Patents by Inventor Steven Palmer Ford

Steven Palmer Ford 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: 8956373
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch for covering or extending across the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch and may be manipulated to position and/or to secure the patch relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body for positioning and/or manipulating the patch from a location outside the body. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch to help deploy the patch at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres
  • Publication number: 20100286716
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schulz Torres
  • Patent number: 7806905
    Abstract: The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside of the body. An indicator may be provided on the tether as an aid for a surgeon in determining when the patch or plug has been inserted a sufficient distance within the patient. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch or plug to help deploy the patch or plug at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch or plug. The patch or plug may be configured with a pocket or cavity to facilitate the deployment and/or positioning of the patch or plug over the opening or weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres
  • Patent number: 7785334
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schulz Torres
  • Publication number: 20090312843
    Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable prosthesis comprising a viscera separating barrier that defines a shell having a pocket with an opening that receives an insert. It is contemplated that the insert comprises at least one of an absorbable mesh, a non-absorbable mesh, or an absorbable and non-absorbable mesh combination inserted into the pocket through the opening. In preferred embodiments the viscera separating barrier is acellular collagen, and the absorbable mesh is selected from at least one of a polyglactin, a polyglycolic acid, a polyglactin and a polylactic acid, and the non-absorbable mesh comprises a polypropylene mesh. It is contemplated that the viscera separating barrier acts to reduce or even eliminate attachment of viscera to the prosthesis to encourage rapid cell penetration and revascularization; the non-absorbable mesh will provide immediate, reliable in-growth; and the absorbable mesh will give stability to the prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Palmer Ford
  • Publication number: 20090198260
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: C.R.Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schultz Torres
  • Patent number: 7101381
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schulz Torres
  • Patent number: 6790213
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle defect, that promotes tissue or muscle growth into the prosthesis and subsequently strengthens the area of the defect. At least one pocket and preferably two concentric pockets may be provided to aid with manipulating the prosthesis. Where two pockets are used, a barrier or partition exists between the pockets and the outer pocket allows manipulation of the outer periphery. The incidence of postoperative adhesions between a portion of the prosthesis and tissue, muscle or organs may be minimized with the use of a barrier layer. Reinforcing members may be attached to portions of the prosthesis to aid in positioning and deployment in the area of desired coverage without rendering the prosthesis unduly difficult to implant or uncomfortable for the patient. Typically, two concentric members are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Cherok, Stephen N. Eldridge, Roger E. Darois, Patrick J. Devlin, Matthew R. Fenton, Steven Palmer Ford, Philip A. Tessier
  • Publication number: 20040087980
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Palmer Ford, Donna Schulz Torres
  • Publication number: 20030130745
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle defect, that promotes tissue or muscle growth into the prosthesis and subsequently strengthens the area of the defect. At least one pocket and preferably two concentric pockets may be provided to aid with manipulating the prosthesis. Where two pockets are used, a barrier or partition exists between the pockets and the outer pocket allows manipulation of the outer periphery. The incidence of postoperative adhesions between a portion of the prosthesis and tissue, muscle or organs may be minimized with the use of a barrier layer. Reinforcing members may be attached to portions of the prosthesis to aid in positioning and deployment in the area of desired coverage without rendering the prosthesis unduly difficult to implant or uncomfortable for the patient. Typically, two concentric members are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis Cherok, Stephen N. Eldridge, Roger E. Darois, Patrick J. Devlin, Matthew R. Fenton, Steven Palmer Ford, Philip A. Tessier