Patents by Inventor Tom A. Saul

Tom A. Saul 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).

  • Publication number: 20170021145
    Abstract: An implantable body fluid drainage system includes a metering shunt having a housing with an internal chamber. A movable barrier divides the chamber into a first section and a second section, and the barrier can be displaced by a differential pressure. A first powered inlet valve providing a fill path to the first section of the chamber, and a first powered drain valve providing a drain path from the first section of the chamber. A CSF inlet conduit connects a CSF space to the first powered inlet valve. A CSF outlet conduit connects the first powered outlet valve to a discharge location. A controller opens the first powered inlet valve and close the first powered drain valve to fill the first section to a volume defined by the barrier and chamber geometry and closes the first powered inlet valve and opens the first powered drain valve to discharge the filled volume from the first section through the outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tom Saul, Kristof Hovaten
  • Patent number: 9532872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for endovascularly delivering and releasing a prosthesis, e.g., an aortic prosthesis, within and/or across a patient's native heart valve, referred to hereinafter as replacing the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the delivery system comprises a plurality of first actuatable element adapted to engage a plurality of second elements in a first configuration to capture the implant within the delivery system, and wherein the plurality of first actuatable element are adapted to engage the plurality of second elements in a second configuration and to release the implant from the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Hans F. Valencia, Brian D. Brandt, Claudio Argento, Ulrich R. Haug, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Daniel K. Hildebrand, Dwight P. Morejohn, Tom Saul
  • Publication number: 20160374748
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an expandable energy delivery assembly adapted to deliver electrical energy to tissue. The assembly includes an elongate device including an irrigation shaft defining a irrigation lumen fluidly couplable to an irrigation source and a rapid exchange shaft defining a guidewire lumen configured for reception and passage of a guidewire. The assembly also includes an inflatable element that is secured to the elongate device. The inflatable element includes a double helical electrode disposed on the inflatable element that makes between about 0.5 to about 1.5 revolutions around the inflatable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul
  • Publication number: 20160376063
    Abstract: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul, Robert Geshlider, Andrea Johnson, Dwight Morejohn, Daniel Hildebrand, Jean-Pierre Dueri
  • Publication number: 20160374689
    Abstract: A device for mechanically reducing the volume of a lung, comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a tether extending between the distal and proximal anchors, the device configured so that the distance between the anchors measured along the tether can be increased or decreased and maintained after release of a delivery device. Some embodiments are a method of endobronchially deploying an anchoring device within the lung to reduce the lung volume, the anchoring device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a tether extending between the distal and proximal anchors, the device configured such that the distance between the distal and proximal anchors measured along the tether can be increased or decreased and then maintained after release of the anchoring device from a delivery device, reducing the volume of the lung by decreasing the distance between the distal and proximal anchors, and maintaining the decreased distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Don TANAKA, Tom SAUL, Thomas MCGRATH, Jeffery A. KROLIK, Jeff BARBOUR, Amr SALAHIEH
  • Patent number: 9526609
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Ulrich R. Haug, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Tom Saul, Dwight P. Morejohn
  • Publication number: 20160345947
    Abstract: Steerable medical devices and methods of use. In some embodiments, the steerable medical devices include a steerable portion with a stiffness that varies along the length of the steerable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Amr SALAHIEH, Jonah LEPAK, Emma LEPAK, Tom SAUL, Jean-Pierre DUERI, Joseph Creagan TRAUTMAN, Christopher T. CHENG, Richard Joseph RENATI, Colin MIXTER, Marc BITOUN
  • Patent number: 9486311
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens comprises a first lens component, a second lens component, and an adhesive between portions of the two lens components. The cured adhesive bonds the lens components to form a fluid chamber. The lens components are bonded to one another along a seam which extends circumferentially along at least a portion of the lens components. The lens components may comprise the same polymer material. The cured adhesive also comprises the polymer or a prepolymer of the polymer to provide increased strength. The polymer is hydratable such that the lens components and the cured adhesive therebetween can swell together to inhibit stresses between the lens components and the cured adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Argento, Bob Vaughan, Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul
  • Patent number: 9393094
    Abstract: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul, Robert Geshlider, Andrea Johnson, Dwight Morejohn, Daniel Hildebrand, Jean-Pierre Dueri
