Patents Examined by Tom Hughes
  • Patent number: 9011461
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to perform circumcision includes a hollow body having each of an anterior open end and an axially opposed posterior open end. A dome shaped member is attached in a detachable manner to the anterior end of the hollow body and has a generally semispherical shape. One or more apertures are formed through a wall of the dome shaped member and are sized to pass urine therethrough. An elongated handle is centered on the longitudinal axis and has a portion thereof positioned adjacent a juncture with one of the anterior end of the hollow body and the apex of the dome shaped member being weaker than any other portion of the body or the generally dome shaped member, whereby a reciprocation of the elongated handle causes the elongated handle to fracture at the juncture and become detached from the hollow body or the generally dome shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Amar L. Dave, Roop K. Dave
  • Patent number: 8808348
    Abstract: A drainage stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medial device, a drainage catheter or stent, and an interference fit member for selectively coupling the drainage stent to the elongate shaft. The drainage stent is selectively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft by an interference fit between the interference fit member and the drainage stent such that axial movement of the elongate shaft relative to the drainage stent moves the interference fit member from a first position in which the interference fit member is engaged with the drainage stent and forms an interference fit with the drainage stent to a second position in which the interference fit member is disengaged from the drainage stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew K. Hollett, Jacob Graham, John Lane, John A. Griego, Michael Devon Amos, Gary J. Leanna
  • Patent number: 8679147
    Abstract: A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with the shaft for removal of rectal gas. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: RadiaDyne, LLC
    Inventor: John Isham
  • Patent number: 8187294
    Abstract: A rotating surgical system is provided that includes a base, a first member rotably engaged with the base, and a second member fixed with said first member such that said first member and said second member rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Suros Surgical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Miller, Charles Butcher
  • Patent number: 8100930
    Abstract: Devices and methods for moving tissue and/or moving the devices relative to the tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the movement or tissue and/or the device is effected by moving a fabric associated with the device and in contact with tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: David Stefanchik
  • Patent number: 8057502
    Abstract: In a surgical obturator for piercing a body wall, comprising a tubular housing that at one end forms an introduction tip with a continuously decreasing diameter, and comprising a blade projecting from the introduction tip for making an incision in the body wall, in order to reduce the risk of injury during piercing of the body wall it is proposed that the introduction tip comprises a central protective cap, which is displaceable in longitudinal direction relative to the introduction tip between an advanced inoperative position and a retracted working position, that the blade in the housing is displaceable in longitudinal direction between an advanced cutting position and a retracted protected position, that disposed in the housing is a retraction device that displaces the blade from the cutting position into the protected position, and that the retraction device may be activated by a displacement of the protective cap from the working position into the inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Johann Maliglowka, Rupert Mayenberger, Tom Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 8052710
    Abstract: An instrument for endoscopic surgery comprises a retractor having independently spreadable retractor blades pivotally mounted at the distal end of a tube, through which a balloon dissector can be passed. The blades are pivoted on axes transverse to the elongation of the tube. The blades are externally convex and internally concave in cross-sectional planes to which the elongation of the tube is perpendicular. The balloon is transparent, and the balloon dissector is provided with an image transmitter for visualization of tissue dissection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Parviz Kambin, Sheila P. Kambin
  • Patent number: 8052693
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik James Shahoian
  • Patent number: 8047986
    Abstract: A molded and undivided medical penetrating device comprises a first portion and a second substantially tubular portion having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the second substantially tubular portion of the device is joined to and is integral with the first portion of the device and is adapted to be maintained essentially outside a body while the first portion of the device is adapted to be retained within the interior of the body. The device includes an opening that extends through the first and second portions of the device and provides access to the interior of the body from outside the body. The opening and the outer surface of the substantially tubular second portion of the device define a wall that is thinner at the proximal end of the second portion than towards the distal end of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek M. Williams
  • Patent number: 8048099
    Abstract: To enable puncture of a body wall with a greater degree of sensitivity with a surgical obturator for puncturing the body wall having a knife, the cutting edge of which extends outwards from a tip of the obturator in the direction of various sides and backwards in relation to the tip, and which is orientated throughout its entire length parallel to the puncturing direction, so that the cutting edge points in the puncturing direction, it is proposed that the cutting edge be of helical line-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Johann Maliglowka, Rupert Mayenberger, Tom Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 8043328
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The shaft may be capable of an angled configuration where at least a portion of the shaft is manually movable to a direction in which it extends at an angle to another portion of the shaft. The end effector is not limited to a linear configuration and at least a portion of an elongated end effector extends at an angle relative to another portion of the end effector as is needed or desirable for the particular procedure to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Richard A. Hillstead, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Hahnen, Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Patent number: 8043357
