Patents by Inventor James C. Merk
James C. Merk 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: 11331208Abstract: An inner catheter for deployment of a medical device can include a pusher band having a passage that includes a first portion extending from a first end to a position and a second portion extending from a second end to the position. A cross-sectional area of the second portion can be less than a cross-sectional area of the first portion to form a step. A second end of the first tubular member having first and second ends can be within the first portion of the pusher band, abut the step and be unable to pass through the second portion. A portion of a second tubular member having first and second ends can be within the pusher band, and the second end of the second tubular member can extend away from the second end of the pusher band and be configured to extend through a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Tiffani Cannon, Brent A Mayle, James C Merk
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Patent number: 11291570Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid stent having a balloon-expandable portion joined to a self-expanding portion. The hybrid stent is capable of withstanding the forces applied by delivery. Delivery systems for deploying a hybrid stent are described, as are methods of using such delivery systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Brent A. Mayle, Ram H. Paul, Jr., James C. Merk, Gary Neff, Dean R. Puckett, Austin Neidigh, Thomas Mindel, Michelle Reynolds
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Patent number: 11291573Abstract: A delivery system is provided for self-expanding medical devices, such as stents. The delivery system has a restraining sheath that maintains the stent in a compressed state prior to deployment. The restraining sheath terminates distally from the deployment handle, and a wire connects the restraining sheath to the deployment handle. The restraining sheath is withdrawn from the stent to deploy the stent by pulling the wires proximally at the deployment handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Sean Cummins, Dean R. Puckett, Brent A. Mayle, James C. Merk, Tawnya Wood, Tiffani L. Cannon
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Publication number: 20220015931Abstract: A delivery system is provided for self-expanding medical devices, such as stents. The delivery system has a restraining sheath that maintains the stent in a compressed state prior to deployment. The restraining sheath terminates distally from the deployment handle, and a wire connects the restraining sheath to the deployment handle. The restraining sheath is withdrawn from the stent to deploy the stent by pulling the wires proximally at the deployment handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Sean Cummins, Dean R. Puckett, Brent A. Mayle, James C. Merk, Tawnya Wood, Tiffani L. Cannon
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Publication number: 20210369477Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly including a balloon catheter as an inner catheter for the delivery of a self-expanding stent. The delivery assembly may lack a separate pusher structure. A method of using a single assembly to delivery a self-expanding stent and provide a post-dilatation step is also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Brent A. Mayle, Ram H. Paul, JR., James C. Merk, Gary Neff, Dean R. Puckett, Austin Neidigh, Thomas Mindel
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Patent number: 10702406Abstract: A prosthesis is disclosed including an expandable frame having a first region and a second region coupled to one another. The first region includes a transition segment and a flex segment. The stent members of the transition segment have proximal and distal apices arranged in a peak-to-peak relationship with one another. At least a portion of proximal and distal apices of the transition segment remains uncoupled to one another. The flex segment includes a stent member having proximal and distal apices arranged in a peak-to-valley relationship with the transition segment. Longitudinal tie bars are intermittently coupled between apices the flex segment and the transition segment at coupling joints. The coupling joint is located where the proximal and distal apices of the stent members of the transition segment remain uncoupled to one another. The transition and flex segments may form an alternating pattern. A flareable proximal portion may be included.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Richard A. Swift, Keith R. Milner, James C. Merk
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Publication number: 20200129285Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making a prosthesis or a stent with a smooth covering.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: James C. MERK, Brent A. MAYLE, Gary NEFF, Ram H. PAUL, JR.
