Patents by Inventor Benjamin Nickless

Benjamin Nickless 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: 8029559
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring element for an implantable prosthesis that includes a barb, wherein the anchoring element, which includes a basal portion, comprises a thin layer of material, such as a cannula or sheet of metal, that extends or wraps at least partially around the strut of the prosthesis to which it is attached. The barb is configured to extend outward from the basal portion to penetrate adjacent tissue. The anchoring element is either permanently affixed to the strut, such as by laser or spot welding, crimping, or some other method of bonding, or allowed to slide longitudinally over the strut between two points or stops in order to relieve any excessive loads placed upon the barb that could cause fracture. The anchoring element and strut may be configured to limit axial rotation of the barb, while still allowing longitudinal movement. In another embodiment, the slidable anchoring element may be manipulated following initial deployment to reorient the barb toward the implantation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Sisken, Brian D. Choules, Benjamin Nickless, Charles W. Agnew
  • Patent number: 8024851
    Abstract: A method for producing a radially expandable prosthesis by cutting a pattern in a tubular member, which member has an outer diameter at least as great as the expanded diameter of the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P. Barr, Michael P. DeBruyne, Jay A. Dittman, Micheal C. Hoffa, Jason A. Mead, Benjamin Nickless
  • Patent number: 7828839
    Abstract: A system for anchoring an endoluminal prosthesis comprises a barb. The barb comprises a base, a retractable body extending distally from the base towards a distal anchor, and a hinge disposed between the base and the anchor and spaced apart from the base. The anchor pivots about the hinge between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Additional devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: William A. Cook, Michael P. DeBruyne, Mark R. Frye, Benjamin Nickless, Thomas A. Osborne, Ronan T. Young
  • Publication number: 20100016953
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring element for an implantable prosthesis that includes a barb, wherein the anchoring element, which includes a basal portion, comprises a thin layer of material, such as a cannula or sheet of metal, that extends or wraps at least partially around the strut of the prosthesis to which it is attached. The barb is configured to extend outward from the basal portion to penetrate adjacent tissue. The anchoring element is either permanently affixed to the strut, such as by laser or spot welding, crimping, or some other method of bonding, or allowed to slide longitudinally over the strut between two points or stops in order to relieve any excessive loads placed upon the barb that could cause fracture. The anchoring element and strut may be configured to limit axial rotation of the barb, while still allowing longitudinal movement. In another embodiment, the slidable anchoring element may be manipulated following initial deployment to reorient the barb toward the implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicants: MED Institute, Inc., Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard B. Sisken, Brian D. Choules, Benjamin Nickless, Charles W. Agnew
  • Patent number: 7572289
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for implantation within the body of a patient comprises a support structure and an anchoring element that comprises a basal portion and at least one barb extending from the basal portion. The anchoring element may be slidably attached to the strut and the strut may include a first stop and a second stop that define a longitudinal zone of movement for the anchoring element. Other devices and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignees: MED Institute, Inc., Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard B. Sisken, Brian D. Choules, Benjamin Nickless, Charles W. Agnew
  • Publication number: 20080178459
    Abstract: A method for producing a radially expandable prosthesis by cutting a pattern in a tubular member, which member has an outer diameter at least as great as the expanded diameter of the prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron P. Barr, Michael P. DeBruyne, Jay A. Dittman, Michael C. Hoffa, Jason A. Mead, Benjamin Nickless
  • Publication number: 20080033534
    Abstract: A system for anchoring an endoluminal prosthesis comprises a barb. The barb comprises a base, a retractable body extending distally from the base towards a distal anchor, and a hinge disposed between the base and the anchor and spaced apart from the base. The anchor pivots about the hinge between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Additional devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: William Cook, Michael DeBruyne, Mark Frye, Benjamin Nickless, Thomas Osborne, Ronan Young
  • Patent number: 7081132
    Abstract: A barbed medical prosthesis is disclosed in which the barb includes a basal portion comprising a point of union with the substrate of origin (such as a strut), an anchoring portion adapted to embed into tissue, and a stress-dispersing portion located between the basal and anchoring portions. In one embodiment the stress-dispersing portion comprises a helical coil having a free winding that is unattached to the strut from which the barb extends. In another embodiment, the stress-dispersing portion comprises a series of bends or curves formed in the barb proximate to the point of union with the strut. The barb can be mechanically attached and/or soldered to the prosthesis, or integrally formed therefrom. A second barb portion and stress-dispersing portion, may also extend from the basal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: William A. Cook, Michael P. DeBruyne, Benjamin Nickless, Thomas A. Osborne
  • Publication number: 20050240259
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring element for an implantable prosthesis that includes a barb, wherein the anchoring element, which includes a basal portion, comprises a thin layer of material, such as a cannula or sheet of metal, that extends or wraps at least partially around the strut of the prosthesis to which it is attached. The barb is configured to extend outward from the basal portion to penetrate adjacent tissue. The anchoring element is either permanently affixed to the strut, such as by laser or spot welding, crimping, or some other method of bonding, or allowed to slide longitudinally over the strut between two points or stops in order to relieve any excessive loads placed upon the barb that could cause fracture. The anchoring element and strut may be configured to limit axial rotation of the barb, while still allowing longitudinal movement. In another embodiment, the slidable anchoring element may be manipulated following initial deployment to reorient the barb toward the implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicants: MED Institute, Inc., Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Sisken, Brian Choules, Benjamin Nickless, Charles Agnew
  • Publication number: 20030236570
    Abstract: A barbed medical prosthesis is disclosed in which the barb includes a basal portion comprising a point of union with the substrate of origin (such as a strut), an anchoring portion adapted to embed into tissue, and a stress-dispersing portion located between the basal and anchoring portions. In one embodiment the stress-dispersing portion comprises a helical coil having a free winding that is unattached to the strut from which the barb extends. In another embodiment, the stress-dispersing portion comprises a series of bends or curves formed in the barb proximate to the point of union with the strut. The barb can be mechanically attached and/or soldered to the prosthesis, or integrally formed therefrom. A second barb portion and stress-dispersing portion, may also extend from the basal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: William A. Cook, Michael P. DeBruyne, Benjamin Nickless, Thomas A. Osborne