Patents Examined by Kevin Truong
  • Bifurcated stent delivery system having retractable sheath
    Patent number: 6254593
    Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for treating bifurcated vessels. The catheter assembly of the present invention includes a tubular sheath for restraining dual balloons normally biased apart. Withdrawal of the sheath allows the balloons to separate and deploy intravascular stents in a bifurcated vessel. The catheter assembly also includes the feature of containing two guide wire lumens in a single catheter designed to track over a single wire prior to arrival at the bifurcation, thus preventing wire wrapping and crossing of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Stan Wilson
  • Medical instrument for removing tissue
    Patent number: 6251120
    Abstract: A medical instrument for removing tissue in the human or animal body has a tubular shaft that has at least one window in the region of its distal end. The instrument moreover has a cutting element that is arranged in the shaft in the region of the window and is connected to a drive shaft, extending in the shaft, by way of which the cutting element can be driven rotationally about its longitudinal axis, the shaft having at least one bending point. The drive shaft terminates proximally from the bending point and is connected to the cutting element through the bending point by way of at least one flexible wire element. The wire element is attached to the drive shaft eccentrically with respect to the latter's longitudinal center axis and to the cutting element eccentrically with respect to the latter's longitudinal center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Dorn
  • Medical treatment of a diseased anatomical duct
    Patent number: 6248116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a medical device comprising an implant for the treatment of an affection of an anatomical duct. A part of the duct (V) wall is lined on the outside with at least one lining (140′a), essentially facing the proximal and/or distal ends of the implant (100). Means of fastening (361) the lining to the implant apply, through the duct wall, the implant against this duct, and means of setting both the lining and the fastening means allow their positioning around said duct. In particular, application to the treatment of an aneurysm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: B. Braun Celsa
    Inventors: Gérard Chevillon, Guy Nadal, Samy Anidjar
  • Puncturing device
    Patent number: 6248120
    Abstract: A puncturing device according to the invention comprises a sleeve (1), a push element (2) mounted at one end of the sleeve (1), a piston (5) having a puncturing tip (7) slidably mounted in the sleeve (1), a drive spring (9) positioned between the face end of the push element (2) and the piston (5) and a return spring (10) positioned inside the said sleeve (1) between its bottom (3) with an opening (4) for the puncturing tip (7) and the said piston (5) characterized in that the sleeve (1) has wings (11) directed inwardly and the projection (12) of the piston (5) rests on the said wings (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: P. Z. “HTL” Spolka Akcyjna
    Inventor: Wojciech Wyszogrodzki
  • Device and method for endoscopic vascular surgery
    Patent number: 6248119
    Abstract: A site is prepared along a wall of a receiving blood vessel for connecting a prospective blood vessel thereto without interrupting the flow of blood through the receiving blood vessel. A device for the preparation comprises an elongated member and a sealing means. The device has a head portion to which the elongated member is connected, and a cutting means provided at a distal part of the head portion for making an initial opening in the receiving blood vessel. The sealing means is provided on the head portion proximally of the cutting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Jan Otto Solem
  • Selective adherence of stent-graft coverings, mandrel and method of making stent-graft device
    Patent number: 6245099
    Abstract: A method for selectively bonding layers of polymeric material, especially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), to create endoluminal vascular devices. In a preferred method the selective bonding is achieved by applying pressure to selected areas using a textured mandrel. This permits a stent device to be encapsulated between two layers of ePTFE with unbonded slip pockets to accommodate movement of the structural members of the stent. This allows stent compression with minimal force and promotes a low profile of the compressed device. Unbonded regions of ePTFE allow enhanced cellular penetration for rapid healing and can also contain bioactive substance that will diffuse through the ePTFE to treat the vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Impra, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarun J. Edwin, Scott L. Randall, Brendan J. McCrea, Christopher E. Banas
  • System for controlling a motor driven surgical cutting instrument
    Patent number: 6245084
    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: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Promex, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Michael E. Miller, Miklos T. Kara, Daniel John Henry, Brian McCary
  • System for attaching a urethral sling to a suture
    Patent number: 6245082
    Abstract: The invention provides a driver and methods for advancing needles, cannulas, and other medical devices through the pubic bone. The driver may be used in connection with a driver frame assembly for proper positioning and stabilization of the driver, and with other devices for creating a cavity in the urethral floor and for positioning medical devices therein. The invention also provides simple connections for attaching a suture to a device within the cavity in the urethral floor or in the vagina, and also for attaching sutures to the pubic bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry N. Gellman, David Sauvageau, Rodney Brenneman, Armand A. Morin, William Pintauro, Rodney Appell
  • Gastrointestinal compression clips
    Patent number: 6241748
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels located along the gastrointestinal tract. The medical devices include a clip having a stem, an anchor at a first end of the stem and a bolster at or near a second end of the stem. Methods of deploying the medical devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald Adams
  • Vascular filter convertible to a stent and method
    Patent number: 6241746
    Abstract: A vascular filter for temporary or permanent implantation within a body vessel to filter particulates or thrombus in the blood stream, is capable of being converted some time after initial implantation into a tubular stent. In this configuration, the stent tends to hold the vessel open without any significant filtering effect. The convertible filter/stent may have a tubular metal mesh structure. Also, the device may form one or more filter lattices when in the filter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Gjalt Bosma, Hendrik G. Breedveld, Horace R. Davis
  • Hingeless intraocular lens microcartridges
    Patent number: 6241737
    Abstract: A hingeless type intraocular lens microcartridge for use with a surgical insertion instrument. The hingeless microcartridge has a fixed configuration with a transition portion extending between a lens receiving portion and a nozzle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: STAAR Surgical Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Feingold
  • Apparatus and method for performing an endarterectomy
    Patent number: 6241745
