Patents Issued in May 15, 2018
  • Patent number: 9968448
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure attachment features (“CAFs”) is disposed on the stent, with each CAF including a body and a plurality of eyelets. The eyelets may be arranged in a single column or in a plurality of rows and columns. The prosthetic heart valve also includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure attachment features. The bodies of the CAFs may include a number of other features including, for example, a slot extending between columns of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Mina S. Fahim, Andrea L. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9968449
    Abstract: A heart valve includes a valve body made of a flexible material such as pericardium. The valve body is made of two layers of material, an outer layer, and an inner layer that defines a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets of the inner layer are attached to the outer layer. In some embodiments the valve body is made by cutting a single piece of flat source tissue, folding the cut tissue and forming it into a tubular pattern having the inner and outer layers. The multi-layer valve body can be mounted on a stent for delivery within a patient's heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Arshad Quadri, J. Brent Ratz
  • Patent number: 9968450
    Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Phung, August R. Yambao, Faisal Kalam, William C. Brunnett, Rafael Pintor, Michael J. Scott
  • Patent number: 9968451
    Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Salvador Marquez, Brian S. Conklin, Manouchehr A. Miraki, Yoon H. Kwon
  • Patent number: 9968452
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a first catheter having a distal end portion transluminally advanceable to a vicinity of an anatomical site, a second catheter having a distal end portion advanceable through a first lumen and out of the first lumen, and a longitudinal implant, advanceable through the second lumen and out of the second lumen. The first and second catheters are assembled to facilitate sliding of the first and second catheters and of the implant, to configure them to assume a multi-bend formation having first and second bends separating first, second, and third domains. The first domain includes parts of the first and second catheters. The second domain includes the distal end portion of the second catheter, part of the implant, and none of the first catheter. The third domain includes part of the implant and none of the first nor second catheters. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Valtech Cardio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tal Sheps, Tal Hammer, Tal Reich, Amir Gross, Yuval Zipory, Oz Cabiri, Yossi Gross
  • Patent number: 9968453
    Abstract: The device is intended to be positioned in a sealed introducer arranged in the thoracic cavity between two ribs in order to penetrate into the left ventricle, passing through the apex of the heart. According to the invention, the device includes a body having a handle and at least one control member capable of acting on an assembly for installing and securing a braid to the mitral annulus by means of suturing elements, the assembly has a mechanism capable of enabling the extraction of a suture through the mitral valve while also being capable of enclosing the braid and becoming anchored to the periphery of the mitral annulus under the clamping effect of the suture, exerting two opposing pressure-bearing forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Marco Vola, Bernard Pain
  • Patent number: 9968454
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) a guide member, (2) a tissue-adjustment mechanism having (a) an upper surface and a lower surface, (b) at least one first opening at the upper surface, (c) at least one second opening at the lower surface, and (4) a channel extending between the first and second openings, the channel facilitating advancement of the tissue-adjustment mechanism along the guide member; and (3) at least one repair chord coupled at a first portion thereof to the tissue-adjustment mechanism and having at least a first end that is configured to be coupled to a portion of tissue of a patient, the repair chord being configured to adjust a distance between the portion of tissue and the tissue-adjustment mechanism, in response to adjustment of the repair chord by the tissue-adjustment mechanism. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Valtech Cardio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tal Reich, Eran Miller, Tal Sheps
  • Patent number: 9968455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are implants and methods for filling voids in a cranium of a patient. A craniofacial implant that may be used for filling such voids may include at least first and second components each having outer and inner surfaces, the outer and inner surfaces being curved in an inferior to posterior direction and a medial to lateral direction. The first component includes a flange extending outwardly from a medial side surface thereof and the second component includes a recessed portion extending inwardly from a medial side surface thereof. The first and second components are preferably engageable to one another such that the medial side surfaces of the first and second components are adjacent one another and the flange of the first component is housed within the recessed portion of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Rudnick, Christopher Michael Bennett, Anthony Wolverton, Jason Wainwright
  • Patent number: 9968456
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide an arthroplasty system and methods for positioning an acetabular cup implant. In one implementation, the system includes a shape-match hip guide having a patient specific mating region that is a negative of the surface contour of the inside surface of the patient's acetabular cup, and a directional rod that extends generally along the axis of the patient's femoral head and femoral neck. They system can additionally include an outrigger or silo device to aid in the alignment of surgical tools for preparing and implanting of the prosthetic acetabular cup in the patient's acetabular cup. Related methods are also disclosed herein for generating a shape-match guide and implanting an acetabular cup with the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corporation
