Patents by Inventor William McJames
William McJames 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: 8591531Abstract: Biodegradable polymer-coated surgical meshes formed into pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices. Such meshes are formed into a receptacle, e.g., a pouch or other covering, capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and/or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other implantable medical device. Preferred embodiments include surgical mesh pouches coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: TYRX, Inc.Inventors: Fatima Buevich, Arikha Moses, Frank Do, William McJames, William Edelman, Mason Diamond, Satish Pulapura
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Patent number: 8315700Abstract: Biodegradable polymer-coated surgical meshes formed into pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices. Such meshes are formed into a receptacle, e.g., a pouch or other covering, capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device and preventing or retarding the formation of a biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: TYRX, Inc.Inventors: Mark Citron, William McJames
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Publication number: 20120185004Abstract: An anchorage device comprising a mesh substrate coupled to an implantable medical device is disclosed, where the mesh substrate has a coating comprising a polymer, and the mesh further comprises at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient. The active pharmaceutical agent is designed to elute from the mesh over time. The mesh substrate can be configured to reduce the mass of the anchorage device such that tissue in-growth and/or scar tissue formation at the treatment site is reduced. In some embodiments, the mesh substrate can be formed with a mesh having a low areal density. In some embodiments, the mesh substrate can include one or more apertures or pores to reduce the mass of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: TYRX, Inc.Inventors: William McJames, Frank Do, Satish Pulapura, Qing Ge
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Publication number: 20090112304Abstract: A method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure on a patient to connect a bypass vessel to a target vessel includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient that communicates with the thoracic cavity of the patient; providing a bypass vessel having a lumen and at least one free end; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the thoracic cavity through the opening to a position outside the body of the patient; attaching a connector to the free end of bypass vessel while the free end of the bypass vessel is outside the body of the patient; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the position outside the body of the patient through the opening and into the thoracic cavity; and connecting the free end of the bypass vessel to a target vessel with the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2009Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: KEVIN WEADOCK, WILLIAM MCJAMES, PETER DOUGLAS, DANIEL GORDON, WILHELMUS JOSEPH LEONARDUS SUYKER, PAULUS THOMAS WILHELMUS SUYKER, JASON L. HARRIS, MARK HOWANSKY, STEPHANIE M. KUTE, RODDI J. SIMPSON, CLIFFORD G. VOLPE, CHRISTINA J. D'ARRIGO
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Publication number: 20090018559Abstract: The present invention relates to medical prostheses and methods of manufacturing those devices. In particular, the prostheses are temporarily stiffened meshes with particular coatings to provide initial stiffness and thereby permit easier surgical handling for treatment or reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Preferred embodiments include surgical meshes coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The devices of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: TyRx Pharma, Inc.Inventors: Fatima Buevich, Frank Do, William McJames, Satish Pulapura, William Edelman, Arikha Moses, Mason Diamond, Shari Timothy
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Publication number: 20080128315Abstract: Biodegradable and resorbable polymer pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm mamagent devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices (IMDs), i.e., a pouch, covering, or other receptacle capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the CRM or other IMD for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and/or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other IMD. Optionally, the biodegradable and resorbable pouches of the invention include one or more drugs in the polymer matrix to provide prophylactic effects and alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or implantation of the CRM or other IMD.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: TyRx Pharma, Inc.Inventors: Fatima Buevich, Frank Do, William McJames, William Edelman, Arikha Moses, Mason Diamond
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Publication number: 20080132922Abstract: Biodegradable polymer-coated surgical meshes formed into pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices. Such meshes are formed into a receptacle, e.g., a pouch or other covering, capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and/or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other implantable medical device. Preferred embodiments include surgical mesh pouches coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: TyRx Pharma, Inc.Inventors: Fatima Buevich, Frank Do, William McJames, Satish Pulapura, William Edelman, Arikha Moses, Mason Diamond, Shari Timothy
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Publication number: 20070198040Abstract: The present invention relates to medical prostheses and methods of manufacturing those devices. In particular, the prostheses are temporarily stiffened meshes with particular coatings to provide initial stiffness and thereby permit easier surgical handling for treatment or reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Preferred embodiments include surgical meshes coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The devices of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: TyRx Pharma Inc.Inventors: Fatima Buevich, Frank Do, William McJames, Satish Pulapura, William Edelman, Arikha Moses, Mason Diamond, Shari Timothy
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Patent number: 6997719Abstract: A leg model, designed to teach endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, is provided that accurately models the anatomy of the saphenous vein in the human thigh, and closely approximates the subcutaneous tissues in a human. The subcutaneous tissue is formulated and manufactured such that the saphenous vein adheres to the subcutaneous tissue to simulate the adhesion in a human leg. The model includes a reusable base and a replaceable single use insert. The base is size and configured to receive the insert. The tray can include a slit located at a point along its length that permits the ends of the tray to rotate about the slit so that the ends can be bent with respect to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Parris S. Wellman, William McJames, Daniel Gordon
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Publication number: 20050203551Abstract: A method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure on a patient to connect a bypass vessel to a target vessel includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient that communicates with the thoracic cavity of the patient; providing a bypass vessel having a lumen and at least one free end; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the thoracic cavity through the opening to a position outside the body of the patient; attaching a connector to the free end of bypass vessel while the free end of the bypass vessel is outside the body of the patient; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the position outside the body of the patient through the opening and into the thoracic cavity; and connecting the free end of the bypass vessel to a target vessel with the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2004Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Kevin Weadock, William McJames, Peter Douglas, Daniel Gordon
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Publication number: 20040002045Abstract: A leg model, designed to teach endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, is provided that accurately models the anatomy of the saphenous vein in the human thigh, and closely approximates the subcutaneous tissues in a human. The subcutaneous tissue is formulated and manufactured such that the saphenous vein adheres to the subcutaneous tissue to simulate the adhesion in a human leg. The model includes a reusable base and a replaceable single use insert. The base is size and configured to receive the insert. The tray can include a slit located at a point along its length that permits the ends of the tray to rotate about the slit so that the ends can be bent with respect to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Inventors: Parris S. Wellman, William McJames, Daniel Gordon
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Patent number: 6506197Abstract: A surgical suture loop combination and a method of using the combination. The combination has a suture and a surgical needle. The ends of the suture are mounted to the surgical needle to form a suture loop. A pledget member is mounted to the suture loop. A replacement heart valve is mounted to a cardiac valve annulus using the suture loop combinations and surgical procedures of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Joseph W. Rollero, William McJames, Eric Hinrichs, Jerry Stametz
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Patent number: 5897564Abstract: An endoscopic instrument assembly for fastening bodily tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a surgical instrument for insertion into and withdrawal from the passageway of a cannula. The instrument has a tube with a neckdown region between the proximal and distal ends of the tube. The proximal and distal ends of the tube have a diameter greater than the neckdown region. When the instrument is inserted into the passageway of the cannula, the radial clearance at the neckdown region of the tube is greater than the clearance at the tube distal end. The instrument includes a suture filament for fastening the tissue, and a needle attached to the distal end of the filament. When the instrument is inserted through the cannula, the filament has a length where the needle lies adjacent the neckdown region of the tube and is contained within the greater radial clearance offered by the neckdown region.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Schulze, Saleem Urrehman Qureshi, William McJames
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Patent number: 5814166Abstract: A continuous process for heat treating and cleaning and tempering martensitic stainless steel surgical needles is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the surgical needles to a partial vacuum at a temperature less than the heat treating temperature to remove volatile surface contaminant. Then the needles are heat treated in an argon gas environment at a pressure equal to or greater than 1.0 Torr. Next the temperature of the oven is lowered to temper the needles.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Warren Ackerman, Timothy Sardelis, William McJames
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Patent number: 5797961Abstract: A cutting edge surgical suture needle. The suture needle is an elongated member having a proximal suture mounting end and a distal piercing tip. The distal section of the needle has a cross-section having a top side with opposed edges. The cross-section also has opposed curved concave lateral sides having top edges and bottom edges. The top edges of the concave sides and the opposed sides of the top side are coextensive and form cutting edges. The bottom edges of the opposed concave sides are coextensive and form a bottom cutting edge.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Smith, Carl Gucker, Zivko Elik, Paul Parisi, Randolph Ruetsch, William McJames, Emil Richard Skula
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Patent number: 5783001Abstract: A method of heat treating and cleaning maraging or precipitation hardening stainless steel surgical needles is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the surgical needles to a partial vacuum at a temperature less than the aging temperature to remove volatile surface contaminants. Then the needles are heat treated in an argon gas environment at a pressure equal to or greater than 1.0 atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Sardelis, Douglas Warren Ackerman, William McJames
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Patent number: 5776268Abstract: A process for progressively manufacturing cutting edge needles or wire members. Needle blanks or wire blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are moved through a succession of coining dies and at least one trimming die, wherein the first coining die is an open coining die and the one or more successive coining dies are closed coining dies. The needle blanks or wire members are optionally curved, heat treated and electrochemically treated resulting in cutting edge needles or wire members formed without a grinding step and without adversely affecting point ductility.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: William McJames, Bernard M. Willis, Daniel Smith, Eugene Reynolds, Carl Gucker, Michael Nordmeyer
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Patent number: 5730732Abstract: A non-magnetic surgical needle. The needle is made from Type 316 stainless steel or ERSTE 4456CA stainless steel and is work hardened to have mechanical properties substantially equivalent to a surgical needle made from conventional magnetic stainless steel. The needle is useful in the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Sardelis, William McJames
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Patent number: 5665078Abstract: A blunt tip surgical needle which significantly reduces the probability of skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator is disclosed. The blunt tip needle includes a tip portion having at least one flat surface. The flat surface(s) blends smoothly between each other and with the outer surface of the tip portion such that the entire tip portion has a continuously smooth outer surface lacking any discontinuities or sharp edges.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Walter McGregor, William McJames, William Schaeffer, Semyon Shchervinsky
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Patent number: 5478327Abstract: A blunt tip surgical needle which significantly reduces the probability of skin penetration of the gloved hand of an operator is disclosed. The blunt tip needle includes a tip portion having at least one flat surface. The flat surface(s) blends smoothly between each other and with the outer surface of the tip portion such that the entire tip portion has a continuously smooth outer surface lacking any discontinuities or sharp edges.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1993Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Walter McGregor, William McJames, William Schaeffer, Semyon Shchervinsky