Allen J Tower

US Patent:

7524302, Apr 28, 2009

Filed:

Dec 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/738659

Inventors:

Allen J. Tower - North Lawrence NY, US

Assignee:

Numed, Inc. - Nicholville NY

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

604 9601, 604192

Abstract:

A hollow metallic needle for guiding a balloon catheter into a fetal vessel or cavity. The needle initially contains a removable obturator which is removed after the needle is generally positioned within the fetus and is replaced by a balloon catheter. A plastic sleeve is mounted upon the distal end of the needle and sufficient air is entrapped within pockets formed in the sleeve to provide an enhanced ultrasonic image return so that a more accurate placement of the balloon is obtainable. The plastic sleeve extends beyond the distal end of the needle and serves to guide the balloon when deflated back into the needle and thus protects the balloon from snagging upon the edge of the needle.

US Patent:

20030199963, Oct 23, 2003

Filed:

Apr 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/127969

Inventors:

Allen Tower - North Lawrence NY, US
Philipp Bonhoeffer - Paris, FR
Michael Martin - Nicholville NY, US

Assignee:

Numed, Inc.

International Classification:

A61F002/06

US Classification:

623/001110

Abstract:

A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

US Patent:

20030199971, Oct 23, 2003

Filed:

Apr 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/127941

Inventors:

Allen Tower - North Lawrence NY, US
Philipp Bonhoeffer - Paris, FR

Assignee:

Numed, Inc.

International Classification:

A61F002/06

US Classification:

623/001240

Abstract:

A prosthesis device for percutaneous implantation that includes an expandable stent and a biological venous valvular replacement for a defective valve mounted inside the expanded stent. The wall thickness of the vein is reduced to a diameter that is about equal to the inside diameter of the expanded stent and is sutured to the inside of the expanded stent so that the vein is supported in a fully opened circular configuration.

US Patent:

20060178731, Aug 10, 2006

Filed:

Feb 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/054688

Inventors:

Allen Tower - North Lawrence NY, US

Assignee:

Numed, Inc. - Nicholville NY

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623001240

Abstract:

A percutaneous implanted device for temporarily sustaining a patient awaiting a heart transplant. The device includes a radially expandable stent mounted upon the balloon section of a balloon catheter. A venous biological valve is mounted at each end of the stent and an inflatable annular-shaped diaphragm is secured to the stent between the valves, which permit the flow of blood in one direction and prevent the flow of blood in the opposite direction. The diaphragm is attached to a pump which inflates the diaphragm after the stent is implanted in a blood vessel in relation to the heart's rhythm to assist the heart in moving blood through the patient's circulatory system.

US Patent:

20060206192, Sep 14, 2006

Filed:

May 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/432838

Inventors:

Allen Tower - North Lawrence NY, US
Philipp Bonhoeffer - Paris, FR
Michael Martin - Nicholville NY, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623001110

Abstract:

A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

US Patent:

20090143728, Jun 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/947870

Inventors:

Allen J. Tower - North Lawrence NY, US

Assignee:

Numed, Inc. - Nicholville NY

International Classification:

A61M 25/10

US Classification:

60410102

Abstract:

A balloon catheter having a safety feature for protecting a patient during a medical procedure in the event the inflated balloon ruptures during the procedure. The catheter contains an outer balloon attached to the distal end of an insertion tube and a second inner balloon totally enclosed within the outer balloon. A vacuum is drawn on the outer balloon to evacuate the interior of the balloon and the inner balloon is then inflated to a desired operating pressure. In the event the inner balloon ruptures while inflated, the inflation fluid is fully contained within the outer balloon as well as any inner balloon fragments that are released due to the rupture.

US Patent:

20090149943, Jun 11, 2009

Filed:

Dec 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/951595

Inventors:

Allen Tower - North Lawrence NY, US

Assignee:

NUMED, INC. - Nicholville NY

International Classification:

A61F 2/86

US Classification:

623 116

Abstract:

This invention involves a radially expandable stent that has wire wound circular sections that are cojoined to create a cylinder by a series of single strand wire hinges. The hinges are situated to provide the stent created by the expanded sections with enhanced flexibility without sacrificing the overall support strength of the stent.

US Patent:

20110282198, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

May 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/781420

Inventors:

Allen J. Tower - North Lawrence NY, US

Assignee:

Numed, Inc. - Nicholville NY

International Classification:

A61B 6/00
A61M 25/10

US Classification:

600435

Abstract:

An angiographic catheter having an elongated flexible insertion tube having a cylindrical inflatable sheath circumferentially mounted thereon. The sheath contains a series of discharge ports at its distal end. A fluid is introduced into the proximal end of the sheath under sufficient pressure so that the sheath is fully inflated and fluid is discharged into a desired target area within the patients body.