Patents by Inventor Alistair I. Fleming

Alistair I. Fleming has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9615876
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of resected tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B), the bipolar electrosurgical assembly being adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region (A) as compared with the second circumferential region (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew E. Jenkins, Hollie E. Johnston, Alistair I. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20150057660
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of resected tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B), the bipolar electrosurgical assembly being adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region (A) as compared with the second circumferential region (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew E. JENKINS, Hollie E. JOHNSTON, Alistair I. FLEMING
  • Patent number: 8900230
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of resected tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B), the bipolar electrosurgical assembly being adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region (A) as compared with the second circumferential region (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Andrew E. Jenkins, Hollie E. Johnston, Alistair I. Fleming
  • Patent number: 8343148
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly comprises first and second electrodes separated by an insulation member. When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly, and relative movement is initiated between the tube and the tissue, a core of severed tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The tube comprises a twin-walled construction with an inner wall, an outer wall and an air gap therebetween. This twin-walled construction reduces the heat that is able to travel proximally along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Alistair I. Fleming, Julian M. Ebbutt, Andrew E. Jenkins, Hollie Johnston, Rhodri G. James
  • Publication number: 20110184409
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of resected tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B), the bipolar electrosurgical assembly being adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region (A) as compared with the second circumferential region (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew E. JENKINS, Hollie E. Johnston, Alistair I. Fleming
  • Patent number: 7901401
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprises a generator and an instrument including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating spacer separating the first and second electrodes. The generator repeatedly measures a characteristic of the radio frequency output such as the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The generator analyses the impedance measurements, and interrupts the radio frequency signal when the rate of change of the impedance is such as to indicate the onset of a “flare-out”. In this way, the power is reduced before the flare-out leads to permanent damage or failure of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Alistair I Fleming, Huw L Jones
  • Publication number: 20090292281
    Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly comprises first and second electrodes separated by an insulation member. When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly, and relative movement is initiated between the tube and the tissue, a core of severed tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The tube comprises a twin-walled construction with an inner wall, an outer wall and an air gap therebetween. This twin-walled construction reduces the heat that is able to travel proximally along the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Alistair I. Fleming, Julian M. Ebbutt, Andrew E. Jenkins, Hollie Johnston, Rhodri G. James
  • Publication number: 20080065129
    Abstract: A tissue morcellating device (1) is provided for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient. The morcellating device (1) comprisies a hollow tube (3) having a distal end portion, and tissue cutting means (5) located at the distal end of the tube, such that, when relative movement is initiated between the tube and the tissue, a core of severed tissue is formed within the tube for removal from the body cavity of the patient through the hollow tube. The hollow tube (3) is provided with a stop mechanism (7) which is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the hollow tube (3), the stop mechanism being provided with a shoulder (8) for limiting the longitudinal insertion of the tube into the patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Kester J. Batchelor, Alistair I. Fleming, Rhodri G. James, Thomas R. K. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7220260
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprises a generator and an instrument including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating spacer separating the first and second electrodes. The generator repeatedly measures a characteristic of the radio frequency output such as the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The generator analyses the impedance measurements, and interrupts the radio frequency signal when the rate of change of the impedance is such as to indicate the onset of a “flare-out”. In this way, the power is reduced before the flare-out leads to permanent damage or failure of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Gyrus Medical Limited
    Inventors: Alistair I. Fleming, Huw L Jones
  • Publication number: 20040002745
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprises a generator and an instrument including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating spacer separating the first and second electrodes. The generator repeatedly measures a characteristic of the radio frequency output such as the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The generator analyses the impedance measurements, and interrupts the radio frequency signal when the rate of change of the impedance is such as to indicate the onset of a “flare-out”. In this way, the power is reduced before the flare-out leads to permanent damage or failure of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED.
    Inventors: Alistair I. Fleming, Huw L. Jones