Patents Examined by Christian Knauss
  • Patent number: 10039567
    Abstract: A combination (2290) of an annular rotary knife blade (2300) and blade housing assembly (2400) for a power operated dermatome (2000). The rotary knife blade includes an inner wall (2310) defining an interior region (2301) and including a lower tissue-directing surface (2370) adjacent a cutting edge (2360) and a radially recessed upper portion (2380). The blade housing assembly includes a blade housing (2410) having a first end (2412) and an axially spaced apart second end (2414) and an inner wall (2416) and a radially spaced apart outer wall (2418). The blade housing includes a blade housing cover (2450) extending from the inner wall into the blade interior region. The blade housing cover includes a shield (2470) extending along the recessed upper portion of the rotary knife blade inner wall and having an inner surface (2472) adjacent and continuing the lower tissue-directing surface of the rotary knife blade inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Exsurco Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Esarey, Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Patent number: 10028795
    Abstract: A surgical implement and a manipulation system including the surgical implement may include at least one instrument including at least one joint portion. The joint portion may include a first part, a second part connected to the first part, and a force applying element for applying a force for bending (or rotating) the second part. A distance between a joint point and a force application point where a force is applied may be greater than a diameter of at least one of the first part and the second part. The instrument may further include a second joint portion spaced apart from the joint portion, and a surgical tool connected to an end portion of the second joint portion. The manipulation system may include a supporting structure, at least one instrument supported by the supporting structure, and an operating device for operating the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-do Choi, Hyung-joo Kim, Ho-seong Kwak, Jong-hwa Won, Joon-kee Cho
  • Patent number: 10016208
    Abstract: A tool is configured to cut a tissue body. The tool includes a first section configured to be coupled to a transducer assembly, and a second section coupled to the first section. The first section at least partially includes a first material. The second section at least partially includes a second material that is different from the first material and denser than the first material. The second includes a cutting member that is configured to vibrate at a predetermined frequency so as to cut a tissue body an operative portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Satelec SAS
    Inventors: Gwenael D. Gouery, Eric B. Reno, Nuria Serra Malats, Yann Gallard, Vianney Ruellan
  • Patent number: 10004507
    Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis device comprising a diversion conduit coupled to a lower flange which is inserted into the vessel and an upper flange located on the outside of the vessel designed to clamp together to seal the incision into which the lower flange of the device is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ASFORA IP, LLC
    Inventor: Wilson Theophilo Asfora
  • Patent number: 10004642
    Abstract: A corneal marking system, and methods for its use, has a tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. Use of measurement devices may be coordinated between the marker and a level-measuring device positioned on a patient's head. Devices capable of measuring one, two or three axes are used and processors are provided to evaluate the data produced by the devices and provide a physician with a signal that the positions of the patient's head and the marker are such that an accurate marking procedure can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ART, LIMITED
    Inventors: Ravi Nallakrishnan, Takayuki Akahoshi
  • Patent number: 9987155
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes medical devices comprising implantable expandable implants, such as stent-grafts. Such devices can comprise a constraining line. The constraining line can surround the proximal end of the expandable implant, and assist in positioning and deployment of the expandable implant within the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. Sondreaal
  • Patent number: 9974670
    Abstract: A tack device for holding plaque against blood vessel walls in treating atherosclerotic occlusive disease can be formed as a thin, annular band of durable, flexible material. The tack device may also have a plurality of barbs or anchoring points on its outer annular periphery. The annular band can have a length in the axial direction of the blood vessel walls that is about equal to or less than its diameter as installed in the blood vessel. A preferred method is to perform angioplasty with a drug eluting balloon as a first step, and if there is any dissection to the blood vessel caused by the balloon angioplasty, one or more tack devices may be installed to tack down the dissected area of the blood vessel surface, in order to avoid the need to install a stent and thereby maintain a ‘stent-free’ environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Intact Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schneider, Robert Giasolli
  • Patent number: 9974689
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical probe for treating an eye of a patient includes a body, a cutting element extending distally from the body (the cutting element having a sleeve member with a port at an end), an inner member disposed within the sleeve member (the inner member being movable axially with respect to the sleeve member to open and close the port), and an actuating element secured to the inner member (the actuating member configured for operation in both a resonant mode and a non-resonant mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Brian William Mcdonell
  • Patent number: 9913629
    Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a housing, an outer tube having a distal portion configured for transcervical insertion into a uterus, an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube lumen, a vacuum generation chamber disposed within the housing, a movable piston slidably disposed in the vacuum generation chamber, a collection chamber, a manual actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the piston, and proximal and distal one-way valves. The outer tube has an outer tube lumen, a tissue in-take opening proximate a distal end thereof, and a proximal end coupled to the housing. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen extending from an open inner tube distal end to an open inner tube proximal end, the open inner tube distal end comprising a cutting edge configured to sever intrauterine tissue extending through the tissue in-take opening in the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Roy H. Sullivan, Jessica Tina Schenck, George Charles Michaels
  • Patent number: 9889029
    Abstract: An implant delivery system is disclosed which includes an inner tube assembly, an outer tube assembly and a functional handle. The functional handle includes a threaded rod, a push-pull control member, a casing tube, a displacement tube, an inner tube fixing member, an outer tube fixing member and a stability tube fixing member. The threaded rod extends through a bore of the displacement tube. A fastener of the push-pull control member is able to engage a thread provided on a leading portion of the threaded rod. A trailing portion of the threaded rod is provided with a knob. The push-pull control member includes a fastener, springs and a button. The fastener is able to extend through a slot to engage a thread of the threaded rod in the displacement tube. The springs are configured to cause an automatic locking of the fastener and the threaded rod. The button is provided on the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Shanghai Microport Cardioflow Medtech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Li, Xiang Liu, Mingming Wu, Haishan Wang, Guoming Chen, Shaohui Chen
  • Patent number: 9877856
    Abstract: A stent delivery device includes a first retaining polymer disposed about and retaining a self-expanding stent at a proximal end portion, a second retaining polymer disposed about and retaining the self-expanding stent at a distal end portion, a first resistance member in thermal communication with the first retaining polymer, and a second resistance member in thermal communication with the second retaining polymer. The second retaining polymer and second resistance member are configured to allow release and expansion of the distal end portion of the self-expanding stent without expansion of the proximal end portion of the self-expanding stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jessica Liang, Jianlu Ma
  • Patent number: 9867736
    Abstract: A needle 10 for a surgical instrument for removal of diseased or unwanted tissue comprises a hollow elongate needle shaft 12 having a needle tip 14 for cutting tissue at a distal end of the needle shaft 12. The needle tip 14 is flared in at least one plane and has a flattened posterior lip 16 and a curved anterior lip 18 to produce a substantially D-shaped tip mouth 20 in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis C—O—C? (the needle axis) of the needle 10. A major axis A-A? of the tip mouth 20 is larger than an outer diameter of the needle shaft 12 and a minor axis B—B? is smaller than the major axis A-A?. The asymmetry of the tip mouth provides improved cutting action during phacoemulsification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Nigel Morlet
  • Patent number: 9848882
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to an embolic device comprised of a coil made of a first material and disposed on the inside of a tube structure made of a second material. The tube structure has micro-fabricated fenestrations formed in the tube to provide fluid communication between the lumen of the tube and the surrounding environment, thereby exposing the inner coil. The fenestrations also trip flow around the embolic device. In one embodiment, the embolic device is comprised of a tantalum coil on the inside of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tube. The PEEK tube has the advantage of providing a micro-machined delivery implant frame and radiopacity, while the internal tantalum coil provides radiopacity and thrombogenicity. A material other than PEEK may be used for embodiments of embolic devices without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Scientia Vascular, LLC
    Inventor: John Lippert
  • Patent number: 9839437
    Abstract: The ultrasonic probe for a shoulder joint includes a curved extending section curved to a probe main body toward a first intersecting direction intersecting a longitudinal axis. The curved extending section includes a first curved outer surface facing the first intersecting direction, a second curved outer surface facing a second intersecting direction opposite of the first intersecting direction, a third curved outer surface facing a first width direction perpendicular to the first and second intersecting directions, and a fourth curved outer surface facing a second width direction opposite of the first width direction. A cutting surface on the second curved outer surface is different from a cutting surface on each of the third curved outer surface and the fourth curved outer surface in extending pattern of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideto Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9833308
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for endoscopic dissection of blood vessels and control over cavity pressure within an endoscopic procedure are described herein. Apparatus, systems, and methods for harvesting of blood vessels are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Dye
  • Patent number: 9827141
    Abstract: Tissue manipulation during ocular surgery may be achieved by a variety of systems and techniques. In particular implementations, a system may include spaced apart levers, hinge members, a grasping mechanism, and a guide mechanism located between the levers. A first hinge member may extend from one of the levers to the guide mechanism and move the guide mechanism in one of a proximal or distal direction when the levers are moved toward each other. The grasping mechanism may be coupled to the guide mechanism and extend distally from the guide mechanism. A second hinge member may extend from one of the levers and be coupled to a tube that surrounds a portion of the grasping mechanism. The second hinge member distally displaces the tube when the levers are moved towards each other. The relative motion of the guide mechanism and the tube may cause actuation of the grasping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Philipp Schaller, Reto Grueebler
  • Patent number: 9814868
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Edge Systems LLC
    Inventors: Roger Ignon, Scott Mallett, Abraham Solano, William Cohen
  • Patent number: 9801675
    Abstract: A treatment assembly includes: a probe which includes a treatment section at a distal end portion thereof; an inner tube which includes a distal end and into which the probe is inserted in a state that the treatment section of the probe protrudes toward a distal end side with respect to the distal end; an opening which is provided in a side surface of the inner tube and which allows an inner side of the inner tube to communicate with an outer side of the inner tube; a support section which is arranged on the inner side of the inner tube from the outer side of the inner tube through the opening and which is configured to support the probe with respect to the inner tube; and an outer tube which covers the outer side of the inner tube and which is configured to fix the support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Sanai, Kenichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9757119
    Abstract: A flexible suture for coupling tissue includes a first suture portion extending to a first end and a second suture portion extending to a second end. A plurality of braided strands form the first and second suture portions. An identifier characteristic is formed into the plurality of braided strands. The identifier characteristic extends from the first end of the first suture portion to the second end of the second suture portion, and the identifier characteristic distinguishes the first suture portion from the second suture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Norton, Gregory J. Denham, Benjamin P. Heilman, Nathan A. Winslow, Kevin T. Stone, Christopher Palese, Brian K. Berelsman
  • Patent number: 9757131
    Abstract: A strap tie assembly includes a first strap tie including a first base, a first body including a first receiving channel and a first engagement member, and a first strap extending from the first body. The assembly includes a second strap tie including a second base, a second body including a second receiving channel and a second engagement member, and a second strap extending from the second body. The first receiving channel can receive the second strap. The first engagement member can rotate about a first rotation axis to engage the second strap to prevent translation of the second strap away from the first body. The second receiving channel can receive the first strap. The second engagement member can rotate about a second rotational axis to engage the first strap to prevent translation of the first strap away from the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FOOT INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Sanders, Sergio Gutierrez