Patents Examined by Samuel G. Gilbert
  • Transobturator surgical articles and methods
    Patent number: 7988615
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating incontinence includes a handle portion elongate along a handle axis and a needle portion connected to the handle portion. The needle portion has a spacer portion along the handle axis, and has a distal end. The needle portion includes a substantially helical portion that is a variable spiral portion, extending from the straight spacer portion. The variable spiral portion is sized and shaped to extend from an incision substantially adjacent the patient's obturator foramen through the obturator foramen along a path in a region between the superior pubic ramus and the inferior pubic ramus. The needle portion has a structure near the distal end that associates the instrument with an implantable material configured to treat incontinence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Anderson, Brian P. Watschke, Georges Mellier, Johann J. Neisz
  • Implantable pump for operation of hydraulic implant
    Patent number: 7988616
    Abstract: An implantable pump for pumping fluid to or from a hydraulic surgical implant inside a human's or an animal's body comprises a wall forming a chamber for the fluid, the wall including a base plate and a membrane, which is displaceable relative to the base plate to change the volume of the chamber to pump the fluid between the chamber and the surgical implant. The membrane is penetrable by an injection needle to add hydraulic fluid to or withdraw hydraulic fluid from the chamber, in order to calibrate the amount of fluid, and the membrane is self-sealing to seal the hole which is formed in the membrane by the penetrating injection needle. The implant typically is a hydraulic constriction device, which can be designed for treating reflux disease, urinary incontinence, impotence, anal incontinence or obesity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Potencia Medical AG
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Method of implanting a penile prosthesis
    Patent number: 7985176
    Abstract: A method of implanting a penile prosthesis into a patient includes engaging a cap that is attached to a cylinder of the penile prosthesis with a distal end of a tool, and cradling the cylinder of the penile prosthesis between two support arms of the tool. The method additionally includes inserting the two support arms of the tool and the cylinder secured between the two support arms into a corpora cavernosum of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Pelvic implant with anchoring frame
    Patent number: 7981024
    Abstract: An implant for a pelvis is provided, wherein suturing is not necessary for anchoring the implant in place. The implant includes a flexible sheet and a solid frame, wherein the frame can be compressed or expanded. Upon insertion through the narrow openings of the pelvis, the frame is compressed, and upon delivery at the site, the frame is expanded, and is designed to anchor to the surrounding anatomical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Prolapse Inc.
    Inventor: Gil Levy
  • Medical slings
    Patent number: 7981022
    Abstract: A sling in accordance with the invention includes a synthetic material and a non-synthetic material positioned adjacent thereto. The non-synthetic material may be wrapped around or may be attached to the synthetic material. Additionally, the non-synthetic material may include slits. Methods for making such slings are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry N. Gellman, Art Madenjian, Doreen Rao
  • Cardiac harness
    Patent number: 7976454
    Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness is configured so that the variation of load as a function of expansion through a selected range of expansion is represented generally in the form y=ax+b, and the value of “a” does not increase as the percent expansion increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Paracor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilip Lau, Anuja Patel
  • Adapter for penile prosthesis tip extender
    Patent number: 7976457
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for holding a rear tip extender onto the cylinder of a penile prosthesis or onto another rear tip extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Martin T. Steele, Sr.
  • Sling assembly with secure and convenient attachment
    Patent number: 7972262
    Abstract: A surgical assembly for treating fecal incontinence can include an elongate needle, a sling and a coupler to conveniently and securely connect the coupler to an insertion end of the needle by moving the coupler and insertion end of the needle together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Rocheleau, Johann J. Neisz, Gary J. Nachreiner
  • Method and apparatus for real time dosimetry
    Patent number: 7972259
    Abstract: A method of determining the dose rate of a radiation source includes locating three or more detectors in the vicinity of the source. Each detector provides an output indicative of the amount of radiation received from the source and determining the location of the source from at least three of the detector outputs, wherein as many of the detector outputs is required to provide an acceptably accurate result are used in determining the location. Thus, the dose of radiation from the source can be determined from the determined location of the source and either a known activity of the source or a measure of the activity of the source determined by means of the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Univesity of Wollongong
    Inventors: Anatoly Rozenfeld, Marc Zaider
  • Penis rigidity stabilizer and method therefor
    Patent number: 7972263
    Abstract: A penis rigidity stabilizer and method therefore capable of being placed about the shaft of a penis while allowing the glans of the penis to remain exposed and capable of achieving and maintaining a rigid state and capable of maintaining its position about the shaft of the penis and being inherently rigid during sexual activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Runyan
  • Therapeutic devices for the treatment of various conditions of a female individual
    Patent number: 7967740
    Abstract: This invention relates to devices targeted to resolving various conditions of a female patient in need thereof, the conditions being female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The present disclosure provides for a device which incorporates a variety of elements in an effort to treat certain conditions of a female individual in need thereof. Optionally, the device of the present invention may be used as a prophylactic measure to prevent a condition selected from the group consisting of female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ohmea Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane U. Mertens, Dean Bauer
  • Device to lubricate a penis or medical apparatus
    Patent number: 7963908
