Patents by Inventor Christopher Bethards

Christopher Bethards 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: 9622860
    Abstract: An adjustment tool enables manipulation of a prosthetic anatomical device such as an annuloplasty ring. The tool includes a compression member which is operative for retarding rotation of the adjustment shaft to preclude inadvertent rotation thereof during use of the tool by the surgeon. A locking device is associated with the adjustment tool to enable the releasable attachment of the tool to the anatomical device during its adjustment by manipulation of the tool. The locking device is oriented into operative and inoperative positions by the engagement and disengagement of locking elements. A scale may be provided on the adjustment tool to assist a surgeon in determining the size or amount of adjustment to the size of the anatomical device during its adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Bielefeld, Gregory R. Furnish, Christopher Bethards
  • Patent number: 9314336
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for an adjustable prosthetic valve device includes a gearbox housing formed from two gearbox shells coupled to one another and held together by two gearbox sleeves each having an internal cavity adapted to accommodate respective lateral portions of the gearbox shells when the gearbox shells are coupled to one another. A gear assembly, including a center gear and two driven gears, is supported within the gearbox housing. Gear teeth of each of the driven gears engage gear teeth of the center gear such that rotation of the center gear causes rotation of the driven gears. At least one of the driven gears is adapted to engage a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation thereof to another part of the adjustable prosthetic valve device to accomplish an adjustment to the size and/or shape of the adjustable prosthetic valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, Brian K. Wells, Christopher Bethards, Bruce R. Weir, Melinda K. Kovach
  • Publication number: 20140074226
    Abstract: An adjustment tool enables manipulation of a prosthetic anatomical device such as an annuloplasty ring. The tool includes a compression member which is operative for retarding rotation of the adjustment shaft to preclude inadvertent rotation thereof during use of the tool by the surgeon. A locking device is associated with the adjustment tool to enable the releasable attachment of the tool to the anatomical device during its adjustment by manipulation of the tool. The locking device is oriented into operative and inoperative positions by the engagement and disengagement of locking elements. A scale may be provided on the adjustment tool to assist a surgeon in determining the size or amount of adjustment to the size of the anatomical device during its adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC
    Inventors: Eric E. Bielefeld, Gregory R. Furnish, Christopher Bethards
  • Publication number: 20140067055
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for an adjustable prosthetic valve device includes a gearbox housing formed from two gearbox shells coupled to one another and held together by two gearbox sleeves each having an internal cavity adapted to accommodate respective lateral portions of the gearbox shells when the gearbox shells are coupled to one another. A gear assembly, including a center gear and two driven gears, is supported within the gearbox housing. Gear teeth of each of the driven gears engage gear teeth of the center gear such that rotation of the center gear causes rotation of the driven gears. At least one of the driven gears is adapted to engage a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation thereof to another part of the adjustable prosthetic valve device to accomplish an adjustment to the size and/or shape of the adjustable prosthetic valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, Brian K. Wells, Christopher Bethards, Bruce R. Weir, Melinda K. Kovach