Patents Examined by Jonathan W Miles
  • Microsurgical handle and instrument
    Patent number: 9149389
    Abstract: A microsurgical handle and instrument may include an actuation structure having an actuation structure distal end and an actuation structure proximal end, a plurality of actuation arms of the actuation structure, and an actuation structure base. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to extend the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to expand an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of the actuation arms. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to retract the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to collapse an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of actuation arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Craig Moore, Matthew N Zeid
  • Devices and methods for dilating a paranasal sinus opening and for treating sinusitis
    Patent number: 9149616
    Abstract: Medical devices which are adapted to be inserted into a patient for a limited period of time using minimally invasive insertion procedures for dilating a stenotic opening, such as a stenotic sinus opening, are provided. The devices and methods can be used for treating sinusitis and other nasal and/or sinus disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SinuSys Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Edgren, William Jason Fox, William L. Gould, Jerome E. Hester, Bradley F. Marple, Curtis Leslie Rieser, Thomas A. Schreck
  • Method for use of a double-structured tissue implant for treatment of tissue defects
    Patent number: 9149562
    Abstract: A method for use of a double-structured tissue implant or a secondary scaffold stand alone implant for treatment of tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A method of use of a stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit for treatment of tissue defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Histogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Sonya Shortkroff, Laurence J. B. Tarrant, Eric J. Roos, Robert Lane Smith, Hans P. I. Claesson
  • Delivery catheter system with micro and macro movement control
    Patent number: 9144494
    Abstract: A prosthetic valve delivery system that is improved in controllability by way of a proximal handle system. Such a handle system of the present invention advantageously permits a controlled fine or micro movement or adjustment of a distal sheath for uncovering a plunger that is to be loaded with a prosthetic valve for deployment thereof. The delivery system of the present invention permits a trigger-release for a gross or macro movement to the sheath relative to the plunger. Also, the control handle of the delivery system is shaped and contoured for ease in manipulation of the micro-control actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Murray, Sameer Upadhyaya, Mark Casley, Patrick MacAulay, Ak Masud, Paul Cassidy, David Clarke
  • Ophthalmic surgical system and a control apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 9144517
    Abstract: A control device for an ophthalmic surgical system includes a flow determination device for determining an actual value of fluid flow in an aspiration line. The aspiration line is coupled to a handpiece for phacoemulsification of an eye lens and an occlusion determination device determines whether there is an occlusion because of a particle of the eye lens at a suction opening of the aspiration line. An evaluation unit establishes a hardness of the particle in dependence on the determined actual value of the fluid flow in the aspiration line should the occlusion determination device have determined that an occlusion is present, and, dependent on the hardness, determines a first value of ultrasound energy, which can be supplied to the handpiece by an energy source. A control unit actuates the energy source, during the occlusion, so that it outputs the determined first value of the ultrasound energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kuebler, Wolfram Wehner, Karlheinz Rein
  • Valve prosthesis deployment assembly and method
    Patent number: 9144493
    Abstract: The delivery systems disclosed herein can create simultaneous movement of an inner and an outer sheath of the delivery system. The delivery systems can generally include a handle assembly and a delivery catheter. In certain embodiments, the inner shaft and the outer sheath can be slidably controlled by a control element in the handle. The handle assembly can include a housing with a thumbwheel acting as the control element. In certain embodiments, movement of the inner shaft and the outer sheath can be caused via a gear-type system. In certain embodiments, the handle assembly can include a rotatable housing. A control element can rotate the housing, which can cause a first boss associated with the outer sheath and a second boss associated with the inner shaft to move in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway Limited
    Inventors: Damian Carr, Kate Corish, Niall Duffy, Ronan Rogers, Yossi Tuval, Frank White, Declan Costello, John Gallagher, James Kearns, Edmond Sheahan, Matthew Rust
  • Apparatus and method for tissue adhesion
    Patent number: 9138233
    Abstract: An array of a plurality of shape memory material microposts have a proximal end configured to be secured to a substrate with a tissue penetrating distal end. The microposts further have a deployment state with the microposts in a substantially straightened configuration with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface which is substantially parallel to adjacent microposts and an engaged state wherein at least a section of the microposts assume a configuration that is not substantially parallel to adjacent microposts or is not substantially straight with a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface so as to mechanically capture tissue adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: MICOKOLL INC.
    Inventor: Steven Craig Anderson
  • Devices for reducing the size of an internal tissue opening
    Patent number: 9138208
    Abstract: A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The closure device can include a body portion operatively associated with a first anchor and a second anchor. The body portion can include a plurality of segments defining a multi-cellular structure. The closure device can be configured to apply lateral force to tissue of the internal tissue opening to bring tissue together. The closure device can have a substantially flat aspect, and have a depth thickness that is substantially greater than the thickness or width of a majority of the members forming the closure device to reduce out of plane bending. The closure device can also include a member adapted to induce tissue growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Coherex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Linder, Clark C. Davis, Scott D. Miles, DeWayne C. Fox, Daryl R. Edmiston
  • Devices and methods for dilating a paranasal sinus opening and for treating sinusitis
    Patent number: 9138569
    Abstract: Medical devices which are adapted to be inserted into a patient for a limited period of time using minimally invasive insertion procedures for dilating a stenotic opening, such as a stenotic sinus opening, are provided. The devices and methods can be used for treating sinusitis and other nasal and/or sinus disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SinuSys Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Edgren, William Jason Fox, William L. Gould, Jerome E. Hester, Bradley F. Marple, Curtis Leslie Rieser, Thomas A. Schreck
  • Shock wave catheter system with arc preconditioning
    Patent number: 9138249
    Abstract: A shock wave catheter system and method produces a shock wave with reduced energy. The system includes a catheter and a power source. The catheter has an elongated carrier and a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto. The balloon is arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon. The catheter further includes an arc generator including at least two electrodes within the balloon. The power source is coupled to the at least two electrodes and is configured to grow a bubble at one of the at least two electrodes and then thereafter to rapidly expand the bubble to form a shock wave within the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: John Adams, Randy Holmberg
  • Suturing devices and methods for closing a patent foramen ovale
    Patent number: 9131938
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale. Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms adapted to hold end portions of a suture when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a proximal-to-distal direction to engage the suture end held by the first suture clasp arm, and a second suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum primum to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum secundum to deliver a suture thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Nobles Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Benjamin G. Brosch, Steven E. Decker, Michael J. Mullen
  • Fluid ejection device, fluid ejection method, and medical apparatus
    Patent number: 9131952
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device for ejecting a fluid to incise or excise a target includes: a fluid supplying unit which supplies the fluid; an operation unit to which the fluid supplied from the fluid supplying unit continues; a fluid ejection tube which ejects the fluid continuing to the operation unit; an ejection mode selecting unit which allows a predetermined ejection mode to be selected; an acceleration sensor which detects an operation acceleration of the operation unit; and a controller which controls ejection of the fluid, using a preset acceleration that is set on the basis of the ejection mode that is selected, and the operation acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kojima
  • Flexible nosecone for percutaneous device
    Patent number: 9125653
    Abstract: A for gathering tissue of a heart valve leaflet may include an outer tube extending in an elongation direction and having an open distal end, a capture tool movable in the outer tube between a contained position and a use position, a tissue securing component disposed at the open distal end of the outer tube, a nosecone removably assembled over the open distal end of the outer tube in a protective condition, and an actuation member joined to a central portion of the nosecone and extending into a lumen of the outer tube. The capture tool may be operable to capture tissue of the heart valve leaflet. The nosecone may have a central portion that extends across the open distal end of the outer tube and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and overlying an outer surface of the outer tube adjacent the open distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Melinda K. Kovach
  • Detachable ratcheting shaft for specimen retrieval bag
    Patent number: 9113849
    Abstract: A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Emily Davis
  • External suture securement devices and methods
    Patent number: 9107655