    Inventor: Keun Song
  • Patent number: 9968457
    Abstract: A medical device for treating hip joint osteoarthritis in a human patient by providing at least one artificial hip joint surface is provided. The hip joint having a ball shaped caput femur as the proximal part of the femoral bone with a convex hip joint surface towards the centre of the hip joint and a bowl shaped etabulum as part of the pelvic bone with a concave hip joint surface towards the centre of the hip joint. The medical device comprises the artificial hip joint surface comprising at least one of; an artificial caput femur or an artificial caput femur surface comprising, a convex form towards the centre of the hip joint, and an artificial acetabulum or an artificial acetabulum surface comprising, a concave form towards the centre of the hip joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 9968458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical implant for reducing pain in diseased joints such as synovial joints, in particular ball and socket joints such as the hip joint and the shoulder joint. One embodiment relates to a medical implant for attachment to and at least partly covering the femoral head, said medical implant comprising a dome shaped shell with an orifice, said shell having a height h1, an equatorial shell radius rs and an orifice radius ro wherein the shell radius rs>ro, and h1>rs, and the orifice is defined by a circumferential rounded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Bispebjerg Hospital
    Inventors: Jes Bruun Lauritzen, Sune Lund Sporring
  • Patent number: 9968459
    Abstract: A transhumeral drill guide and protective sleeve are disclosed which are utilized in a method for shoulder joint surface replacement surgery that spares the rotator cuff. The method utilizes two passages to gain access to the glenohumeral joint, neither of which requires transection of the rotator cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Steven C. Chudik
  • Patent number: 9968460
    Abstract: A vertebral body system and method having a polyaxial fastener receiving member, adjustable width plates and a pedicle screw having a pedicle threaded portion and a threaded portion for fastening to the vertebral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: MEDSMART INNOVATION INC.
    Inventor: Anthony Hadden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9968461
    Abstract: Stand-alone interbody fusion devices for engagement between adjacent vertebrae. The stand-alone interbody fusion devices may include a spacer or endplates and one or more inserts, members, or frames coupled to the spacer or endplates. The inserts, members, or frames may be configured and designed to provide the apertures which are designed to retain bone fasteners, such as screws or anchors, and secure the implant to the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Zappacosta, Michael Hunt, Veronika Martynova, Jason Gray, Jody Seifert, Noah Hansell, David Paul, Nick Padovani
  • Patent number: 9968462
    Abstract: A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, and ramped surfaces. An endplate configured to engage a bone of the joint has ramped surfaces mateable with the ramped surfaces of the frame. When the endplate is moved relative to the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the endplate is moved in a direction away from the frame to increase the height of the spacer. A second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint can be similarly configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 9968463
    Abstract: A resorbable tissue scaffold fabricated from bioactive glass fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioactive composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioactive glass fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the bioresorbable matrix is provided by bioactive glass that fuses and bonds the bioactive glass fiber into the rigid three-dimensional matrix. The resorbable tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a resorbable tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BIO2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: James Jenq Liu
  • Patent number: 9968464
    Abstract: A spinal fusion system may include an interbody fusion cage, a fixation plate, and an implanter. The interbody fusion cage may include a proximal region, a distal region opposite the proximal region, a superior region, an inferior region opposite the superior region, and an open volume between the proximal and distal regions. The superior and inferior regions are located between the proximal and distal regions and are configured such that, when the interbody fusion cage is implanted in the disc space, the superior region contacts the inferior end plate and the inferior region contacts the superior end plate. The fixation plate is receivable in the open volume of the interbody fusion cage and includes a superior blade and an inferior blade. At least one of the blades includes a first opening defined therein. The fixation plate is displaceable between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Edward Liou, Jeffrey D. Smith, David Michael Schummers, Brad Jones, Sandeep Kunwar, Peter Weber, Bruce M. McCormack
  • Patent number: 9968465
    Abstract: A femoral component trial for a knee joint of the present invention includes a trial body. The trial body includes a medial condyle and a lateral condyle that are located away from each other on an external surface, a through hole that is located between the medial condyle and the lateral condyle and has an approximately rectangular shape whose long side is an outer edge of an inner wall located along a back-and-forth direction and whose short side is an outer edge of an inner wall located along a right-and-left direction in an external surface view, a first guide slit that is located ahead of and above the through hole and extends in the right-and-left direction, and four second guide slits respectively extending from four corner parts of the through hole and along the long side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Enomoto, Masahiko Hashida
