Patents by Inventor James A. Alexander

James A. Alexander 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).

  • Publication number: 20220273296
    Abstract: Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: James R. Mujwid, Kory P. Hamel, James A. Alexander, John J. Buysman, John F. Otte, Jason W. Ogdahl
  • Patent number: 10842602
    Abstract: Described are implants and dilators useful in a sacral colpopexy procedure, and related methods. The present invention relates to systems, tools, and methods for treating pelvic organ prolapse by use of a pelvic implant to support pelvic tissue. The pelvic treatments include, for example, treatment of vaginal prolapse by laparoscopic or abdominal procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Kevin R. Arnal, Dean W. Hacker, Karl Alan Jagger, Chaouki A. Khamis, Jelica D. Wold
  • Patent number: 10667895
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the implants that are useful for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Scott S. Jeutter
  • Patent number: 10653411
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Justin H. Huelman, William S. Tremulis, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 10500027
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Justin H. Huelman, Carrie L. Herman, Karl A. Jagger, Michael A. Knipfer, John R. Frigstad, Robert E. Lund, James G. Skakoon
  • Patent number: 10470861
    Abstract: Implant systems can include one or more needles, such as those used in pelvic floor repair procedures, and one or more elongate implants. A syringe or similar style hollow needle can be used to deliver the elongate mesh or other implant devices through one or more small stab incisions into the target tissue location inside the pelvis, proximate the vagina. The implant devices can be placed upon insertion through the incisions to engage and pull or tighten support tissue, such as the endopelvic fascia, pubocervical fascia, rectovaginal fascia, levator muscles, or other supportive muscles or tissue within the pelvis of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Chaouki A. Khamis, James A. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20190298344
    Abstract: Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: James R. Mujwid, Kory P. Hamel, James A. Alexander, John J. Buysman, John F. Otte, Jason W. Ogdahl
  • Patent number: 10398431
    Abstract: Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Mujwid, Kory P. Hamel, James A. Alexander, John J. Buysman, John F. Otte, Jason W. Ogdahl
  • Patent number: 10390813
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods. Such devices can include retractors, introducers, and other devices for accessing desired areas of a patient's anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, John R. Frigstad, Carrie L. Herman, Justin H. Huelman, Karl A. Jagger, Chaouki A. Khamis, Michael A. Knipfer, Jeffrey M. O'Hern
  • Patent number: 10357284
    Abstract: Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Mujwid, Kory P. Hamel, James A. Alexander, John J. Buysman, John F. Otte, Jason W. Ogdahl
  • Patent number: 10314570
    Abstract: Various surgical tissue anchor retention mechanisms, systems and methods are provided. The mechanisms, systems and methods can include a delivery tool or needle having a flex joint, a snap-fit, a cam and follower, a rotating tip, an expandable lock, a coil, an inverted collet, a tab, a buckling tube, an inflation element or like anchor retention or securement features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Watschke, James R. Mujwid, James A. Alexander, Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 10258451
    Abstract: A tool for driving a helical anchor into a target location, the tool including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having a handle and an actuator, and a shaft extending distally from the proximal portion, the shaft comprising an outer shaft and an inner rotating shaft that is at least partially concentrically positioned within the outer shaft, the shaft having a length that facilitates accessing a location of a posterior pelvic region, wherein the inner rotating shaft is actuated by movement of the actuator in a predetermined motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Patricia M. Derus, Scott S. Jeutter, Gary A. Rocheleau, Steven G. Rockow
  • Patent number: 10155109
    Abstract: An extensible implantable electrical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body is formed of a polymeric material that is extensible between a first length and a second length. A plurality of electrical conductors are disposed within the lead body and extend between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated from each other and form a braided coil extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a braided coil diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Michael E. Metzler, Jonathan P. Dorff
  • Publication number: 20180271634
    Abstract: Described are implants and dilators useful in a sacral colpopexy procedure, and related methods. The present invention relates to systems, tools, and methods for treating pelvic organ prolapse by use of a pelvic implant to support pelvic tissue. The pelvic treatments include, for example, treatment of vaginal prolapse by laparoscopic or abdominal procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Kevin R. Arnal, Dean W. Hacker, Karl Alan Jagger, Chaouki A. Khamis, Jelica D. Wold
  • Patent number: 10058240
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Justin H. Huelman, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 10045842
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue, devices and tools for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, devices (including certain types of implants, anchors, and tools) for connecting (e.g., adjustably) a vaginal apex to a region of sacral anatomy to provide support to the vaginal apex, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Kevin R. Arnal, Jeffrey J. Childs, Chaouki A. Khamis
  • Patent number: 10034735
    Abstract: Described are devices, systems, and combinations useful for monitoring tension in an implant, which may be an implant useful to treat a pelvic condition, the device, system, or combination including an implant and a tension indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica L. Roll, James R. Mujwid, John E. Titus, Mark S. Bouchier, Karl A. Jagger, Jessica E. Felton, Scott L. Sjoquist, Danielle E. Steffens, James A. Alexander, Randall P. Rowland
  • Patent number: 10028739
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for connecting tissue (e.g., soft tissue, organ tissue) to another tissue or to a surgical device such as an implant; specific methods can be useful for plastic surgery, treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, and for general surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 9993323
    Abstract: Described are implants and dilators useful in a sacral colpopexy procedure, and related methods. The present invention relates to systems, tools, and methods for treating pelvic organ prolapse by use of a pelvic implant to support pelvic tissue. The pelvic treatments include, for example, treatment of vaginal prolapse by laparoscopic or abdominal procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Kevin R. Arnal, Dean W. Hacker, Karl A. Jagger, Chaouki A. Khamis, Jelica D. Wold
  • Patent number: 9968346
    Abstract: Described are surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, involving an expansion member. The invention relates to an expansion member that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, two longitudinal blades extending in the length direction, and a connector connecting the blades. The connector allows movement of the blades to increase or decrease a distance between the blades at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Thomas O. Viker