Hologic, Inc.

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Thomas C Kochem

Daniel A Beaudet

Gary Jordan

Ransom H Byers

Alexander E Dillon

Allison L Schmidt

Brian Tinkham

James Weldon

Andrew Kendall Hollett

Douglas Pleskow

Daniel W Rice

Christopher Mauhar

Stephen Perry

Dan W Rice

James M Weldon

Chandra Little

Lilly Nix

Pearl E Donohoo

Lara Clark

Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

Fundus bumper mechanical reference for easier mechanism deployment

An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.

Variable stiffness flexure

Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.

Integrated locking device with passive sealing

Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base and an outer shell. A locking member may be coupled to the outer shell. An inner seal member may be disposed within the outer shell. One or more openings may extend through the cap and into the channel. An actuator may be coupled to the base for shifting the inner seal member between an unsealed configuration and a sealed configuration.

Integrated locking device with active sealing

Growing community of inventors

Watertown, MA, United States of America

Thomas C Kochem