Patents by Inventor Rex Wesley Shores

Rex Wesley Shores 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: 8518065
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 7984838
    Abstract: A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, Gabriel A. Johnston, Robert L. Woods
  • Patent number: 7641655
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved coupling arrangements for medical instruments. In one example, a coupling system for a medical dissection tool includes: an internal passage adapted for receiving a portion of a medical dissection tool; and at least one locking member movable through a first angled path into a locked position to prevent the medical dissection tool from moving along a longitudinal axis of the internal passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, Paul A. Cihak, Larry D. Estes
  • Patent number: 7559927
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 7549992
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a surgical instrument for the dissection of bone or other tissue, the surgical instrument including a tool having a shaft with a dissection area disposed adjacent a distal end and a coupling area disposed adjacent a proximal end; a coupling assembly configured for coupling to a power output of a motor to said coupling area of said tool; and an angled attachment tube positionable along at least a portion of said shaft and substantially supporting a portion of said shaft disposed adjacent said dissection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, Larry D. Estes, Paul A. Cihak, Allen P. Hilton, Donald L. Hilton, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080208195
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 7066940
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G Savage
  • Patent number: 7011661
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool. The cavity may define a drive portion and a tool receiving aperture. One or more alignment projections may extend from the drive portion into the tool receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker
  • Patent number: 7001391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an adaptor disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The spindle includes a cavity and a male member projecting into the cavity. The adaptor includes a drive shaft that extends along an axis and includes a first end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool. The cavity may define a drive portion and a tool receiving aperture. One or more alignment projections may extend from the drive portion into the tool receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dale Estes, Danny C. Riedel, Allen P. Hilton, James Q. Spitler, Rex Wesley Shores
  • Publication number: 20040186479
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument includes a motor assembly, a collet, a locking nut, and an attachment. The motor assembly includes a cavity having a groove on an inner surface that corresponds to a groove on an outer surface of the collet. The corresponding grooves form an aperture when the collet is inserted into the cavity. The insertion of a pin into the aperture prevents rotation of the collet relative to the cavity. The locking nut is placed over the collet and fastened to the motor assembly to secure the collet to the motor assembly. The attachment is fastened to the collet by placing protuberances on the attachment into corresponding apertures on the collet. The consistent alignment provided by the locking and indexing system enables the motor assembly and attachment to receive alignment markings before the surgical instrument is assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc. d/b/a Medtronic Midas Rex
    Inventors: Durrell G. Tidwell, Rex Wesley Shores
  • Patent number: 6780189
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument includes a motor assembly, a collet, a locking nut, and an attachment. The motor assembly includes a cavity having a groove on an inner surface that corresponds to a groove on an outer surface of the collet. The corresponding grooves form an aperture when the collet is inserted into the cavity. The insertion of a pin into the aperture prevents rotation of the collet relative to the cavity. The locking nut is placed over the collet and fastened to the motor assembly to secure the collet to the motor assembly. The attachment is fastened to the collet by placing protuberances on the attachment into corresponding apertures on the collet. The consistent alignment provided by the locking and indexing system enables the motor assembly and attachment to receive alignment markings before the surgical instrument is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Durrell G. Tidwell, Rex Wesley Shores
  • Publication number: 20040122460
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Publication number: 20030229351
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument includes a motor assembly, a collet, a locking nut, and an attachment. The motor assembly includes a cavity having a groove on an inner surface that corresponds to a groove on an outer surface of the collet. The corresponding grooves form an aperture when the collet is inserted into the cavity. The insertion of a pin into the aperture prevents rotation of the collet relative to the cavity. The locking nut is placed over the collet and fastened to the motor assembly to secure the collet to the motor assembly. The attachment is fastened to the collet by placing protuberances on the attachment into corresponding apertures on the collet. The consistent alignment provided by the locking and indexing system enables the motor assembly and attachment to receive alignment markings before the surgical instrument is assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc. d/b/a Medtronic Midas Rex
    Inventors: Durrell G Tidwell, Rex Wesley Shores
  • Publication number: 20030163134
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool. The cavity may define a drive portion and a tool receiving aperture. One or more alignment projections may extend from the drive portion into the tool receiving aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc. d/b/a Medtronic Midas Rex
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker
  • Publication number: 20030023256
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an adaptor disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The spindle includes a cavity and a male member projecting into the cavity. The adaptor includes a drive shaft that extends along an axis and includes a first end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool. The cavity may define a drive portion and a tool receiving aperture. One or more alignment projections may extend from the drive portion into the tool receiving aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc. d/b/a Medtronic Midas Rex
    Inventors: Larry Dale Estes, Danny C. Riedel, Allen P. Hilton, James Q. Spitler, Rex Wesley Shores
  • Publication number: 20020151902
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage