Patents Examined by Kevin Truong
  • Patent number: 6364893
    Abstract: The invention features a catheter assembly and methods for delivering a hydrogel-lined stent to a body lumen, and methods for lining a stent with a hydrogel. The assembly includes a catheter which has a balloon at least a portion of which is coated with a hydrogel and an expansible stent mounted on the balloon in a contracted condition for passage with the catheter to a site of a body. Expansion of the balloon lodges the stent in the body with hydrogel coated on the inner surfaces of the stent as a lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Sahatjian, James J. Barry, Maria Palasis
  • Patent number: 6361544
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that all portions of the side-branch vessel at the bifurcation are covered by the proximal angled stent. A main-vessel stent is provided for implanting in the main vessel, wherein the main-vessel stent has an aperture or stent cell that aligns with the opening to the side-branch vessel to permit unobstructed blood flow between the main vessel and the side-branch vessel. Side-branch and main-vessel catheter assemblies are advanced over a pair of guide wires for delivering, appropriately orienting, and implanting the proximal angled stent and the apertured stent. In one embodiment, a stent delivery assembly is provided for implanting a Y-shaped stent in a bifurcated vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Stan Wilson, Steve Bigus, Kevin M. Mauch
  • Patent number: 6361549
    Abstract: A method of suppressing tremors in the extremities of human beings by applying pressure to at least one selected location on the extremity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Anton Asatourian, Benjamin Sup Hyun, Gil Lipaz
  • Patent number: 6361546
    Abstract: A vascular filter is provided that includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and a guidewire lumen. An expandable frame is attached to the tubular member capable of assuming collapsed and enlarged conditions, and filter material is attached to the frame, the filter material having an open proximal end when the frame assumes its enlarged condition. An apparatus for recovering a vascular filter from a blood vessel is also provided that includes a sheath and a retrieval member deployable from the sheath. The retrieval member includes a connector on its distal end for securing the tubular member, such as an expandable member within a recess for receiving the tubular member. The vascular filter may be constrained in its collapsed condition in a sheath, and the tubular member advanced over a guidewire to a location downstream of a treatment site. The, vascular filter is deployed and expanded to its enlarged condition across the blood vessel, the guidewire remaining in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Endotex Interventional Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Farhad Khosravi
  • Patent number: 6361547
    Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventor: Grant Hieshima
  • Patent number: 6358268
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly; a shaft connected on one end to the handle assembly; and an end assembly extending from the other end of the shaft. The end assembly is constructed to include a fixed member including on one portion thereof a fixed scissor blade and on another portion thereof a fixed forcep jaw. The end assembly also includes a pivotable scissor blade for cutting tissue between the fixed scissor blade and the pivotable scissor blade and a pivotable forcep jaw for grasping tissue between the fixed forcep jaw and the pivotable forcep jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert B. Hunt, Gerald S. Melsky, Stephen C. Evans
  • Patent number: 6358263
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the stopping position of a surgical cutting tool relative to a tissue entrance location of a cannula housing the cutting tool. A signal processor is responsive to a motor activation signal to provide a motor activation signal to a motor control unit for driving a motor, which activates the cutting tool positioned in a cannula. The signal processor is responsive to a motor stop signal and to a stop position signal to stop the cutting tool relative to the tissue entrance location of the cannula to thereby avoid trapping a portion of the tissue base between the cutting tool and a boundary of the cannula opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Promex, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Michael E. Miller, Miklos T. Kara, Daniel John Henry, Brian McCary
  • Patent number: 6358265
    Abstract: Three embodiments of a single-step lancet are disclosed. Each such lancet embodiment provides true one-step operation. In a single operational step requiring only a unidirectional displacement of an actuator into a housing, a lancet blade is removed from an aseptic environment which protects and retains the lancet blade in a pre-sterilized state within the housing prior to use, stores energy in an energy storage medium, activates the lancet blade to perform a lance and for safety retracts the lancet blade into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Specialized Health Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gale H. Thorne, Jr., Michael A. Wilson, Charles V. Owen, David L. Thorne, B. Chance Bagley
  • Patent number: 6355047
    Abstract: A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth is described. The vacuum extractor includes a handle and a vacuum cup with a force sensor coupled to the vacuum extractor. The force sensor measures the traction force applied between the vacuum cup and the handle for assisting the birthing attendant in applying an appropriate traction force. The force sensor may also include a slipping mechanism which causes the length of the force sensor to distinctly increase if the applied traction force exceeds a certain level such as twenty pounds. Thus, the birthing attendant may feel the slipping and thus determine that the traction force has exceeded the certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Clinical Innovations
    Inventors: William Dean Wallace, Richard A. Dixon, Steven R. Smith, Christopher A. Cutler
  • Patent number: 6355046
    Abstract: An insertion device for inserting a deformable intraocular lens into the eye. The insertion device has a an enclosing member that is attached to the body of the insertion device and that has two hinge portions at a lens receiving section. Further, a retainer member is fitted onto the enclosing member and a holder fitted onto the body. The deformable intraocular lens is placed in the lens receiving section after the enclosing member is opened. When the holder is retracted, the intraocular lens is deformed by a tapered inner wall portion formed at a the tip end of the holder, so that the exterior size of the lens is reduced. Subsequently, a push rod supported by the body is advanced in order to insert the lens into the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Staar Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kikuchi, Toshiyuki Nakajima, Kenichi Kobayashi, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6352546
    Abstract: A tattoo needle pneumatic operating mechanism which utilizes a housing which has an internal cavity. A fan gear is rotatably mounted within the cavity. A cam is attached to the fan gear. Mounted on the cam is a cam lobe. The cam lobe is to engage with a cam surface which is mounted in conjunction with a slide. A tattoo needle is mounted to the slide. Revolving of the fan gear by air pressure causes the slide to reciprocate which causes the needle to reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Carson F. Hill
