Patents Examined by Jonathan A Hollm
  • Transaortic valve access device
    Patent number: 9539090
    Abstract: A valve insertion device for traversing a wire guide through a valve within an intraluminal passage. A wire guide is positioned near the outflow of a valve within an intraluminal passage. Alongside the wire guide, a pressure sensor is positioned to detect the pressure of the fluid in the intraluminal passage. As the valve opens, the fluid pressure at the outflow of the valve increases. This information is sent from the pressure sensor to a control system. From this information, the control system can determine when the valve will open and can actuate an advancement system to move the wire guide to traverse the open valve. After traversing the valve, various catheters and sheaths may be advanced over the wire guide through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John C. Sigmon, Jr., Jillian Haac, Michelle D. Martinez, Shaun D. Gittard, Devesh Amatya, Vihar C. Surti
  • Methods of transvascular retrograde access placement and devices for facilitating therein
    Patent number: 9511214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of transvascular retrograde access placement and to devices that facilitate these methods. For purposes of the present invention, transvascular retrograde access placement generally comprises the insertion of a vascular catheter into a central blood vessel through the puncturing of the central blood vessel from the inside of the central blood vessel with a needle or other similarly configured device, or a needle-tipped guidewire of the present invention, and exiting that needle from the patient through the skin rather than the traditional approach of inserting a needle from the outside of the skin surface to the inside of a blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: VASCULAR ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lakshmikumar Pillai
  • Nasal congestion, obstruction relief, and drug delivery
    Patent number: 9504599
    Abstract: A nasal insert may include a wall in the shape of a tube, the wall including a first end defining a first orifice and a second end defining a second orifice. The first end may have a diameter, diagonal measurement, or cross-sectional area larger than that of the second end. The first end may define at least one break in the wall, so that the first end incompletely encircles the first orifice. The second end may completely encircle the second orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SANOSTEC CORP
    Inventors: Ernest Santin, Louise S. MacDonald, Scott D. MacDonald
  • Automatically reloading suture passer devices and methods
    Patent number: 9492162
    Abstract: Suture passers and methods of use. Described herein are suture passers preloaded with suture, including cartridges that couple to a suture passer to form a loaded suture passer; the suture passer may be operated to pass one or more lengths of suture without having to be manually reloaded. In particular, described herein are preloaded and automatically reloading apparatuses typically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Murillo, Michael J. Hendricksen, Yoav Ben-Haim
  • Powered stereotactic positioning guide apparatus
    Patent number: 9492232
    Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a powered positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is operably detachable from the powered positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The powered positioning guide control assembly encloses an ultrasound transducer to visualize and target the tissue object, and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Choon Kee Lee
  • System and method for treating a surface
    Patent number: 9492001
    Abstract: System and method for treating a surface are provided. A flexible or adaptable pad for treating a surface may be particularly suitable for treatment of uneven surfaces. An apparatus may include a mounting section and a flexible surface comprising a plurality of treatment sections. The treatment sections may comprise an abrasive material. Cracks or grooves on a surface of the apparatus enable a first and second treatment sections to assume a respective first and second positions with respect to a treated surface. An edge of a groove may be designed to increase an abrasiveness of the apparatus and may remove material from a treated surface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Derma Dream Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Josef Luzon, Martin Gurovich
  • Indwelling catheter arrangement
    Patent number: 9474641
    Abstract: A stent graft delivery device (10) has an indwelling catheter (26) extending from a handle (12) through a pusher lumen and a stent graft lumen outside the guide wire catheter (32) of the delivery device towards the nose cone dilator (16). The indwelling catheter comprises a material able to transmit rotational and longitudinal movement (advancement and withdrawal) from the distal end to the proximal end thereof and a more flexible tip (24). The indwelling catheter facilitates catheterization of a branch artery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Krasnodar Ivancev
  • Catheter with releasable balloon and related methods
    Patent number: 9463106
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a balloon catheter and related methods are disclosed. In particular, one exemplary embodiment of a balloon catheter may include a balloon having an inlet opening for receiving inflation fluid and a one-way valve disposed in the inlet opening to allow inflow of the inflation fluid into the balloon while substantially preventing backflow of the inflation fluid from the balloon. The catheter may also include an elongated shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The shaft may be configured to supply the inflation fluid to the balloon through the lumen and to releasably couple the balloon to the distal end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Khieu, Daniel Horn, The Thomas Trinh Tran, Shannon Stroud, John Chen
