Patents Examined by William H. Matthews
  • Transcutaneous prosthesis
    Patent number: 8628584
    Abstract: A transcutaneous prosthesis includes a first component shaped for implantation into a bone, the first component including flutes or grooves on a surface thereof for deterring rotation of the prosthesis within a bone; a second component adapted for location between the bone and the skin, the second component having a surface treatment for stimulation of fibroblastic cell proliferation and attachment of epithelial cells; and a third component adapted for location to extend from the skin surface and is adapted to extend directly from the skin surface in use, the third component having a coating of a non-stick material on an outer surface thereof, the coating having a surface energy that is lower than a surface energy of the first and second components and which is low enough to deter bacterial adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: University College London
    Inventors: Gordon Blunn, Justin Cobb, Allen Goodship, Paul Unwin
  • Apparatus, system, and method for intraocular lens power calculation using a regression formula incorporating corneal spherical aberration
    Patent number: 8623081
    Abstract: An intraocular lens, and a system and method of providing an intraocular lens, having at least one characteristic of the intraocular lens customized in accordance with a modified regression that includes a modification for corneal spherical aberration. The lens, system and method may indicate measuring at least one biometric parameter of an eye at a desired light level, determining a desired postoperative condition of the eye, obtaining a corneal spherical aberration of the eye, applying at least one empirically derived regression calculation, and predictively estimating, in accordance with an output of the at least one empirically derived regression calculation, the at least one characteristic of the intraocular lens to obtain the desired postoperative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AMO Groningen B.V.
    Inventors: Carmen Canovas Vidal, Pablo Artal
  • Soft intraocular lens
    Patent number: 8623084
    Abstract: A soft intraocular lens is provided, with IRHD hardness thereof being 40 to 60, wherein distance L is in a range of 3.75 mm-4.50 mm, which is a distance from an optical central axis of the optical part to a reference point of a supporting part side edge of the transition part, and an angle ? is in a range of 35°-50°, which is formed by a surface including the optical central axis and a reference point of the supporting part side edge of the transition part, and a surface including the optical central axis and in contact with a tip of the supporting part, with a width of the transition part being larger than a width of the supporting part, and a width Wm of the transition part in a middle of the optical part side edge and the supporting part side edge of the transition part being 1.5 times to 3 times of a width Ws of the supporting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Shoji, Masanobu Inoue
  • Capsulotomy device and method using electromagnetic induction heating
    Patent number: 8591577
    Abstract: A capsulotomy device for use in an eye having a capsular bag, comprising a conductive, primary coil capable of generating magnetic field lines and a conductive, secondary coil configured to permit insertion through an incision having a diameter of 3 mm or less, and placement on the capsular bag. When the magnetic field lines are projected through the secondary coil, a current is generated within the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ala Moradian, Joseph Gruber
  • Annuloplasty band and method
    Patent number: 8585614
    Abstract: An annuloplasty band comprising a sheath, and a generally arcuate stiffening element disposed within the sheath. The stiffening element extends from a first end to a second end, and preferably includes eyelets at its first and second ends adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to a valve annulus. The annuloplasty band preferably has a low profile (e.g., a thickness less than 3 mm). In embodiments intended for mitral valve repair, the eyelets are particularly adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to the antero-lateral trigone and postero-medial trigone. A holder and sizer device useful with the annuloplasty band are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ryan, Joseph C. Morrow
  • Adjustable tricuspid ring
    Patent number: 8579968
    Abstract: Annuloplasty rings reduce or eliminate tricuspid regurgitation and/or tricuspid annulus dilation. An adjustable annuloplasty device includes a ring body having a first free end and a second free end. The ring body includes a shape memory material to provide a shape change to the adjustable annuloplasty device upon activation. The ring body includes a first segment including the first free end and following a curved path corresponding to an anterior leaflet region of a tricuspid annulus, a second segment following a curved path corresponding to a posterior leaflet region of the tricuspid annulus, and a third segment including the second free end and at least partially following a linear path corresponding to a portion of a septal leaflet region of the tricuspid annulus. Activation of the shape memory material changes a dimension of the adjustable annuloplasty device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: MiCardia Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Shannon, Samuel M. Shaolian, Brian C. Gray, Vincent Yeh
  • Apparatus and methods for performing transluminal gastrointestinal procedures
    Patent number: 8573226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for diagnosing and treating digestive or other organs (as well as other parts of the body) endoluminally and transluminally, via instruments passed into the GI tract per-orally and/or per-anally. The instruments may, for example, pass transluminally out of the stomach and/or the colon through a breach formed therein in order to conduct diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, such as gastroenterostomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh
  • Method and instruments for treating GERD
    Patent number: 8567409
    Abstract: The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating a reflux disease in a patient by implanting a movement restriction device that, when implanted in a patient, restricts the movement of the stomach notch in relation to the diaphragm muscle preventing the cardia to slide up through the diaphragm hiatus opening. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a movement restriction device to be invaginated in the stomach fundus wall of a human patient to treat reflux disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Milux Holding SA