    Abstract: A device to lubricate a penis or medical instrument before insertion into the human body or orifice is disclosed. The device can be made from a ring that is covered with one or more membranes and contains lubricating material within the interior volume defined by the ring and the membrane(s). Alternatively, the device can be made from a ring that surrounds foam that is saturated with lubricant. In either embodiment, the membrane(s) or foam contain a penetration zone defined by any number of intersecting slits. A method of using the same to lubricate a penis or a medical instrument, such as an endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin Lindberg
  • Method and device for treating body ailments
    Patent number: 7963904
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for treating ailments of the human body by electromagnetic waves. The body part to be treated is located inside an induction coil and the coil is energized by a switching device that supplies the coil with current pulses that include higher frequency components that occur during at least a portion of the pulse. Both manual and electronic switching devices are disclosed. The manual switching device uses manually operable striking contactors and the high frequency components are generated by arcing between the contactors. The automatic switching device is an electronic controller that simulates the current pulses produced using the manual method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Clarence A. Delisle
  • Automated implantation system for radioisotope seeds
    Patent number: 7959548
    Abstract: An automated implantation system assists the implantation of low dose radioisotope seeds in a patient as part of a brachytherapy procedure. A Z-axis automated motion control system and an X-Y axis automated motion control system control a needle assembly. The X-Y axis automated motion control system positions an insertion axis of the needle assembly relative to the patient. The Z-axis automated motion control system selectively moves the needle assembly along the insertion axis to implant at least one radioisotope seed. This process is repeated for a plurality of locations on a base plane perpendicular to the insertion axis. Preferably, the radioisotope seeds are contained in a replaceable cartridge and the needle assembly is also replaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Core Oncology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Elliott, John J. Berkey, George M. Hoedeman
  • Penile prosthesis cap, assembly, and implantation tool
    Patent number: 7959556
    Abstract: A cap configured to be attached to a cylinder of an implantable penile prosthesis includes a body section and a tip section. The body section defines a recess that is attachable to an end of the cylinder of the implantable penile prosthesis and the tip section terminates in a tip having a curved exterior surface. The tip section defines at least one slot formed therein that extends away from the body section and has a slot axis that intersects with a longitudinal axis of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Implantable microphone having sensitivity and frequency response
    Patent number: 7955250
    Abstract: Implantable microphone devices that may be utilized in hearing systems are provided. An implantable microphone device allows the implantable microphone's frequency response and sensitivity to be selected. A microphone device with an increased membrane flexibility and a decreased acoustic compliance of the sealed cavity. Vibrations of a membrane are transmitted through a primary air cavity and through an aperture of a microphone. Keeping a flexible membrane and decreasing the sealed air cavity compliance are the preferred way to simultaneously increase overall sensitivity of the device, and move the resonance peak to higher frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Eric M. Jaeger, Geoffrey R. Ball, Duane E. Tumlinson
  • Fluid reservoir for penile implant devices
    Patent number: 7946975
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a medical device, particularly a penile prosthesis, that includes an implantable element and a reservoir. The implantable element is configured to be implanted within the pelvic region of a patient and is designed to be capable of inflation and deflation via fluid transfer to and from the element. The reservoir is coupled to the implantable element. The fluid is drawn from the reservoir for inflation of the implantable element and returned to the reservoir for the deflation. The reservoir is approximately one inch or less in depth. The minimal depth enables the fluid reservoir to be placed in front of the puborectalis muscle and behind the abdominal fascia without being seen on an external view of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Jon D. Albrecht, Robert L. Rykhus, Steven K. Wilson
  • Methods and devices for the surgical creation of satiety and biofeedback pathways
    Patent number: 7946976
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and systems which to sense parameters related to the mechanical forces imposed on devices implanted in the stomach. The parameters of the system are further translated into patient feedback systems to create satiety inducing pathways in the stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Gertner
  • Method of implanting a penile prosthesis
    Patent number: 7942808
    Abstract: A method of providing a patient having a predetermined corporotomy length with an implant having a length that is sized for the predetermined corporotomy length is disclosed. The method includes providing a penile implant having a delivered length that is approximately equal to the predetermined corporotomy length and comprising a distance that extends from a distal end of a distal tip to a proximal end of a proximal tip assembly, the proximal tip assembly providing a first proximal tip diameter. The method additionally includes reducing the first proximal tip diameter to a smaller implantable proximal tip diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Randy L. Morningstar
  • Penile prosthesis, penile prosthesis insertion tool and system thereof
    Patent number: 7938770
    Abstract: An implantable penile prosthesis system includes a penile prosthesis and an insertion tool. The penile prosthesis includes a cylinder extending between a distal tip and a proximal tip. At least one of the distal tip and the proximal tip has a pocket accessible by an opening, where the pocket is formed to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the opening. The insertion tool extends between a distal end and a proximal end and includes an expansion mechanism coupled to the distal end. The opening in the tip(s) is sized to receive the distal end of the insertion tool and the expansion mechanism is configured to expand into the pocket to couple the insertion tool with the penile prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Randy L. Morningstar, Egon Triel