  • Patent number: 9968466
    Abstract: A programmable prosthetic foot includes a heel member simulating a heel portion of a human foot. The heel member has an elongated heel member shaft extending in a vertical direction. The foot also includes a forefoot member simulating a forefoot portion of a human foot. The forefoot member has an elongated forefoot member shaft extending in the vertical direction. A sensor on the foot detects compressive force on the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft during a step. An actuator on the foot imparts vertical translation to the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft. An electronic controller in operable communication with the actuator includes program instructions for operating the actuator by imparting the vertical translation to the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft as a function of the compressive force detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Tai Lore Made, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie D. Kramer, William Stanley Patterson
  • Patent number: 9968467
    Abstract: Prosthetic feet that provide improved rollover and performance are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a lower foot member extending from a heel end to a toe end, a second foot member disposed above the lower foot member, and an optional third foot member disposed above the second foot member. The second foot member is tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the proximal end. Optionally, the second foot member can taper toward its distal end as well as toward its proximal end from an intermediate location on the second foot member. The third foot member can be tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the distal end. There can be a gap between a distal end of the third foot member and the second foot member that closes during dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot during use and provides dynamic stiffness control to the prosthetic foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Össur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: Orn Ingvi Jonsson, Aron Kristbjorn Albertsson
  • Patent number: 9968468
    Abstract: A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by means of at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (aF) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Auberger, Martin Seyr, Clemens Mandl, Dirk Seifert, Hans Dietl
  • Patent number: 9968469
    Abstract: A prosthesis liner for placing on a stump includes an elastic main body which has a proximal opening for inserting the stump into a receiving space, and a distal end. At least one suction cup is arranged on the outside of the prosthesis liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Muller, Martin Hillmann
  • Patent number: 9968470
    Abstract: A stent for bifurcation, including two cylindrical parts: a distal part (1.1) of smaller diameter and a proximal part (1.2) of greater diameter, connected by two arranged as opposite longitudinal connectors (1.3) having length (L1) of 0.5 to 8 mm and forming a cell of the stent having an enlarged surface area (1.4), the connectors having a curvilinear shape, in particular a sinusoidal shape. A method of introducing the stent and a system for intravascular implantation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BALTON SP. Z O.O.
    Inventors: Emil Plowiecki, Leszek Hurkala
  • Patent number: 9968471
    Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portion. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The cells also provide increase coverage of a vessel wall. Loops in the stent are disposed and adapted to cooperate, so that after expansion of said stent within a curved lumen, the stent is curved and cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow in width, whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length, but thicken in width to maintain a density of the stent element area which is much more constant than otherwise between the inside and outside of the curve. The stent also minimizes flaring out by eliminating free loops of the radially supporting circumferential bands of loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Medinol Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacob Richter
  • Patent number: 9968472
    Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device includes a catheter defining one or more lumens. A filter is coupled to the catheter adjacent a distal end of the catheter, and the filter is movable between an unexpanded and expanded configuration via a filter activation wire that extends through a lumen. An expandable balloon is coupled to the catheter proximally of the filter, and a stent is disposed over at least a portion of the balloon. To deploy the stent to a target site, the filter is first moved into its expanded position via the filter activation wire. Then, the stent is expanded, and the balloon is inflated to expand the stent further radially. The balloon is then deflated, the filter is contracted, and the catheter, balloon, and filter are removed from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Contego Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Ravish Sachar, Eugene Serina
  • Patent number: 9968473
    Abstract: An attachment system for an orthopedic brace incorporates at least one cinching system assembly having a knob rotatable in a first direction and a second direction. At least one cinching plate is engaged by the knob for rotation in the first direction in a first orientation and transitions to a second orientation upon rotation in the second direction. A ratchet wheel is engaged by the cinching plate in the first orientation for rotation in the first direction. At least one ratchet arm engages the ratchet wheel for ratcheting operation and is engaged by the cinching plate in the second orientation for disengagement from the ratchet arm. A shaft is rotated in response to rotation of the ratchet wheel and a strap is extendible from and retractable on the shaft upon rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: United Surgical Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Mason, Russell S. Moir, Bryan K. Bowman
