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Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Springville US

Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Springville, IN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080228139Angioplasty Balloon With Concealed Wires - A balloon catheter having wires situated between an outer layer and a surface of a balloon is described. Each wire may be confined within an interior space of a pocket or encapsulated within a sheath. The pocket includes the outer layer and the balloon surface. The outer layer and balloon surface are unattached to allow the wire to slidably fit between therewithin. The pocket is selectively bonded to the balloon. The sheath includes a preformed shape that completely circumscribes the wire along the longitudinal and radial directions of the wire. The confined and encapsulated feature of the wires enable the wires to be atraumatic and remain spaced apart during treatment of calcification of a lesion.09-18-2008
20090018638Minimally invasive medical device and method for delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall - The invention relates to minimally invasive device for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall. The device includes an introducer tube, a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending therebetween, the tubular member being slidably disposed within the introducer tube; a plurality of hollow delivery struts, each delivery strut adapted to pierce through inner most layers of the vessel wall and each comprising at least one exit port and at least one stopper to prevent the delivery strut from piercing through the outer most layers of the vessel wall. The delivery struts are disposed on the distal end of the tubular member and are in fluid communication with the first lumen. The invention also relates to methods of delivering the device of this invention and methods of treating conditions or diseases of body lumens.01-15-2009
20090054824MULTI-LUMEN CATHETER ASSEMBLY - A multi-lumen catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter body having a pair of lumens extending therethrough, and a septum separating the lumens. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment unit, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The infusion port is positioned distal of the aspiration port along a length of the catheter body. A flexible member is provided, wherein the flexible member has an end receivable in the first lumen and another end engaged with the catheter body distal of the aspiration port. The flexible member is structured and arranged to maintain a spacing between the aspiration port and a wall of the vessel.02-26-2009
20090054825WINGED CATHETER ASSEMBLY - A catheter assembly for use in extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid comprises a catheter body having a plurality of lumens extending therein. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment instrument, such as a dialyzer, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The catheter body includes a wing-like flap portion extending radially from the catheter body and defining the aspiration port. The flap portion is configured and arranged to space the aspiration port from a wall of the body vessel.02-26-2009
20090076435Catheter Assembly - A catheter assembly is provided with a flexible tubular body having two lumens. A solid slidable member with a sharp distal end is disposed within one of the lumens. The slidable member is capable of sliding within the lumen of the tubular body between an exposed position in which the sharp distal end of the slidable member protrudes from the distal end of the tubular body and a shielded position in which the distal end of the slidable member is within the tubular body. One advantage is that the sharp distal end of the slidable member may be withdrawn into the tubular body in order to shield a patient from unintentional cutting or irritation from the sharp distal end of the slidable member.03-19-2009
20090093829Chronic total occlusion (CTO) removal device - There is disclosed a device for removing chronic total occlusions (CTO) from blood vessels or other body lumens. In one embodiment the device has a loop at a distal end connected by a shaft to a proximal end. The shaft is provided inside a catheter that has an opening at the distal end and a handle at the proximal end. By manipulating the position of the loop relative to the opening, the effective stiffness of the loop may be changed. This allows a physician to vary the loop stiffness so as to be appropriate with regard to the toughness of a CTO (some CTOs have a relatively tough exterior but a relatively soft interior). The loop may have a single turn or may comprise two or more turns.04-09-2009
20090113693APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSING A STENT - An apparatus for compressing a stent includes a flexible sheet having a first portion curved over toward a second portion of the sheet, such that the sheet includes a generally cylindrical opening. A compression wedge and a curved surface of a platen sandwich at least the second portion of the sheet, and the compression wedge is adjacent to the generally cylindrical opening. A size of the generally cylindrical opening is changed by relative curvilinear motion of the compression wedge and the platen.05-07-2009
20090125031METHOD AND BONE CEMENT SUBSTITUTE KIT FOR STABILIZING A COLLAPSED VERTEBRA OF A PATIENT - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for stabilizing a collapsed vertebra of a patient is provided. The method comprises introducing a supercooled liquid into the collapsed vertebra. A solid structure that supports the collapsed vertebra is then form by solidifying the supercooled liquid.05-14-2009
20090143857TAPERED LOADING SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.06-04-2009
