The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 31, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Katherine S Tweden, Mahtomedi, MN (US);
William R Holmberg, New Richmond, WI (US);
Darrin J Bergman, Shoreview, MN (US);
Terry L Shepherd, Shoreview, MN (US);
Assignee:
St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
623-2 ; 623900 ;
Abstract
The present invention includes a metallic coating on portions of the prosthesis to enhance the overall acceptability of the implantable device or fabric/sutures used to implant the prosthesis. The preferred metal is silver, which is applied to surfaces which are exposed to the heart tissue. The silver-treated portions of these devices inhibit or greatly reduce colonization of endocarditis-causing bacteria without impacting the overall biocompatibility of the device.