Patents by Inventor Howard C. Topel

Howard C. Topel 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: 6468228
    Abstract: A surgical tissue morcellator (10) for percutaneously morcellating and debulking tissue during a minimally invasive, endoscopic surgical procedure. In an insertion configuration, the morcellator includes an outer cutting sheath (11) and an insertion member (15) inserted therethrough and positioned relative thereto via a connector (20). The connector includes an adaptor (18) positioned at the proximal portion (13) of the outer cutting sheath. The adaptor includes a lock member (22) such as a pin extending radially into the bore (19) of the adaptor. A second lock member (23) in the form of a T-shaped slot is formed in the surface of the insertion member to receive and position the pin therein. In a morcellation configuration, the morcellator includes a handle (24) that is positioned in the bore of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Vance Products Incorporated
    Inventors: Howard C. Topel, Thomas L. Foster
  • Patent number: 5488958
    Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for coring, debulking, and removing a large, tough tissue mass such as a fibroid tumor through a trocar access sheath during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The instrument includes an outer sheath having a distal cutting end for coring the tissue mass and an inner elongated member having a distal, tissue affixation end such as a helical coil for inserting into and stabilizing the tissue mass during the surgical coring procedure. The cutting instrument further includes an instrument engagement assembly when in an engaged position for urging the outer sheath toward the distal end of the inner elongated member. As a result, tissue affixed to the distal end of the inner elongated member is cored as the outer sheath is urged toward the distal end of the inner member and engages the affixed tissue. The instrument engagement assembly includes sheath and member engagement subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Vance Products Incorporated
    Inventors: Howard C. Topel, Thomas L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4958621
    Abstract: An endoscopic aspiration instrument suitable for use with a trocar sheath in laparoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed for aspirating fluid from an ovarian cyst without leakage of the fluid into the peritoneal cavity. The endoscopic instrument comprises a elongated suction tube member having a needle guide positioned within the passageway thereof. The suction tube and needle guide are connected at the proximal ends thereof with the use of a three access port connector. The first access port connects to the proximal end of the suction tube. The proximal end of the needle guide tube is extended through the first port and connected to the second port of the T-type connector. An aspiration needle is inserted through a sealing cap positioned over the second access port and into the passageway of the needle guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Vance Products Incorporated
    Inventors: Howard C. Topel, Thomas L. Foster