Hong S Shim1653 S Mcpherrin Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754

6372283, Apr 16, 2002

Apr 2, 1999

09/285953

Hong S. Shim - Santa Ana CA
Mark C. S. Shu - Mission Viego CA
David L. Miller - Circle Pines MN
Edward Di Domenico - Anoka MN
Catherine E. Taylor - Minneapolis MN
Kenneth Keeney - Forest Lake MN
Mark T. Stewart - Lino Lakes MN
Eileen L. Halverson - Blaine MN

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

B05D 306

427 225, 427579, 427489, 4274071, 427 224, 623 126

The present invention provides a method for modifying a pyrolytic carbon surface to improve adhesion between it and a subsequently added polymer and/or a bio-active compound. In particular, plasma depositing an oxygen-containing, silicon-containing film forming monomer on a pyrolytic carbon surface improves adhesion of a polymer thereto, wherein the modified pyrolytic carbon surface and silicone rubber has a wet adhesion peel force greater than the wet adhesion peel force between an unmodified pyrolytic carbon and silicone rubber as measured by ASTM D 903-49 after 28 days in an aqueous environment, typically, at least 10 times greater.

5948019, Sep 7, 1999

Oct 25, 1995

8/547854

Mark C. Shu - Irvine CA
Hong S. Shim - Santa Ana CA

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61F 224
A61F 206

623 2

An implantable prosthetic heart valve with a suturing ring having an impermeable or semi-impermeable coating over at least a portion of the surface thereof to prevent tissue ingrowth in the coated area or areas. The suturing ring is formed of a biocompatible fabric tube of a mesh weave having interstices permeable to tissue ingrowth and first and second axial ends fastened into a torus shaped, suturing ring body having an interior directed minor surface adapted to be fitted against the exterior annular wall of a valve body and an outward directed major surface. An upper ring shaped surface is formed adjacent the upper edge of the valve body and a lower ring shaped surface adjacent the lower edge of the valve body. The intermediate band is intended to be sutured into contact with the heart tissue orifice. First and second impermeable layer of biocompatible material fill the interstices of the mesh weave in the upper and lower ring shaped surface area.

6139575, Oct 31, 2000

Apr 2, 1999

9/286095

Mark C. S. Shu - Mission Viego CA
Hong S. Shim - Santa Ana CA
Jeffrey M. Gross - Rancho Santa Margaarita CA

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61F 206

623 212

A prosthetic mechanical heart valve, and in particular, a bi-leaflet and/or a trileaflet mechanical valve formed with rigid frame and hinge elements for providing a stable reliable hinge mechanism with flexible leaflets formed of a thin elastomeric material adhering to and extending from the valve frame to form leaflet occluding sections bounded by outer peripheral edges for softening the opening and closing action of the valve leaflets. In one embodiment, the valve leaflet is formed of a rigid pyrolytic carbon frame supporting hinge elements and defining a leaflet pivot axis and a flexible leaflet body attached to the frame and defining a leaflet abutting section extending from one side of the valve frame and an occluding section extending from the other side of the valve frame to an arcuate leaflet seat. In the closing phase of operation, the abutting sections of the leaflet bodies contact one another in an abutting contact band, and the arcuate leaflet seats bear against arcuate seat regions of the valve body The seat regions of the valve body may also be coated with an elastomeric material.