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Removable stent-graft
    Patent number: 8556956
    Abstract: A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cully, Woodrow W. Watson
  • Capsular intraocular lens implant
    Patent number: 8545556
    Abstract: An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Randall L Woods, Robert Schulz
  • Electronically controlled focusing ophthalmic device
    Patent number: 8545555
    Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an electrically controlled focusing ophthalmic device (43) to be worn by a user, comprising:—at least one active liquid lens comprising a liquid/liquid interface movable by electrowetting under the application of a voltage,—a driver for applying a DC voltage to said active liquid lens, the amplitude of the voltage to be applied being a function of the desired focusing;—a sensor (41) for detecting eyelid closing events and/or microsaccades of the user;—a controller for synchronizing said sensor and the driver, such that the driver may reverse the polarization of the DC voltage during a microsaccade and/or an eyelid closing event of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Parrot
    Inventor: Bruno Berge
  • Multifocal ophthalmic lens
    Patent number: 8529623
    Abstract: A method of designing a multifocal ophthalmic lens with one base focus and at least one additional focus, capable of reducing aberrations of the eye for at least one of the foci after its implantation, comprising the steps of: (i) characterizing at least one corneal surface as a mathematical model; (ii) calculating the resulting aberrations of said corneal surface(s) by employing said mathematical model; (iii) modelling the multifocal ophthalmic lens such that a wavefront arriving from an optical system comprising said lens and said at least one corneal surface obtains reduced aberrations for at least one of the foci. There is also disclosed a method of selecting a multifocal intraocular lens, a method of designing a multifocal ophthalmic lens based on corneal data from a group of patients, and a multifocal ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: AMO Groningen B.V.
    Inventors: Patricia Ann Piers, Hendrik Albert Weeber, Sverker Norrby
  • Intraocular implants and related kits and methods
    Patent number: 8529622
    Abstract: Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sight Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: David Y. Badawi, Paul Badawi
  • Intraocular lenses with interlenticular opacification resistance
    Patent number: 8491651
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens, an intraocular lens system and a method of producing and/or implanting the lens or system in an eye wherein at least one intraocular lens includes a coating that aids in resisting interlenticular opacification (ILO). The material of the coating is preferably hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Chi-Chun Tsai, Brett E. Thomes, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Method for removal of bone
    Patent number: 8491596
    Abstract: A kit (10) for preparation of a bone cavity (12) in a bone (14) for implantation of a joint prosthesis (16) is provided. The kit (10) includes a guide (20) defining an opening (22) therethrough. The guide (20) is in cooperation with the prosthesis. The kit (10) also includes a rotatable tool (24) constrainable within the opening (22) of said guide (20). The tool (24) is adapted for removal of bone (14) to form the bone cavity (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Long, Brian Maroney, Jose Guzman, Frank G. Alvine, Stephen F. Conti, Roy W. Sanders
  • Method of preparing decellularized soft tissue, graft and culture material
    Patent number: 8486139
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of preparing a decellularized soft tissue whereby swelling after an ultrahigh pressure treatment can be inhibited, etc. The above-described method of preparing a decellularized soft tissue comprises the application step wherein an ultrahigh hydrostatic pressure is applied to an isolated soft tissue in a medium to thereby disrupt cells in the soft tissue, and the removal step wherein the disrupted cells are removed. As the medium, use is made of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextran.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
    Inventors: Akio Kishida, Tsuyoshi Kimura, Hisatoshi Kobayashi, Toshiya Fujisato
  • Accommodating intraocular lenses
    Patent number: 8486142
    Abstract: An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming 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. Certain haptic features improve the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. Furthermore, certain aspects also provide enhanced bag-sizing capability so that the IOL better fits within the capsular bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Bumbalough, Rakhi Jain, Scott J. Catlin, Tamara J. Yorita
  • Accommodating intraocular lens
    Patent number: 8475529
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens, for use in an eye, is made from flexible, optionally elastic, bio-compatible lens body material surrounding a closed and sealed lens cavity. One or more compressible struts is in the cavity. The cavity is filled with bio-compatible optical liquid. The optical liquid has a refractive index sufficiently high to, in cooperation with the ciliary muscle and the compressible strut, focus light, incident on the eye, on the retina, thus to provide accommodation. The curvature of the surface of the lens is deformable, by the forces expressed by the ciliary body and the strut, thus to change the radius of curvature of the anterior body member and/or the posterior body member, thus providing focusing, including from relatively farther distance in the relaxed state to relatively nearer distance in the accommodative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald P. Clarke
  • Methods for treating airways
    Patent number: 8459268
    Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Accommodating intraocular lens having peripherally actuated deflectable surface and method
    Patent number: 8454688
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens is provided in which a deflectable lens element is anchored to a substrate along its optical axis to define a fluid filled space. Fluid-filled haptics disposed in fluid communication with the space vary the fluid volume in the space responsive to forces applied by the ciliary muscles, thereby causing the periphery of the lens element to deflect relative to the substrate and changing the optical power of the intraocular lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: PowerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Esch, John Scholl, Terry Smiley, Patrick Myall, Bill Evans, Barry Cheskin, Henry Wu