Patents Examined by Paul Prebilic
  • Patent number: 9119710
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel optical elements having improved UV protection. The optical element comprises a light adjustable optical element with a UV absorbent layer applied to at least one surface of the optical element. The invention is particularly useful in light adjustable intraocular lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Calhoun Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Grubbs, Shiao H. Chang
  • Patent number: 9114004
    Abstract: An implant apparatus comprising a plurality of photo sensors, a plurality of micro electrodes and circuitry coupled to the photo sensors and the micro electrodes are described. The photo sensors may receive incoming light. The circuit may drive the micro electrodes to stimulate neuron cells for enabling perception of a vision of the light captured by the photo sensors. The apparatus may be implemented in a flexible material to conform to a shape of a human eyeball to allow the micro electrodes aligned with the neuron cells for the stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: IRIDIUM MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO, LTD.
    Inventor: Long-Sheng Fan
  • Patent number: 9089419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an intraocular lens with an optic zone having a first surface topology and a haptic zone having a second surface topology. The surface roughness of the haptic zone may be greater than the surface roughness of the optic zone. The surface topology of the optic zone may have a first surface geometry and the surface topology of the haptic zone may have a second surface geometry. The first and second surface geometries may retain lubrication fluid in a space formed therein. The haptics formed by the manufacturing process may have a reduced ability to adhere to the optic zone, such as when the lens is folded or advanced through a cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: David A. Downer, Drew Morgan, Tu Cam Tran, Bobby C. Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 9078744
    Abstract: A single-optic accommodative lens system includes two intraocular elements designed to be located within the capsular bag to extend depth of focus and/or restore accommodation following cataract extraction of a natural lens. A first intraocular element comprises a circumferential capsular ring having interlock features to couple to and control the dynamic vault response of a second intraocular element. This second intraocular element comprises an intraocular lens (IOL) having an optic and a plurality of haptics and is designed to move axially in response to changes in the geometry of the eye capsule and thus provide a range of accommodative power. The IOL further comprises interlock features complementary to the interlock features of the first intraocular element for coupling the IOL to the capsular ring in a manner that provides for controlled movement of the IOL in response to capsular forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Stephen Van Noy
  • Patent number: 9079042
    Abstract: A power supply for a retina implant at least partly located in the interior of a patient's eye is described. The power supply comprises a first transmission coil (4, 23), a second transmission coil (5, 24). The power supply further comprises a signal generation unit adapted for generating a first high frequency signal and a second high frequency signal, and for applying the first high frequency signal to the first transmission coil and the second high frequency signal to the second transmission coil, the second high frequency signal being phase shifted relative to the first high frequency signal. The first transmission coil is adapted for transmitting the first high frequency signal, and the second transmission coil is adapted for transmitting the second high frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: PIXIUM VISION SA
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Tiedtke, Alexander Rath
  • Patent number: 9078743
    Abstract: A three-coil electromagnetic induction power transfer system is disclosed for epiretinal prostheses and other implants. A third, buffer coil is disposed between an external transmitting coil and a receiver coil buried within the body to improve efficiency and robustness to misalignments. One or more of the coils can be manufactured using micromechanical machining techniques to lay out conductors in a ribbon of biocompatible insulator, folding lengths of the insulated conductor traces longitudinally over one another, and then spiraling them into a ring. The traces change axial position in the ring by shifting across fold lines. One or more U-shaped sections on the traces can be folded so that adjacent traces can project opposite one another, lengthening the resulting ribbon that can be wound into a coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Yu Zhao, Mark Humayun, James D. Weiland
  • Patent number: 9072605
    Abstract: A knee arthroplasty prosthesis includes a femoral component having multiple pieces with engagement means provided for engaging various pieces of the femoral component to one another following their insertion in the incised area of the femur. A tibial component includes multiple pieces designed for assembly following positioning in the incision. The tibial component includes a Morse taper cavity on one piece of the tibial component and a Morse taper extension on another member of the component for receipt therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Coon, Alfred J. Tria, Jr., Donald M. Smucker, Richard R. Van Zile
