Patents by Inventor Douglas H. Mehl
Douglas H. Mehl 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).
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Patent number: 9241707Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Timothy C. Reynolds, Dinorah Merrill, Dawn Ma, David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson
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Publication number: 20150327870Abstract: Systems and methods for applying targeted force to a radial access puncture site to provide hemostasis and close the puncture site. The system may include a cuff for placement over a wrist, a fluid source from which an inflation fluid may be delivered into an inflatable balloon associated with the cuff during use, and an inflatable balloon attached to the cuff. The balloon is disposed over the puncture site and inflated during use. The system may include one or more features configured to focus or target the applied force to the puncture site. For example, the balloon may include varying wall thickness, with a thinner-walled portion that applies a focused pressure to the puncture site, two balloons where one applies focused force, or an outer sheath with a hole placed over the balloon so that a portion of the balloon protrudes through the hole and applies focused force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Timothy C. Reynolds
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Patent number: 9138214Abstract: A suture securing system is provided for use in closing a vessel puncture site while eliminating the need for sutures to be manually tied in knots. The system may include an elongate body comprising a shaft and a barrel slidably mounted on the shaft. A knot replacement element may include an outer surface and an inner lumen configured to receive suture lengths. The knot replacement element may be at least partially positioned within the distal end of the barrel adjacent to the distal portion of the shaft and may be configured to selectively fasten the suture lengths together over the vessel repair site. The system may also include a snare configured to draw the suture lengths through the knot replacement element and at least a portion of the elongate body. A trimmer member may be configured to selectively trim the suture lengths extending from the knot replacement element.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Wouter E. Roorda
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Patent number: 8992571Abstract: A suture clip having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with a perimeter sidewall extending therebetween. An aperture extends completely through the clip between the top and bottom surfaces to form a slot. The slot extends into the clip from a mouth at a periphery on a first end of the clip to divide the clip into first and second lateral portions that are separated at the first end but connected at a second end of the clip. The slot is bounded by opposing inner sidewalls of the first and second lateral portions extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the clip. The clip has a sufficient resilient force to allow a suture to be slid into the slot and has a sufficient clamping force to retain the suture in place within the slot once a desired positioned of the suture has been attained.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl
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Publication number: 20150025551Abstract: A medical apparatus that includes a distal member, a needle disposed in the distal member and proximally advanceable from the distal member, and a needle capture portion positioned proximal to the distal member and which includes a through-hole to direct the needle from the needle capture portion towards a graspable member at a trajectory narrower than a trajectory of the needle from the distal member to the needle capture portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Dinorah Merrill, David J. Milazzo
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Patent number: 8864778Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advanceable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Dinorah Merrill, David J. Milazzo
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Patent number: 8858573Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advanceable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Dinorah Merrill, David J. Milazzo
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Publication number: 20140236188Abstract: A device configured as a knot pusher and/or a suture trimmer is provided. The device can deliver and secure a suture knot. The apparatus can also trim the suture after the suture knot is secured.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas H. Mehl, Aaron M. Fortson, Richard J. Rotzman, Dana G. Vaughn
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Publication number: 20130325058Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Timothy C. Reynolds, Dinorah Merrill, Dawn Ma, David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson
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Publication number: 20130267966Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advanceable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Dinorah Merrill, David J. Milazzo
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Publication number: 20130267967Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advancable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Dinorah Merrill, David J. Milazzo
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Publication number: 20130231701Abstract: A suture securing system is provided for use in closing a vessel puncture site while eliminating the need for sutures to be manually tied in knots. The system may include an elongate body comprising a shaft and a barrel slidably mounted on the shaft. A knot replacement element may include an outer surface and an inner lumen configured to receive suture lengths. The knot replacement element may be at least partially positioned within the distal end of the barrel adjacent to the distal portion of the shaft and may be configured to selectively fasten the suture lengths together over the vessel repair site. The system may also include a snare configured to draw the suture lengths through the knot replacement element and at least a portion of the elongate body. A trimmer member may be configured to selectively trim the suture lengths extending from the knot replacement element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl, Rizza Garcia, Wouter E. Roorda
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Publication number: 20130110164Abstract: A suture clip having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with a perimeter sidewall extending therebetween. An aperture extends completely through the clip between the top and bottom surfaces to form a slot. The slot extends into the clip from a mouth at a periphery on a first end of the clip to divide the clip into first and second lateral portions that are separated at the first end but connected at a second end of the clip. The slot is bounded by opposing inner sidewalls of the first and second lateral portions extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the clip. The clip has a sufficient resilient force to allow a suture to be slid into the slot and has a sufficient clamping force to retain the suture in place within the slot once a desired positioned of the suture has been attained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David J. Milazzo, Aaron M. Fortson, Douglas H. Mehl
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Publication number: 20120296373Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a closure element having a foot portion and a needle guide portion. The foot portion and the needle guide portion are each movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The foot portion includes cuffs removably mounted thereon and having sutures connected therebetween. The needle guide portion includes needle guide apertures that guide the needles to the cuffs. The needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Douglas H. Mehl
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Publication number: 20100179567Abstract: The present disclosure includes anchor members configured to locate and/or anchor tissue surrounding a body lumen opening comprising. In one implementation, the anchor member can include an elongate portion configured to be manipulated by a user and an anchor portion. In a further implementation, the anchor portion can have one or more contracted configurations capable of passing through a body lumen opening and one or more expanded configurations capable of anchoring tissue surrounding a body lumen opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: ABBOTT VASCULAR INC.Inventors: Laveille K. Voss, Sung-Woo Min, Alexander S. Wong, Douglas H. Mehl, David J. Milazzo
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Publication number: 20100114156Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device according the present invention includes a delivery system for deploying a closure element, wherein the closure element is movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration to close an opening in tissue. The closure device of the present invention may further include a charge of hemostatic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: ABBOTT VASCULAR INC.Inventor: Douglas H. Mehl