Patents Issued in October 2, 2007
-
Patent number: 7276051Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus for treatment of surface wounds with a bandage system configured to control the environment adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a bandage configured to cover a wound and provide a seal about the perimeter of the wound and cavity over the wound. A fluid supply conduit and a fluid drainage conduit are each in communication with the cavity. A nebulizer is coupled to the supply conduit to supply medicinal fluid to the wound. A waste receptacle is coupled to the drainage conduit to remove the fluid away from the wound.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Alan Wayne Henley, Leigh Marie Moses, Ronald Leslie Sanderson, John Howard, James H. Price, Russell W. Bessette
-
Patent number: 7276052Abstract: A medical aspirator including an aspiration port, a reciprocating type electric pump for performing vacuum aspiration, a ventilation path which connects the aspiration port and the electric pump, an exhaust port, and an atmospheric pressure obtaining release valve for releasing a negative pressure in the ventilation path to obtain atmospheric pressure therein. The medical aspirator is particularly useful for percutaneous thrombus removal operation. A diaphragm pump is used as the electric pump. An electromagnetic valve is used as the atmospheric pressure obtaining release valve. The atmospheric pressure obtaining release valve is opened and closed in association with stopping and starting of the electric pump. A cell is provided as an internal power supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Nipro CorporationInventors: Susumu Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Tejima
-
Patent number: 7276053Abstract: A sanitary napkin for placement in a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer having a longitudinal axis and being further characterized by having at least one preferential bending zone extending obliquely in relation to the longitudinal axis. The preferential bending zone may be created by mechanically embossing the surface of the sanitary napkin to locally densify the absorbing materials of the article. The preferential bending zone causes the sanitary napkin to resist lateral compression forces exerted by the thighs of the wearer and thereby prevents bunching of the article on the undergarment. The preferential bending zone also enhances fluid distribution by channeling the fluid away from the point of contact. The advantages of the present invention are increased efficiency of the sanitary napkin in collecting bodily fluids and greater comfort for the wearer of the napkin, particularly when the napkin is thin.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Johnson & Johnson, Inc.Inventors: Christiane Lariviere, Rebecca Feldman, Lori Weitzner
-
Patent number: 7276054Abstract: A disposable diaper as a disposable wearing article has a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between these two waist regions. The crotch region is formed on its surface facing a wearer's body with a protrusion formed by flexible and elastic foamed plastic prepared separately of an absorbent pad.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Kaiyo Nakajima, Tomoko Sugito
-
Patent number: 7276055Abstract: A method of performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery includes the step of creating an access aperture into a patient's chest cavity, the access aperture being considerably smaller than a traditional cardiac surgery incision. A cannula is provided that has an oval portion with a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis and the cannula is inserted into the chest cavity through the access aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David B. DeWindt, Ronald A. Devries, Steven R. Gundry, William E. Sidor
-
Patent number: 7276056Abstract: A method of treating abnormal biological conditions arising in and/or affecting the vagina involves supplying a flow of water to the vaginal canal while a treatment device having an external surface of stainless steel is disposed therein so as to primarily or preventatively treat an existing or potential abnormal biological condition including fungal, bacterial, viral, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. The supply of water to the vaginal canal while the stainless steel of the treatment device is disposed therein causes a natural reaction to occur in the vaginal canal which prevents and/or normalizes abnormal biological conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Abbott Research Group, Inc.Inventors: Chun Lim Abbott, Dominic C. Abbott, Meir Sacks
-
Patent number: 7276057Abstract: Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by delivering one or more drugs to a sacral nerve or nerve portion, as well as to a pudendal nerve or nerve portion. Two or more drug delivery regimes are provided on a continuous, alternating, intermittent or other basis to the sacral and pudendal nerves in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and/or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Martin T. Gerber
-
Patent number: 7276058Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation my be applied by successivly passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory B. Altshuler, Ilya Yaroslavsky, Andre Viacheslavovitch Belikov, Konstantin Prikhodko
-
Patent number: 7276059Abstract: Skin disorders such as, for example, atopic dermatitis, dyshidrosis, eczema, lichen planus, psoriasis, and vitiligo, are treated by applying high doses of ultraviolet light to diseased regions of a patient's skin. The dosage exceeds 1 MED, as determined for the particular patient and may range from about 1 MED to about 20 MED or higher. The ultraviolet light has a wavelength within the range of about 295 nanometers to about 320 nanometers. High doses of ultraviolet light are restricted to diseased tissue areas The skin can be cooled prior to and/or during exposure to UV light to minimize tissue damage resulting from exposure to the UV light. Higher doses of UV light can therefore be employed without injurious affects.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: PhotomedexInventor: Dean S. Irwin
-
Patent number: 7276060Abstract: A surgical handpiece having a tip with at least two coaxially spaced electrically conductive tubes. The tubes are separated by an electrical insulator. The interior of the inner tube is used for aspiration of liquefied tissue. The outer tube is surrounded by a soft irrigation sleeve that forms an irrigation fluid path. The distal portion of the interior tube terminates inside of the outer tube so as to form a boiling region. Surgical fluid from the irrigation fluid path can enter the boiling region through a hole or port in the outer tube. Electrical current is passed between the inner and outer tube to rapidly boil any surgical fluid in the boiling region. The boiling fluid rapidly expands out of the ring between the tube ends and forces hot fluid to contact the targeted tissue, thereby liquefying the tissue and allowing the tissue to be aspirated. Such a construction allows the boiling chamber to be self-priming and operate even if the outer tube is occluded with material.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventor: Sean C. Madden
-
Patent number: 7276061Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an inner space is located along the distal end portion of the elongated body. An ablation element is disposed over the porous membrane, with the ablation element having a fixed position with respect to the porous membrane. A fluid passageway extending through the elongated body and communicates with the inner space. The fluid passageway is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a pressurizeable fluid source for delivering a volume of pressurized fluid from the fluid source to the inner space. The porous membrane allows at least a substantial portion of the volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous wall for enhancing ablative coupling between the electrode and the region of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Atrionix, Inc.Inventors: Alan K. Schaer, Aurelio Valencia
-
Patent number: 7276062Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Biosence Webster, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin D. McDaniel, Martin F. O'Sullivan, James K. Lee
-
Patent number: 7276063Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to non-thermally generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: ArthroCare CorporationInventors: Paul O. Davison, Jean Woloszko, Tom Jenkins
-
Patent number: 7276064Abstract: Side-port sheaths for catheter placement and translation are disclosed. The sheaths include a side-port opening through which a gliding catheter may be deployed during diagnosis or treatment of tissue. The side-port sheath may include a suspension ribbon used to deploy, or that aids in the deployment of, the embedded gliding catheter. The suspension ribbon may be slideably or fixably engaged with an outer surface of the sheath of the gliding catheter.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao, John Avi Roop, Chou Thao
-
Patent number: 7276065Abstract: A cautery hook includes a proximal portion, a shank portion, and a distal hook portion. The shank portion is connected to the proximal portion at a bent knee protruding generally on a front side of the cautery hook. The distal hook portion is connected to the shank portion at an ankle protruding generally on a rear side of the cautery hook opposite from the front side of the cautery hook. The distal hook portion includes a distal hook tip generally on the front side of the cautery hook. The bent knee, ankle, and distal hook tip are the three most likely locations of contact between the cautery hook and a cannula sleeve when the cautery hook is passed through the cannular sleeve between an internal surgical site and the outside. Each contact tends to self-align the cautery hook to allow the hook to pass through the cannula sleeve without getting stuck or damaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Tracey A. Morley, David S. Baron, Daniel T. Wallace
-
Patent number: 7276066Abstract: A medical treatment instrument for an endoscope includes: an insulated sheath; a treatment member that is provided at a distal end of the sheath; and a wire loop that surround the treatment member and is capable of expansion and contraction by an operation at a proximal side of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventor: Teruo Ouchi
-
Patent number: 7276067Abstract: A multifilar flexible rotary shaft includes a plurality of individual filaments which are not wound around each other or around a central core, a loose ensemble of filaments. The input ends of each filament are coupled to each other and the output ends of each filament are coupled to each other. Preferably all of the filaments are identical. A loose ensemble of N filaments can transmit N times the torque of a single filament, and will have N times the torsional stiffness of a single filament, while retaining the minimum radius of operation of a single filament. Since a loose ensemble of filaments does not have any appreciable contact forces among the filaments (because they are not forcibly twisted together), there is no appreciable internal friction or hysteresis. In order to appreciably eliminate all the hysteresis in such an ensemble of filaments, the filaments should be no more than loosely twisted together, if at all.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Juergen A. Kortenbach
-
Patent number: 7276068Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Kristin Johnson, Gary M. Couture, Jeff Unger, Robert Sharp
-
Patent number: 7276069Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two rods or screws used for bone or vertebra stabilization is provided. The connecting element comprises a connecting portion, a first portion which can be connected to one of the rods and a second portion which can be connected to the other rod. In order that not only rods parallel to each other, but also those inclined at an angle to each other or oblique can be fixed to each other, the first portion is connected to the connecting portion by a device allowing polyaxial orientation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Biedermann Motech GmbHInventors: Lutz Biedermann, Jürgen Harms, Peter Ostermann
-
Patent number: 7276070Abstract: To be able to secure a bone screw, in particular one that can be aligned polyaxially, especially fixedly and nevertheless easily and detachably in an osteosynthesis plate or a comparable implant, a clamping bore is proposed in addition to a receiving bore, whereby the receiving bore holds a bone screw directly or indirectly, and the clamping bore runs essentially perpendicular to the osteosynthesis plate or parallel to the receiving bore, and with a recess in the area of the bores, preferably between the bores, being arranged in relation to the receiving bore in such a way that widening of the clamping bore results in a constriction of the receiving bore.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventor: Helmut Mückter
-
Patent number: 7276071Abstract: A device and method for enhancing the surgical replacement of defective natural eye lenses with an intraocular lens. The device is an intraocular lens injector that prevents an intraocular lens from uncontrollably rotating or flipping as it is advanced towards a mammalian recipient's eye, while providing an ideal lens exit orientation to help reduce the occurrence of trauma. The lens injector comprises an insertion tube having a loading port and an ejection port, a plunger, a loading carriage, and a lens carrier. In one embodiment, the insertion tube allows for the controlled insertion of a lens by rolling one side of the lens onto itself as the lens is guided through the ejection port using a guide displaced in the insertion tube from a position near the loading port to the end of the ejection port. In an alternative embodiment, controlled insertion is achieved by rolling both sides of the lens at varying degrees so that one side eventually encircles the other side.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: James Lin, Andre J. Porter
-
Patent number: 7276072Abstract: A skin resurfacing device for peeling the outermost layer of the skin for renewing the skin surface and repairing skin damage including a housing, a skin sensor, and a skin treater. The skin treater consists of an abrasive tip, a first end, a transparent portion, a first filter, and a second end, all of which are detachable and replaceable. The skin treater is connected to a vacuum source by a tubular hose. The vacuum provides both closeness of contact between the abrasive tip and the user's skin and the suctioning of skin debris peeled off. The skin treater, especially the abrasive tip are made with common material and mass production process so that they are disposable and economic.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventor: Tae-Jun Chung
-
Patent number: 7276073Abstract: A straightening tool for straightening an elongate angled member of an angled tissue cutting instrument in which the elongate angled member has a proximal length portion and an initial bend connecting the proximal length portion to a distal length portion extending from the bend to a distal end. The straightening tool comprises a positioning block attached to a handle, an unbending channel in the positioning block configured to effect straightening of the elongate angled member and a guide template corresponding to the unbending channel. The guide template comprises a guide slot having a longitudinal profile corresponding to the longitudinal profile of a forward aspect of the elongate angled member extending from the distal end proximally of the bend.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth M. Adams
-
