Patents Examined by Michael J. Milano
  • Patent number: 7998165
    Abstract: A device for removing blood clots and methods of making and using the same. The clot pulling device may include a first spine, a second spine disposed parallel to the first spine, and a basket disposed between and coupled to the spines. In addition, a pushing member may be coupled to the first spine and extend proximally therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Stryker Corporation, Stryker NV Operations Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 7993363
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device disposed on a guidewire includes a support hoop disposed from a suspension strut. Alternately, a support hoop having an articulation region may be directly connected to a region proximate the distal end of the guidewire. A blood permeable sac is affixed to the support hoop to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the guidewire and is capable of being properly used in a wide range of vessel diameters. The vascular device collapses during removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac. A delivery sheath and introducer sheath for use with the vascular device of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Incept, LLC
    Inventors: Jackson F. Demond, Farhad Khosravi, Jeff A. Krolik, Stephen Ramee, Richard J. Renati, Amr Salahieh, Kirk Hsueh-kai Young
  • Patent number: 7988623
    Abstract: An apparatus for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures which is configured for insertion into the internal passage of a support structure, and includes an elongated body portion with a distal tip portion configured to cover the body structure without substantially displacing the body structure. The apparatus also includes a mounting portion at a proximal end portion thereof for mounting the apparatus within the internal passage of the support structure, and a member connected to the mounting portion to release the mounting portion with respect to the internal passage of the wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Pagliuca, Gene P. DiPoto
  • Patent number: 7988644
    Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Freeman, Don Alden, Dirk Boecker, Michael Cane, Matt Schumann, Michael Beadman
  • Patent number: 7985237
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 7981055
    Abstract: A sampling module includes a module body portion with a lancet channel, a lancet slidably disposed within the lancet channel. A cover sheet is disposed over the lancet and a lancet channel that captures the lancet shaft in the lancet channel, and a sample reservoir for collection of a sample obtained by lancing a patient with the lancet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Freeman, Dirk Boecher, Don Alden, Barry Dean Briggs, Jon Hewitt Leonard, Ray Freeman, George Gogue
  • Patent number: 7981134
    Abstract: Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of an embolic filter assembly and a multiple lumen delivery and retrieval sheath, where the embolic filter assembly includes a guide wire with an embolic filter operatively coupled to the distal end of the guide wire for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject invention provide for the rapid exchange and deployment of embolic filters in a patient's vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Incept LLC
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Jackson Demond, Jeff Krolik
  • Patent number: 7976476
    Abstract: A method of penetrating tissue is provided. The method uses a lancet driver to advance a lancet into the tissue; advancing the lancet at a first desired velocity in a first layer of tissue; advancing the lancet at a second desired velocity in a second layer of tissue; and advancing the lancet at a third desired velocity in a third layer of tissue. In one embodiment, the method may including using a processor having logic for controlling velocity of the lancet in each layer of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dom Freeman, Dirk Boecker
  • Patent number: 7959582
    Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Freeman, Dirk Boecker, Don Alden
  • Patent number: 7959665
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. A plurality of inverted cylindrical end rings can be coupled at least in part to a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings in the form of mirror images such that a symmetrical configuration is present on at least one of a proximal end and a distal end of the stent. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The inverted end ring configuration of the stent aims at reducing the stent-to-shoulder distance as well as delivering therapeutic drug to the peri-stent area while maintaining a pristine stent deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Carla Rosa Pienknagura
  • Patent number: 7955350
    Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expansible shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: AngioScore, Inc.
    Inventors: Eitan Konstantino, Tanhum Feld, Nimrod Tzori
  • Patent number: 7947058
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Kahle, Arkadiusz A. Strokosz, Kimball B. McGinley, Scott V. Taylor, Gary M. Johnson, John R. Brustad
  • Patent number: 7942891
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed directed at harvesting of vessels, such as arteries and veins, especially as required in vessel grafting procedures. The device and method discloses a cannula-like device that provides, identification, capture, manipulation, hemostasis and cleavage of branch vessels from the harvested vessel without need for further devices. In certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed method and device, the disclosed harvesting device achieves branch vessel cleavage and hemostasis without the use of heat producing means such as cautery. In addition, certain embodiments utilize a clip/coil magazine technology so as to enable severance and hemostasis of multiple branch vessels without need for removal of the device from the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Genovesi, Alex Nyirucz
  • Patent number: 7942920
    Abstract: A stent having a lattice and defining a substantially cylindrical configuration has a first open end and a second open end. The lattice has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a plurality of adjacent hoops. Each hoop has a plurality of adjacent loops and a plurality of bridges connect adjacent hoops. A plurality of extensions are provided on the lattice. And, each of the hoops, bridges and extensions define a cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Majercak
  • Patent number: 7927350
    Abstract: A device and method for liberating plaque from a lumen after a medical procedure has been formed. The device includes a catheter having a first expandable member and a second expandable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Salviac Limited
    Inventors: Gerard Rabbitte, Ronald Kelly
  • Patent number: 7922691
    Abstract: An angioplasty device and particle trap for use in removal of a particle from a small diameter vessel or vessel-like structure is disclosed. One embodiment includes a catheter for insertion into a vessel-like structure, the catheter having a catheter wall and a movable member, a trap operably connected to the catheter wall and to the movable member, wherein relative motion between the catheter wall and the movable member actuates the trap. In one embodiment, the expanded trap is formed from struts in a spiral-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the contracted trap forms a waist to creates a pinch-point to trap particles. In one embodiment, the contracted trap forms a cocoon-like structure to further trap particles. In one embodiment, the angioplasty device includes a handle to actuate the trap from a contracted position to an expanded position and return to a contracted position. The handle provides rotational or longitudinal or both types of movement to actuate the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kletschka Foundation
    Inventors: Harold D. Kletschka, Brian Packard
  • Patent number: 7922757
    Abstract: A vascular system including a catheter having a first end portion, a second end portion and a plurality of lumens wherein the first end portion is dimensioned for insertion into a vascular graft and the second end portion is dimensioned for insertion into a vein of a patient to create a conduit from an artery to the vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rex Medical, L.P.
    Inventor: James F. McGuckin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7918884
    Abstract: A stent includes a lattice defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a middle portion between the proximal end and the distal end. The lattice being moveable from a crimped state to an expanded state, and a plurality of adjacent hoops. Each hoop has a plurality of adjacent loops. Additionally, the stent further includes a plurality of bridges connecting adjacent hoops and a plurality of extensions on the lattice. Each of the hoops and bridges define a cell. The proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the lattice have at least one cell respectively and the middle portion of the lattice has at least one cell. The plurality of extensions are on the middle portion of the lattice. The plurality of extensions are cantilevered projections from the bridges and/or hoops of the lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Majercak, Matthew Krever, Jin S. Park, Robert S. Burgermeister, Hikmat Hojeibane, Martin B. Leon
  • Patent number: 7914465
    Abstract: A skin penetrating system has a housing member and a plurality of penetrating members positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing device is coupled to the housing member. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique M. Freeman, Dirk Boecker, Don Alden
  • Patent number: 7909774
    Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Freeman, Dirk Boecker, Don Alden