Patents by Inventor Elvia Muro

Elvia Muro 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).

  • Shape lockable apparatus and method for advancing an instrument through unsupported anatomy
    Patent number: 7837615
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube disposed within a hydrophilic sheath or liner, and a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The sheath/liner may be disposable to permit reuse of the overtube. Loading devices may be provided for disposing the sheath/liner about the overtube. Tensioning mechanisms may be provided to selectively stiffen the overtube to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument, while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Tung Thanh Le, Vahid Saadat, Elvia Muro
  • Shape lockable apparatus and method for advancing an instrument through unsupported anatomy
    Publication number: 20050250990
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube disposed within a hydrophilic sheath or liner, and a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The sheath/liner may be disposable to permit reuse of the overtube. Loading devices may be provided for disposing the sheath/liner about the overtube. Tensioning mechanisms may be provided to selectively stiffen the overtube to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument, while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: USGI Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Tung Le, Vahid Saadat, Elvia Muro