Patents by Inventor Lance Ensign
Lance Ensign 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: 10518315Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wave form for a stent from a wire includes a pair of tension wires configured to rotate about an axis. The tension wires and axis are substantially orthogonal to the stent wire disposed in a gap between the tension wires. When the tension wires are rotated, a bend is formed in the portion of the stent wire disposed between the tension wires. The tension wires may be controlled such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the particular tension wire around which the stent wire is to be bent for each particular bend formed in the stent wire, thereby preventing the particular tension wire from translating during rotation such that the tension wire behaves like a rotary pipe bending die around which the stent wire is bent. A feed assembly feeds the stent wire into the forming area between the tension wires.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, Dustin Thompson, Paul Coates, Rui Lam, Larry Childs, Justin Eckhardt, Jerry Warmerdam, Charlie Dawson, Bob Boldig
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Patent number: 9901973Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and moving the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Erik Griswold, Lance Ensign
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Patent number: 9676022Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and rotating the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Lance Ensign, Erik Griswold
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Patent number: 9421601Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Richard Bliss, Justin Goshgarian, Rui Lam, Padraig Savage, Erik Griswold, Giangranco Pellegrini, Matthew Baldwin, Lance Ensign
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Publication number: 20160167105Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wave form for a stent from a wire includes a pair of tension wires configured to rotate about an axis. The tension wires and axis are substantially orthogonal to the stent wire disposed in a gap between the tension wires. When the tension wires are rotated, a bend is formed in the portion of the stent wire disposed between the tension wires. The tension wires may be controlled such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the particular tension wire around which the stent wire is to be bent for each particular bend formed in the stent wire, thereby preventing the particular tension wire from translating during rotation such that the tension wire behaves like a rotary pipe bending die around which the stent wire is bent. A feed assembly feeds the stent wire into the forming area between the tension wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, Dustin Thompson, Paul Coates, Rui Lam, Larry Childs, Justin Eckhardt, Jerry Warmerdam, Charlie Dawson, Bob Boldig
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Publication number: 20160114376Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and rotating the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Lance Ensign, Erik Griswold
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Publication number: 20160096218Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and moving the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Erik Griswold, Lance Ensign
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Patent number: 9296034Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wave form for a stent from a wire includes a pair of tension wires configured to rotate about an axis. The tension wires and axis are substantially orthogonal to the stent wire disposed in a gap between the tension wires. When the tension wires are rotated, a bend is formed in the portion of the stent wire disposed between the tension wires. The tension wires may be controlled such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the particular tension wire around which the stent wire is to be bent for each particular bend formed in the stent wire, thereby preventing the particular tension wire from translating during rotation such that the tension wire behaves like a rotary pipe bending die around which the stent wire is bent. A feed assembly feeds the stent wire into the forming area between the tension wires.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, Dustin Thompson, Paul Coates, Rui Lam, Larry Childs, Justin Eckhardt, Jerry Warmerdam, Charlie Dawson, Bob Boldig
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Patent number: 9242290Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and rotating the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Lance Ensign, Erik Griswold
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Patent number: 9238260Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and moving the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Erik Griswold, Lance Ensign
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Publication number: 20150239032Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Richard Bliss, Justin Goshgarian, Rui Lam, Padraig Savage, Erik Griswold, Giangranco Pellegrini, Matthew Baldwin, Lance Ensign
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Patent number: 9060889Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns throughout the wave form. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis to define a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. The central portion includes a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at a first pitch angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The end portions each include a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at different pitch angles, and an end turn oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The different pitch angles of the end portions are between the first pitch angle and the angle of the end turn relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Richard Bliss, Justin Goshgarian, Rui Lam, Padraig Savage, Erik Griswold, Gianfranco Pellegrini, Matthew Baldwin, Lance Ensign
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Publication number: 20140213971Abstract: Neuromodulation assemblies (200) include an extravascular prosthesis (202) disposed around and contacting at least a portion of an exterior surface (204) of a vessel (V) and a radially expandable intravascular prosthesis (206) contacting an interior surface (208) of the vessel. The neuromodulation assemblies are configured to compress, pinch, or squeeze a target nerve within the adventitia of the vessel between the extravascular and intravascular prostheses in order to impinge and disrupt the target nerve, thereby blocking or stopping nerve signal transduction. Neuromodulation assemblies configured in accordance with the present technology may also utilize radio-frequency energy, a drug, and/or magnetic attraction to block nerve signal transduction for neuromodulation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Mark J. Dolan, Lance Ensign, Joseph Berglund, Xin Weng, Lori Garcia, Benjamin J. Clark
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Publication number: 20130277884Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and moving the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Erik GRISWOLD, Lance Ensign
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Publication number: 20130255347Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and rotating the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. A Delaware CorporationInventors: Lance Ensign, Erik Griswold
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Publication number: 20130025339Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wave form for a stent from a wire includes a pair of tension wires configured to rotate about an axis. The tension wires and axis are substantially orthogonal to the stent wire disposed in a gap between the tension wires. When the tension wires are rotated, a bend is formed in the portion of the stent wire disposed between the tension wires. The tension wires may be controlled such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the particular tension wire around which the stent wire is to be bent for each particular bend formed in the stent wire, thereby preventing the particular tension wire from translating during rotation such that the tension wire behaves like a rotary pipe bending die around which the stent wire is bent. A feed assembly feeds the stent wire into the forming area between the tension wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, Dustin Thompson, Paul Coates, Rui Lam, Larry Childs, Justin Eckhardt, Jerry Warmerdam, Charlie Dawson, Bob Boldig
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Patent number: 8353952Abstract: A stent includes a wave form that includes a cable including a plurality of strands. The wave form has a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, with each crown connecting two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent includes a filler located within the cable. The filler includes a therapeutic substance.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Dustin Thompson, Paul Adler, Maria Arreguin, Kevin Mauch, Christopher Storment, Lance Ensign, Stephen Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20120191175Abstract: A tubular stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. A first band has a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band has a plurality of second crowns. A connecting ring connects the first band to the second band, wherein one of the first crowns is rotatably disposed through a lumen of the connecting ring and one of the second crowns is fused to the wall of the connecting ring outside of the lumen of the connecting ring. Methods of making tubular stents with rotatable connections are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, John Richardson, Justin Goshgarian, Mark Hoff, Rui Lam, John Imschweiler
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Publication number: 20120191177Abstract: A tubular stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. A first band has a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band has a plurality of second crowns. A connecting ring connects the first band to the second band, wherein one of the first crowns is rotatably disposed through a lumen of the connecting ring and one of the second crowns is fused to the wall of the connecting ring outside of the lumen of the connecting ring. Methods of making tubular stents with rotatable connections are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Michael Costa, Lance Ensign, John Richardson, Justin Goshgarian, Mark Hoff, Rui Lam, John Imschweiler
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Publication number: 20110251668Abstract: A stent includes a wave form that includes a cable including a plurality of strands. The wave form has a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, with each crown connecting two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent includes a filler located within the cable. The filler includes a therapeutic substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Dustin Thompson, Paul Adler, Maria Arreguin, Kevin Mauch, Christopher Storment, Lance Ensign, Stephen Zimmerman