Patents Examined by Tiffany Shipmon
  • Intraocular lens
    Patent number: 9445891
    Abstract: Provided is an intraocular lens including a lens and a pair of right and left loop-shaped support portions, and a folding-back portion is provided in the front end of each support portion. A sclera tunnel is formed in the circumferential direction at a position of a depth corresponding to the half of the thickness of the sclera in two symmetrical positions with respect to the visual axis in a portion adjacent to a limbus of the sclera. The front end of the support portion is extracted from the ciliary sulcus and is inserted into the sclera tunnel, so that the intraocular lens is fixed into the eye. Furthermore, at that time, the folding-back portion is hooked to a certain portion inside the sclera tunnel, so that the support portion is strongly restrained inside the sclera tunnel. As a result, the intraocular lens is more reliably fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CHUKYO MEDICAL CO., INC.
    Inventor: Kazuo Ichikawa
  • Stentless support structure
    Patent number: 9439761
    Abstract: A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HLT, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Thill, Robert Foster Wilson, John P. Gainor, Christopher M. Banick
  • Stentless support structure
    Patent number: 9439760
    Abstract: A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HLT, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Thill, Robert Foster Wilson, John P. Gainor, Christopher M. Banick
  • Bioabsorbable polymeric medical device
    Patent number: 9427344
    Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Orbusneich Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Cottone, Shusheng Ye, John Pazienza
  • Percutaneous valve, system and method
    Patent number: 9421083
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC.
    Inventors: Tracee Eidenschink, Joseph M. Thielen, William J. Drasler, Graig L. Kveen
  • Intraocular lens system
    Patent number: 9398949
    Abstract: A multi-component intraocular lens implanted in an optical system of a human eye, includes one or more removable components. One component acts as a base lens and another component acts as the front lens. A front lens formed from two integral optical portions may be milled with tabs to establish an axial orientation of the front lens. The front lens may have a different diameter than the base lens. The base lens may have sharp or angled edges and the front lens may have rounded edges. Non-optical portions of the intraocular lens system may be manufactured from a material that is capable of releasing a pharmacological agent. A flange may be fused with the base lens to allow the front lens to engage with the base lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: EMMETROPIA, INC.
    Inventor: Theodore P. Werblin
  • Annuloplasty device for tricuspid valve repair
    Patent number: 9381084
    Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ryan, Alexander J. Hill, Jason L. Quill, Jerald L. Redmond, Stephen Kuehn, Eugene Grossi, Aubrey Galloway, Hugo Vanermen, Rudiger Lange
  • Refractive-diffractive lens
    Patent number: 9370416
    Abstract: A multifocal lens device is disclosed. The device comprises a lens body being formed with a plurality of concentric annular zones separated by slanted steps. The concentric zones effect both diffraction and refraction of incident light, while the steps are substantially devoid of any diffractive or refractive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Sanjay Ram Swaroop Argal, Munavvar Tahir Hussain
  • Collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve cuff designs and complementary technological applications
    Patent number: 9351831
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Paul Edward Ashworth, Julia Ann Schraut
  • Semi-flexible posteriorly vaulted acrylic intraocular lens for the treatment of presbyopia
    Patent number: 9351825
    Abstract: An intraocular lens having a single-focus, acrylic optic and at least one semi-rigid, acrylic haptic connected to the optic. The intraocular lens can have a fixed longitudinal length, e.g., the same fixed length pre-operatively and post-operatively. The intraocular lens can resist deformation, despite contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle and fibrosis within the capsular bag, after implantation into the eye using, for example, by the semi-rigid haptics. The intraocular lens can be sufficiently flexible to be compressed from an original configuration to a compressed configuration for insertion into the eye through a small incision and return to the original configuration after implantation into the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: James Stuart Cumming
  • Collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve cuff designs and complementary technological applications
    Patent number: 9351832
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Paul Edward Ashworth, Julia Ann Schraut
  • Wide-angle optical unit for ophthalmological implants
    Patent number: 9345570
    Abstract: A wide-angle optical unit for ophthalmological implants in the eye includes a lens system arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner about an optical axis and further includes at least two lenses that rest one on top of the other in a planar manner and which are made of materials having different optical refractive indices. In addition, the wide-angle optical unit includes an optical decoupling structure and a trailing lens arranged proximally with respect to the interior of the eye. The trailing lens is mounted around the optical decoupling structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Ingo Sieber, Helmut Guth, Georg Bretthauer, Ulrich Gengenbach, Rudolf F. Guthoff
  • Corneal implant storage and delivery devices
    Patent number: 9345569
