ABBOTT LABORATORIES VASCULAR ENTERPRISES LIMITED Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150174382 | MEDICAL BALLOON FOR A CATHETER - A medical balloon for deployment of stents is disclosed. The medical balloon includes a central section; a proximal and a distal cone section; a proximal and a distal shaft section; a proximal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the proximal shaft section. The proximal end of the proximal shaft section is permanently connected and/or unitarily formed with the proximal end of the proximal sleeve, and distal thereto, at least part of the proximal cone section is connected with the proximal sleeve by an adhesive bond, and a distal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the distal shaft section. Methods of manufacturing a medical balloon are disclosed. | 06-25-2015 |
20140110272 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTION FOR ELECTROPOLISHING METALLIC STENTS - An apparatus, a method, and an electrolytic solution are described for electropolishing metallic stents made, for example, of high-strength medical alloys. The apparatus may include an electropolishing container made from material of low thermal conductivity. The apparatus may include at least one spiral cathode for optimization of solution agitation and/or voltage distribution in the electrolytic solution. Further, an electrolytic solution including at least dimethylsulfate is described. A method for improved electropolishing to consistently produce smooth surfaces is also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20130239396 | COLD-MOLDING PROCESS FOR LOADING A STENT ONTO A STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A method of making a stent delivery system is provided in which a delivery catheter has a balloon that extends non-uniformly into interstices of a stent. In accordance with the method a balloon/stent/crimping tube assembly is placed in a crimping tool, the balloon is inflated, and the crimping tool is actuated to compress the stent on the outside of the balloon without application of heat or chemicals, thereby causing creases of the balloon to extend non-uniformly into the interstices of the stent. Optionally, pillows may be formed in the balloon to prevent longitudinal movement of the stent with respect to the balloon during intravascular delivery. One or more secondary crimpings also may be performed to achieve a smoother delivery profile. | 09-19-2013 |
20130238019 | METHOD FOR PREVENTING BLOOD LEAKAGE FROM A VESSEL - A method is provided for preventing leakage of blood from a vessel. The method includes inserting a portion of an apparatus into a puncture tract extending through tissue to a puncture in the vessel; the apparatus including a thrombogenic matrix disposed in a distal portion of the apparatus. The method also includes deploying the thrombogenic matrix from the distal portion of the apparatus and into the puncture tract, the thrombogenic matrix being exposed to blood and compressively engaging the tissue surrounding the vessel to prevent leakage of blood. | 09-12-2013 |
20130190856 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STENTING COMPRISING ENHANCED EMBOLIC PROTECTION COUPLED WITH IMPROVED PROTECTIONS AGAINST RESTENOSIS AND THROMBUS FORMATION - Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. The present invention further involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue. | 07-25-2013 |
20130006300 | AUTOLOGOUS WOUND SEALING APPARATUS - The apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel. | 01-03-2013 |
20120316585 | CATHETER WITH ENHANCED PUSHABILITY - Apparatus for enhancing pushability and minimizing kinking of a balloon catheter is provided, wherein a catheter comprises inner and outer tubes, and a balloon that is proximally affixed to the outer tube and distally affixed to the inner tube. The catheter of the present invention further comprises a tubular member imposed on the inner tube which is configured to form a reversible mechanical linkage between inner tube and outer tube while an axially compressive load is applied to the catheter tip. | 12-13-2012 |
20120310180 | NON-METALLIC TUBES FOR MEDICAL DEVICES - The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a non-metallic micro tube containing FRP (fiber reinforced polymer), especially to respective tubings, used for constructing catheters like balloon dilation catheters, stent delivery catheters, guiding catheters and diagnostic catheters. | 12-06-2012 |
20120215167 | BALLOON CATHETER WITH ELASTIC SEGMENT - The present invention relates to a catheter comprising an outer tube; an inner tube; and a balloon fixed at its proximal sleeve to the outer tube and at its distal sleeve to the inner tube, wherein the inner tube comprises an elastic segment. | 08-23-2012 |
20120203172 | CATHETER HAVING A SOFT DISTAL TIP - The present invention relates to a catheter for POBA or stent delivery applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member and methods for manufacturing the same. | 08-09-2012 |