Patent number: 7276074Abstract: An angled tissue cutting instrument includes an outer member having an elongate body with a bend and a forward end, and a distal tip rotatably mounted on the forward end. The distal tip and body are rotatable relative to one another about a central longitudinal axis of the tip to variably position a cutting window of the tip in a selected directional position about the axis. Relative rotation between the distal tip and the body about the axis is prevented to lock the cutting window in a selected directional position when the outer member is maintained in a longitudinally extended position by an inner member of the instrument disposed within the outer member. An indexing tool for the angled tissue cutting instrument has a socket for receiving the distal tip to effect rotational indexing.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Adams, Miro Mitusina
-
Patent number: 7276075Abstract: A sliding gas-tight seal on an access port promotes insufflation of an anatomical space formed in tissue at a surgical site only during insertion of an endoscopic instrument through the access port into the anatomical space, and promotes deflation of the inflated space upon removal of the endoscopic instrument from within the access port. An inflatable balloon disposed about the port near the distal end may be selectively expanded to seal and anchor the access port within an incision through which a surgical procedure with insufflation is to be performed. Multiple resilient seals may be attached to the body of the port, and an auxiliary resilient seal may be inserted within the aperture of a seal attached to the body to accommodate a wide range of endoscopic instruments of various exterior dimensions inserted through the seals.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Origin Medsystems, Inc.Inventors: Peter Callas, John P. Lunsford, Albert K. Chin, Michael Wei
-
Patent number: 7276076Abstract: A perioperative warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with multiple stacked sections. One section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide comfort warming by convection. Another section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide therapeutic warming by convection.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.Inventor: Mark T. Bieberich
-
Patent number: 7276077Abstract: A device to provide body fluid flow control in the form of a valve to be located within a duct or passageway. The device is controlled through pressure above a preselected threshold. Bulk resilience about a passageway in a valve body provides the mechanism for controlled flow. One-way valve operation may be provided through a flap or through a pressure differential on the valve body depending upon the direction of flow. A frame structure positioned within a resilient seal includes longitudinally elongated elements which may be of spring material, malleable material or heat recoverable material so as to accomplish an initial insertion state and an expanded anchoring state. A valve support transitions between the resilient seal portion and the valve body to insure that the states do not change the threshold opening pressure. Insertion devices may be employed to position and actuate a change of state of the frame in the body duct or passageway.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Emphasys Medical, Inc.Inventors: Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi, John S. Ford, April Marano-Ford
-
Patent number: 7276078Abstract: The present invention provides a series of new percutaneous concepts of paravalvular repairs including identifying the leak location, several repair techniques and finally built-in means for leak prevention, built on percutaneous valves. A catheter-delivered device locates cavities occurring between a prosthetic valve and the wall of the body vessel where the valve is implanted, the cavities producing paravalvular leaks during diastole, the device comprising at least one of a plurality of flexible wires, the wire having attached to it a balloon, wherein the balloon is pulled by the leak through the cavity and wherein the wire then serves to mark the cavity location.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences PVTInventors: Benjamin Spenser, Netanel Benichou, Assaf Bash
-
Patent number: 7276079Abstract: The implant has an annularly bent base, whereby the imagined surface enclosed by the base is bent. Preferably the surface enclosed by the base is a symmetrical. It is particularly advantageous if the base is enclosed by a solid material and this is enclosed by a relatively soft material. This offers the possibility of designing fastening clips in the relatively solid material. Such implants are especially suited as heart valve rings.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: MEDOS Medizintechnik AGInventor: Hans Hinrich Sievers
-