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems for securing sutures external to the body. In certain aspects, a suture securement device includes a base paddle defining a slot and a suture aperture in communication with the slot, and a rotating paddle having an extension arm with a suture aperture. In such embodiments, the extension arm can rotate within the slot to frictionally crimp a suture, such that the suture is substantially prevented from moving with the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Cleon Stanley
  • Suturing and ligating method
    Patent number: 9107657
    Abstract: A suturing and ligating method includes a needle piercing step of inserting a needle of a suture-needle assembly through a tissue in a body cavity, a needle gripping step of gripping the needle with a first gripper, a winding step of winding a suture strand of the suture-needle assembly in at least one turn around a first distal-end working unit by rolling the first distal-end working unit in at least one revolution, a transferring step of transferring the suture-needle assembly from the first gripper to a second gripper, a suture strand gripping step of gripping a portion of the suture strand that has not passed through the tissue, with the first gripper, a pulling step of pulling the first distal-end working unit out of a loop of the suture strand, and a tightening step of forming a knot of the suture strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kazunori Uchida, Tsuneyoshi Suzuki, Hirofumi Mugishima, Shinji Ishida, Hiroaki Sano
  • Attachment device for tissue approximation and retraction
    Patent number: 9107654
    Abstract: An attachment system for tissue apposition or manipulation and a method of attaching a suture to a tissue for apposition or manipulation of the tissue are provided. The system includes an attachment device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The attachment device further includes a tissue attachment portion operably connected to the distal portion wherein the tissue attachment portion has a shape that is maintained throughout a tissue apposition procedure. The attachment device also includes a suture operably connected to the body and having an unconnected proximal end and a retaining structure at the proximal portion of the body. The retaining structure configured to releasably mate with a complementary retaining structure on a stylet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Chang, Kevin Chmura, Richard W. Ducharme, Tyler E. McLawhorn
  • Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
    Patent number: 9107726
    Abstract: This present invention generally relates to devices and methods for repairing an aperture in a biological tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue including a handle, an elongate shaft connected to the handle, and a deployment scaffold connected to the shaft, in which the scaffold is configured to releasably retain a surgical implant and the scaffold is configured to deploy and attach the surgical implant to the biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ofek Levin, Arie Levy, Lena Levin
  • Systems and delivery handles for delivering prosthetic heart valves disposed on valve holders
    Patent number: 9101471
    Abstract: A system delivering a prosthetic heart valve includes a delivery handle, a heart valve, and a valve holder. The delivery handle includes a rod, a button, and a valve holder attachment interface, where the button is configured to move between a first position and a second position along an axial length of the rod, and the valve holder attachment interface is mechanically coupled to the button and configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The heart valve includes a prosthetic valve. The valve holder is connected to a proximal end of the heart valve and includes a boss, a holder ring, and a handle attachment interface. The holder ring includes the heart valve mounted thereto and is coupled to the boss, and the handle attachment interface is formed on the boss and is configured to receive and mate with the valve holder attachment interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Holly Kleinschrodt
  • Apparatus having variable strut length and methods of use
    Patent number: 9101503
    Abstract: A tubular prosthesis has a plurality of tubular rings that are radially expandable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Each ring comprises a plurality of axially oriented struts that are interconnected so as to form a circumferential series of at least one high peak and at least one low peak. The high and low peaks have apices that are oriented in the same axial direction. The apices of the high and low peaks are also oriented in the same direction and the apices of the high peaks are axially offset from the apices of the low peaks. A bridge member couples a pair of adjacent tubular rings together. The bridge member has a first end connected to a first low peak in a first tubular ring and a second end connected to either a high or low peak in an adjacent tubular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: J.W. MEDICAL SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: David Lowe, Craig Bonsignore, David W. Snow, Timothy Robinson, Joshua P. Wiesman, Dawn Henderson, Nathan Maier