: IMDS Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Myers
  • Thermoelastic and superelastic Ni—Ti—W alloy
    Patent number: 8702790
    Abstract: A radiopaque nitinol stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element including tungsten. The added tungsten in specified amounts improve the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. Furthermore, the nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lee Pelton, John F. Boylan
  • Artificial wear resistant plug for mounting to existing joint bone
    Patent number: 8702801
    Abstract: An artificial and wear-resistant plug mounted to an existing bone associated with a joint structure and which includes a three dimensional and composite platicized material. An end surface of an existing bone is reconditioned in preparation for engagement of the plug thereto and in order to define a reconditioned artificial wear surface. In a preferred application, a pair end mounted plugs are arranged in opposing fashion between first and second bones and respectively define a male receiving end and a female socket. A lubricant retaining and cartilage defining exterior layer is applied to one or both of opposing surfaces of the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Outer tube for stent repositioning and deployment
    Patent number: 8702784
    Abstract: A drainage stent delivery system including a stent, a guide catheter, a push catheter, and an outer sheath. The guide catheter extends through the lumen of the stent and the push catheter is disposed over a portion of the guide catheter proximal of the distal end of the stent. The outer sheath is slidably disposed over the push catheter and surrounding at least a portion of the stent. The outer sheath may be actuated from a first position in which a distal portion of the outer sheath surrounds the stent to a second position in which the distal portion of the outer sheath is proximal of the stent. The stent delivery system may also include a retention mechanism for selectively coupling the stent to the outer sheath which may selectively decouple the stent from the outer sheath through rotational and/or translational motion of the outer sheath relative to the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michal Weisman, Eric Schneider, Gary J. Leanna
  • Intra-oral appliance and methods of using same
    Patent number: 8696352
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for correcting facial features and oral function in a subject. Also provided are a plurality of intra-oral appliances, which make up the system. The intra-oral appliances each include an appliance body configured for engaging one or more of the gingival-buccal area, the gingivolabial area, and the vestibular area of the subject's mouth, and include one or more extensions for at least partly defining the cavity in the vestibule of the subject's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Judy Lanfried
  • Tibial component of an artificial knee joint
    Patent number: 8696755
    Abstract: A tibial component of an artificial knee joint is provided which cooperates with a femoral component to allow pivoting rotation of the artificial knee joint in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The tibial component includes a plate with a tapered dovetail rib thereon which allows an insert to be removably secured thereto to act as a meniscal structure for the tibial component. The insert has a proximal surface with left and right wells therein that include valleys to guide rotation of one condylar leg of a femoral component while holding a second condylar leg of the femoral component within the other one of the wells, allowing pivoting rotation in either direction. A nesting of the insert into a portion of the plate minimizes an overall height of the tibial component and minimizing tibial bone resection, while providing a greater resistance to shear forces upon the knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Steven L. Mandell
  • Methods and devices for implants with calcium phosphate
    Patent number: 8696759
    Abstract: Implants with a calcium phosphate containing layer are disclosed. The implants, which can have a metallic character (e.g., made from a cobalt chromium alloy), can include a surface that is exposed to one or more formulations that results in a chemical and/or physical modification. In some instances, the modified surface is texturized so as to include a plurality of surface pits. The average pit size opening can range, for example, from 40 nm to about 10 ?m, and can include a plurality of average pit sizes in some cases. The modified surfaces can promote growth of a calcium phosphate layer, which can be accelerated relative to conventional techniques. Other variations of such implant surfaces, and methods of producing similar implant surfaces, are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Weidong Tong, Larry Salvati, Pooja Kadambi
  • Reinforced commissural support structure
    Patent number: 8696737
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling commissural tip deflection of a prosthetic valve, thereby both preventing failure due to repeated movement and/or uneven loading of the commissural points and also improving coaptation of the valve leaflets, including connecting reinforcing material between the commissural points so a spring-like span is created across the points. The spanning material may be in the form of a ring that is lashed, sewn or otherwise connected to the commissural points. The reinforcing material may form curved segments between the commissural points that extend outwardly to form sinuses behind the leaflets of the prosthetic valve. The reinforcing material may also extend in an upstream direction to avoid interfering with blood flowing out of the prosthetic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: HLT, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gainor
  • Prosthetic apparatus and control method
    Patent number: 8696763
    Abstract: The invention provides a prosthetic apparatus (10) and method of operating the same. The prosthetic apparatus (10) includes an upper limb prosthesis (12) comprising at least one mechanically operable digit (14) and at least one sensor configured to be disposed on the user. The at least one sensor being operative to sense a path described by the sensor during movement thereof by the user and to provide a sensed path output in dependence upon the path. The apparatus (10) also includes a processor (24) operative to provide for actuation of the at least one digit (14) in dependence on the sensed path output having a predetermined characteristic and such that the at least one digit (14) moves in a predetermined fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Touch EMAS Ltd.
    Inventor: Hugh Gill
  • Artificial intervertebral disc
    Patent number: 8696749
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Blackstone Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lyons, Stephen M. Green, Matthew A. Keary
  • Talar implants and methods of use
    Patent number: 8690956
    Abstract: Implant devices, and method of using the same, are provided. The implant devices have a head and a stem. The head has an upper surface, a perimeter surface, and a lower surface. The upper surface is blended into the perimeter surface. The perimeter surface is blended into the lower surface. The upper surface has a general shape of at least a portion of a superior articular surface of a talus and at least a portion of a medial articular surface of a talus. The stem has a cylindrical portion, which optionally has at least one circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fellowship of Orthopaedic Researchers, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Cook, Shoib Bajaj, Peter Strzepa