20090157085DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING A BONE CEMENT MIXTURE INTO A DAMAGED BONE - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device for introducing a bone cement mixture into a damaged bone of a patient is provided. The device comprises a needle including a cannula and a tip portion extending therefrom. A lumen is formed through the cannula and the cannula has a distal portion. The lumen is for advancing the bone cement mixture to the distal portion. The distal portion has an open distal end and a side aperture formed through the distal portion. Attached to the distal portion of the cannula is the tip portion. The tip portion is configured for piercing the damaged bone to define a bone opening and to direct advancement of the bone cement mixture towards the side aperture while preventing advancement of the bone cement mixture through the distal end of the distal portion of the cannula.06-18-2009
20090162585JEJUNAL FEEDING TUBE - The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a flexible tube. The method includes the steps of providing a source of material to be extruded and forming a tubular member with an extrusion die. The extrusion die includes a radially and outwardly extending tooth configured to define a protrusion upon the outer surface of the tubular member. The method further includes the step of rotating the tubular member after exiting the extrusion die such that the protrusion forms a helical profile along the length of the tubular member.06-25-2009
20090171284DILATION SYSTEM - A dilation system and method of use thereof are provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The dilation system is provided with dilation elements that extend between a catheter and a distal tip to form a cage-like structure. The inner passageway of the cage-like structure is sized to receive a balloon catheter. During a procedure, the balloon catheter may be introduced into the cage. Inflation of the balloon causes the dilation elements to radially move outward and contact a stenosed region. After dilation of the stenosed region, the balloon catheter may be withdrawn.07-02-2009
20090171361APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING A BONE CEMENT MIXTURE - Among other things, an apparatus for mixing and dispensing a bone cement mixture are provided. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a first chamber for containing an ampoule having a first bone cement component. The housing has a second chamber for containing a second bone cement component and the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. An ampoule breaking device is disposed within the first chamber and is configured to engage and break the ampoule for release of the first bone cement component. Disposed within the second chamber is an impeller that is configured to rotate such that the impeller mixes the first and second bone cement components together to form the bone cement mixture. Adjacent the impeller is a displacer that is configured to advance through the second chamber, receiving the impeller and dispensing the bone cement mixture.07-02-2009
20090171427SEQUENTIAL IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A method and device includes advancing a first stent and a second stent into a stenosed region of a blood vessel to protect or shield the vessel from possible blockage. The delivery device may include placement rings, selectively engagable by positioning members disposed on the outer wall of in inner catheter. The positioning members and the placement rings may be utilized to accurately place multiple stents within an afflicted vessel, in a single invasive procedure.07-02-2009
20090171433CONTROL HANDLE - A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device comprises a handle that comprises a trigger. Activation of the trigger enables incremental retraction of the outer sheath to expose a self-expanding prosthesis. Activation and subsequent deactivation of the trigger causes a movable member to ratchedly engage with a stationary rack and a trigger rack.07-02-2009
20090187241VALVE FRAME - The disclosure relates to frames suitable for prosthetic implantable valves, and methods of treatment with such frames, to regulate blood flow and to be compliant in percutaneous delivery and, upon implantation, configured to conform to the changing shape of the body vessel or vein. The frames include at least one anchoring member attached to a support member at one or more attachments, and a valve member, preferably a monocuspid valve leaflet, attached to the support member. Preferred frames include two anchoring members with the support member in between the anchoring members. The support member preferably has a semielliptical shape and extends diagonally to sealingly contact the wall of the body vessel.07-23-2009
20090198243DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING A DAMAGED BONE WITH A BONE CEMENT MIXTURE - In at least one embodiment, a device for introducing a bone cement mixture into a damaged bone of a patient is provided. The device comprises a needle including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending therefrom. An aperture is formed through the distal portion and the distal portion is configured for piercing into the damaged bone. A lumen is formed through the proximal and distal portions and is for advancing the bone cement mixture to the aperture to introduce the bone cement mixture into the damaged bone. The proximal and distal portions are configured for detaching the distal portion from the proximal portion to retain the distal portion within the damaged bone.08-06-2009
20090247985EMBOLIC PARTICLE MIXING SYRINGE - A syringe device for agitating and delivering a liquid medication to a patient is provided. The device includes an injecting member, a first syringe, a second syringe and an accumulator. The first syringe is configured to provide the liquid medication to the device. The second syringe is configured to receive the liquid medication from the first syringe. The accumulator is biased to an empty position and cooperates with the second syringe to agitate the liquid medication back and forth between the second syringe and the accumulator. The second syringe is configured to move the liquid medication to the injecting member for patient delivery.10-01-2009
20090299456Delivery system with helical shaft - A delivery system is provided for releasing a medical device within a body cavity. The delivery system may be used in an intravascular procedure to implant a self-expandable stent. A helical structure on the shaft of the delivery system engages the inner surface of the stent. As a result, the stent may be released by rotating the shaft relative to the stent which pushes the stent forward from the distal end of the shaft.12-03-2009
20090318897GASTROJEJUNAL FEEDING ASSEMBLY - An assembly for delivering nutritional products to the jejunum of a patient through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall and the stomach wall. A first tubular member is alignable such that the proximal end communicates with an area exterior of the patient, and the distal end is disposed within an interior space of the stomach of the patient. At least a portion of the distal end within the stomach interior space is configured for maintaining the stomach wall in apposition with the abdominal wall. A second tubular member is alignable such that the proximal end communicates with an area exterior of the patient, and the distal end extends into the jejunum of the patient. A hub positioned in the stoma has a first opening communicating with the first tubular member, and a second opening communicating with the second tubular member. Respective closure members may be provided for selectively sealing the first and second openings.12-24-2009
20100010533VARIABLE STRENGTH EMBOLIZATION COIL - An occluding device having variable stiffness for occluding fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel. The device comprises a wire having a first end and a second end. The wire is formed with a tapered diameter defined by a continuously decreasing diameter from the first end to the second end. The tapered wire is wound into a primary coil having a primary shape. The primary coil may then be wound into a secondary shape or received within a secondary coil which conforms to the primary shape of the primary coil. The tapered diameter provides the device with a continuously decreasing stiffness from a first end to a second end.01-14-2010
20100057000MALECOT WITH TEXTILE COVER - A malecot device includes a textile material covering its deployable malecot wing portion. The textile material is woven in a manner allowing it to be compactly disposed around an undeployed malecot and then expanded to cover malecot wings when those wings are deployed to an expanded outer device diameter.03-04-2010
20100057185Sliding Split-Sleeve Implant Compressor - A system and method for loading an endoprosthesis, such as a stent or valve, into an introducer is provided that permits interventionalists to load the endoprosthesis easily at the bedside. The system can include a compressor for compressing the endoprosthesis to a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the introducer lumen. The compressor has a funnel portion at one end where the un-compressed endoprosthesis can be introduced and another end where the introducer and sleeves of a split sleeve device are inserted. The sleeves conform to the compressor passage and surround the endoprosthesis to collapse the endoprosthesis. The split sleeve device also includes a mounting device coupled to the sleeves. The endoprosthesis is compressed and loaded into the introducer by the relative movement of the mounting device and the compressor, where the endoprosthesis remains generally stationary while being compressed and loaded in order to avoid potentially compromising the endoprosthesis.03-04-2010
20100076543Multi-strand helical stent - A stent including a stent wire comprising a plurality of filaments twisted into a bundle having a helix, the stent wire bent into a pattern having a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separated by a plurality of bends. The pattern of the stent wire is spirally wound about a central axis in the same direction as the helix formed by the plurality of filaments. Each of the filaments in a bend have a cylindrical cross-section where at least one of the plurality of filaments is displaced and spaced from an immediately adjacent filament in the bend.03-25-2010
20100161033GRADUALLY SELF-EXPANDING STENT - A gradually self-expanding stent includes a first plurality of stent cells including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The stent also includes a second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The circumferentially adjacent structural members of the first and second plurality of stent cells have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A restraining material is attached to each of the circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells such that it substantially covers an entirety of each of the second plurality of stent cells in the compressed configuration. Over time, the restraining material releases the structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells, thereby allowing the second plurality of stent cells to assume the expanded configuration.06-24-2010
20100174364IMPLANTABLE VALVE PROSTHESIS WITH INDEPENDENT FRAME ELEMENTS - An implantable valve prosthesis is provided. The valve prosthesis includes a frame structure having first and second independent frame elements. A graft member is attached to both the first and second frame elements and includes a closure member, such as a valve leaflet. The closure member is movable between a first position that allows fluid flow through the prosthesis in a first, antegrade direction and a second position that restricts flow through the prosthesis in a second, retrograde direction.07-08-2010
20100198333PREFORM FOR AND AN ENDOLUMINAL PROSTHESIS - An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular graft extending in a longitudinal direction, where the graft has an inner surface forming a lumen extending a length of the graft. An elongate member may be attached to the graft in a circumferentially and longitudinally extending manner such that the elongate member forms a series of longitudinally spaced apart turns, each turn extending substantially around a circumference of the graft. The elongate member may torsion the graft in at least the circumferential direction and cause the graft to form circumferentially and longitudinally extending folds in the portions of the graft disposed between longitudinally adjacent turns of the elongate member.08-05-2010