  • Patent number: 6352519
    Abstract: To reduce damage to surrounding tissue while fragmenting some tissue such as for example not damaging the capsular wall while removing the lens during cataract removal surgery or not damaging artery or vein walls during bypass surgery while freeing the artery or vein to be transplanted, an incision is made for the insertion of surface—a handpiece tip. The tip is rotated and reciprocated ultrasonically at the same time so that tissue is fragmented by the combined motion of a fragmenting surface perpendicular to the surface and at an angle to the surface many times during a single revolution or part of a revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventors: Aziz Y. Anis, Mark E. Steen
  • Patent number: 6352544
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for removing veins in a venous system of a patient. One device for removing undesired veins includes an elongated member having first and second lumens extending longitudinally therein. The first lumen extends from the proximal end of the elongated member to a first opening at the distal end of the member. The second lumen extends from the proximal end of the elongated member to a second opening in the side of the elongated member. The proximal end of the elongated body is coupled to a connector having two separate tubes that communicate with the respective first and second lumen for the injection and removal of fluid. A vein attachment member, attached to the elongated member, is adapted to be secured to the vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 6348060
    Abstract: An assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel is comprised of a catheter, an inflation expandable stent, an expandable balloon, and a fugitive stent mounting body within the balloon. The assembly is used in a method for delivering and deploying a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Brown
  • Patent number: 6348061
    Abstract: A selectively coupleable and remotely actuateable surgical attachment for use with an electromechanical driver device for use in expanding occluded vessels and lumens. The attachment includes an axial rod which is coupleable to the electromechanical driver device, and which is selectively rotateable in accordance with the action of the electromechanical driver device. The rod is also threaded in opposing orientations at either end thereof. A pair of nuts are mounted to the rod, and specifically on the opposing threads. The rod and nuts are disposed within an axial track which permits the rod to turn, but constrains the rotational motion of the nuts, thereby permitting the nuts to move axially along the threadings of the rod when the rod turns. Attached to the nuts are a series of jointed spokes which are coupled to a flexible tubular shroud which surrounds the entire assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Powermed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 6346110
    Abstract: A chamber is provided that allows a user to medicate an implantable prosthesis such as a stent. The implantable prosthesis is capable of securing a therapeutic substance and subsequently delivering the therapeutic substance to local tissues. The chamber allows a user to medicate the prosthesis subsequent to the sterilization process and immediately prior to the implantation procedure. The chamber includes a hollow body defining a chamber cavity that encapsulates the prosthesis crimped on a balloon of a catheter assembly. The chamber is removably mounted on the catheter assembly. A user can supply therapeutic substances into the chamber and allow the therapeutic substances to be secured by the prosthesis. After allowing the prosthesis to be soaked by the therapeutic substances for a predetermined amount of time, the chamber is removed and the prosthesis is ready for the implantation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Z. Wu
  • Patent number: 6346102
    Abstract: A device for sterilizing females by occluding the uterotubal junction. The device includes a catheter with a releasable heat generating plug which is used to thermally damage the uterotubal junction and cause it to constrict around the plug, after which the plug is released from the catheter and left in place in the uterotubal junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Adiana, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Harrington, Brett Bowman, Peter M. Breining
  • Patent number: 6346115
    Abstract: A sliding knife and needle assembly for creating a percutaneous incision or portal in a living body comprises an elongate hollow rectangular handle having a closed first end, an open second end and a slot extending along one side, with the handle defining a first central longitudinal axis. A knife blade and introducer assembly is slidably housed inside the handle for sliding along the axis. The knife blade is substantially flat and rigidly attached to one end of the introducer. The introducer has a longitudinal bore which extends along a second axis parallel to the first axis. A locking button is attached to the introducer and extends through the slot in the handle. A needle is affixed to the first end of the handle and extends through the second axis and beyond the second end of the handle. The needle extends through the bore in the introducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6346117
    Abstract: A bag for use in the intravascular treatment of saccular aneurysms and a method of forming the bag are disclosed. The bag is formed from a plurality of flexible, resilient filamentary members braided into a tubular sleeve and biased into a first shape having an expanded first diameter sized to substantially fill the aneurysm. The bag is resiliently deformable into a second shape having a diameter smaller than the first and sized to slidingly interfit within the lumen of a catheter. An opening is provided in the bag to receive a clotting medium, such as a platinum wire, on which blood clots can be induced to form by mechanical or electrolytic means. A closure is provided by biasing the filamentary members to form a constriction around the opening. In use the, bag is inserted into a saccular aneurysm via the catheter and expands to its first diameter upon release therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Prodesco, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Skott Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 6346113
    Abstract: A multi-purpose and multi-use cleaning or treating device, in particular for personal hygiene includes at least a cleaning or treating head (20, 13). This head includes a substantially flat cleaning element (20) made of sponge plastic material capable of adopting any desired shape by the effect of forces applied thereon and to resume at least partially its original shape, preferably plane, when these forces are absent, and a support (13) whose shape the element (20) can match when it is folded down and arranged thereon for covering it at least partially. Retainer (30) co-operates with the element (20) and the handle (10) to ensure proper hold of the element on the support. The support (13) includes gripping means directly mounted, such as grooves, or intrinsic, by the very material of which the support is made, for example a resin or an elastomer. The supports can be of different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Arsline S.A.
    Inventor: Achille Turri