Patents by Inventor James C. Caffey

James C. Caffey 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).

  • Patent number: 6296662
    Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a heart valve formed of a flexible material. An elongated stent member is provided in the valve and includes terminal ends. A plurality of flexible post members are formed in the stent member. Each post member includes a pair of opposite sides. A crimp collar interconnects the terminal ends of the stent member. The crimp collar is positioned between adjacent post members. A first radius is formed in the stent member between the crimp collar and an adjacent side of each adjacent post member. A plurality of second radii are formed in the stent member between an opposite side of a first one of the adjacent post members and an opposite side of a second one of the adjacent post members. The second radii are greater than each first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Carbiomedics Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Caffey
  • Patent number: 5906642
    Abstract: A heart valve holder is provided for implanting a prosthetic heart valve in either an inflow (mitral or tricuspid) or an outflow (aortic or pulmonary) implantation. The valve holder may be repeatedly sterilized for multiple implantations. The valve holder includes holding members to securely hold the valve, a valve-sizing member to allow the holder to hold valves of various sizes, an over rotation stop to prevent the holder from impinging upon the valve leaflets, alignment members to align the holding members for receiving a valve, and means to rotate the valve without damaging the valve leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Sulzer Carbomedics Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Caudillo, Tammi E. Klostermeyer, James C. Caffey