Patent number: 7276080Abstract: An intraocular lens for amblyopia designed in consideration of normalizing vision as well as magnifying vision, is provided with an optical part having predetermined refractive power, which includes front and rear side refractive surfaces, a supporting part for supporting the optical part within the eye, a first reflecting part formed at a rear surface side of the optical part for reflecting an incident light bundle, which has passed through the front surface of the optical part, toward the front surface, and a second reflecting part formed at a front surface side of the optical part for reflecting the incident light bundle, which has been reflected by the first one, toward the rear surface, wherein the first and second reflecting parts form a reflecting telescopic system which forms a magnified image on a retina, and at least one of them has a property of transmitting a part of the light bundle.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Nidek Co. Ltd.Inventors: Naho Murakami, Yoshihiro Nakahata, Tsutomu Sunada
-
Patent number: 7276081Abstract: A spinal spacer 300 for engagement between vertebrae is provided which includes a body 301 formed of a bone composition. The body 301 includes a first end 311, an opposite second 315 end, a superior face 335 defining a superior vertebral engaging surface 337 and an inferior face 338 defining an inferior vertebral engaging surface 340. At least one of the vertebral engaging surfaces defines a set of migration resistance grooves 350. Each of the grooves 350 includes a first face 355 defining an angle of no more than about 90 degrees relative to the engaging surface 340 and a second opposing sloped face 360. The first and second faces 355, 360 define an arcuate pocket 370 therebetween for trapping vertebral bone to resist migration of the spacer 300. In one embodiment, the grooves 350 are arranged in series in that all of the second faces 360 slope in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Coates, James Van Hoeck, Jeffrey W. Poyner
-
Patent number: 7276082Abstract: An intervertebral device comprises a first endplate assembly including a first exterior surface, a second endplate assembly including a second exterior surface, and a bone in-growth area located on the first exterior surface. The bone in-growth area includes an osteoconductive surface. The intervertebral device also comprises a bone in-growth indicator located on the first exterior surface and an access guide on the first endplate. The access guide is adapted for directing a revision instrument to the bone in-growth area.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Zdeblick, Vincent C. Traynelis, Regis W. Haid, Greg C. Marik, Bradley J. Coats, Courtney S. Williams, Craig M. Squires
-
Patent number: 7276084Abstract: Expandable heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement surgeries are disclosed. The valves are rolled into a first, contracted configuration for minimally invasive delivery and then unrolled or unfurled at the implantation site. One- and two-piece stents may be used in conjunction with a plurality of flexible leaflet-forming membranes. The one-piece stents may include an annulus anchoring section, a sinus section with the membranes attached over sinus apertures, and a rigid outflow section. The two-piece stent may include a primary stent to provide a tubular base at the annulus, and a secondary stent having the membranes that couples within the primary stent. Lockout tabs to secure the stents in their expanded shapes are provided. Also, alignment structure may be provided to ensure concentric unfurling. Anchoring barbs at the stent edges or in the stent body secure the valve within the annulus. Methods of implantation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Jibin Yang, Matthew L. Pease, Brandon G. Walsh
-
Patent number: 7276085Abstract: Methods of enhancing stain resistance of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating fiber, yarn or carpet comprising applying an aqueous treating composition to fiber, yarn or carpet, wherein the aqueous treating composition comprises tannic acid heating the fiber, yarn or carpet to a temperature of at least about 160° F.; applying a second topical treating composition to the fiber, carpet or yarn, wherein the second aqueous treating composition comprises a fluorochemical; and heating the fiber, yarn or carpet to a temperature of at least about 160° F.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.Inventor: Dennis J. Jones, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7276086Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a pyrazine derivative and to methods using said compositions as an optical bleach and/or dye in a direct or oxidation dyeing composition for keratin fibers, such as human keratin fibers, for example, hair. The invention also relates to methods of making said compositions and to a multicompartment device for dyeing and/or optical bleaching containing the claimed composition.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventor: Luc Gourlaouen
-
Patent number: 7276087Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for oxidation dyeing keratin fibers, for instance human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising 2-chloro-6-methyl-3-aminophenol as at least one coupler, para-aminophenol as at least one first oxidation base, 3-methyl-4-aminophenol as at least one second oxidation base, and an associative thickening polymer. The present disclosure also relates to a multi-compartment device or kit for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers comprising the compositions disclosed herein, and to the dyeing process using these compositions.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.Inventor: Marie-Pascale Audousset
-