  • Patent number: 9072599
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (aIOL) is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to an ocular force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. A surface adherent improves the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. One way to enhance force transfer is to provide a surface layer of an adhesive to the haptic and/or optic, for instance a reversible bioadhesive material. Or, portions of the exterior surface of the IOL may have microfibers thereon that mimic the adhesive properties of Gecko feet. Another aspect is application of a reversible bioadhesive material to the interior of the empty capsular bag prior to introduction of an injectable polymer IOL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Kadziauskas, Carina R. Reisin, Timothy R. Bumbalough
  • Patent number: 9060888
    Abstract: A method includes placing a ureteral stent on an insertion tool. The ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a distal end coupled to a distal retention member. The elongate member includes a solid spring wire having a plurality of coils defining a lumen. A first portion of the insertion tool is disposed within the lumen, and the distal retention member, which has a nominally curved shape, is disposed about a second portion of the insertion tool such that the distal retention member is substantially linear. The insertion tool is inserted into the body of the patient and the ureteral stent is moved along the insertion tool such that at least a portion of the distal retention member is disposed within the kidney and a portion of the elongate member is disposed within the ureter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry N. Gellman
  • Patent number: 9044326
    Abstract: A femoral augment, or set of augments, for use with a knee joint prosthesis, where the femoral augment includes a main body portion, an aperture formed within the main body portion and extending in a generally distal/proximal direction, and a pair of legs extending outwardly from said main body portion in a generally posterior direction. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture is configured to receive a stem extension implant, and to allow it to pass through. Additionally, the legs of the femoral augment are preferably configured to be seated proximal of a proximal side of a pair of condylar portions of a femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis. The present invention is intended for situations in which the distal portion of the femur is defective, and it provides a method and devices that allow for preservation of healthy peripheral bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Blaylock, Michael Cook, Ron Donkers, Scott Dykema, Maleata Hall, John Meyers, Arlen D. Hanssen, David G. Lewallen
  • Patent number: 9044323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bearing material that is excellent in durability and is capable of maintaining wear resistance over a long period of time. The bearing material of the present invention is a high wear-resistance bearing material 10 for being used under a humid environment comprising: a base body 12 made of a polymer material having a methylene group; and a polymer layer 30 covering a bearing surface 16 of the substrate 12, the polymer layer 30 comprising polymer chains which have a phosphorylcholine group and are grafted from the bearing surface 16, wherein a phosphoric index of the sliding surface 16 which is calculated by dividing a peak intensity of phosphate group in an infrared spectrum measured on the sliding surface by a peak intensity of the methylene group therein is not less than 0.28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Kyomoto, Toru Moro, Kazuhiko Ishihara, Tomohiro Konno, Kozo Nakamura, Yoshio Takatori, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Takadama, Makoto Kondo, Noboru Yamawaki, Takeshi Nizuka, Masami Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9039762
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) includes an optic adapted to produce a trapezoidal phase shift and a plurality of haptics. Each haptic extends from a haptic-optic junction to at least one transverse arm contacting a capsular bag of the eye, and each haptic has sufficient length and rigidity to stretch a capsular bag of the eye to contact ciliary muscles of the eye. The haptic-optic junctions vault the optic forward relative to the haptics and compression of the haptics by the ciliary muscles moves the anterior optic forward. A combined accommodative power produced by the motion of the anterior optic and the trapezoidal phase shift is at least 0.5 Diopters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Xin Hong, Mutlu Karakelle, Son Tran, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Myoung-Taek Choi
  • Patent number: 9023102
    Abstract: A medical device used in cardiac surgery for replacement of diseased heart valves in humans. A heart valve prosthesis comprising a housing 1 having a projection 3 along its whole perimeter 2, an occluder 4 which restricts the blood backflow (I), and a cuff 5 made of fabric and having a mounting surface 6which comes into contact with cardiac tissues (II), and an outer surface 7 which comes into contact with the blood flow. Inside the cuff 5 are located a stent 8 forming an opening 9 for installation of the prosthesis housing 1, a supporting element 10 and a retaining element 11 which fix the projection 3 of the housing 1 within the stent 8 of the cuff 5 forming a quick-dismountable junction of the housing 1 with the cuff 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: MedEng
