Patents by Inventor Andrew D. Bicek

Andrew D. Bicek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11045164
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the assessment of fluid content and electrolyte balance in patients are provided. The systems generally include two or more ultrasound transducers and may include impedance-sensing electrodes as well. These elements are positioned about a soft tissue of a patient by means of a retention element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 10675395
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Umang Anand, Adam J. Black, Ahmed Selim, Steven D. Reinitz, Bradley F. Slaker, Andrew D. Bicek, Paul F. Chouinard
  • Patent number: 10531945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Annamaria Szabolcs, Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard, Steven L. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20170367820
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Umang Anand, Adam J. BLACK, Ahmed SELIM, Steven D. REINITZ, Bradley F. SLAKER, Andrew D. BICEK, Paul F. CHOUINARD
  • Publication number: 20160213348
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the assessment of fluid content and electrolyte balance in patients are provided. The systems generally include two or more ultrasound transducers and may include impedance-sensing electrodes as well. These elements are positioned about a soft tissue of a patient by means of a retention element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20160213462
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Annamaria Szabolcs, Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard, Steven L. Kangas
  • Patent number: 8641750
    Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LifeShield Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Timothy S. Girton
  • Patent number: 7399312
    Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Timothy S. Girton
  • Patent number: 7354450
    Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and consists of a plurality of interconnected struts. The struts are of substantially the same length. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The stent further comprises a plurality of wishbone connectors. Each wishbone connector connects two serpentine bands which are adjacent one another. The wishbone connectors have an elongate portion which is disposed between the two serpentine bands and does not overlap longitudinally with either of the two serpentine bands. The elongate portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has two legs extending therefrom to one of the two serpentine bands and the distal end has two legs extending therefrom to the other of the two serpentine bands. At least one wishbone connector connects serpentine bands which are adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Timothy S. Girton
  • Patent number: 6799467
    Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Marie A. Guion, Andrew D. Bicek, Thomas B. Priebe, Daniel T. Wolters, Paul C. Luna
  • Patent number: 6790221
    Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance A. Monroe, Andrew D. Bicek, Joel Phillips, Joel R. Munsinger, David Sogard
  • Publication number: 20030226411
    Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Marie A. Guion, Andrew D. Bicek, Thomas E. Priebe, Daniel T. Wolters, Paul C. Luna
  • Publication number: 20030171800
    Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Timothy S. Girton
  • Publication number: 20030144729
    Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and consists of a plurality of interconnected struts. The struts are of substantially the same length. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The stent further comprises a plurality of wishbone connectors. Each wishbone connector connects two serpentine bands which are adjacent one another. The wishbone connectors have an elongate portion which is disposed between the two serpentine bands and does not overlap longitudinally with either of the two serpentine bands. The elongate portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has two legs extending therefrom to one of the two serpentine bands and the distal end has two legs extending therefrom to the other of the two serpentine bands. At least one wishbone connector connects serpentine bands which are adjacent one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Timothy S. Girton
  • Patent number: 6579297
    Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Lance A. Monroe, Anthony C. Vrba, Steven E. Walak
  • Publication number: 20020052641
    Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance A. Monroe, Andrew D. Bicek, Joel Phillips, Joel R. Munsinger, David Sogard
  • Patent number: 6322586
    Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance A. Monroe, Andrew D. Bicek, Joel Phillips, Joel R. Munsinger, David Sogard
  • Publication number: 20010012944
    Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Lance A. Monroe, Anthony C. Vrba, Steven E. Walak
  • Patent number: 6206888
    Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bicek, Lance A. Monroe, Anthony C. Vrba, Steven E. Walak
  • Patent number: 6113608
    Abstract: A stent delivery system having a hydraulically actuated retractable sheath is disclosed. A pressurizing fluid is either supplied by an inflation lumen to a portion of a piston housing or is withdrawn from a portion of a piston housing, thereby actuating a piston. As the piston moves, a retractable sheath which is connected to the piston moves as well causing the sheath to retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance A. Monroe, Andrew D. Bicek, Anthony C. Vrba