Patents Examined by Shannon McBride
  • Patent number: 10085742
    Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is configured to be inserted into a body of a patient. The elongate member is configured to be associated with a bodily implant. The distal end portion of the elongate member is configured to move from a first position to a second position such that distal end potion of the elongate member may be inserted into the body of the patient in its second position and is moved to its first position while disposed within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. H. Chu
  • Patent number: 10058397
    Abstract: Devices for containing exposed internal body parts during insertion into the body of a human or veterinary patient are provided. The devices include a surgical pouch for containing the exposed internal body parts. The devices also include one or more sealing elements disposed on the surgical pouch between the proximal end and the distal end of the surgical pouch such that a section of the pouch is closed off when each sealing element is sealed. Also provided are methods for containing exposed internal body parts of a human or veterinary patient during insertion into the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland
    Inventors: Sunghoon Kim, Olajire Idowu
  • Patent number: 10045869
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating obesity and reflux disease of an obese patient has a volume filling device to be invaginated by a stomach wall portion with the outer surface of the volume filling device resting against the stomach wall, such that the volume of the food cavity is reduced in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. An implantable movement restriction device to be invaginated by the stomach fundus wall has an outer surface to be rested against the stomach wall in a position between the patient's diaphragm and the lower part of the invaginated stomach fundus wall, such that movement of the cardiac notch of the patient's stomach towards the patient's diaphragm is restricted, to thereby prevent the cardia from sliding through the patient's diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 10046177
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for radiotherapy. Embodiments of the present disclosure may receive a plurality of training data and determine one or more predictive models based on the training data. The one or more predictive models may be determined based on at least one of a conditional probability density associated with a selected output characteristic given one or more selected input variables or a joint probability density. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also receive patient specific testing data. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may predict a probability density associated with a characteristic output based on the one or more predictive models and the patient specific testing data. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure may generate a new treatment plan based on the prediction and may use the new treatment plan to validate a previous treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Elekta AB, Elekta Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Olof Sjölund, Xiao Han
  • Patent number: 10028813
    Abstract: Implant systems and methods are provided to include a treatment material with a pelvic implant device. The pelvic implant device, such as an incontinence sling, can include the treatment coating combination of a material, such as Phosphorylcholine (PC), and an infection prevention material, such as InhibiZone® (IZ) technology. The treatment material can be coated onto, or impregnation or integrated with, polypropylene mesh in order to prevent infection and promote healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosa K. Canifax, Thomas Q. Dinh
  • Patent number: 10022210
    Abstract: Described are implants, tools, and methods useful for treating pelvic conditions such as prolapse, by placing an implant to support pelvic tissue, the implants, tools, and methods involving one or more of adjusting engagements, specific implants and pieces of implants, placement of implants at locations within the pelvic region, and insertion, adjusting, and grommet management tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. O'Hern, Richard C. Kaleta, Chaouki A. Khamis, Gary A. Rocheleau, John F. Otte, Gregory L. Koeller, David J. Kupiecki
  • Patent number: 10016574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (102) for providing biofeedback to a person (104). The system (102) comprises a source (106) for generating a source signal (108) and a transducer (110) for generating a measurement signal (112) in response to a physiological parameter (114) indicative for mental relaxation of the person (104). The system (102) furthermore comprises a filter (116) for variably filtering the source signal via modifying a cut-off frequency in response to the measurement signal (112) and an interface (118) for providing a biofeedback signal (119) to the person on the basis of the source signal as variably filtered by the filter (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Christoph Jaeger, Adrianus Johannes Maria Denissen, Murray Fulton Gillies
  • Patent number: 9949811
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a mesh or implant system are provided for treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, vaginal prolapsed, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness. Embodiments of the implants can include a material, substrate, configuration or coating adapted to provide immediate or timed release of various therapeutic agents or drugs to treat the surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Frigstad, Thomas Q. Dinh, Emily R. Rolfes-Meyering
  • Patent number: 9913053
    Abstract: A sound enrichment system for provision of tinnitus relief, the sound enrichment system includes a noise generator, at least one signal modulator for random or pseudo-random modulation of a noise signal that is obtained using the noise generator, and an output transducer for conversion of the modulated noise signal to an acoustic signal for presentation to a user. A method of providing a noise enriched sound signal for provision of relief of tinnitus includes generating a randomly or pseudo-randomly modulated noise signal, generating an acoustic noise signal using the modulated noise signal, and presenting the acoustic noise signal to a tinnitus suffering person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Ole Dyrlund Jensen, Kim Heegaard Hansen, Luca Del Bo
  • Patent number: 9907571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling needle, in particular to a needle suitable for oocyte retrieval from a human or animal subject, said needle comprising a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region, the first tubular region comprising a leading end for insertion into a subject and the second tubular region comprising a trailing end for fluid communication with a means for receiving a fluid, in which the first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the second tubular region and the first tubular region has an inner diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the second tubular region. The invention also relates to a method of retrieving a sample, in particular an oocyte, from a human or animal subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: VITROLIFE SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Urban Hagby