20100204655HEMOSTASIS VALVE SYSTEM - A hemostasis valve system for controlling a flow of fluid includes a housing having a chamber therein, and a valve disposed in the chamber. The valve comprises a plurality of elastomeric valve members, each having opposing shaped first and second faces, a shaped inner edge portion, and a shaped outer edge portion. The valve members are collectively structured and arranged in the valve such that the shaped faces and the shaped inner edges are engaged in interlocking relationship. The valve members have sufficient elasticity to define a yieldable opening along the engaged inner edge portions upon passage therethrough of a medical interventional device.08-12-2010
20100318068WIRE GUIDE HAVING DISTAL COUPLING TIP FOR ATTACHMENT TO A PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED WIRE GUIDE - A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide generally includes a main body having a distal end and a coupling tip connection to the distal end. The coupling tip includes a coupling portion defining a coupling passageway having a proximal port and a distal port. A slot is formed in the coupling tip and is in communication with the coupling passageway. The slot extends from the proximal port to the distal port, thereby permitting the coupling wire guide to be “clipped-on” to the mid-section of the previously introduced wire guide or any location having the most efficacy.12-16-2010
20110000484VASCULAR THERAPY USING NEGATIVE PRESSURE - System and methods for applying vascular therapy to a body vessel using a chamber capable of negative and/or positive pressure relative to ambient are provided. The chamber includes one or more pressure-isolated chambers. A pressure and/or vacuum source is connected to the pressure chamber, and is configured to provide distinct pressures within each pressure-isolated chamber. A controller is coupled to the pressure source, and is configured to control the pressure source such that pressure within each of the pressure-isolated chambers is controlled cyclically to simulate a pulsating pump or peristaltic-like pump action within the body vessel. The use of negative pressure is sequenced such that the resistance to pressure toward the heart is reduced. This effectively “pulls” blood flow toward the heart and creates more space for incoming blood flow. During simulation, medical devices may be introduced to and/or diagnostics may be performed on the targeted vessel.01-06-2011
20110009806MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING ONE OR MORE ACTIVE STRANDS - The present embodiments provide an elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis. A first strand of the plurality of strands is moveable with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands. Actuation of the one or more strands may perform a medical function or actuate an associated distal component. A working lumen of the tubular member may remain unobstructed for delivery of medical components or fluids.01-13-2011
20110034860MICRO-NEEDLE ARRAY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A micro-needle array is provided that may be used to deliver a bioactive agent to a therapeutic target. The micro-needle array preferably includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, and a bioactive agent. At least one micro-needle preferably includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a cavity defined by an inner surface. The bioactive agent may be disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles. The at least one micro-needle may further include a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.02-10-2011
20110046712LOADING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR EXPANDABLE INTRALUMINAL MEDICAL DEVICES - Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The passageway defines a proximal chamber having a first inner diameter, a distal chamber having a second inner diameter, and a transition chamber disposed between the proximal and distal chambers. The transition chamber has an inner diameter that transitions from the larger second inner diameter to the smaller first inner diameter. The main body has a separable connection that divides the main body between proximal and distal portions when disrupted. An expandable intraluminal medical device can be loaded into a delivery catheter using the loading apparatus by placing the device into the passageway such that it is in a radially-expanded configuration; pulling the device along an axial path through the loading apparatus such that the device transitions from the radially-expanded configuration to a radially-compressed configuration; and pushing the radially-compressed device along the axial path into the delivery catheter.02-24-2011
20110106054MULTI-LUMEN MEDICAL MIXING DEVICE - Disclosed is a multi-lumen mixing device that includes a first and second lumen constructed and arranged to separately pass a first and second reagent to a mixing chamber in the device, where the mixing chamber includes a mixing feature that mixes the first and second reagents. The disclosed multi-lumen mixing device may also include a port in fluid communication with the reaction mixing to permit the product of the combined reagents to be injected into a patent.05-05-2011
20110144568APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING FOAM - A device and a method for preparing foam are provided. The device includes a first housing having a first chamber therein and a first movable member positioned at least partially within the first housing. The device also includes a second housing having a second chamber therein, the second chamber being selectively and operably connectable to the first chamber. The second housing further includes a biasing member and a second movable member therein, the biasing member biasing the movable member toward a first end portion of the second housing. The device includes a valve operably connected to the first chamber and the second chamber and movably positionable to selectively control the connection between the first chamber and the second chamber and a handle operably connected to the first movable member and movable to bias the first movable member toward a first end portion of the first housing.06-16-2011

Patent applications by Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Springville, IN US