    Abstract: Devices and methods for handling and depositing corneal implants onto corneal tissue. Devices and methods for packaging and storing corneal implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: REVISION OPTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregg Edmond Plambeck, Ned Schneider, Adam Ariely, David Matsuura, Philip Simpson
  • Device for endovascular aortic repair and method of using the same
    Patent number: 9339399
    Abstract: A device and method for endovascular repair of a patient's aorta is disclosed. The device includes a frame component that has a balloon-expandable frame and a self-expanding frame secured to the balloon-expandable frame. The device also includes a valve element positioned at the proximal end of the frame component. The device may include another prosthetic component that may be secured to the frame component. The prosthetic component may include at least one conduit configured to receive a covered stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Aortic Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Shahriari
  • Capsule expander devices, systems, and methods for inhibiting capsular opacification and stabilizing the capsule
    Patent number: 9339375
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable capsule expander device for insertion within a lens capsule of an eye of a patient. The device comprises an arcuate center portion including first and second rims and having a first height, an outermost peripheral portion including a second height that is less than the first height, and a receiving portion formed between the first and second rims. The center portion and the outermost peripheral portion are configured to stabilize the capsule expander device within the lens capsule and to expand the lens capsule. The receiving portion is sized to receive an artificial intraocular lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Son Trung Tran, Kevin Mark Lewellen
  • Intraocular implant, intraocular implant set and intraocular lens
    Patent number: 9326845
    Abstract: Provided are an intraocular implant, an intraocular implant set, and an intraocular lens in which the intraocular lens is easily replaced compared to the related art. A support structure is a portion which is used to dispose an intraocular lens (a lens) (in a rear section) inside an eye and is formed separately from the lens. When the lens is attached to the support structure, a configuration is formed which is the same as that of the existing intraocular lens including a lens serving as an eye lens extracted due to the cataract or the like and a portion supporting the lens into an eye. The support structure and the lens may be integrated with each other inside the eye. An embodiment in which only the lens is replaced while the support structure is fixed into the eye and which is not present in the related art can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CHUKYO MEDICAL CO., INC.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ichikawa, Norihiko Yoshida
  • Apparatus, system and method for providing a coating for an implantable lens
    Patent number: 9320595
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for coating an implantable lens. The apparatus, system and method may include at least one coating layer applied to at least one surface of the optic of the implantable lens, wherein the coating layer at least partially protects the optic at least during the implantation, and wherein the coating layer is removable following implantation. The coating layer may include a lubricant and/or medication and may be in the form of a biodegradable polymer and/or a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventor: Rakhi Jain
  • Differential dilation stent and method of use
    Patent number: 9301830
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide differential dilation stents for use in percutaneous interventions, such as transluminal bypass procedures. In some embodiments, the stents may be used in the process of creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula during a percutaneous bypass procedure, and such stents may have two or more specialized regions that are configured to adopt a predetermined diameter, shape, and/or tensile strength upon insertion in order to suit the needs of the vessel or procedure. The disclosed stents may be used for creating and/or maintaining an arterial/venous fistula for bypass of an occlusion in a cardiac artery using a cardiac vein, or the femoral artery, for example using the tibial or popliteal vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: PQ Bypass, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Heuser, Kumar G. Jambunathan, Richard A. Lotti
  • Collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve cuff designs and complementary technological applications
    Patent number: 9289296
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Paul Edward Ashworth, Julia Ann Schraut
  • Absorbable stent having a coating for controlling degradation of the stent and maintaining pH neutrality
    Patent number: 9283304
    Abstract: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices, including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible metallic material may comprise a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy implantable medical device may be designed to degrade over a given period of time. In order to control the degradation time, the device may be coated or otherwise have affixed thereto one or more coatings, one of which comprises a material for controlling the degradation time and maintain a pH neutral environment proximate the device. Additionally, therapeutic agents may be incorporated into one or more of the coatings on the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CARDINAL HEALTH SWITZERLAND 515 GmbH
    Inventor: Jonathon Z. Zhao