  • Devices for retrieving a prosthesis
    Patent number: 9456812
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for implanting a prosthesis into a heart of a mammal, such as a person. The disclosure includes a prosthesis that acts as a pressure vent between the left and right atria of the heart. The disclosure also includes a mounting tool for mounting the prosthesis onto a loading tool, the loading tool useful for loading the prosthesis onto a device for delivering the prosthesis into the patient's heart. Control devices and methods for using these devices are also disclosed. The intracardiac pressure vents disclosed allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to relieve elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms. The devices also limit the amount of flow from the right atrium to the left atrium to minimize the potential for thrombi or other embolic material from entering arterial circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Corvia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Finch, Edward McNamara
  • Devices and methods for dilating tissues
    Patent number: 9446225
    Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for dilating tissues. In other variations, the dilatation device comprises a slotted or expandable tube that may expand to dilate tissue. In still other variations, the dilatation device comprises two or more hinged or movable plate members that separate to dilate tissue. In yet other variations, the dilation device may comprise one or more flexible members. One or more portions of the dilatation device may be detachable from the device in the body, and dilatation device may release one or more implants into the body. In some of these variations, the dilatation device may additionally be used to expand one or more implants or other devices within the body. In some variations the dilatation device may release one or more substances that may hold dilated tissue in a dilated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: INTERSECT ENT, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Abbate, Gail M. Zaler, Richard E. Kaufman, David C. Gale, Bin Huang, Susan P. Stimson
  • Microcatheter tip
    Patent number: 9446218
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dilator having a stiffened shaft for use as part of an introducer sheath assembly. The dilator includes a stiffener tube and a tip of the dilator which extends distally to the dilator stiffener tube. The transition between the stiffener tube and the tip of the dilator is positioned such that when the dilator is positioned within the catheter sheath, the transition is also positioned within the catheter sheath. By positioning the transition between the stiffener tube of the dilator and the tip of the dilator inside the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath can provide strain relief subsequent to lateral movement of the tip of the dilator in a manner that can prevent kinking of the dilator tip at the transition between the stiffener tip and the tip of the dilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerald Accisano, III
  • Apparatus and method for securing the stomach to the diaphragm for use, for example, in treating hiatal hernias and gastroesophageal reflux disease
    Patent number: 9414832
    Abstract: A patient's stomach may be secured to the patient's diaphragm. A method to accomplish this includes visualizing a wall of a patient's stomach adjacent the patient's diaphragm from within the patient's stomach, inserting a fastener deployment apparatus down the patient's esophagus and into the mammalian's stomach, and fastening the patient's stomach to the patient's diaphragm with the fastener deployment apparatus and from within the stomach. The procedure may be employed to advantage to treat a hiatal hernia, for example, either alone or in conjunction with the restoration of the patient's gastroesophageal flap valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: EndoGastric Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan J. M. Kraemer
  • Catheter with deflectable tip
    Patent number: 9398921
    Abstract: A catheter having a distal balloon and a deformable guidewire shaft of the catheter. The deformable guidewire shaft is adjacent to and external to the balloon. Inflation of the balloon bends the deformable guidewire shaft in order to orient or deflect a distal tip of the deformable guidewire shaft in a desired direction to guide and direct a guidewire extending through the deformable guidewire shaft towards a specific endovascular region. For example, it may be desired to orient the distal tip of the guidewire shaft towards a target vessel of a bifurcation or the balloon catheter may be used to bypass a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: INVATEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Piccagli
  • Instruments for stretching and/or expanding skin tissue
    Patent number: 9375285
    Abstract: Instruments are provided, representative embodiments of which have a first and a second jaw, from each of which at least one engaging element, whose distal end is suitable for engaging the skin tissue to be stretched, protrudes; an elastic member connecting the jaws, stressing them against each other when subjected to a traction force; and elements for adjusting the distance separating the jaws in the absence of traction force on the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Herniamesh S.r.l.