Patent number: 7276088Abstract: The invention provides new hair colorant and cosmetic compositions comprising carbon nanotubes that have either been chemically functionalized or physically modified to increase their affinity for hair.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Xueying Huang, Robert K. Kobos, Gann Xu
-
Patent number: 7276089Abstract: Compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising a medium suitable for dyeing and at least one bicyclic fused 5-5-membered aza heteroaromatic keratin dyeing compound with an N-hydroxy or N-amino group and derivatives thereof. A method for oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising applying such compositions in the presence of an oxidizing agent, for a period sufficient to develop the desired coloration.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Robert Wayne Glenn, Jr., Mu'Ill Lim
-
Patent number: 7276090Abstract: New polymeric materials and their fabrication methods that are electrically active in terms of sensing and actuation are invented. These materials are comprised of solid-state ion-conducting materials such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and its derivatives or imbedded in a family of mixed polymer systems such as polydivinylbenzene (DVB) and polystyrene polymers. Such materials suitably electroded with conductive materials such as gold, platinum and silver exhibit large deformation (both two and three dimensionally) under low electric fields of 10's V/mm. Conversely, if these materials are deformed, they produce 10's of mV/mm electric fields that can be used as means of sensing or electromechanical powering devices for batteries. The method of fabricating the new polymeric materials comprises the steps of providing a polyelectrolyte material, mixing the polyelectrolyte material with a conductive material and affixing at least two electrodes to the mixed polyelectrolyte material and conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Environmental Robots, Inc.Inventors: Mohsen Shahinpoor, Kwang J. Kim
-
Patent number: 7276091Abstract: A method of producing a polymer capacitor includes forming a first electrode on a surface of a first ion exchange resin solid and coating a mixture of an ion exchange resin solution and a salt on the other surface of the first resin; putting a second ion exchange resin solid which has a second electrode formed on a surface thereof on the coated layer and conducting lamination of the resulting structure to produce a composite; dissolving the salt to form pores; and filling the pores with an electrolytic solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Choong Nam Park, Young Kwan Lee, Jae Do Nam, Kwi Jong Lee
-
Patent number: 7276092Abstract: An electrochemical element in the form of a button cell having at least one lithium-intercalating electrode, wherein the cell cover or the cell cup has an opening which is closed in a sealed manner during the formation process. Once the formation process has been completed, it is opened briefly for gas to escape from the cell, and is then closed in a gastight manner. The cell cover and the cell cup are composed in particular of metal. The opening can be closed by a metal or metal/plastic composite sheet, which is adhesively bonded or welded to the cell cover or to the cell cup.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Varta Microbattery GmbHInventors: Konrad Holl, Alfons Joas, Horst Wagner, Kemal Akca, Arno Perner, Dejan Ilic
-
Patent number: 7276093Abstract: A water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion includes a water phase, a hydrocarbon phase and a surfactant, wherein the water phase is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 5% vol. with respect to volume of the emulsion, and the water phase and the surfactant are present at a ratio by volume of the water phase to the surfactant of at least about 1. A method for preparing the emulsion is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Inievep, S.A.Inventors: Hercilio Rivas, Xiomara Gutiérrez, Manuel A. González, Geoffrey McGrath, Migdalia Carrasquero, Francisco López-Linares, Roberto Galiasso
-
Patent number: 7276094Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous fuel additive, fuel composition, and method all lower both carbon particulate emissions and improve slag properties in combustion systems including, for instance, utility furnaces and boiler systems. The mixed metal catalyst may include a transition metal-containing compound, an alkali metal compound, and a magnesium-containing compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Ethyl Petroleum Additives, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Factor, Joseph W. Roos, Allen A. Aradi
-
Fuel processor module for hydrogen production for a fuel cell engine using pressure swing adsorption