  • Patent number: 9358106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for performing valvuloplasty. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an expandable braid valvuloplasty device. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used as an adjunct to percutaneous heart valve replacement. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods may provide a medical practitioner with feedback, monitoring or measurement information, e.g., information relevant to percutaneous transcatheter heart valve replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Dwight P. Morejohn, Daniel K. Hildebrand, Tom Saul
  • Patent number: 9320599
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. One aspect of the invention provides a method including the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; and applying an external non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to change the shape of the anchor, such as by applying proximally and/or distally directed force on the anchor using a releasable deployment tool to expand and contract the anchor or parts of the anchor. Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including a replacement valve; an anchor; and a deployment tool comprising a plurality of anchor actuation elements adapted to apply a non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to reshape the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Hans F. Valencia, Daniel K. Hildebrand, Brian D. Brandt, Dwight P. Morejohn, Claudio Argento, Tom Saul, Ulrich R. Haug
  • Publication number: 20160058553
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) for implantation within a capsular bag of a patient's eye comprises first and second components coupled together to define an inner fluid chamber and an outer fluid reservoir. The inner region of the AIOL provides optical power with one or more of the shaped fluid within the inner fluid chamber or the shape of the first or second components. The fluid reservoir comprises a bellows region with one or more folds of the bellows extending circumferentially around an optical axis of the eye. The bellows engages the lens capsule, and a compliant fold region between the inner and outer bellows portions allows the profile of the AIOL to deflect when the eye accommodates for near vision. Fluid transfers between the inner fluid chamber and the outer fluid reservoir to provide optical power changes when the eye accommodates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Amr SALAHIEH, Claudio P. ARGENTO, Tom SAUL, Bob VAUGHAN, Eric WILLIS, Ali SALAHIEH
  • Publication number: 20160051321
    Abstract: Tissue ablation devices, systems, and methods for monitoring or analyzing one or more aspects of tissue ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Amr SALAHIEH, John P. CLAUDE, Tom SAUL
  • Publication number: 20160022418
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Ulrich R. Haug, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Tom Saul, Dwight P. Morejohn, Kenneth J. Michlitsch
  • Publication number: 20160008126
    Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) for implantation within a capsular bag of a patient's eye comprises an optical structure and a haptic structure. The optical structure comprises a planar member, a plano convex member, and a fluid optical element defined between the planar member and the plano convex member. The fluid optical element has an optical power. The haptic structure couples the planar member and the plano convex member together at a peripheral portion of the optical structure. The haptic structure comprises a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid optical element and a peripheral structure for interfacing to the lens capsule. Shape changes of the lens capsule cause one or more of volume or shape changes to the fluid optical element in correspondence to deformations in the planar member to modify the optical power of the fluid optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Amr SALAHIEH, Claudio P. ARGENTO, Tom SAUL, Bob VAUGHAN, Eric WILLIS
  • Publication number: 20150257915
    Abstract: Spinal distraction systems including methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: John MacMAHON, Edward Brian MacMAHON, Tom SAUL
  • Publication number: 20150245909
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Sadra Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Ulrich R. Haug, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Tom Saul, Dwight P. Morejohn, Kenneth J. Michlitsch
  • Publication number: 20150223933
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: SADRA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ulrich R. Haug, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Tom Saul, Amr Salahieh, Dwight P. Morejohn
  • Publication number: 20150127094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for endovascularly delivering and releasing a prosthesis, e.g., an aortic prosthesis, within and/or across a patient's native heart valve, referred to hereinafter as replacing the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the delivery system comprises a plurality of first actuatable element adapted to engage a plurality of second elements in a first configuration to capture the implant within the delivery system, and wherein the plurality of first actuatable element are adapted to engage the plurality of second elements in a second configuration and to release the implant from the delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SADRA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Hans F. Valencia, Brian D. Brandt, Claudio Argento, Ulrich R. Haug, Jean-Pierre Dueri, Daniel K. Hildebrand, Dwight P. Morejohn, Tom Saul
  • Patent number: 9011521
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sadra Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich R. Haug, Hans F. Valencia, Robert A. Geshlider, Tom Saul, Amr Salahieh, Dwight P. Morejohn