Patents Examined by Katherine M Shi
  • Patent number: 11992225
    Abstract: An improved type of tourniquet is disclosed herein. The tourniquet includes an elongated elastomeric body and potentially a buckle. The buckle is secured to the tourniquet via a looped portion formed by the elongated elastomeric body looping backwards onto itself. The looped portion passes through an opening of the buckle to secure the buckle to the tourniquet. The tourniquet also includes an integrated spike. The integrated spike comprises a base and a shaft. A width of the base is wider than a width of the shaft, and a length of the shaft is greater than three times a thickness of the elongated elastomeric body. The length of the shaft is sufficient to enable the spike to pass through the elongated elastomeric body at least three times. The base and a portion of the shaft can be embedded within the molded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kirkham
  • Patent number: 11986178
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a suture anchor is provided that includes one or more bone-engaging surfaces features and an external sidewall. The external sidewall can allow a suture coupled to the suture anchor and located between the anchor and bone to be movable relative to the suture anchor, even when the suture anchor is partially or fully disposed within a bone hole. Suture threaders and suture anchor drivers are also provided that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Douglas Hester, Brian Otrando
  • Patent number: 11986423
    Abstract: A method of using a vitrectomy instrument are disclosed herein. This method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a vitrectomy instrument; (ii) operating the vitrectomy instrument in a first mechanical cutting mode where a cutting power generator of the vitrectomy instrument is used to reciprocably drive the tubular body portion for shearing the tissue, the vitreous, and/or the silicone oil; and (iii) operating the vitrectomy instrument in a second ultrasonic cutting mode where the cutting power generator is inactive, and an ultrasonic generator of the vitrectomy instrument is used to vibrate the tubular body portion for vibratory fragmentation and/or cutting of the tissue, the vitreous, and/or the silicone oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventor: Gholam A. Peyman
  • Patent number: 11980357
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a two-piece inserter tool is provided that includes a tip portion that is configured to be removably coupled to a handle portion. A distal portion of the tip portion can be configured to be coupled to a suture anchor, and the tip portion and the anchor can be passed through a continuous suture loop prior to mating the tip portion to the handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Mehmet Z. Sengun, Joseph Hernandez, Gerome Miller
  • Patent number: 11980544
    Abstract: A holder for a hybrid heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The hybrid heart valve includes a non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a self-expandable anchoring stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A first suture connects the holder to the valve and constricts an inflow end of the anchoring stent. A second suture connects the holder to the valve and extends down three holder legs to loop through fabric on the valve. Both sutures may loop over a single cutting well on the holder so that severing the first and second sutures at the single cutting well simultaneously releases the tension in the first suture, permitting the inflow end of the anchoring stent to expand, and disconnects the valve holder from the prosthetic heart valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Da-Yu Chang, Hilda Z. Fann
  • Patent number: 11969182
    Abstract: Provided herein is a surgical instrument comprising a cap having a first and second aperture extending therethrough, a first extendable and retractable member having a distal end coupled to a first coupling, a first arm extending from the first coupling and pivotable with respect to the distal end of the first member, and a second arm connected to the first arm through a second coupling and pivotable, with respect to the first arm, a second extendable and retractable member having a distal end coupled to a third coupling, a third arm extending from the second coupling, the third arm pivotable, with respect to the distal end of the second member, and a fourth arm connected to the third arm through a fourth coupling and pivotable, with respect to the third arm, a first end effector connected to the second arm and a second end effector connected to the fourth arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, ColubrisMX, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Dong Suk Shin, Taeho Jang, Yongman Park, Jeihan Lee, Hongmin Kim, Kihoon Nam, Seokyung Han
  • Patent number: 11950798
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a non-clamping force applied against one of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian D. Black, Matthew T. Stone, Andrew T. Beckman, Charles J. Scheib
  • Patent number: 11938281
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding an elongated flexible instrument comprises a variable-length support assembly. The variable-length support assembly includes a first end, a second end, a plurality of support member pairs, and a plurality of eyelets configured to receive the elongated flexible instrument. Each support member pair comprises a first support member linked to a second support member, and each of the plurality of eyelets is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of support member pairs along a longitudinal central axis between the first end and the second end. The variable-length support assembly is configured to selectively transition from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration along the longitudinal central axis, and the plurality of eyelets are adapted to support the elongated flexible instrument as the elongated flexible instrument is advanced along the longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Inouye, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Matthew D. Rohr Daniel
  • Patent number: 11918230
    Abstract: An implantable embolic device having a stretch-resistant member passing therethrough that also serves as a tether for connecting the device to a delivery system. The stretch-resistant member is attached at a proximal and distal end of the device and extends proximally to the delivery device. The proximal attachment point serves to isolate a distal, stretch resisting segment of the member from axial tension placed on a proximal, connecting section of the member. Thus, the portion of the stretch-resistant member being used to connect the embolic device to a delivery device may be placed under tension without placing tension or distorting the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Fitz, Cathy Lei, Joseph Gulachenski, Maricruz Castaneda, Gary Currie
  • Patent number: 11918198
    Abstract: The steerable catheter invention facilitates the tracking and selection of branch vessels, as well as provide the means for stiffening the catheter body across the tortuosity to anchor the catheter and minimize the potential for the catheter backing out of position while delivering interventional devices to the distal anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Juan Lorenzo
  • Patent number: 11911034
    Abstract: Surgical methods involving cutting and sealing tissue include affixing a first adjunct material to tissue at a treatment site, such as by stapling the adjunct to tissue. A second adjunct material is applied to at least a portion of the first adjunct material such that the second adjunct material interacts with the first adjunct material to form a seal in an area of the tissue covered by at least one of the first and the second adjunct material. The resulting tissue sealing structure, which includes a combination of the two adjuncts, is believed to be superior to the sealing properties of either adjunct alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Bret W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11911061
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating autologous monocuspid and bicuspid valves can include a catheter having a single expandable element or a double expandable element. Once the leaflets of the valve are created, various techniques can be used to fix the leaflets to the vessel wall or to each other, including clips, tissue anchors, adhesives, and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: INTERVENE, INC.