  • Patent number: 9968474
    Abstract: A therapeutic stretching device includes a strap; a fulcrum member centrally located on the strap and arranged to be placed behind the back of a user's neck and operable as a fulcrum for cervical spinal extension; first and second shoulder pads attached to the strap on either side of the fulcrum member, the shoulder pads arranged to assist the strap in pulling shoulder joints of the user backwards and to create bilateral glenohumeral external rotation; and at least one pair of loops disposed on the strap, wherein shoulder pads are disposed between the fulcrum member and the pair of loops, the loops being disposed and sized for right and left hand or wrist placement during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GEBO LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9968475
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems, devices, and methods for compressing the pelvis with alternating compressive air compartments by encircling the hip region of the patient. In some examples, a device may be applied to a person with a traumatic pelvic injury. A main body may include a strong flexible material such as neoprene and may have the general shape of a wide belt or pelvic girdle. The interior or exterior aspect of the binder may be composed of one or many straps that extend from one end of the binder and are looped through buckles on the other end of the binder and may therefore allow for tightening of the binder upon itself for compression. The end of the strap may contain a fastening device to affix the end of the strap to itself after the strap has been looped through the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew S. Ross
  • Patent number: 9968476
    Abstract: An arm sling includes a flat, elongated strap having a first end and a second end; a ring structure attached to the first end; and a double loop structure having a first loop and a second loop. The second end can extend through the first loop structure, then through the second loop structure, then back through the second loop structure, then through the first loop structure to define an arm loop and a remaining portion of the strap between the double loop structure and the second end. The second end can extend through the ring structure and attach to the remaining portion via an attachment element to define a shoulder loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Melanie Deborah Hatto
  • Patent number: 9968477
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides exemplary arm immobilization devices for a person and associated methods of use. Thus, in one aspect, the disclosure provides a device including or comprising an outer shell including an internal cavity and a configurable structure disposed within the internal cavity of the outer shell. The outer shell can be configured and dimensioned to accommodate an arm of a person thereon. Expansion or contraction of the configurable structure can drive expansion or contraction of the outer shell. In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods for immobilizing an arm of a person that include providing an arm immobilization device and supporting the arm of the person with the outer shell and the configurable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Soteria Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian K. Y. Lo
  • Patent number: 9968478
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Coventus Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Taylor, Todd A. Krinke, Alex A. Peterson, Michael P. Brenzel, Paul Hindrichs
  • Patent number: 9968479
    Abstract: A treatment for male erectile dysfunction comprising separately storing a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and a carrier gel, mixing said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and said carrier gel creating a homogeneous mixture and applying said homogeneous mixture to the meatus of the glans penis. A system for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction comprising a syringe coupling system for the storage, mixing and application of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, said system further comprising a first syringe and a second syringe. The first and second syringes are filled with a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents or a carrier gel. The system includes a locking device coupling said syringes to facilitate the transfer of said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and carrier gel between the syringes and a penile adapter for applying the therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction to the meatus of the glans penis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas John Harkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9968480
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adaptable ostomy base plate (10) comprising a flexible top film (8), at least one elastic adhesive (6) disposed on the top film and at least one release liner (9), the base plate having at least a first convex section (1) that can be inverted to a concave section to be used for especially demanding skin surface conditions, such as in ostomists suffering from hernia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventor: René Ferm Nyberg
  • Patent number: 9968481
    Abstract: We have developed a female condom and applicator apparatus that makes female condom easier to apply and more comfortable to use throughout the entire process. Several embodiments take advantage of traditional female tampon applicator structure and existing female condom design. This is easier for female users to adopt due to their already familiarity with similar device and their usage. One design has the applicator on the inside of the female condom which makes the applicator reusable. Another design has the entire female condom tucked inside the applicator, with the condom inner ring inside the applicator outer tube and condom outer ring inside applicator's inner ring. Another design has strings attached to the condom outside ring to keep it from moving or make noise. The device provides a low cost, easy to use, no side-effects, and ready-for-mass adoption solution for the market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9968482