    Inventor: Pier Aldo Crepaldi
  • Catheter having guidewire channel
    Patent number: 9358142
    Abstract: Catheter for delivering an expandable prosthetic device. The catheter has a guidewire channel for delivering a side branch guidewire to a side branch target site. An expandable prosthetic device can be loaded on to the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Gerard Johnson
  • Control system for a stent delivery system
    Patent number: 9333103
    Abstract: A control system for controlling movement of a medical device delivery system, a stent delivery system and a method for controlling movement of a medical device delivery system are provided. The control system includes a first extendable arm comprising a plurality of first struts interconnected at intermediate points and end points of the first struts. The first arm is movable between a first position and a second position and the first arm is operably connected to one of the first shaft and the second shaft. The control system also includes a first actuator operably connected to the first arm and the first actuator is operable to move the first arm from the first position to the second position. Movement of the first arm moves the first shaft relative to the second shaft to change the position of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Kieran Costello
  • Apparatus and method for intragastric balloon with in situ adjustment means
    Patent number: 9326877
    Abstract: An intragastric balloon and method of adding and/or removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The intragastric balloon includes a shell, a grasping tab, and a self-sealing portion. A gastroscopic instrument which includes a grasping tool is inserted into the stomach of a patient and used to grasp the grasping tab located on the surface of the shell. Using the grasping tool, the intragastric balloon is securely fastened to the gastroscopic instrument. A filling instrument, such as a needle, is advanced through the self-sealing portion of the shell for the filling or deflating of the intragastric balloon. After inflation or deflation is complete, the filling instrument is then withdrawn from the balloon and the gastroscopic instrument withdrawn from the stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Janel Birk
  • Delivery device for an endoluminal prosthesis
    Patent number: 9308105
    Abstract: A system for endoluminally delivering and deploying a prosthesis includes a prosthesis comprising a self-expanding stent and a cover for retaining at least a portion of the self-expanding stent. The stent is biased into contact with an inner surface of the cover. The inner surface has a hardness that is equal to or greater than the hardness of the stent. Additional aspects of the invention are disclosed and include a method of manufacturing an endoluminal prosthesis delivery and deployment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James M. Carlson, Ronan T. Young
  • Lead extraction methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 9301773
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a device for assisting in removing an implanted lead is provided. The device comprises a body portion having a center adapted to accommodate the lead, a cutting component coupled to the body portion to assist in separating tissue from the lead, and at least one anchoring component disposed at least partially within the body portion, the at least one anchoring component capable of providing pressure on the lead that resists movement of at least part of the body portion along the lead at least in part by applying fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Leadex Cardiac Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Olomutzki, Roey Shafrir, Jacob Koren
  • Implant including a coil and a stretch-resistant member
    Patent number: 9289215
    Abstract: This invention is directed to implantable coils and, more particularly, to a coil implant having a stretch-resistant member internal to the coil. The implant of the invention is able to freely articulate and torque prior to delivery. Once delivered, the implant is no longer stretch resistant and is therefore able to substantially conform to the vascular site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Brian Michael Strauss, Todd Jeffrey Hewitt, Ramon Torres Carillo, Khoa Dang Vu, William Robert Patterson, Stacy Leon Faught, Lawrason Charles Wilbur, Scott William Brennan, Vince Divino