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Patent number: 10463351Abstract: A medical instrument is provided including a device having an expandable portion and a transitional portion. The transitional portion has a spiral cut on the outer surface, and is aligned with the distal portion of a catheter. The transitional portion may be secured to the catheter by a sleeve which is coupled to both the catheter and the transitional portion. Alternatively, the portion of the transitional portion having the spiral cut may be embedded within the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: James C Merk, Brent A Mayle, Dean R Puckett, Darin Voorhies, Seoggwan Kim
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Patent number: 10463470Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making a prosthesis or a stent with a smooth covering.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: James C. Merk, Brent A. Mayle, Gary Neff, Ram H. Paul, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190328561Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly including a balloon catheter as an inner catheter for the delivery of a self-expanding stent. The delivery assembly may lack a separate pusher structure. A method of using a single assembly to delivery a self-expanding stent and provide a post-dilatation step is also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Brent A. Mayle, Ram H. Paul, JR., James C. Merk, Gary Neff, Dean R. Puckett, Austin Neidigh, Thomas Mindel
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Publication number: 20190328562Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid stent having a balloon-expandable portion joined to a self-expanding portion. The hybrid stent is capable of withstanding the forces applied by delivery. Delivery systems for deploying a hybrid stent are described, as are methods of using such delivery systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Brent A. Mayle, Ram H. Paul, James C. Merk, Gary Neff, Dean R. Puckett, Austin Neidigh, Thomas Mindel, Michelle Reynolds
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Publication number: 20190159916Abstract: A device for insertion into a vessel and suitable for implementing translational movement through the vessel includes a flexible tube containing a translational actuator. Anchoring actuators are positioned along the length of the flexible tube and are configured to controllably expand against the inner wall of the vessel in coordination with extension and contraction of the translational actuator to effect translational movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: James C. Merk, Brent A. Mayle, Gary Neff, Ralf Spindler
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Publication number: 20190117369Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-layered cover including a reinforcement layer including polytetrafluoroethylene and an attached bonding layer, and to implantable medical devices including such a cover. In one embodiment, the bonding layer includes at least one of polyurethane, silicone and fluorinated ethylene propylene. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of manufacturing and using such implantable devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ralf Spindler, James C. Merk, Brent A. Mayle
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Patent number: 10182834Abstract: A method of treating a thrombus is provided wherein a device is advanced to the vicinity of the thrombus, a thrombolytic agent is applied to the thrombus, and an expandable basket of the device is expanded to capture at least a portion of the thrombus within the expandable basket. The device includes a catheter having a distal portion, a lumen and a plurality of openings on the outer surface of the catheter, through which the thrombolytic agent is supplied. The device further includes a sheath and may include a collar which assists in expanding the expandable basket as the sheath is moved relative to the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: James C Merk, Dean R Puckett, Darin J Voorhies, Brent A Mayle, Keith R Milner
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Publication number: 20180280168Abstract: A prosthesis is disclosed including an expandable frame having a first region and a second region coupled to one another. The first region includes a transition segment and a flex segment. The stent members of the transition segment have proximal and distal apices arranged in a peak-to-peak relationship with one another. At least a portion of proximal and distal apices of the transition segment remains uncoupled to one another. The flex segment includes a stent member having proximal and distal apices arranged in a peak-to-valley relationship with the transition segment. Longitudinal tie bars are intermittently coupled between apices the flex segment and the transition segment at coupling joints. The coupling joint is located where the proximal and distal apices of the stent members of the transition segment remain uncoupled to one another. The transition and flex segments may form an alternating pattern. A flareable proximal portion may be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Richard A. Swift, Keith R. Milner, James C. Merk
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Patent number: 9981115Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a coil positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned over the liner and the coil. The outer jacket is bonded to the inner liner between the coil turns. The coil turns have a cross-section comprising opposing end portions, and a center portion disposed between the opposing end portions. The center portion has a thickness not exceeding about one-third of a thickness of the end portions for reducing a bending modulus of the coil, and the end portions have a generally curved outer surface. At least a distal end portion of the outer jacket has a durometer between about 70 and 90 on the Shore D scale.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: James C. Merk, Melissa Dawn Baker, Mark J. Hiatt
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Publication number: 20170340434Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided. In some aspects, devices useful for applying therapy locally within a body vessel are disclosed, the devices having a stent graft with flared end regions with a catheter providing fluid communication to the outer side of the narrower, intermediate region of the stent graft. Kits and systems including the same devices and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Alec E. Cerchiari, Gary L. Neff, Brent A. Mayle, James C. Merk, Sean D. Chambers, Ram H. Paul, JR., Seoggwan Kim, Richard A. Swift
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Publication number: 20170189214Abstract: A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Brett O. Baker, Carrie L. Fercik Grant, James C. Merk, Scott E. Boatman, David A. Drewes, JR., Michael D. Deckard
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Patent number: 9622892Abstract: A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Brett O. Baker, Carrie L. Fercik Grant, James C. Merk, Scott E. Boatman, David A. Drewes, Jr., Michael D. Deckard
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Patent number: 9592142Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expanding medical device is provided. The delivery system includes an outer sheath that radially restrains the medical device. First and second inner catheters are disposed within the outer sheath. The first inner catheter is a composite structure with a closed coil wire covered by a polymer outer layer. The second inner catheter is disposed within the closed coil wire but is not attached to the closed coil wire.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Conor M. Dillon, John Neilan, Brent A. Mayle, James C. Merk, Dean R. Puckett, Tiffani L. Cannon, Darin Voorhies