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a patient with local hypertension, comprising a hypertension treatment device adapted to have at least one surface of the device attached to the blood flow passageway, wherein said surface comprising a cooling surface able to cool said passageway to restrict said passageway thereby reducing the blood pressure distal to said restriction. In accordance with a another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating a patient with aneurysm, comprising a aneurysm treatment device adapted to have at least one surface of the device attached to the blood flow passageway, wherein said surface comprising a cooling surface able to cool said passageway to restrict said passageway thereby treating said aneurysm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 9968483
    Abstract: Safety of ophthalmologic laser treatment is improved. A laser treatment apparatus of an embodiment includes: a photographing system that photographs an eye; an irradiation system that irradiates aiming light of a preset pattern and treatment laser light onto a fundus of the eye; an irradiation-pattern determining part that determines an irradiation pattern of the treatment laser light based on a photograph image of the eye acquired by the photographing system and the preset pattern; and a controller that controls the irradiation system so as to irradiate the treatment laser light of the determined irradiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Takanori Takeda, Kazuhisa Nomura
  • Patent number: 9968484
    Abstract: A device for machining the cornea of a human eye with focused pulsed laser radiation includes controllable components, a control computer for controlling these components and a control program for the control computer. The control program contains instructions that are designed to generate an incision figure in the cornea permitting the insertion of an intrastromal corneal ring implant. The incision figure includes a ring incision situated totally deep within the corneal tissue and an opening incision extending at right angles to the ring plane of the ring incision from the anterior surface of the cornea or from the posterior surface of the cornea as far as at least the ring incision. The ring incision exhibits, assigned to the opening incision, a radial—relative to the ring axis—widening zone in which the opening incision impinges on the ring incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Wavelight GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Seiler, Mathias Woelfel, Christof Donitzky
  • Patent number: 9968485
    Abstract: A patient interface device for use with a laser surgery apparatus, the device including an upper assembly and a lower assembly attached to the upper assembly. The device including a spherical-like object that engages the lower assembly so that an enclosed volume is defined between the spherical-like object, the lower assembly and the upper assembly, wherein a first liquid substantially fills the enclosed volume. The device further including a channel that contains a second fluid that is exposed to ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Lensar, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, E. Valaski Teuma, Richard Ty Olmstead
  • Patent number: 9968486
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a patient interface system for ophthalmic intervention on an eye of a patient, comprising: a housing; an optical lens coupled to the housing and having a focal axis; a eye surface engagement assembly coupled to the housing and comprising an inner seal having an inner seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, an outer seal having an outer seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, and a tissue migration bolster structure configured to be positioned circumferentially between the inner and outer circumferential seals and to prevent migration of tissue of the eye toward the eye surface engagement assembly when a vacuum load is applied within the assembly to cause vacuum engagement of the inner and outer seals against the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Gooding, Christine Beltran, Michael Wiltberger
  • Patent number: 9968487
    Abstract: A glasses structure comprises a main body and a sub-frame assembled at the rear of a lens of the main body. The inner surface of a frame body of the sub-frame is attached with a pad, which pad is formed with an upper contact portion and a central contact portion corresponding to the upper edge and the central shape of the frame body. Two nose pieces are formed at the both sides of the central contact portion of the pad, and the upper contact portion of the pad are respectively contacted with the user's nose and forehead to avoid pain when the user wears the glasses. Furthermore, the colored and patterned frame body of the sub-frame is shown from the transparent lens of the main body, whereby the glasses with suitable color and pattern being chosen to dress with the user's clothes and style, increasing the user's fashion and beauty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hsien Chang Optical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiung Chou
  • Patent number: 9968488
    Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KCI USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Zamierowski, Stephen K. Bubb
  • Patent number: 9968489
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and dressings for treating a linear wound, such as an incision, on a patient are presented. The systems, dressings, and methods involve a sealed wound dressing assembly that helps form a fluid seal around the linear wound while simultaneously encompassing a subcutaneous delivery conduit to deliver fluid to or from a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a reduced-pressure interface is used to allow the subcutaneous delivery conduit to pass through tissue at or near the linear wound and through a wound dressing assembly to a drainage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Patent number: 9968490
