Patents by Inventor George T. Roberts
George T. Roberts 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: 6723118Abstract: A self-expanding metal wire stent made of shape memory alloy such as nitinol in which a plurality of spaced sections of closed cells are interconnected by straight sections of wire which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent or may be disposed angularly with respect thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Ballou, George T. Roberts, Kristian J. DiMatteo, Adrian C. Ravenscroft
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Patent number: 6685738Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Chouinard, Dennis A. Peiffer, Patrick A. Haverkost, George T. Roberts
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Patent number: 6656212Abstract: This invention provides smooth delivery and accurate positioning of prostheses in the body. In embodiments, systems are provided that include elongate members extending generally along the axis of a supporting catheter to a free ends. The elongate members extend through openings in the prosthesis to maintain the position of the prosthesis on the catheter. The prosthesis can be released from the catheter by relative axial motion of the catheter and the elongate members such that the free ends are removed from the openings in the prosthesis. In embodiments, the elongate members hold the distal end of a self-expanding stent at a desired axial location and in radial compaction as a restraining sheath is withdrawn. The friction between the sheath and stent puts the stent under tension, which reduces the radial force on the sheath wall, allowing smoother retraction. Proximal portions of the stent radially expand and axially shorten.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adrian C. Ravenscroft, George T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20030199916Abstract: A multi-sheath delivery catheter and method for introducing a prosthesis into a body lumen involving use of (a) an outer sheath adapted to contain a portion of the prosthesis and having an inner surface with a non-round cross-section; (b) a middle sheath slideably disposed at least partly within the outer sheath and adapted to contain another portion of the prosthesis, the middle sheath having a distal end with a first handle attached to it that has a non-round cross-section corresponding to and engaging the non-round cross-section of the inner surface of the outer sheath; and (c) a pusher slideably disposed at least partly within the middle sheath and adapted to engage the prosthesis, whereby relative rotational movement between the outer sheath and the middle sheath is prevented by virtue of the engagement of the non-round cross-section of the first handle with the non-round cross-section of the inner surface of the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Carl E. Yee, George T. Roberts, Frank A. Occidentale, Robert A. Christie
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Patent number: 6482348Abstract: A method of forming a balloon for medical purposes comprising co-extruding in a tubular shape a base structural layer of a member selected from the group consisting oft polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters and copolymers thereof and a heat sealable layer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and copolymers thereof. The tubular member is then biaxially oriented by inflating the tube with a gas to a predetermined central diameter greater then the initial diameter of the tube and simultaneously heating the inflated tube to a temperature sufficient to biaxially orient the base structural layer. The member is then cooled the inflated tubular member and then elevated in temperature for a second time to the biaxially orienting temperature. The twice-heated tube is allowed to cool and the gas is withdrawn whereby the tubular member will assume a generally tubular shape and the main structural layer will remain biaxially orientated and the heat sealable layer will not be biaxially orientated.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: James C. Wang, John Abele, George T. Roberts, Brian A. Pederson, Sr.
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Publication number: 20020045914Abstract: A prosthesis delivery system having a balloon catheter with an inflatable balloon on its exterior. The balloon is inflatable by injection of fluid through a lumen in the catheter and the balloon is initially partially constrained against inflation by a constraint. A tubular prosthesis is disposed on the catheter over at least a portion of the balloon and a portion of the constraint. The tubular prosthesis has a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The tubular prosthesis is initially disposed on the catheter in the contracted condition. Further, a balloon catheter includes a constraint so that the balloon may be sequentially,inflated for dilatation purposes such as in a valvuloplasty operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Applicant: Boston Scientific Corporation, a Delaware corporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Kathleen L. Hess, Sepideh H. Nott, Michael S.H. Chu, Yem Chin
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Publication number: 20020007210Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Paul F. Chouinard, Dennis A. Peiffer, Patrick A. Haverkost, George T. Roberts
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Patent number: 6325822Abstract: A method and stent for treating a lumen, the stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Chouinard, Dennis A. Peiffer, Patrick A. Haverkost, George T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20010037141Abstract: A multi-sheath delivery catheter and method for introducing a prosthesis into a body lumen involving use of (a) an outer sheath adapted to contain a portion of the prosthesis and having an inner surface with a non-round cross-section; (b) a middle sheath slideably disposed at least partly within the outer sheath and adapted to contain another portion of the prosthesis, the middle sheath having a distal end with a first handle attached to it that has a non-round cross-section corresponding to and engaging the non-round cross-section of the inner surface of the outer sheath; and (c) a pusher slideably disposed at least partly within the middle sheath and adapted to engage the prosthesis, whereby relative rotational movement between the outer sheath and the middle sheath is prevented by virtue of the engagement of the non-round cross-section of the first handle with the non-round cross-section of the inner surface of the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: Carl E. Yee, George T. Roberts, Frank A. Occidentale, Robert A. Christie
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Patent number: 6296660Abstract: A prosthesis delivery system having a balloon catheter with an inflatable balloon on its exterior. The balloon is inflatable by injection of fluid through a lumen in the catheter and the balloon is initially partially constrained against inflation by a constraint. A tubular prosthesis is disposed on the catheter over at least a portion of the balloon and a portion of the constraint. The tubular prosthesis has a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The tubular prosthesis is initially disposed on the catheter in the contracted condition. Further, a balloon catheter includes a constraint so that the balloon may be sequentially inflated for dilatation purposes such as in a valvuloplasty operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Kathleen L. Hess, Sepideh H. Nott, Michael S. H. Chu, Yem Chin
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Patent number: 6251132Abstract: This invention provides smooth delivery and accurate positioning of prostheses in the body. In embodiments, systems are provided that include elongate members extending generally along the axis of a supporting catheter to a free ends. The elongate members extend through openings in the prosthesis to maintain the position of the prosthesis on the catheter. The prosthesis can be released from the catheter by relative axial motion of the catheter and the elongate members such that the free ends are removed from the openings in the prosthesis. In embodiments, the elongate members hold the distal end of a self-expanding stent at a desired axial location and in radial compaction as a restraining sheath is withdrawn. The friction between the sheath and stent puts the stent under tension, which reduces the radial force on the sheath wall, allowing smoother retraction. Proximal portions of the stent radially expand and axially shorten.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: Adrian C. Ravenscroft, George T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20010004696Abstract: This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with tips constructed to permit both easier advance into the body and easier removal from the body after expanding the prosthesis. The tip includes a distal taper that can gently widen a lumen during advance in instances where the lumen is narrower than the tip and a proximal taper that can gently widen the lumen on retraction in instances where the prosthesis does not immediately expand the lumen to provide clearance for the larger diameter tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 1998Publication date: June 21, 2001Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATIONInventors: GEORGE T. ROBERTS, ERIK ANDERSEN
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Publication number: 20010001833Abstract: This invention provides smooth delivery and accurate positioning of prostheses in the body. In embodiments, systems are provided that include elongate members extending generally along the axis of a supporting catheter to a free ends. The elongate members extend through openings in the prosthesis to maintain the position of the prosthesis on the catheter. The prosthesis can be released from the catheter by relative axial motion of the catheter and the elongate members such that the free ends are removed from the openings in the prosthesis. In embodiments, the elongate members hold the distal end of a self-expanding stent at a desired axial location and in radial compaction as a restraining sheath is withdrawn. The friction between the sheath and stent puts the stent under tension, which reduces the radial force on the sheath wall, allowing smoother retraction. Proximal portions of the stent radially expand and axially shorten.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: May 24, 2001Inventors: Adrian C. Ravenscroft, George T. Roberts
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Patent number: 6136258Abstract: A method of forming a balloon for medical purposes including co-extruding in a tubular shape a base structural layer of polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters and copolymers thereof and a heat sealable layer of polyethylene and copolymers thereof. The tubular member is then biaxially oriented by inflating the tube with a gas to a predetermined central diameter greater then the initial diameter of the tube and simultaneously heating the inflated tube to a temperature sufficient to biaxially orient the base structural layer. The member is then cooled the inflated tubular member and then elevated in temperature for a second time to the biaxially orienting temperature. The twice-heated tube is allowed to cool and the gas is withdrawn whereby the tubular member will assume a generally tubular shape and the main structural layer will remain biaxially orientated and the heat sealable layer will not be biaxially orientated.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1995Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: James C. Wang, John Abele, George T. Roberts, Brian A. Pederson, Sr.
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Patent number: 6071308Abstract: A self-expanding metal wire stent made of shape memory alloy such as nitinol in which a plurality of spaced sections of closed cells are interconnected by straight sections of wire which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent or may be disposed angularly with respect thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: Kurt Ballou, George T. Roberts, Kristian J. DiMatteo, Adrian C. Ravenscroft
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Patent number: 5984964Abstract: This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with atraumatic tips that can be dislodged from the catheter so that the catheter can be easily removed from the body after expanding the prosthesis, by pulling the catheter proximally. With the tip dislodged, the catheter, which is of smaller diameter than the tip can be removed even in instances where the prosthesis does not expand the lumen to a large diameter. This invention also provides prosthesis delivery systems with a contoured protective outer sheath having smaller diameters in proximal portions that normally are acutely bent when the system is in the body, than in distal portions corresponding to the position of the prostheses. These systems are more flexible and the sheaths less likely to kink, especially when configured as part of a large delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Darin Wilson, Erik Anderson, Hans-Peter Strohband
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Patent number: 5908448Abstract: A prosthesis delivery system having a balloon catheter with an inflatable balloon on its exterior. The balloon is inflatable by injection of fluid through a lumen in the catheter and the balloon is initially partially constrained against inflation by a constraint. A tubular prosthesis is disposed on the catheter over at least a portion of the balloon and a portion of the constraint. The tubular prosthesis has a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The tubular prosthesis is initially disposed on the catheter in the contracted condition. Further, a balloon catheter includes a constraint so that the balloon may be sequentially inflated for dilatation purposes such as in a valvuloplasty operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Kathleen L. Hess, Sepideh H. Nott
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Patent number: 5902333Abstract: This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with tips constructed to permit both easier advance into the body and easier removal from the body after expanding the prosthesis. The tip includes a distal taper that can gently widen a lumen during advance in instances where the lumen is narrower than the tip and a proximal taper that can gently widen the lumen on retraction in instances where the prosthesis does not immediately expand the lumen to provide clearance for the larger diameter tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1995Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Erik Andersen
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Patent number: 5824058Abstract: This invention provides smooth delivery and accurate positioning of prostheses in the body. In embodiments, systems are provided that include elongate members extending generally along the axis of a supporting catheter to a free ends. The elongate members extend through openings in the prosthesis to maintain the position of the prosthesis on the catheter. The prosthesis can be released from the catheter by relative axial motion of the catheter and the elongate members such that the free ends are removed from the openings in the prosthesis. In embodiments, the elongate members hold the distal end of a self-expanding stent at a desired axial location and in radial compaction as a restraining sheath is withdrawn. The friction between the sheath and stent puts the stent under tension, which reduces the radial force on the sheath wall, allowing smoother retraction. Proximal portions of the stent radially expand and axially shorten.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: Adrian C. Ravenscroft, George T. Roberts
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Patent number: 5603698Abstract: This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with atraumatic tips that can be dislodged from the catheter so that the catheter can be easily removed from the body after expanding the prosthesis, by pulling the catheter proximally. With the tip dislodged, the catheter, which is of smaller diameter than the tip can be removed even in instances where the prosthesis does not expand the lumen to a large diameter. This invention also provides prosthesis delivery systems with a contoured protective outer sheath having smaller diameters in proximal portions that normally are acutely bent when the system is in the body, than in distal portions corresponding to the position of the prostheses. These systems are more flexible and the sheaths less likely to kink, especially when configured as part of a large delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Boston Scientific CorporationInventors: George T. Roberts, Darin Wilson, Erik Andersen, Hans-Peter Strohband