MEDICAL DEVICES
For over a decade, we have supported several Fortune 500 companies in the medical device industry in connection with an array of devices including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcathether mitral valve replacement (TMVR), surgical heart valves, heart valve repair, stents, embolic protection, spinal cord and deep brain stimulation, microcatheters, ultrasound transducers, pattern-recognition imaging, balloon angioplasty, drug infusion systems, microstimulators, neurovascular intervention, lead insertion methods, hemodialysis, cochlear implants, infrared thermometers, continuous positive airway pressure systems, orthodontics, radiation therapy, and sterilization techniques. We have worked extensively in the fields of cardiology, neurology, and radiology.
We are glad to assist clients of all sizes with their medical device strategy, from device manufacturers to funded startups. We are experts at portfolio development and regularly work with physicians who are seeking investors or licensing opportunities. Peter D. Sleman is head of the medical device practice, and a member of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE). He is the author of The Physician Inventor: The Doctor's Handbook to Patenting Medical Devices and Methods and numerous journal articles. More information for physician entrepreneurs is available here.
Below is a sample of companies that we have supported and profiles of certain technologies.
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT
According to some studies, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) global market is expected to reach $6.5 billion by 2022. We are experts on TAVR having followed the technology from its infancy. For over ten years, clients have turned to us to formulate patent prosecution strategies, provide opinions on TAVR-related patents, and educate them on the IP landscape in this space. We also understand the nuances of this technology including valve sealing, perivalvular leakage (PVL), leaflet wear, materials, coronary flow, collapsibility, delivery, anchoring, and many other TAVR issues. We are knowledgeable of the leading platforms and devices including Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Sapien, Sapien XT, Sapien 3) Medtronic (CoreValve, CoreValve Evolut, and CoreValve Evolut R), Boston Scientific (LOTUS, LOTUS Edge), Abbott and St. Jude Medical (Portico), Direct Flow Medical, JenaValve Technology and many others. We also have a wealth of experience with the relevant delivery devices and ancillary devices used in TAVR procedures.
TRANSCATHETER MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) requires not only dealing with the same challenges as TAVR, but also creates a host of new ones such as the placement, anatomy, absence of calcification, delivery approach, relatively large effective orifice area, and high variability from one patient to another. There are currently many devices jockeying for position including Abbott's Tendyne, Edwards' CardiAQ and Fortis, Medtronic's Twelve, Neovasc and Highlife's devices. Our experts can help you make sense of this complicated patent landscape and create sound IP portfolios and/or acquisitions strategies.
CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE
We have years of experience with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems used to to manage sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as other conditions. We have helped innovators protect their CPAP inventions relating to masks including nasal pillows, nasal masks, and full face masks. We have worked on a variety of ventilators, oxygen concentrators and humidifiers, and protected novel diagnosis, delivery methods and therapies.
NEUROSTIMULATION
Over the past two decades, there have been significant advances in deep brain stimulation (DBS) and promising results for its use in treating Parkinson's disease and tremors. Meanwhile, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has proven effective in the treatment of chronic and intractable pain. These therapies can make a meaningful impact on patients' lives by alleviating suffering that has not historically been understood. We aim to support neurostimulation innovators with their IP strategies. Our experts can provide valuable support for newcomers trying to understand the IP landscape or established companies looking to further protect their investments.
EMBOLIC PROTECTION
New devices have made it easier to capture and remove debris from blood vessels, making interventional procedures safer. In some cases, an embolus may be blood clots, fat globules or other foreign materials. We understand the technology that reduces the risks of pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thrombosis, and would be glad to work with you on your embolic protection project.
ORTHOPEDICS & PROSTHESIS
We can assist with inventions relating to surgical procedures on bone structures including permanent and temporary attachment to bones, fixation, screws, staplers, and drills. We can help inventors with a vast array of issues relating to implantable prosthesis (e.g., spine, knee, hip, ankle, etc.). We have a deep understanding of biomechanics and our experience with medical devices is second to none.
WOUND CLOSURE
We proudly serve innovative clients who are revolutionizing wound closure. New techniques facilitate healing and reduce the need for flaps and grafts.
CONCUSSION DETECTION
The EyeBOX® device is the first FDA-approved non-invasive, baseline-free tool to aid in the diagnosis of concussion. The device captures 100,000 data points based on subtle eye movements and cranial nerve function, to generate a BOX score and report indicating the likelihood of concussion.