    Abstract: A system that may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to a tissue site may include a dressing and a sealing member. The dressing may include a manifold layer, a storage layer, and a plurality of retainers. The manifold layer may be adapted to be positioned proximate the tissue site, and the storage layer may be positioned proximate the manifold layer. The plurality of retainers may be disposed in the storage layer. Each of the retainers may define a fluid communication channel through the storage layer. The retainers may be adapted to substantially preclude deformation of the storage layer into the fluid communication channels. The sealing member may be adapted to cover the dressing and to provide a fluid seal between the sealing member and the tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Luckemeyer, Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 9968491
    Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles includes a device for feeding a continuous strip to a conveyor roller and to a device for cutting the strip into first and second pieces. A unit forms and applies at least a pair of first and second pieces, aligned and spaced by a distance (d), for each absorbent article A first and a second roller each comprising a plurality of units pick up and successively release of first and the second pieces. A plurality of concentric units rotating, independently of each other, about a shared axis of rotation, each carries at least one unit. A motor defines a respective law of motion for each of the units and a mechanism translates the units, between a position for picking up the pieces, at the conveyor roller, and a position for releasing the pieces, at the forming and applying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Alberto Perego
  • Patent number: 9968492
    Abstract: A bloomed fiber material (bloomed tow) is manufactured through a process including: spreading a crimped tow in its width direction by a preliminary blooming device; performing primary blooming to bloom the tow by a primary blooming device; dividing the tow into at least two divided tows by a dividing device; cutting a parting between the divided tows by a cutting device; and performing secondary blooming to bloom the divided tows by a secondary blooming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Nagata, Masato Shigematsu, Toshiyuki Morioka
  • Patent number: 9968493
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for moving and/or transferring discrete articles are described. In particular, the methods and apparatuses relate to flexible arrangements to move and/or transfer discrete articles that vary in size and/or shape with minimal to no change in equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Clifford Theodore Papsdorf
  • Patent number: 9968494
    Abstract: An absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) capable of inhibiting leakage of a fluid insult generally extends in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) contains fluid-shrinkable members (60,61), a topsheet (11;611;711;811), and a base pad (12;812) that includes a baffle (28;828) and an absorbent core (30) positioned between the topsheet (11;611;711;811) and the baffle (28;828). The topsheet (11;611;711;811) extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end (153) and an opposing proximal end (152). At least a portion of the proximal end (152) remains generally unbonded to the baffle (28;828). The fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) so that at least a portion of the fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) are located adjacent to the proximal end (152) of the topsheet (11;611;711;811).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Aschenbrenner, Priscilla Eng Choo Goh, Xueen George Hao, DooHong Kim, SangWook Lee, Lin Miao, Meijia Ng, YeinSze Ong, Chunlei Pu
  • Patent number: 9968495
    Abstract: An absorbent including: an absorbent body (AB) having a leak preventer sheet form and absorber for absorbing fluid, minimum one layer arranged above the leak preventer; a connection structure arranged from the AB's front to rear end parts in direction via front, crotch part and rear, the connection structure coupling to the AB at front and rear end parts; the connection structure has right and left belt-like supporters and connection sheet (CS), right and left edge parts of the CS respectively coupling to right and left belt-like supporters, the CS hangs down, on the belt-like supporters underside, toward the absorber in front, crotch part and rear, to form a canal with right and left edge parts vicinities of the CS serving as side surfaces and vicinity of the CS center part in lateral direction serving as bottom surface, the fluid canal enables the fluid from a wearer to the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Yoshio Hirai
  • Patent number: 9968496
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to a absorbent articles demonstrating controlled deformation and enhanced fluid wicking in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Livea Fujita Barbosa, Felipe Boni Rezende, Leonard Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9968497
    Abstract: A substantially planar absorbent core includes a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material that is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The core further comprises at least a pair of curved longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas substantially free of absorbent material, through which the top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap along a core wrap bond. Each of the longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas are longitudinally flanked internally by a first flanking absorbent material area and externally by a second flanking absorbent material area, the first and second flanking absorbent material areas following the curvature of the channel-forming area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Hans Adolf Jackels