    Abstract: A stent arrangement which has at least a first ring (3) and zig zag struts (5) extending axially from the periphery of the ring. There can be first and second rings (3, 4) axially spaced apart and defining substantially parallel planes and a plurality of zig zag portions (5) between the first and second ring portions around the periphery thereof. The stent can be formed from a single wire or laser cut from a cannula and can be covered or uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC, William A. Cook Australia Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: David Ernest Hartley
  • Patent number: 8043302
    Abstract: An implant retrieval frame for advancement of a retrieval device to snare an implant is disclosed. The frame comprises a first arm and a second arm. The first arm has a first handle end and a first pivot end. The second arm has a second handle end and a second pivot end. The second pivot end is connected to the first pivot end to define a pivot axis about which the first and second arm pivotally move. The frame further comprises a connector to which the retrieval device is attached. The connector is configured to cooperate with the first and second arms to translate pivotal movement of one of the first and second arms to linear movement of the retrieval device relative to the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Thomas A. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8043318
    Abstract: Lancet device utilizing a body, a holding member configured to receive a lancet having the lancet needle, a first spring structured and arranged to move the holding member between at least a retracted position and an extended position, and a second spring structured and arranged to move the holding member between at least an intermediate position and the retracted position. The first spring is at least one of smaller in diameter than the second spring and compressible by expansion of the second spring. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Stat Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Schraga
  • Patent number: 8043353
    Abstract: An insertion system with a self-expanding braided stent (11) for implantation in a blood vessel has an outer sleeve (12) with a distal end (14) and a proximal end. An inner sleeve (16) arranged in the outer sleeve (12) is displaceable relative to the latter and protrudes, with a handling section, from the proximal end of the outer sleeve (12). Moreover, at the distal end (15), there is a tip (18) which is securely connected to a stent support (24) on which the braided stent (11) is arranged in its loaded state. The stent support (24) is arranged to be displaceable relative to the inner sleeve (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: JOTEC GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kaufmann, Berthold Hauser
  • Patent number: 8034094
    Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a tubular stent which is retained in a body cavity of a living body; a pusher tube, whose distal end contacts with a proximal end of the stent, which pushes and moves the stent to a distal end side; a filament which connects the stent with the pusher tube by the proximal end side of the filament being engaged with the pusher tube and by the distal end side of the filament stretching to the stent side so as to penetrate the peripheral wall of the stent; an engaging member which is engaged with a distal end portion of the filament penetrating the peripheral wall of the stent, and which keeps the connecting condition between the stent and the pusher tube by the filament; and a pulling member which pulls a distal end side of the filament into a proximal end side of the pusher tube when the engagement between the engaging member and the filament is released and the connection between the stent and the pusher tube is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Daisuke Aoba, Yutaka Yanuma, Chika Miyajima
  • Patent number: 8034074
    Abstract: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Garner, Matthew L. Young, Andrew Forsberg, Louis Ellis, Gary Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8016838
    Abstract: An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body is disclosed. The device includes a support assembly, a transmitting assembly, a wire, and a net element. The support assembly has a base and a tubular member. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a motion transmitting link fixed to the handle and extending through at least a portion of the tubular member. The wire defines a loop portion and two leg portions. A proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the link by a first connection and the two leg portions are secured to each other by at least a second connection distal from the first connection. The net element has a distal portion secured to the loop portion and a proximal portion secured relative to the leg portions. The loop portion is movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: U.S. Endoscopy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kaye, Cynthia Ann Ranallo, Alex Uspenski, Aaron Boyce, Terra Cherry
  • Patent number: 8007508
    Abstract: A system for tissue dissection and retraction is disclosed herein. A tissue dissection assembly generally comprises an elongate body shaft, an actuation member movable relative to the elongate body shaft, and at least one dissector arm member having at least a first end attached to the elongate body shaft, wherein the at least one dissector arm member is adapted to reconfigure within a plane from a low profile to an expanded profile when urged via the actuation member, and wherein the at least one dissector arm is further adapted to dissect tissue within the plane. In use, the assembly dissects tissue within the plane typically by advancing the elongate body shaft into the tissue region where the dissector arm member or members are then reconfigured within the plane from its low profile to its expanded profile to thereby dissect the tissue region along the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: John A. Cox
  • Patent number: 8002779
    Abstract: A dermatome has a main body with a first profile and at least one blade assembly with a blade, a size, an orientation corresponding to the main body, and a second profile. The second profile has characteristics corresponding to the first profile to properly orient and locate the at least one blade for proper mounting of the blade to the main body. The profiles are shaped to provide clearance for the second profile to reciprocate relative to the first profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Barker, David J. Boles