Patents by Inventor James J. Frassica
James J. Frassica 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).
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Patent number: 11432838Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: HydroCision, Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Staid, James J. Frassica, Ernest A Dion, David P. Hesketh, Joseph A. Meranda
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Publication number: 20200060709Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Kevin P. Staid, James J. Frassica, Ernest A. Dion, David P. Hesketh, Joseph A. Meranda
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Patent number: 10363061Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: HydroCision, Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Staid, James J. Frassica, Ernest A. Dion, David P. Hesketh, Joseph A. Meranda
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Patent number: 10321809Abstract: A rotary unit includes a first taper tubular portion which is contiguous to a first axial direction side of a unit main body portion and in which a first unit end of the rotary unit is positioned, an outer diameter of the first taper tubular portion becoming smaller toward the first axial direction. The rotary unit includes a first projecting portion extended on an outer peripheral portion of the first taper tubular portion with projecting toward an outer peripheral direction and wound toward a first around-axis direction as the first projecting portion extends from the first axial direction toward a second axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroaki Miyoshi, Robert Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard Andrews
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Patent number: 9895051Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Takehiro Nishiie, Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, David E. Gately, Matthew S. Carlone
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Publication number: 20170258484Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Kevin P. Staid, James J. Frassica, Ernest Allen Dion, David P. Hesketh, Joseph A. Meranda
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Patent number: 9597107Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: HydroCision, Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Staid, James J. Frassica, Ernest Allen Dion, David P. Hesketh, Joseph A. Meranda
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Publication number: 20170071447Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Takehiro NISHIIE, Robert E. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, David E. GATELY, Matthew S. CARLONE
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Patent number: 9538904Abstract: A spiral unit includes a base tube extended along a longitudinal axis and made of a first thermoplastic resin, and a fin disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the base tube along a fin axis spirally extended around the longitudinal axis and made of a second thermoplastic resin. The fin includes a strip portion provided in a state of being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the base tube and spirally extended along the fin axis. The second resin being mixed with a magnetic material in the strip portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
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Publication number: 20160135661Abstract: A spiral cap includes: a cap body with one end portion fitted to one end of a tube body which is rotatably attached to an insertion section of an introducing device; and a fin connector provided on the cap body and formed on a side closer to the other end of the tube body than the end of the cap body which is fitted to the one end of the tube body, the fin connector being connected to an end portion of a main fin portion which is provided on an outer surface of the tube body in a spiral shape about a longitudinal axis of the tube body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, Hiroaki MIYOSHI
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Publication number: 20160100744Abstract: A spiral unit into which an insertion section of an introduction apparatus having a longitudinal axis is to be inserted, and is rotatable to the insertion section in a state of being disposed on the insertion section, includes a regulator which is removably arranged in a tubular section, holds a state of expanding an inner diameter of the tubular section to regulate reduction of the inner diameter of the tubular section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
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Publication number: 20160100743Abstract: A spiral unit includes a base tube extended along a longitudinal axis and made of a first thermoplastic resin, and a fin disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the base tube along a fin axis spirally extended around the longitudinal axis and made of a second thermoplastic resin. The fin includes a strip portion provided in a state of being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the base tube and spirally extended along the fin axis. The second resin being mixed with a magnetic material in the strip portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert A. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, Hiroaki MIYOSHI
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Patent number: 9220395Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: James J. Frassica
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Publication number: 20150164303Abstract: A rotary unit includes a first taper tubular portion which is contiguous to a first axial direction side of a unit main body portion and in which a first unit end of the rotary unit is positioned, an outer diameter of the first taper tubular portion becoming smaller toward the first axial direction. The rotary unit includes a first projecting portion extended on an outer peripheral portion of the first taper tubular portion with projecting toward an outer peripheral direction and wound toward a first around-axis direction as the first projecting portion extends from the first axial direction toward a second axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.Inventors: Hiroaki MIYOSHI, Robert AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard ANDREWS
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Patent number: 8870755Abstract: Apparatus comprising a tube sized to receive visualization apparatus; a deformable helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the deformable helical thread (i) being transformable between a first configuration wherein the deformable helical thread comprises a reduced profile and/or a reduced rigidity and a second configuration wherein the deformable helical thread comprises an expanded profile and/or an increased rigidity, and (ii) when in its second configuration, having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway so that the deformable helical thread engages the interior wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the wall of the bodily passageway; and a thread varying element dynamically varying at least one of the height of the deformable helical thread and the rigidity of the deformable helical thread.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger
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Patent number: 8777841Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway comprising providing a visualization system comprising a tube, visualization apparatus disposed within the tube, and a deformable helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the deformable helical thread being transformable between a first configuration wherein the deformable helical thread comprises a reduced profile and/or a reduced rigidity and a second configuration wherein the deformable helical thread comprises an expanded profile and/or increased rigidity; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized, with the deformable helical thread being in its second configuration; rotating the tube so as to induce relative movement between the passageway and the tube, whereby to move the visualization apparatus and the site which is to be visualized closer together; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger
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Patent number: 8764631Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.Inventor: James J. Frassica
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Patent number: 8764640Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc.Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
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Patent number: 8747300Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway, comprising providing a visualization system comprising a tube having a distal and a proximal end, at least a portion of the distal end being rotatable; visualization apparatus disposed within the system; and a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the rotatable portion of the tube, the helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity and surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the passageway and the helical thread engages the wall of the passageway, rotation of the rotatable portion of the tube induces a relative movement between the tube and the wall of the passageway; inserting the system into the passageway; rotating the rotatable portion of the tube so as to bring together a site which is to be visualized and the visualization apparatus; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger
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Patent number: 8684913Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc.Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi