Patents by Inventor Neil Becker

Neil Becker 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: 8055356
    Abstract: A lead system has an elongate body, an active fixation assembly movable relative to the elongate lead body, and a low variation friction member frictionally engaged with the active fixation assembly. In an option, the active fixation assembly undergoes greater torsional resistance as the active fixation assembly is moved in a direction to retract the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric John Wengreen, Eric Falbe Hammill, Luke Thomas Babler, Neil Becker
  • Patent number: 7981152
    Abstract: A method for placing a device into a target vasculature. The method comprises accessing the target vasculature with an access guide catheter to sub-select a proximal portion of the target vasculature. A rail catheter is tracked into the access guide catheter to place the rail catheter more distally and into a distal portion of the target vasculature. The access guide catheter is removed. A delivery catheter is tracked over the rail catheter. The rail catheter is then removed. A device catheter having the device is placed into the delivery catheter and positioned at a desired location within the distal portion of the target vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Webler, Neil Becker, Gregory M. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20080004682
    Abstract: A lead system has an elongate body, an active fixation assembly movable relative to the elongate lead body, and a low variation friction member frictionally engaged with the active fixation assembly. In an option, the active fixation assembly undergoes greater torsional resistance as the active fixation assembly is moved in a direction to retract the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Eric John Wengreen, Eric Falbe Hammill, Luke Thomas Babler, Neil Becker
  • Publication number: 20070106262
    Abstract: A hemostasis seal configured for use in a splittable hemostasis valve, hub, or introducer sheath to permit passage of a medical device therethrough. The seal provides a substantially fluid-tight seal around the medical device without causing excessive frictional resistance that would otherwise unduly restrict movement of the medical device through the seal. In one embodiment, the seal includes first and second resilient seal portions each having a contoured mating surface to provide a first fluid seal with respect to the medical device. The seal also may include one or more projecting portions and one or more mating receiving portions which interact to provide a second fluid seal with respect to the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Becker, Christopher Andrews
  • Publication number: 20060241737
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cardiac lead device including a fixation mechanism slidably attached to the lead such that when the fixation mechanism is expanded into contact with a body lumen, the lead may be moved relative to the fixation mechanism if desired. Such lead movement may be limited by complimentary structure on the lead body and the fixation mechanism that prevents the lead from moving unless sufficient force is applied to the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tockman, Neil Becker, Cindy Sherman, Kevin Phillips, Scott Stockmoe, Yongxing Zhang
  • Patent number: 6939327
    Abstract: A peel-away sheath for a catheter includes at least one weakened area in a non-longitudinal pattern, such as a helical pattern, along the length of the sheath. One embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one pull wire integrally located within its wall. Another embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one integral lumen within its wall. The integral lumen may house a filling material. One embodiment of a catheter may include a first sheath which is positioned within a second sheath, with each of the first and second sheaths having at least one weakened area along its length. A reinforcing guide for a guide catheter includes a tube having a lumen with a diameter at least as large as the guide catheter diameter. The reinforcing guide includes a gap with a width which is less than the guide catheter diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hall, Wade A. Bowe, Bruce A. Tockman, Randy W. Westlund, Neil Becker
  • Publication number: 20050182435
    Abstract: A device and method for removing a guide catheter from about a cardiac lead is disclosed. The device includes a blade for slitting the catheter so that the catheter may be removed from the lead. The blade includes upper and lower angled cutting surfaces which define a notch. The device includes a portion for receiving the lead and guiding the catheter to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Andrews, Neil Becker, Gayla Smith
  • Publication number: 20030212373
    Abstract: A peel-away sheath for a catheter includes at least one weakened area in a non-longitudinal pattern, such as a helical pattern, along the length of the sheath. One embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one pull wire integrally located within its wall. Another embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one integral lumen within its wall. The integral lumen may house a filling material. One embodiment of a catheter may include a first sheath which is positioned within a second sheath, with each of the first and second sheaths having at least one weakened area along its length. A reinforcing guide for a guide catheter includes a tube having a lumen with a diameter at least as large as the guide catheter diameter. The reinforcing guide includes a gap with a width which is less than the guide catheter diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hall, Wade A. Bowe, Bruce A. Tockman, Randy W. Westlund, Neil Becker
  • Patent number: 6612999
    Abstract: A guide catheter employs a flexible shaft having a pre-formed bend at a distal end. An inflatable member is disposed on the flexible shaft and encompasses at least part of the pre-formed bend. The flexible shaft contains an inflation lumen in fluid connection with the inflatable member. Inflation of the inflatable member causes a deflection of the distal end of the flexible shaft. The guide catheter includes an inflation mechanism in fluid connection with the inflation lumen for pressurizing and depressurizing the inflation member. A guide catheter according to the present invention is useful for various medical procedures, including providing access to heart vessels for cardiac lead implantation, EP mapping, and angiography/venography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Brennan, Neil Becker
  • Publication number: 20030109810
    Abstract: A guide catheter employs a flexible shaft having a pre-formed bend at a distal end. An inflatable member is disposed on the flexible shaft and encompasses at least part of the pre-formed bend. The flexible shaft contains an inflation lumen in fluid connection with the inflatable member. Inflation of the inflatable member causes a deflection of the distal end of the flexible shaft. The guide catheter includes an inflation mechanism in fluid connection with the inflation lumen for pressurizing and depressurizing the inflation member. A guide catheter according to the present invention is useful for various medical procedures, including providing access to heart vessels for cardiac lead implantation, EP mapping, and angiography/venography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Brennan, Neil Becker