Patents Assigned to Nico Corporation
  • Patent number: 10543057
    Abstract: Selectively lockable holding arrangements for a surgical access assembly are disclosed. One holding arrangement includes a body portion, an engagement barrel and a retaining member configured as a hook at a distal end of the body portion. The engagement barrel is position on a proximal end of the body portion and is configured to be selectively rotated about the body portion when operatively connected to a surgical holding arrangement. A rotation brake is mounted on the body section. The rotation brake is selectively operable to lock the engagement barrel against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Katina Volitich
  • Patent number: 10456061
    Abstract: A holding arrangement for a surgical access assembly is disclosed. One holding arrangement includes a holder member and a support member configured to engage with the holder member. The support member supports an outer sheath of a surgical assembly. The support member is compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging device. Another holding arrangement includes a holder member configured to hold a medical or diagnostic device such as a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10449340
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly is described that includes an outer sheath and a selectively removable obturator. The outer sheath is defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and includes a hollow body portion therebetween. The obturator is defined by a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member. The obturator is configured to be received within the outer sheath such that the tapered distal tip member protrudes from the open distal end of the outer sheath when the obturator is in an introducing configuration. The outer sheath further includes a gripping member, wherein the gripping member includes at least one retaining notch formed on an outer surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10398458
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument comprises a housing, a first actuation member, a second actuation member, and a first cannula. The first actuation member is configured for imparting a reciprocating action to a portion of the instrument. The second actuation member configured for imparting a rotational action to a portion of the instrument. The first cannula is operatively connected to the second actuation member, such that the first cannula is configured for rotational movement with respect to the housing. In one arrangement, a wire member is disposed within the first cannula and is configured to rotate with the first cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10398462
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A fluid supply sleeve is disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10383680
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10368890
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The device is configured to provide multiple functions during a surgical procedure, in addition to resecting tissue, with a single insertion of the device into a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 10357280
    Abstract: A surgical access system is disclosed that includes an outer sheath, an introducer, and a navigational stylet. The outer sheath is defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and includes a hollow body portion therebetween. The obturator is defined by a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member that terminates in a distal tip. The navigational stylet is configured to be selectively fixed to the obturator and is configured to indicate the location of the obturator within a patient during use. The obturator is configured to be received within the outer sheath such that the tapered distal tip member protrudes from the open distal end of the outer sheath when the obturator is in an introducing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10342564
    Abstract: An aspiration control device may include a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end. The conduit may define a conduit lumen and an aperture vent open to the conduit lumen. A coupling may be configured to couple the proximal end of the conduit with a vacuum source and an inner cannula of a tissue cutting device. The inner cannula may define an inner cannula lumen wherein the vacuum source is configured to supply a vacuum to each of the coupling lumen and the inner cannula lumen. A sleeve may be movably disposed about the conduit, and a device motor may be in communication with the sleeve and be configured to move the sleeve to a predefined position relative to the vent in response to an input single from a user interface. The predefined position of the sleeve may correspond to a predefined level of vacuum to be supplied to the inner cannula lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 10307183
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either device within the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Amin Kassam
  • Patent number: 10149695
    Abstract: A surgical instrument may include a housing, a first actuation member configured; a coupler operatively connected to the first actuation member for imparting a reciprocating action to a portion of the instrument, a second actuation member configured for imparting a rotational action to a portion of the instrument, a first cannula operatively connected to the second actuation member, such that the first cannula is configured for rotational movement with respect to the housing, and a wire member at least partially disposed within the first cannula and fixed to the coupler, the wire member configured to rotate and reciprocate with the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10143366
    Abstract: An illuminating ring assembly is disclosed. The illuminating ring configured to be used with a surgical access element. The illuminating ring assembly comprises a housing defined by a cover and a wall member extending from the cover, wherein the cover and wall member cooperate to define a cavity therein, a light element configured to be disposed with the cavity, and an attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to a surgical access element. Wherein the cover and the light element both include an opening therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Adam Furore, Mick Trompen
  • Patent number: 10080578
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A delivery sleeve may be selectively provided that is configured to be disposed about the outer cannula for delivery of a variety of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 10048176
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described, as well as alternative systems for tissue preservation and transport. The cutting device includes an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A temperature control sleeve may be disposed around the tissue collector to control the temperature of the tissue samples. A preservation system may be supplied that is configured to deliver fluids to tissue samples in the tissue collector. A fluid supply sleeve may be disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Alexandra Schwier
  • Patent number: 10022520
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either device within the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 9931105
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described, as well as alternative systems for tissue preservation and transport. The cutting device includes an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A temperature control sleeve may be disposed around the tissue collector to control the temperature of the tissue samples. A preservation system may be supplied that is configured to deliver fluids to tissue samples in the tissue collector. A fluid supply sleeve may be disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Alexandra Schwier
  • Patent number: 9883881
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical tool having a motor with a shaft configured to rotate, a cutting device that reciprocates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, and a position sensor that determines a state of the motor and outputs a position signal representing the motor state. A fluid regulator provides fluid to the motor, and the motor rotates in accordance with the fluid provided. A controller generates a fluid flow command based at least in part on the position signal. The fluid regulator receives the fluid flow command and regulates fluid flow to the motor accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: NICO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 9820480
    Abstract: A thermal system for preserving tissue is disclosed. The cooling system comprises a base member, a temperature control sleeve constructed of a thermally conductive material, and a selectively removable lid member. The base member defines a reservoir and receives the temperature control sleeve. The temperature control sleeve at least partially defines a tissue collector chamber that is configured to receive a tissue collector. The temperature control sleeve is in communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to receive a cooling medium. A slit formed within the tissue collection chamber that is sized to receive a tubing connected to the tissue collector therethrough. The lid member is configured to be selectively attached to the base member, and permit access to a tube mount for the tissue collector when the lid is attached to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Mick Trompen
  • Patent number: 9795440
    Abstract: Multiple surgical devices that may be used during surgical procedures are shown and described herein. A surgical device includes an outer cannula and an inner member that has a pair of electrodes positioned at a distal end. The inner member defines an aspiration delivery channel with an opening. The inner member further defines a pair of electrode channels within which the electrodes are positioned. A handle assembly actuates the outer cannula relative to the inner member, thereby adjusting a size of the opening of the aspiration delivery channel. An irrigation hub is provided to deliver irrigation through the surgical device to the electrode channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9788850
    Abstract: An aspiration control device may include a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a conduit lumen, wherein the conduit defines a vent that is open to the conduit lumen, a coupling configured to couple the proximal end of the conduit with a vacuum source and an inner cannula such that a vacuum is supplied to each of the conduit lumen and the inner cannula, a sleeve movably disposed about the conduit and configured to move relative to the vent to achieve a desired level of vacuum delivered to the inner cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark