Patents by Inventor J. Saunders

J. Saunders 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).

  • Catheter providing intraluminal access
    Patent number: 6777644
    Abstract: An intraluminal catheter which provides access to distal locations within a patient's body lumen and which is provided with a flexible distal section having an inner lining, an outer jacket or coating and a helical coil between the lining and jacket. The distal section of the catheter is quite flexible yet it has sufficient transverse or radial rigidity to prevent significant distortion of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Peacock, III, Richard J. Saunders
  • Polymer link hybrid stent
    Publication number: 20040127970
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable polymer link hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery along with a method of making the stent. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of polymeric links. The polymer links are formed by applying polymer layers between the rings and laser ablating the excess material. The polymeric material forming the polymeric links, provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis. The metallic material forming the rings provides the necessary radial stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Richard J. Saunders, Joseph R. Callol, James Hong
  • Valve annulus constriction apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20040098116
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for supporting and/or constricting a surface of a valve annulus. The apparatus includes a tubular member of dimensions suitable for insertion into a body vessel. The tubular member includes at least two first segments attachable to an interior wall of the body vessel. The tubular member further includes at least one second segment which is capable of decreasing its axial length to draw one of the first segments towards the other first segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Peter L. Callas, Richard J. Saunders
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations on Alpha-2-Macroglobulin
    Publication number: 20040067512
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the discovery of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or mutations in the Alpha-2-Macroglobulin gene (A2M), which are risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). More specifically, aspects of the invention concern nucleic acids corresponding to the A2M gene or fragments thereof, which contain one or more of the SNPs and/or mutations described herein, peptides or proteins encoded by said nucleic acids, antibodies to said peptides or proteins and methods of making said compositions, diagnostic methods, methods of data analysis, and pharmaceutical discovery and preparation methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicants: Neurogenetics, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth David Becker, Gonul Velicelebi, Xin Wang, Lars Bertram, Aleister J. Saunders, Rudolph E. Tanzi
  • Genes and polymorphisms on chromosome 10 associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
    Publication number: 20030224380
    Abstract: Probes, primers and kits for detection of polymorphisms in genes involved in neurodegenerative disease are provided. Methods based on detecting such polymorphisms for prognosticating, determining the occurrence, profiling drug response and drug discovery are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth David Becker, Gonul Velicelebi, Kathryn J. Ellliott, Xin Wang, Rudolph E. Tanzi, Lars Bertram, Aleister J. Saunders, Kristina M. Mullin, Andrew Joseph Sampson
  • Genetic markers for Alzheimer's disease and methods using the same
    Publication number: 20030170678
    Abstract: Genetic markers associated with Alzheimer's disease are provided. Also provided are methods of determining the presence or absence in a subject of one or more polymorphisms associated with Alzheimer's disease and methods of determining the level of risk for Alzheimer's disease in a subject. Further provided are nucleic acid compositions and kits for use in determining the presence or absence in a subject of one or more polymorphisms associated with Alzheimer's disease and kits for determining the level of risk for Alzheimer's disease in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Neurogenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Tanzi, Kenneth David Becker, Gonul Velicelebi, Kathryn J. Elliott, Xin Wang, Lars Bertram, Aleister J. Saunders, Deborah Lynne Blacker
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations on Alpha-2-Macroglobulin
    Publication number: 20030162202
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the discovery of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or mutations in the Alpha-2-Macroglobulin gene (A2M), which are risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). More specifically, aspects of the invention concern nucleic acids corresponding to the A2M gene or fragments thereof, which contain one or more of the SNPs and/or mutations described herein, peptides or proteins encoded by said nucleic acids, antibodies to said peptides or proteins and methods of making said compositions, diagnostic methods, methods of data analysis, and pharmaceutical discovery and preparation methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth David Becker, Gonul Velicelebi, Xin Wang, Lars Bertram, Aleister J. Saunders, Rudolph E. Tanzi
  • Self-expanding stent delivery system
    Patent number: 6576006
    Abstract: A stent-delivery catheter system delivers and implants a self-expanding stent intraluminally into a human patient's body lumen. A self-expanding stent is removabaly attached to the distal end of an inner member so that attachment projections prevent axial movement of the stent on the inner member while the stent is being delivered and implanted in a patient's body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Limon, Richard J. Saunders
  • System for removably securing a stent on a catheter assembly and method of use
    Patent number: 6569192
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for removably securing a stent which generally includes an expandable member of a catheter assembly, the expandable member having outwardly extending protrusions. An expandable stent is crimped onto the expandable member such that the protrusions extend into the gaps in the stent. The stent is secured in place on the expandable member while advancing the system through tortuous body lumen passages. The stent is implanted at the desired location in the body lumen by inflating the expandable member and thereby expanding the stent into the body lumen. The protrusions are pulled away from and out of the stent gaps by deflating the expandable member and retracting the remainder of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Foreman, Timothy A. Limon, Richard J. Saunders, Björn G. Svensson, Gregory W. Teaby, II
  • Method of manufacturing a catheter with a flexible tip and taper
    Patent number: 6537480
    Abstract: A method of forming a catheter shaft having a flexible section by selective removal of catheter shaft material using laser radiation, and a catheter produced therefrom. The laser radiation is of an ultraviolet wavelength. The catheter shaft is made more flexible without a disadvantageous decrease in column strength by operating the laser in the UV, which allows for machining recess patterns with smooth and repeatable recess surfaces while producing little or no thermal or mechanical effects on the remaining adjacent polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon A. Becker, Richard J. Saunders
  • Method and apparatus for direct laser cutting of metal stents
    Publication number: 20020193866
    Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Saunders
  • Replaceable filter module
    Patent number: 6486957
    Abstract: An instrument for processing light information to assay chemical or biological molecules is made more flexible by the use of a replaceable filter module. Several light filters, or in one embodiment dichroic mirrors, are mounted in a common module in fixed position relative to each other. The whole filter module can then be removed, and a different one inserted in its place, to change the wavelength bands of light detected by the instrument, as needed, for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: GeneSys Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Braumann, Patrick J. Saunders, John A. Luckey, Robert L. Brumley, Jr.
  • Pre-formed expandable member having grooves
    Patent number: 6478807
    Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided for use in delivering and implanting a stent in a body lumen, such as in a coronary artery. An elongated catheter body includes an expandable member or balloon having a folded configuration and an expanded configuration wherein a plurality of pre-formed grooves extending generally circumferentially around the balloon when the balloon is in its folded configuration. An intravascular stent is removably crimped over the balloon and is at least partially retained on the balloon by the grooves. Upon inflation of the balloon, the grooves will flatten out thereby releasing the stent and allowing the stent to expand radially outwardly into contact with the body lumen or coronary artery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Foreman, Timothy A. Limon, Richard J. Saunders, Björn G. Svensson, Gregory W. Teaby, II
  • &agr;-2- macroglobulin therapies and drug screening methods for Alzheimer's disease.
    Patent number: 6472140
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the finding that the A2M-2 deletion mutation, which is a predisposing factor for Alzheimer's Disease, leads to the production of altered &agr;2M RNA transcripts and proteins. Based on this finding, the invention provides for new therapeutic agents for AD, including molecules having A&bgr; and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) binding domains, peptides, nucleic acid molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and viral vectors for gene therapy. In addition, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic agents, methods of using these therapeutic agents to combat Alzheimer's Disease, and methods of screening for therapeutic agents that can combat Alzheimer's Disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Tanzi, Dora Kovacs, Aleister J. Saunders
  • Catheter providing intraluminal access
    Publication number: 20020139785
    Abstract: An intraluminal catheter which provides access to distal locations within a patient's body lumen and which is provided with a flexible distal section having an inner lining, an outer jacket or coating and a helical coil between the lining and jacket. The distal section of the catheter is quite flexible yet it has sufficient transverse or radial rigidity to prevent significant distortion of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: James C. Peacock, Richard J. Saunders
  • Alpha-2-macroglobulin therapies and drug screening methods for Alzheimer's disease
    Publication number: 20020114792
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the finding that the A2M-2 deletion mutation, which is a predisposing factor for Alzheimer's Disease, leads to the production of altered &agr;2M RNA transcripts and proteins. Based on this finding, the invention provides for new therapeutic agents for AD, including molecules having A&bgr; and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) binding domains, peptides, nucleic acid molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and viral vectors for gene therapy. In addition, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these therapeutic agents, methods of using these therapeutic agents to combat Alzheimer's Disease, and methods of screening for therapeutic agents that can combat Alzheimer's Disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Tanzi, Dora Kovacs, Aleister J. Saunders
  • Method and apparatus for direct laser cutting of metal stents
    Patent number: 6369355
    Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Advance Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Saunders
  • Self-expanding stent delivery system
    Publication number: 20020013599
    Abstract: A stent-delivery catheter system delivers and implants a self-expanding stent intraluminally into a human patient's body lumen. A self-expanding stent is removabaly attached to the distal end of an inner member so that attachment projections prevent axial movement of the stent on the inner member while the stent is being delivered and implanted in a patient's body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy A. Limon, Richard J. Saunders
  • Self-expanding stent delivery system
    Patent number: 6302893
    Abstract: A stent-delivery catheter system delivers and implants a self-expanding stent intraluminally into a human patient's body lumen. A self-expanding stent is removabaly attached to the distal end of an inner member so that attachment projections prevent axial movement of the stent on the inner member while the stent is being delivered and implanted in a patient's body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Limon, Richard J. Saunders
  • Handle for barbecue grill tools
    Patent number: D448610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventors: William J. Saunders, William Bullock