  • Patent number: 9884164
    Abstract: A device with a non-invasive first stimulation unit configured to generate first stimuli which, when administered to a patient, suppress a pathologically synchronous activity of neurons in at least one of the brain and the spinal cord of the patient, with a non-invasive second stimulation unit configured to generate at least one of optical, acoustic, tactile, vibratory, and thermal second stimuli, and with a control unit configured to control the first and second stimulation units, wherein the generation of the first and second stimuli takes place optionally in a first or a second operating mode, and the control unit is configured to control the first and second stimulation units in such a way that, in the first operating mode, the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli is coupled in time to the generation of the first stimuli and, in the second operating mode, the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli takes place without the generation of the first stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JUELICH GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Alexander Tass
  • Patent number: 9855125
    Abstract: Devices, system and methods for deforming body channels are disclosed herein. At least some embodiments described may be used to deform a body channel so as to decrease or prevent the normal intrachannel flow of material within the body channel. Such deformation may be used to treat such maladies as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CVDevices, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Jose A. Navia, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9826931
    Abstract: A device (13) is provided for use with a treatment device for treating a patient. The device (13) includes a detection device (17) for detecting at least one transition of the patient's treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment. A signal device (25) for sending at least one signal when the transition is detected. It proposes, furthermore, a workstation equipped herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Frank Franz, Jürgen Manigel, Michael Wilkening, Wilfried Buschke
  • Patent number: 9827443
    Abstract: A modular applicator for enabling a brachytherapy treatment comprising a central element and one or more of peripheral elements, wherein the central element is adapted with a fixation mechanism having a core for affixing the said peripheral elements thereto, wherein the fixation mechanism prevents a rotational displacement of the peripheral elements attached to the core of the fixation element with respect to the central element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nucletron Operations B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Petrus Martinus Maria van Erp, Tommy Robert Oscar Martens, Gaetan Stephan Marie van Wijck, Cor van de Wardt
  • Patent number: 9814554
    Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) system includes a cuff, a pump, and a single tube that provides the system with an inflatable storage compartment. The single tube is connected between the cuff and the pump and includes a first lumen communicating between the cuff and the pump and a separate second lumen communicating between the cuff and the pump. The cuff is inflatable with a cuff volume of liquid that is sized to selectively close the urethra for treatment of urinary incontinence. The pump is operable to move the cuff volume of liquid out of the cuff to provide the cuff with a deflated state that allows the urethra to open and pass urine. The second lumen has a storage compartment sized to retain the cuff volume of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: Steven McClurg
  • Patent number: 9808330
    Abstract: A bodily implant is provided to support body tissues of a patient. The bodily implant includes a strip having a first portion and a second portion. The strip is configured to be stretched in a manner such that the second portion is stretched from a first length to a second length. The second portion of the strip is configured to maintain the second length. The strip is further configured to be disposed proximate to the patient's body tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred P. Intoccia, Jr., Timothy P. Harrah
  • Patent number: 9799231
    Abstract: A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus includes the steps of: a. providing an adjustable gastric band (AGB); b. providing a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the AGB; c. providing a processing unit containing instructions to collect a set of pressure measurement and to analyze the set pressure measurement; d. providing a data base comprising data concerning pressure exerted within the AGB by a bolus of liquid food, a bolus of semiliquid food, and a bolus of solid food; e. recording the sets of pressure measurements; f. recording the results; g. communicating the results; h. placing the AGB in position; i. measuring the pressure within the AGB; j. using the distinction of the current eating pattern to modify the eating behavior of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Isaac Tavori, Lorentz Lior Fleischer, Erez Hochman
  • Patent number: 9763763
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a medical device can include an external arm having a receiving mechanism, and an internal arm coupled to the external arm such that the receiving mechanism of the external arm is movable with respect to the internal arm. The medical device can also include a sliding component including a needle configured to be coupled to a portion of an implant and configured to slidably move the needle toward the receiving mechanism of the external arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Ostrovsky, Jozef Slanda, Brent Palmisano
  • Patent number: 9757298
    Abstract: A door retention system for an infant care device includes a plurality of links pivotably coupling a door with an infant care device, and an energy storage device secured to at least one of the links. The energy storage device is configured to apply a force tending to open the door exclusively when the door is in close proximity to a fully-open position. The energy storage device is also configured to apply a force tending to close the door exclusively when the door is in close proximity to a fully-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 9737390
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a medical assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion with a tapered tip. The tapered tip is configured to slide through a bodily tissue. The elongate member has a width referred to as a first width across at least a portion of the elongate member. The medical assembly further includes an implant having a first surface and a second surface. The implant is coupled to the elongate member such that a portion of the first surface of the implant is overlaid over a portion of the elongate member while the second surface faces opposite to the elongate member and is configured to contact the bodily tissue while being inserted. The implant has a width referred to as a second width such that the second width is smaller than the first width of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. H. Chu