Patent number: 7276095Abstract: A stand-alone fuel processor (10) for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel for a fuel cell engine in a vehicle. The fuel processor (10) includes a primary reactor (14) that dissociates hydrogen and other by-products from the hydrocarbon fuel as a reformate gas. The reformate gas is applied to a WGS reactor (48) to convert carbon monoxide and water to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The WGS reactor (14) may include an adsorbent for adsorbing carbon monoxide. The reformate gas from the WGS reactor (48) is then sent to a rapid-cycle PSA device (12) for adsorbing the undesirable by-products in the gas and generates a stream of pure hydrogen. A liquid water separator (70) separates water from the reformate gas before it is applied to the PSA device (12). The PSA device (12) uses a portion of the separated hydrogen as a desorbing gas to purify the adsorbent in the PSA device (12). The by-products of the reformate gas can be used as a fuel in a combustor (30) that generates heat for the primary reactor (14).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Craig S. Gittleman, John B. Ruhl, Yan Zhang, William H. Pettit -
Patent number: 7276096Abstract: Described herein is a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. The fuel processor comprises a reformer and burner. The reformer includes a catalyst that facilitates the production of hydrogen from the fuel source. Voluminous reformer chamber designs are provided that increase the amount of catalyst that can be used in a reformer and increase hydrogen output for a given fuel processor size. The burner provides heat to the reformer. One or more burners may be configured to surround a reformer on multiple sides to increase thermal transfer to the reformer. Dewars are also described that increase thermal management of a fuel processor and increase burner efficiency. A dewar includes one or more dewar chambers that receive inlet process gas or liquid before a burner receives the process gas or liquid. The dewar is arranged such that process gas or liquid passing through the dewar chamber intercepts heat generated in the burner before the heat escapes the fuel processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: UltraCell CorporationInventors: Ian W. Kaye, Qailmas Khan
-
Patent number: 7276097Abstract: A load-lock system includes a load-lock chamber arranged between a storage port which stores a substrate and a process chamber which processes the substrate in a process space maintained at a pressure lower than that in the storage port, and a dehumidifying unit which forms a dehumidified environment in the load-lock chamber. A system preferably includes another chamber between said storage port and said load-lock chamber, wherein said dehumidifying unit dehumidifies said another chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryo Edo
-
Patent number: 7276098Abstract: A tangential air filter configuration is designed for applications where there is a potential for a pollutant to back flush out. The tangential in-line air filter reduces air resistance and prevents back flow, allowing the air to traverse through a forced air system during operation without resistance, and absorbs particulates and prevents back flow of fuel vapors when the forced air is at a standstill. The filter medium has a plurality of pleats or corrugations with a longitudinal axis parallel to the forced airflow direction. A diffusion barrier is formed when the forced air is at a standstill. Vapors are not passed or forced through the filter medium; rather pollutants are aggressively absorbed during diffusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: KX Technologies, LLCInventor: Evan E. Koslow
-
Patent number: 7276099Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a compact and easy-to-operate cyclonic separation type dust collector. To accomplish the object, the present invention mounts a cyclonic separation cylinder (104) that centrifugally separates and captures dust and a dust collecting case (105) that contains a first auxiliary filter (106) detachably on the lower case (101) of the cleaner body (1) and part of air from the cyclonic separation cylinder (104) is fed to the motor-driven blower through the dust collecting case (105). The present invention mounts a cyclonic separation cylinder (104) that centrifugally separates and captures dust and a dust collecting case (105) that contains a first auxiliary filter (106) detachably on the lower case (101) of the cleaner body (1) and part of air from the cyclonic separation cylinder (104) is fed to the motor-driven blower through the dust collecting case (105) and a filter provided under it.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Home & Life Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Shoji Hayashi, Yukiji Iwase, Yasuyuki Hiruta, Kyouichi Kanno, Susumu Sato, Naofumi Kitagawa, Naruhiko Suzuki, Yasunori Kotaka, Hirofumi Tanaka, Koichi Umezawa
-
Patent number: 7276100Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Barry Huehn, Yani Deros, Stephen Bourque
-
Patent number: 7276101Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes partition walls arranged in an X-direction and intersecting partition walls so as to form a plurality of cells extending to an other-end portion from a one-end portion through an axial direction. There are disclosed a honeycomb structure in which intersecting portions of the partition walls include an intersecting portion (lacking portion) lacking in the one-end portion, a method of manufacturing the honeycomb structure, and a discharge fluid purification system comprising the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure is able to inhibit the opening from being blocked and is easily manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventor: Yukihito Ichikawa