Align Technology, Inc.

Biocardia, Inc.

Genentech, Inc.

Bioconnect Systems, Inc.

Aaron J Miller

Peter G Knopp

Rob Van Den Berg

Peter A Altman

Daniel C Rosenman

Mark A Lovich

Micheal A Schwartz

Stanley R Conston

David J Kupiecki

Meir H Moshe

Candice Danielle Pinson

Pin Yee Wong

Linda Orren

Michael A Schwartz

Xiaoqing Jia

Loren Bentley

Ron K Yamamoto

A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.

Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth

Methods of measuring the activity of Factor D, the key driver in the activation of the alternative complement pathway, methods of determining the potency of Factor D inhibitors, and methods of screening for Factor D inhibitors are provided.

Methods of measuring factor D activity and potency of factor D inhibitors

A steerable endoluminal device adapted for delivery into a patient's vasculature. The device includes a tubular member having a distal deflection portion that extends to the distal end and a main body portion that extends from the deflectable portion to the proximal end, the tubular member further including a stiff portion extending along the distal deflection portion, and being formed of polymeric material, which is disposed circumferentially adjacent to the stiff portion. The stiff portion is made of a material that has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the polymeric material. A pull wire extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular member and is attached to the distal deflection portion to control deflection of the distal deflection portion of the tubular member.

Steerable endoluminal devices and methods

Catheter systems and methods for implanting helical or dart-like implants into the myocardium or other body tissue. The catheter system includes a helix for fixing the distal end of the catheter to the myocardium, an implant held by the helix, mechanisms for driving the fixation helix into the myocardium, and mechanisms for driving the implant into the myocardium, removing the fixation helix and leaving the implant behind. The implant may be coated, filled, or made of a drug or drug eluting compound, or drug delivery matrix of any composition.

Implant delivery catheter system and methods for its use

Catheter-based systems are disclosed for geometrically and temporally controlled deliveries of fluid agents to the heart. Each system includes an elongate catheter shaft, a tissue penetration element at the shaft distal end, and a handle at the shaft proximal end for manipulating the penetrating element. The penetrating element and a proximate conductive coil provide bipolar sensing electrodes. One version of the system includes a fluid lumen through the penetrating element and a contrast fluid lumen open at the catheter shaft distal end. In other versions, the penetrating element contains two fluid lumens. These systems facilitate tissue mapping and therapeutic agent delivery protocols in which several agents can be simultaneously delivered at a depth within heart tissue, prevented from intermingling until they reach the tissue. Treatment and contrast agents can be delivered simultaneously or temporally spaced, directed to the same region or to different regions separated by intervening tissue.

Bio-interventional therapeutic treatments for cardiovascular diseases

The present invention provides devices and associated methods for delivering side-to-side and end-to-side anastomotic connectors to join any two (or more) vessels together such that fluid communication is established between the lumens of the two or more joined vessels. The systems of the present invention employ one or more deployment mechanisms over which the anastomotic connector is positioned for delivery and subsequently deployment within a vessel. The deployment mechanisms may be inflatable balloons or expandable baskets or a combination thereof or the like, which, when inflated and/or expanded, cause one or more portions of the anastomotic connector to deploy.

Devices and methods for interconnecting body conduits

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Aaron J Miller