Patents Assigned to Nico Corporation
  • Patent number: 9782220
    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: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9775672
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a sleeve member, a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member extends distally of the sleeve member and 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. An irrigation annulus is formed about the electrodes. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9770261
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an 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 and the distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member that terminates in a closed radiused distal tip. 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: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Amin Kassam, Brian C. Dougherty, Chad LaMar
  • Patent number: 9757147
    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: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Chad Lamar, Mick Trompen
  • Patent number: 9737648
    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. A handle assembly actuates the outer cannula relative to the inner member, thereby adjusting a size of the opening of the aspiration delivery channel. In another exemplary configuration, an irrigation hub is provided to deliver irrigation through the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9655639
    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. The tissue cutting device may be used with imaging device such as microscopes and endoscopes during neurosurgery procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 9622777
    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 within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interventional devices may be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments. A subsequent treatment process may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Amin Kassam
  • Patent number: 9579121
    Abstract: Holding arrangements for a surgical access assembly are disclosed. One holding arrangement includes a body portion, an engagement barrel and a retaining member. The retaining member is configured as a hook at a distal end of the body portion and is sized to partially encircle a portion of an outer sheath. The engagement barrel is position on a proximal end of the body portion and is configured to be operatively connected to a surgical holding arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Alexandra Schwier
  • Patent number: 9504247
    Abstract: A cooling 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: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Alexandra Schwier, Mick Trompen
  • Patent number: 9445831
    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: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 9387010
    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: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9279751
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device is described that may include 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: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Alexandra Schwier
  • Patent number: 9265523
    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: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Amin Kassam
  • Patent number: 9216031
    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: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9186175
    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 within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interventional devices may be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments. A subsequent treatment process may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Amin Kassam
  • Patent number: 9161820
    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: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Adam Furore
  • Patent number: 9144372
    Abstract: Adapters for properly positioning a portion of a medical instrument that is positioned within an endoscope at site of interest is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Chad LaMar
  • Patent number: 9028518
    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 may include 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 may also be provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula reciprocates at a rate that is greater than 1000 reciprocations per minute, and variable aspiration may also be provided to the device to control tissue traction and provide fine shaving and debulking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark
  • Patent number: 8986334
    Abstract: A tissue removal device is disclosed. In one arrangement, the tissue removal device includes a cutting member operatively connected to an actuator assembly and a fixed member. The cutting member is configured to slide with respect to the fixed member in a reciprocating manner. The fixed member includes an upwardly extending foot plate that defines a contact surface that is configured with an uneven texture that serves as a grip to operatively retain material to be cut when the cutting member is moved toward the foot plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8888803
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece disposed along a first central longitudinal axis and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner and outer cannulas are disposed along a second longitudinal axis that is axially spaced from the first central longitudinal axis. The device may also include an inner cannula stop position control for selectively controlling the position of the inner cannula when it is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Mark