The Omnifilter prototype is indeed being designed by Southwest Research Institute:
AMERICAN BIOMED RECEIVES US PATENT FOR GUIDEWIRE MICROFILTER PRODUCT
The Woodlands, Texas, December 19, 1997 – American BioMed, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ABMI),a manufacturer of minimally invasive medical devices for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, today announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent 5695519 for the company's guidewire microfilter product, the OmniFilter. Originally filed on November 30, 1995, this is the first patent received for this product.
The OmniFilter, a percutaneous guidewire microfilter that converts a standard guidewire into a temporary microemboli filter, is designed to prevent stroke-causing blood clots from reaching various organs of the body. Its patented "purse string" closure secures clot removal without loss into the blood stream, and its cost-effective design reduces the chance of stroke and prevents distal embolization. Industry analysts estimate a $500 million annual worldwide market for carotid angioplasty applications using this technology, with the U.S. representing approximately one-half of the worldwide market.
The company has engaged Southwest Research Institute, an applied research and development organization, for the technical design/prototype development of the OmniFilter.
americanbiomed.com
In my opinion American BioMed will receive additional funding soon. This prototype once finished should meet with great interest from the medical community at large.
Regards, Jeff |