    Inventors: Sergey Vasilyevich Evdokimov, Alexandr Sergeyevich Evdokimov, Eduard Yurievich Goncharov, Alexandr Nikolayevich Filippov
  • Patent number: 9017402
    Abstract: An intraocular implant (1) including an optical portion (2) and a haptic portion (3), the haptic portion including two diametrically opposite haptic systems (3a, 3b), characterized in that each of the haptic systems (3a, 3b) includes two substantially identical haptics (4, 5) interconnected by their respective distal ends (4a, 5a), the respective proximal ends (4b, 5b) of the two haptics (4, 5) being connected to the optical portion (2) via a stalk (6), the width of each of the haptics (4, 5) decreasing continuously all along the haptic toward the distal end (4a, 5a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Medicontur Orvostechnikai Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag
    Inventors: Laszlo Kontur, Nandor Turkevi-Nagy, Gilles Bos
  • Patent number: 9005281
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 9005282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a intraocular lens system having a flexible anterior lens accommodation material behind the lens. The accommodation material may comprise of one or more macromers, which, when polymerized, adjust the properties of the accommodation material. The anterior lens is flexible such that the curvature of the lens changes during accommodation. The anterior lens may be used alone or in combination with a posterior lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Calhoun Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiao H. Chang, Okihiro Nishi, Kayo Nishi, Jerry Kaeni, Ken Chuang
  • Patent number: 9005273
    Abstract: Methods and devices for assessing the operation of a replacement heart valve. The method includes endovascularly delivering a replacement heart valve to a vicinity of a heart valve in an unexpanded configuration, and assessing the operation of the replacement heart valve in the vicinity of the heart valve before fully expanding the replacement heart valve. Methods and devices for assessing the location of a replacement heart valve. The method includes endovascularly delivering a replacement heart valve to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration, expanding the replacement heart valve to a partially deployed configuration, and assessing the location of the replacement heart valve in the vicinity of the heart valve before fully expanding the replacement heart valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sadra Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Brian D. Brandt, Dwight P. Morejohn, Ulrich R. Haug, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Jeff Krolik
  • Patent number: 8992593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular stent-graft system. In one embodiment, a prosthesis comprises a first tubular graft comprising a layer of graft material, one lumen extending therein, and a first fenestration extending through the layer of graft material. A layer of fenestration covering material attaches to the layer of graft material. The layer of fenestration covering material is disposed in the lumen of the first tubular graft and partitions the first fenestration from the lumen of the first tubular graft. A first non-stented opening is disposed proximal to the first fenestration and communicates with the first fenestration between the layer of graft material and the fenestration covering material. In use, a proximal end of a second tubular graft sealably engages the first non-stented opening, and the second tubular graft further extends through the first fenestration and into a branch vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. M. Chuter, Blayne A. Roeder, Steven J. Charlebois
  • Patent number: 8992596
    Abstract: A device for use as an endoprosthesis, having a base body (1, 1?), comprising a metallic material, and a function element (3, 3?) that is attached to the base body and has a different metallic material composition in comparison with the material of the base body (1, 1?). To reduce direct metal contact between the base body (1,1?) and the function element (3, 3?), a first layer (5, 5?) is introduced into the borderline area (9, 9?) between the base body (1, 1?) and the function element (3, 3?), extending to the surface, wherein the first layer is produced by plasma-chemical treatment in an aqueous solution containing phosphate ions, or comprises magnesium stearate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Biotronik VI Patent AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Daniel Lootz
  • Patent number: 8992611
    Abstract: A foldable lens comprises an outer refractive surface portion comprising a first plurality of convexly curved refractive profile regions having positive optical power to converge light energy with refraction toward a focus on the retina. The convexly curved refractive profile regions of the outer region may correspond to at least about a quarter of the refractive power of the lens, such that the lens thickness is decreased substantially and the folded lens can fit through a small incision. The outer refractive surface portion focuses light with refraction, in focus images viewed through the outer portion of the lens can appear sharp to the patient. The outer refractive surface portion also comprises a second plurality of concavely curved refractive profile regions having negative optical power disposed between the first plurality, so as to diverge the light energy substantially away from the focus on the retina, such that visual artifacts are inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventor: Huawei Zhao