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus and a method to restore blood flow capacity to occluded and partially occluded arterial vessels is disclosed. More particularly, the invention is an endarterectomy instrument and a method associated with its use. The instrument combines a separation ring with a wire loop at the distal end of a resilient, flexible catheter. The separation ring separates the plaque and the inner wall from a segment of an occluded artery. The wire loop is then constricted around the undesired material. IN a preferred embodiment the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is used to sever, snare and remove the separated inner arterial wall with the occlusion. In an alternative embodiment, the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is heated by passing a current therethrough in order to sever the undesired material from the arterial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: David Rosenthal
  • Percutaneous material removal device and method
    Patent number: 6238405
    Abstract: A catheter-based material removal device includes an elongated tube having a distal material removal tip thereon. The material removal tip includes a one- or two-piece housing affixed to the tube, and a rotating member therein. The rotating member includes a screw thread for coarsely chopping material received within the housing and an outwardly projecting flange for finely chopping the material. The housing includes at least one shearing member located axially adjacent the outwardly projecting flange. The shearing member has a relatively small circumferential size and a shearing edge that removes any material buildup on the axially-facing surface of the flange. Two shearing members may be provided, one each on both the proximal and distal sides of the flange. There may be three flanges restrained within a groove formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, III, James R. Madonia
  • Pulling membrane stent delivery system
    Patent number: 6238410
    Abstract: A medical device delivery system, having a rolling retractable sheath covering a medical device mounting region on the system is disclosed. The rolling retractable sheath comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and may be formed of one or more materials, optionally porous. Optionally, a lubricant may be applied selectively to the interior and exterior walls of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Vrba, Lance A. Monroe, Dave J. Sogard, Scott R. Smith
  • Pull back stent delivery system with pistol grip retraction handle
    Patent number: 6238402
    Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel includes a catheter body having an axial guidewire lumen and a pull-wire lumen. A medical device such as a self-expanding stent is held in a reduced delivery configuration for insertion and transport through a body lumen to a predetermined site for deployment. The stent is carried axially around the catheter body near its distal end and held in its reduced configuration by a retractable outer sheath. A proximal retraction handle is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body and includes a pistol grip trigger engaging a rachet mechanism, which is connected to a pull-wire which extends through the pull-wire lumen and is connected to the retractable outer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Sullivan, III, Robert B. DeVries
  • Laparoscopic instrument with parallel actuated jaws
    Patent number: 6238414
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, and end effector mechanism including jaws, an elongated shaft assembly having a longitudinal actuation rod linearly reciprocating within a hollow sheath, slidably connecting the handle assembly to the jaws. Jaws having first and second grasping members have a mechanically controlled linkage assembly enabling the jaws to be adapted such that they can only open in parallel relationship to each other. The linkage assembly having a pair of toggle links which are rotatively connected to a linear translation member to cause the jaws to open or close. The linkage assembly further having a pair of stabilizing links, which at one end are pivotally anchored to a non-reciprocal movement member, and at an opposite end interconnected with the jaws to maintain the opposing serrated grasping surfaces of the jaws in a parallel relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Jerry R. Griffiths
  • Articulated expandable intraluminal stent
    Patent number: 6238409
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an expandable, tubular shaped prosthesis having first and second ends and a wall surface disposed between the first and second ends, the wall surface being formed by a plurality of intersecting elongate members; and a catheter, having an expandable, inflatable portion associated therewith and including means for mounting and retaining the expandable tubular shaped prosthesis on the expandable, inflatable portion, whereby upon inflation of the expandable, inflatable portion of the catheter, the prosthesis is formed radially outwardly into contact with the body passageway. The articulation in the form of a rounded wire frame loop connects similar stent bodies. Also, rounded open connectors and shortened cells in the stent allow for greater flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: JOhnson & Johnson Interventional Systems Co.
    Inventor: Hikmat Hojeibane
  • Percutaneous myocardial revascularization growth factor mediums and method
    Patent number: 6238406
    Abstract: Devices and methods for increasing blood perfusion within the myocardium of the heart by wounding the myocardium and applying growth factors to promote vascularization. One method includes driving spikes into the myocardium from within the heart, with the spikes being formed of biodegradable material, containing releasable growth factors, and having lumens and side holes. An alternative method utilizes non-biodegradable spikes with lumens and side holes. Another method promotes vascularization by injecting angiogenic material into holes bored into the myocardium, leaving a patent hole. Another method includes injecting angiogenic material into the myocardium without boring, leaving no patent hole. The angiogenic material can be carried in a biodegradable adhesive. Revascularization of the myocardium is promoted in one method by externally wounding the heart and applying a patch including growth factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson, Kent D. Harrison, Lixiao Wang, Timothy J. Mickley
  • Cannula with associated filter and methods of use
    Patent number: 6235045
    Abstract: Devices and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally comprise a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, and a means to actuate the structure. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to entrap embolic material, and removing the mesh and the entrapped foreign matter from the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Embol-X, Inc.
    Inventors: Denise Barbut, Tracy D. Maahs
  • Atherectomy device
    Patent number: 6235042
    Abstract: An atherectomy device is provided wherein a catheter has a cutting region including plurality of slotted tubular members interconnected by flexible segments. Each slotted tubular member includes cutting edges that sever occlusive material from the interior of a vessel when the cutting region is rotated. The flexible segments may be formed by cutting windows in a tapered hollow tubular member, or may comprise bellows-shaped tubes or helical coils, or may comprise one or more tubular segments and may include a lumen that allows suction to be drawn through the device, or to permit the delivery of contrast agents, dyes, fluids or drugs to the operative site. A guide catheter also may be provided for positioning the cutting region of the atherectomy device at the operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Arteria Medical Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Youval Katzman