    Inventors: Fletcher T. Wilson, Mariel Fabro, Zachary J. Malchano
  • Patent number: 11911304
    Abstract: Flared stents are disclosed, and apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into a bifurcation between a main vessel and a branch vessel. The stent includes a first tubular portion a second flaring portion that may be flared radially outwardly to contact the ostium. The stent may include variable mechanical properties along its length. The stent may be delivered using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, the stent overlying first and second balloons on the distal end. During use, the catheter is advanced through an ostium into the branch to place the stent within the branch. The first balloon is expanded to flare the stent to contact a wall of the ostium, thereby causing the stent to migrate partially into the ostium. The second balloon is expanded to fully expand the stent within the ostium and branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: INCEPT, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Krolik
  • Patent number: 11903855
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes implantable medical devices comprising covers, such as a balloon cover. Such devices can comprise a first layer of a porous polymeric material, such as ePTFE, surrounded by layers of a porous polymeric material having an imbibed elastomer, such as polyurethane. The cover can be used to assist in deployment of an expandable implant, such as a stent-graft, within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Deenu G. Kanjickal, James J. Nickerson, Thomas G. Triebes
  • Patent number: 11896260
    Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue in a body lumen includes a tube extending axially along the catheter. A junction box housing is located at a distal end of the tube. An elongate body extends distally from the junction box housing. The elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in the body lumen. A gear assembly is disposed in the junction box housing. The gear assembly engages the elongate body for rotating the elongate body. A tissue-removing element is mounted on a distal end portion of the elongate body. The tissue-removing element is configured to remove the tissue as the tissue-removing element is rotated by the elongate body within the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Aram Jamous, John Kelly, Conor McMullen, Matthew Fleming, Colin William Meade, Grainne Teresa Carroll
  • Patent number: 11896265
    Abstract: A system for treating uterine tissue having a seal assembly configured for positioning in a patient's cervical canal and uterine cavity; an expandable distal balloon portion; an expandable elongate medial balloon portion configured for movement between a first transversely expanded shape for engaging a cervical canal and a second transversely non-expanded shape for trans-cervical insertion; and a fluid source in communication with distal balloon portion and medial balloon portion for expansion of said balloon portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 11890188
    Abstract: A transcatheter heart valve includes a paravalvular seal that is configured for transfemoral delivery. The valve includes a frame and the seal is formed from a plurality of outwardly extending fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Aortic Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Shahriari
  • Patent number: 11883284
    Abstract: A transcatheter heart valve includes a paravalvular seal that is configured for transfemoral delivery. The valve includes a frame and the seal is formed from a plurality of outwardly extending fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aortic Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Ali Shahriari
  • Patent number: 11883171
    Abstract: A lancing device including a latch that pivots between a non-blocking position allowing a lancet carrier and a lancet to advance and retract through a first forward and reverse lancing stroke and a blocking position preventing further/excess/secondary oscillation of the lancet carrier and lancet. The pivotal latch can pivot about an axis perpendicular (e.g., for an L-shaped latch) or parallel/coaxial (e.g., for a sleeve latch) to the advancement and retraction motion of the lancet carrier and lancet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FACET TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren R. Pusey, Greg Lamps
  • Patent number: 11864785
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a high-powered compact ultrasonic transducer having an integral piezoelectric ceramic force sensing element utilized to enable enhanced tissue selectivity with a piezoelectric based transducer. Some implementations additionally or alternatively relate to methods and apparatus for driving ultrasonic surgical devices, such as methods and apparatus that modulate an amplitude of a drive signal, provided to an ultrasonic surgical device, in accordance with a selected tissue selectivity level. For example, the amplitude of the drive signal for a given tissue selectivity level can be varied with time in accordance with amplitude modification parameters that are particularized to the given tissue selectivity level. Some of those implementations additionally implement a corresponding duty cycle, for the drive signal, that corresponds to the selected tissue selectivity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Enterprises, LLLP
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cotter, Prakash Manandhar, Nicholas Allen, Saurav V. Gupta