Michael J O'Connor

US Patent:

7081350, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Sep 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/236433

Inventors:

Michael O'Connor - Roseville MN, US
Lawrence I. Gilbert - Chapel Hill NC, US
James T. Warren - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

G01N 33/53
C12N 9/02

US Classification:

435 72, 435189, 435 771, 4352523, 4353201, 435 6, 530350

Abstract:

The invention relates to methods and materials useful for identifying inhibitors of ecdysteroid biosynthetic enzymes, specifically the P450 enzyme, shade. These methods and materials can be used, for example, to identify molecules having insecticidal properties.

US Patent:

20030069532, Apr 10, 2003

Filed:

Oct 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/972779

Inventors:

Dave Mowry - Waconia MN, US
Robert Kohler - Lake Elmo MN, US
Michael O'Connor - Lino Lakes MN, US

International Classification:

A61M005/00
A61F002/06

US Classification:

604/008000, 623/001100

Abstract:

A transmyocardial implant for establishing a blood flow path through a myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vasculature residing at an exterior of the myocardium includes a hollow, rigid conduit having a wall defining an outer surface and an interior; an open first end; an open second end; a first portion defining the first end; a second portion defining the second end; and a reinforcing wrap. The first portion is dimensioned to be received within the lumen and the second portion is dimensioned to extend from the vasculature to the myocardium into the chamber. The conduit defines a blood flow pathway within the interior between the first and second ends. The second portion is formed of a material sufficiently rigid to resist deformation and closure of the pathway in response to contraction of the myocardium. Preferably, the reinforcing wrap extends along at least a section of the outer surface of the wall. In one embodiment, the reinforcing wrap is a spiral winding. In another embodiment, the reinforcing wrap is a woven braid.

US Patent:

20030074006, Apr 17, 2003

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976258

Inventors:

David Mowry - Waconia MN, US
Michael O'Connor - Lino Lakes MN, US
Sean Skubitz - Shoreview MN, US

International Classification:

A61F011/00

US Classification:

606/108000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a medical device including two parallel tubes attached to each other, one of which is shorter in length and receives a guide snare for directing the path of the catheter within a patient's blood vessels and into the patient's heart. The present invention further relates to a method of using a catheter comprising two tubes, whereby a guide snare is anchored to a shunt within a patient's heart and extends out of the patient's body, one of the tubes of the catheter being placed about the guide snare and the catheter being advanced into the patient's heart along the guide snare.

US Patent:

20030114832, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/023314

Inventors:

Robert Kohler - Lake Elmo MN, US
Michael O'Connor - Lino Lakes MN, US
Sean Skubitz - Shoreview MN, US

International Classification:

A61M025/01

US Classification:

604/528000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a catheter incorporating an articulating distal end, including a catheter body with a central lumen and an outer wall in which are one or more wires, and a handle including mechanisms for applying tension to the wires. Applying tension to a wire will cause a bending portion of the catheter to bend into an arc. When more than one wire or tensioning member and more than one mechanism for applying tension are included in the catheter, the wires are offset from each other so that multiple bends on multiple planes may be formed in multiple bending portions in the body of the catheter. The present invention further relates to a catheter including one wire, and a handle including a mechanism for applying tension to the wire, the wire and the catheter body configured so that applying tension to a wire will cause more than one bending portion of the catheter to bend into an arc, and the bending portions are made of different durometer material. The present invention further relates to a method of using a catheter to access a heart chamber of a patient and locate the distal end of the catheter proximate a shunt located in a wall of the heart.

US Patent:

57255130, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

Feb 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/794607

Inventors:

Byung H. Ju - Golden Valley MN
Michael G. O'Connor - Blaine MN
Eric M. Lovgren - Buffalo MN

Assignee:

Schneider (USA) Inc - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604280

Abstract:

A diagnostic catheter comprises an inner layer of substantially unmodified polyamide over which is a reinforcing means and an outer layer of polymer having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 70 Shore D, along with a suitable radiopaque filler. Affixed either directly to the end of the above tubular body or to a stem member secured to that tubular body is a soft-tip formed from a blend of PEBA whose hardness is such that the catheter can be considered as having an atraumatic tip. The resulting catheter exhibits excellent torque and column strength characteristics while providing a relatively large diameter lumen for a given outside diameter.

US Patent:

55993257, Feb 4, 1997

Filed:

Dec 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/350779

Inventors:

Byung H. Ju - Golden Valley MN
Michael G. O'Connor - Blaine MN
Eric M. Lovgren - Buffalo MN

Assignee:

Schneider (USA) Inc - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604282

Abstract:

A diagnostic catheter comprises an inner layer of substantially unmodified polyamide over which is a reinforcing means and an outer layer of polymer having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 70 Shore D, along with a suitable radiopaque filler. Affixed either directly to the end of the above tubular body or to a stem member secured to that tubular body is a soft-tip formed from a blend of PEBA whose hardness is such that the catheter can be Considered as having an atraumatic tip. The resulting catheter exhibits excellent torque and column strength characteristics while providing a relatively large diameter lumen for a given outside diameter.

US Patent:

55451519, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Nov 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/343153

Inventors:

Michael G. O'Connor - Blaine MN
Eric M. Lovgren - Buffalo MN

Assignee:

Schneider (USA) Inc - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604282

Abstract:

An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with: (a) an inner layer of a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D, and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester polyurethane having a durometer of from about 65D-75D; (b) a reinforcing means at least partially surrounding the inner layer; and (c) an outer layer comprising a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 659D-75D.

US Patent:

60275294, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Apr 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/060695

Inventors:

Suranjan Roychowdhury - Minnetonka MN
Leonard Pinchuk - Miami FL
Eugen Hofmann - Zurich, CH
Susanne Hankh - Villmergen, CH
Michael G. O'Connor - Blaine MN
Jeannine B. Baden - Rogers MN
Daniel J. Klima - St. Cloud MN

Assignee:

Schneider (USA) Inc - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

A61F 206

US Classification:

623 1

Abstract:

A body implantable stent is formed of a plurality of strands arranged in two sets of coaxial helices, wound in opposite directions to form multiple crossings. At selected crossings, the adjacent strands are welded to one another, while at the remaining crossings the strands are free for limited movement relative to one another. The welds are formed in patterns that preferably enhance radial strength and rigidity, while having a minimal impact on axial bending flexibility. Preferred weld patterns in this regard include rings or circumferential rows, and helices, particularly with a steeper pitch than that of the strands. Stent fabrication preferably involves resistance welding at the crossings, and use of a tool to reuniformly compress the stent around and against the distal end region of a balloon catheter used later to deliver the stent to a treatment site.