20120165921 | FLEXIBLE STENT WITH TORQUE-ABSORBING CONNECTORS - The present invention concerns a stent with a highly flexible structure that is configured to provide an elevated degree of vessel scaffolding and to absorb torque applied on the stent. In one embodiment, the stent of the present invention includes an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings, each including a plurality of web elements that are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and that are adjoined one to the other by a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring by a connector having a step-wise configuration, in which a central segment of the connector is disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and may become twisted to absorb torque imposed on the stent. | 06-28-2012 |
20120150108 | CATHETER - A catheter is configured to prevent kinking of a catheter during handling or mounting of a pressure device. The catheter has a proximal end of its catheter shaft that is provided with a bending section having a flexibility greater than that of the section of the catheter shaft joining the proximal end. | 06-14-2012 |
20120143089 | CATHETER HAVING AN AUXILIARY LUMEN FOR USE WITH A FUNCTIONAL MEASUREMENT WIRE - The present invention relates to a surgical catheter, and more particularly, a balloon catheter having an auxiliary lumen configured to permit the advancement of a functional measurement wire to a treatment site. The auxiliary lumen communicates with a working lumen that is configured to permit the advancement of a guidewire and the functional measurement wire, so that the guidewire and functional measurement wire may selectively be advanced to the treatment site during a surgical procedure. | 06-07-2012 |
20120110809 | STENT CRIMPING DEVICE - A system for crimping a prosthesis is disclosed, comprising a plurality of wheels. Each wheel has an outer circumferential surface configured to be placed in contact with the prosthesis. When in contact with the prosthesis, each wheel is configured to be rotated, thereby to apply a radially inward force on the prosthesis so as to reduce the diameter of the prosthesis. More than one set of wheels may be provided, so that the prosthesis is crimped first by one set of wheels, then by a subsequent set of wheels. | 05-10-2012 |
20120102708 | MODULAR VASCULAR PROSTHESIS AND METHODS OF USE - The present invention relates a vascular prosthesis and related assembly methods that includes a plurality of modular segments inter-engaged by flexible, and preferably lockable, inter-engageable elements forming joints or other connector areas. The segments may have a number of different mechanical properties and may be assembled by the clinician, through mechanical or chemical joining, to customize the prosthesis for a specific patient or application. | 05-03-2012 |
20120035646 | BISTABLE BODY LUMEN FILTER ANCHORS - A body lumen filter includes a plurality of bistable anchors configured to move between a stable pre-deployed state and a stable deployed state. In the stable deployed state the stable pre-deployed diameter the bistable anchors define a pre-deployed anchor diameter and in the stable deployed diameter the bistable anchors define a deployed anchor diameter, the deployed diameter being larger than the pre-deployed diameter. A filtering structure is operatively associated with the bistable anchors. | 02-09-2012 |
20110319985 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LOCALIZED ADMINISTRATION OF INHIBITORY MOIETIES TO A PATIENT - Methods and devices are provided for the localized administration to a patient of moieties effective for inhibiting unwanted cellular growth, including restenosis of an artery treated with a stent implant for blockage of blood flow by an atherosclerotic lesion. After implantation of a medical device capable of moiety-binding, moieties effective at inhibiting unwanted cellular growth are administered locally to a patient. In this manner the deleterious side-effects of systemic administration of moieties are avoided. Upon localized administration, the moieties bind the medical device, rendering the medical device itself capable of inhibiting unwanted cellular growth. According to an embodiment, after implantation of a stent, radioactive moieties specific for receptors immobilized on the stent surface are locally administered using a balloon perfusion catheter. The moieties bind specifically the receptors, becoming immobilized thereto, thereby rendering the stent radioactive and effective for inhibiting restenosis. | 12-29-2011 |
20110270381 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR STENTING COMPRISING ENHANCED EMBOLIC PROTECTION COUPLED WITH IMPROVED PROTECTIONS AGAINST RESTENOSIS AND THROMBUS FORMATION - Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation. | 11-03-2011 |
20110257526 | CATHETER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A catheter basically has a catheter shaft in which a catheter tip of which is provided with a joint made of a material which is more flexible than the material of the catheter shaft. The joint is disposed between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the catheter tip. The front end consists of a material being the same or more rigid than that of the catheter shaft. | 10-20-2011 |
20110208232 | MEDICAL DEVICES COMPRISING A CO-POLYMER OF A POLYAMIDE AND A POLYCARBONATE DIAMINE - The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified Co-Polymer or to the modified Co-Polymer itself having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of a Block-Co-Polymers of a polyamide and a polycarbonate diamine. | 08-25-2011 |
20110172696 | CATHETER HAVING A SOFT DISTAL TIP - The present invention relates to a catheter having a soft distal tip that can be manufactured at lower cost than catheters in the prior art. In one embodiment, the catheter is produced by coupling a soft sleeve to the distal end of a catheter tube. The sleeve may affixed to the catheter tube under temperature and pressure conditions that cause the proximal end of the sleeve to taper against the outer surface of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the insertion profile of the catheter, and that also cause the inner wall of the sleeve to taper against the distal end of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the lumen of the catheter. | 07-14-2011 |
20110160848 | METHODS FOR CROSSING A HEART VALVE - The present invention provides for methods of using guide wires adapted for passage across a heart valve. The guide wires have an increased diameter and a shorter, relatively floppy distal tip; the increased diameter providing improved pushability to facilitate positioning in a blood jet and passage through a heart valve. The distal tip comprises a section of rectangular cross-section that, in conjunction with the decreased tip length, causes the distal tip to vibrate, or “dance”, when positioned within a blood jet at the outlet of a heart valve. This vibratory motion may be used to position the distal tip within the blood jet, thus facilitating passage through the valve without damage to leaflets of the valve or emboli generation. | 06-30-2011 |
20110125243 | STENT HAVING AN EXPANDABLE WEB STRUCTURE - A stent comprises a tubular flexible body composed of a web structure that is expandable from a contracted delivery configuration to a deployed configuration and that comprises neighboring web patterns of alternating concavities extending circumferentially and adjoined by X-shaped transition sections. The web pattern may comprise either arcuate struts interconnected by bends, or a plurality of substantially straight sections with the transition sections formed by the junctions between pairs of adjacent bends of opposite curvatures. | 05-26-2011 |
20110082263 | MEDICAL DEVICES COMPRISING A MODIFIED POLYAMIDE - The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified polyamide or to modified polyamides or modified polyamide elastomers with the polyamides having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of the known polyamide elastomers. | 04-07-2011 |
20110022159 | POROUS MEMBRANES FOR MEDICAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - The present invention involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue. | 01-27-2011 |
20110004289 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A STENT HAVING AN EXPANDABLE WEB STRUCTURE - The present invention provides a stent comprising a tubular flexible body having a wall with a web structure that is expandable from a contracted delivery configuration to deployed configuration. The web structure comprises a plurality of neighboring web patterns, where each web patterns is composed of adjoining webs, and the web patterns are interconnected. Each adjoining web comprises a central section interposed between two lateral sections to form concave or convex configurations. | 01-06-2011 |
20100319848 | METHOD FOR CONNECTING A CATHETER BALLOON WITH A CATHETER SHAFT OF A BALLOON CATHETER - A method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter that improves the welding quality of a weld between the catheter balloon and the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter. Preferably, a welding energy absorbing device is arranged, preferably in the form of a coloured tubing, in the area of a fixation site after attaching a pre-fixation and then to irradiate this welding energy absorbing device with the radiation energy to carry out the welding. After the welding the pre-fixation and the welding energy absorbing device are removed. | 12-23-2010 |
20100305683 | MEDICAL DEVICES COMPRISING A CO-POLYMER OF A MODIFIED POLYAMIDE AND A POLYCARBONATE - The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified Co-Polymer or to the modified Co-Polymer itself having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of a Block-Co-Polymers of a polyamide and a polycarbonate, either polycarbonate diol or polycarbonate diamine. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305608 | AUTOLOGOUS WOUND SEALING APPARATUS - The apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel. | 12-02-2010 |
20100228337 | MIRROR IMAGE STENT AND METHOD OF USE - that at least a proximal end ring in combination with its associated links is the mirror image of a distal end ring and its associated links. The rings that form the proximal end and the rings that form the distal end have a radial stiffness associated therewith, and said stiffness is greater than a stiffness of the rings that form the interior portion of the stent. The dual stiffness of the stent leads to a more uniform expansion in the presence of uneven radial forces on the stent during the expansion process. | 09-09-2010 |
20100217211 | MEDICAL DEVICES COMPRISING A CO-POLYMER OF A MODIFIED POLYAMIDE AND A POLYETHER - The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified Co-Polymer and the modified Co-Polymer itself having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of the known Block-Co-Polymers of a polyamide and a polyether, either polyether diol or polyether diamine. | 08-26-2010 |
20100185207 | STENT CRIMPING DEVICE - A system for crimping a prosthesis is disclosed, comprising a plurality of wheels. Each wheel has an outer circumferential surface configured to be placed in contact with the prosthesis. When in contact with the prosthesis, each wheel is configured to be rotated, thereby to apply a radially inward force on the prosthesis so as to reduce the diameter of the prosthesis. More than one set of wheels may be provided, so that the prosthesis is crimped first by one set of wheels, then by a subsequent set of wheels. | 07-22-2010 |
20100114297 | STENT - A stent has a tubular flexible body with a wall formed of a web structure: The web structure has a plurality of neighboring web patterns which include webs arranged side by side. The web patterns are interconnected via at least one connection element. To prevent the connection element from moving out of the plane of the wall during expansion, the connection elements are each provided with connection webs arranged at an angle relative to one another and interconnected via hinges. | 05-06-2010 |
20100113969 | CATHETER HAVING AN AUXILIARY LUMEN FOR USE WITH A FUNCTIONAL MEASUREMENT WIRE - The present invention relates to a surgical catheter, and more particularly, a balloon catheter having an auxiliary lumen configured to permit the advancement of a functional measurement wire to a treatment site. The auxiliary lumen communicates with a working lumen that is configured to permit the advancement of a guidewire and the functional measurement wire, so that the guidewire and functional measurement wire may selectively be advanced to the treatment site during a surgical procedure. | 05-06-2010 |
20100030250 | CATHETER, IN PARTICULAR PTCA CATHETER | 02-04-2010 |
20090318861 | METHOD OF THERMAL TREATMENT OF A THERMALLY RESPONSIVE MATERIAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES - The present invention relates to a method of thermal treatment of thermally responsive material wherein areas in or on the material to be thermally treated are defined and thermal energy is inputted on or into the defined areas in order to change/influence the material characteristics. The present invention further relates to medical devices or parts thereof manufactured at least in part from thermally responsive material by a process comprising at least one step of thermal treatment of this thermally responsive material. | 12-24-2009 |
20090287244 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENGAGING TISSUE - An engaging element for engaging tissue is described. The engaging element may include a first member including at least one tissue engaging portion and a second member including at least one tissue engaging portion. The second member may be pivotally connected to the first member. The engaging element includes a locking mechanism operatively associated with the first and second member. The locking mechanism may be configured to inhibit the relative motion of the first and said second member. An engaging system for engaging tissue is described. The engaging system may include an engaging element for engaging tissue, a first member having at least one tissue engaging portion, and/or a second member including at least one tissue engaging portion. A method for engaging tissue is described. The method may include positioning an engaging element relative to an engaging element delivery device and/or to a portion of tissue. | 11-19-2009 |
20090131920 | STENT CRIMPING APPARATUS - A device for crimping stents onto a catheter is described, comprising two opposing pressure walls. The walls are angled towards each other and provide surfaces that move in opposite directions so that a stent on a catheter placed between the surfaces is rotated while a force is applied to the stent. The stent is moved toward a narrower dimension between the pressure walls, to emerge from the walls fully crimped onto the catheter. | 05-21-2009 |
20090105798 | HANDLE FOR STEPWISE DEPLOYMENT - A system for controlled deployment of a prosthesis, in which a sheath is retracted from a prosthesis in a body vessel or duct. The system includes a handle for deploying the prosthesis, the handle comprises a base member fixed to a catheter, and a slide member for sliding past the base member, the slide member being fixed to an end of a retraction member. The slide member includes a serrated gear rod, and the handle is configured such that, when activated, the gear rod moves in relation to the base member by no more nor less than the length of one serration on the gear rod. | 04-23-2009 |
20090036829 | BALLOON CATHETER WITH ELASTIC SEGMENT - The present invention relates to a catheter comprising an outer tube; an inner tube; and a balloon fixed at its proximal sleeve to the outer tube and at its distal sleeve to the inner tube, wherein the inner tube comprises an elastic segment. | 02-05-2009 |
20090030495 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED PROSTHESIS DEPLOYMENT - A system for controlled deployment of a prosthesis, in which a sheath is retracted from a prosthesis in a body vessel or duct. The system includes a handle for deploying the prosthesis, the handle comprises a base member fixed to a catheter, and a slide member for sliding past the base member, the slide member being attached to an end of a retraction member. The base member includes an opening having the general shape of a rectangular wave for interacting with the slide member, whereby, repeated manipulation of the slide member causes the sheath to be retracted. | 01-29-2009 |
20090005848 | MODULAR VASCULAR PROSTHESIS AND METHODS OF USE - The present invention relates a vascular prosthesis and related assembly methods that includes a plurality of modular segments inter-engaged by flexible, and preferably lockable, inter-engageable elements forming joints or other connector areas. The segments may have a number of different mechanical properties and may be assembled by the clinician, through mechanical or chemical joining, to customize the prosthesis for a specific patient or application. | 01-01-2009 |
20080312589 | Method of Producing a Ballon Catheter - A method of producing a balloon of a balloon catheter includes the following method steps: providing a balloon body coupled to a proximal sleeve and a distal sleeve by transitional sections extending between the balloon body and the sleeves; creating folds in at least the distal sleeve; and stabilizing at least a distal section of the folds of the distal sleeve. | 12-18-2008 |
20080294240 | Flexible stent with torque-absorbing connectors - The present invention concerns a stent with a highly flexible structure that is configured to provide an elevated degree of vessel scaffolding and to absorb torque applied on the stent. In one embodiment, the stent of the present invention includes an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings, each including a plurality of web elements that are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and that are adjoined one to the other by a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring by a connector having a step-wise configuration, in which a central segment of the connector is disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and may become twisted to absorb torque imposed on the stent. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294239 | Flexible stent with elevated scaffolding properties - The present invention concerns a stent that generates an elevated degree of scaffolding to a bodily vessel while retaining a highly flexible structure. In one embodiment, a stent according to the present invention includes an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is configured to expand from a contracted delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration and that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings. Those web rings are formed by a plurality of web elements disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjoined one to the other with a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring with a S-shaped connector, and the coupled junction bends are not longitudinally aligned but are instead laterally offset. | 11-27-2008 |
20080257061 | GRIPPING FIXTURE - A gripping fixture suitable for use in stent securement testing is described. The gripping fixture includes a housing having a chamber, a rigid perforated tubular member positioned within the chamber, a multiplicity of radially extending pins arranged to slide in the perforations in the tubular member, and an elastic sheath that circumscribes the outer ends of the pins and surrounds the tubular member. A pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the elastic sheath. The gripping fixture also includes a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the pressure chamber. The pressure applied in the pressure chamber acts on the elastic sheath and may be used to cause some of the pins to engage a stent during the stent securement test to hold the stent in place relative to the gripping fixture while the tensile force required to dislodge the stent from a catheter is measured. | 10-23-2008 |