Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Thomas Andrews
Geoffrey Thomas Andrews 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: 8882837Abstract: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Ranier LimitedInventors: Robert Snell, Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Martin Cable, Scott Johnson
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Patent number: 8784712Abstract: A process for making a polyurethane, comprising reacting a multifunctional isocyanate, a polyol and, optionally, a chain extender, wherein at least two reagents selected from the isocyanate, the polyol, the chain extender, any mixture thereof and any pre-polymer formed therefrom, are intensively mixed prior to being reactively extruded, to form a polyurethane having a predetermined stoichiometry and thermal history. The polyurethanes obtained by such a process are of highly consistent composition and are, thus, especially suitable for use in the medical device industry.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Ranier LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Anthony Francis Johnson
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Patent number: 8262663Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Ranier LimitedInventors: Jonathan Lawson, Scott Johnson, Robert Snell, Geoffrey Thomas Andrews
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Publication number: 20090275943Abstract: An instrument for preparation of vertebral endplates and a method of preparing a surface of a vertebral endplate are described. The instrument includes a body having a frame, an endplate preparation member supported by the body, and a pivot point. A tilt axis is perpendicular to and intersects a sweep axis at the pivot point. The endplate preparation member is coupled to the frame and controllably pivotable in an arc about the first tilt axis to change a tilt of the endplate preparation member. The endplate preparation member is also controllably pivotable in an arc about the sweep axis while maintaining the tilt of the endplate preparation member. By sweeping the endplate preparation member at incrementally larger tilt angles, recesses in a vertebral endplate surface are gradually formed, which may allow greater precision and control of a depth of the recesses and reduce stress on the vertebral endplate, as opposed to more aggressive techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Ranier LimitedInventors: Jonathan Lawson, Scott Johnson, Robert Snell, Geoffrey Thomas Andrews
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Patent number: 7252650Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, characterized in that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The invention also provides a balloon catheter in which the balloon portion is a balloon of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Ranier LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Robert Adam Snell
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Patent number: 6984201Abstract: A blood circulation assistance device (1), for location around a blood conduit (20). The device comprises: an inflatable bladder (10) moveable between a contracted form and an expanded form, for compressing the blood conduit (20) to provide counterpulsation. Pump means (30) in fluid communication with the bladder (10) move the bladder (10) from the contracted form to the expanded form. The pump means (30) comprises a centrifugal impeller (62) rotatable about an axis (61) to effect pumping. The impeller (62) is moveable axially between first and second positions to effect a reversal of the direction of pumping. Control means (50), in communication with the pump means, is capable of monitoring the cardiac cycle of an individual and triggering the pump means (30) to move the bladder (10) to the expanded form at diastole. An outer cuff, surrounds at least a portion of the bladder (10), providing an outer limiting extent to the movement of the bladder (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Harefield Cardiac LimitedInventors: Asghar Khaghani, Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Christopher Bowles, Nigel Gordon Smith
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Publication number: 20030233023Abstract: A blood circulation assistance device (1), for location around a blood conduit (20). The device comprises: an inflatable bladder (10) moveable between a contracted form and an expanded form, for compressing the blood conduit (20) to provide counterpulsation. Pump means (30) in fluid communication with the bladder (10) move the bladder (10) from the contracted form to the expanded form. The pump means (30) comprises a centrifugal impeller (62) rotatable about an axis (61) to effect pumping. The impeller (62) is moveable axially between first and second positions to effect a reversal of the direction of pumping. Control means (50), in communication with the pump means, is capable of monitoring the cardiac cycle of an individual and triggering the pump means (30) to move the bladder (10) to the expanded form at diastole. An outer cuff, surrounds at least a portion of the bladder (10), providing an outer limiting extent to the movement of the bladder (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Harefield Cardiac LimitedInventors: Asghar Khaghani, Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Christopher Bowles, Nigel Gordon Smith
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Patent number: 6156254Abstract: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, such that:a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having re-inforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; andb. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Ranier LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Thomas Andrews, Robert Adam Snell