Patents by Inventor Robert F. Bencini
Robert F. Bencini 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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Publication number: 20030176778Abstract: A medical device for use by an operator to perform a medical procedure in a body includes a handle to be held by the operator, a shaft attached to the handle and an actuating assembly to control functions associated with the medical procedure. The shaft includes an operative distal portion to perform a medical procedure in the body. The medical device may be part of an ablation catheter system that is programmed to correlate one or more functions with the actuation of the actuating assembly. Multiple actuating assemblies may be provided. Each actuating assembly may be a button. Other types of actuating assemblies may also be used, such as switches or a trackball. The actuating assembly may also be provided on a sleeve that may be selectively attached to the handle of the catheter or the physician operating the catheter, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Katie Messing, Jon Wohlgemuth, Robert F. Bencini, Miriam H. Taimisto, Richard Lardner
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Patent number: 6619838Abstract: A sensor assembly that allows a sensor to be detachably mounted onto a fluoroscopic mount, such as a C-arm, is provided. The sensor assembly includes an electromagnetic sensor that is configured for outputting positional data relating to the fluoroscopic mount. The sensor includes a mount engaging element, and the sensor mount includes a sensor engaging element, both of which are configured to be removably mounted in an interference relationship with each other. The mount engaging element of the sensor can be a sensor housing, or alternatively, an element that is separate from the sensor housing. The sensor mount, which is composed of a non-ferromagnetic material, further includes a spacer for maintaining the sensor a prescribed distance from the ferromagnetic fluoroscopic mount, thereby minimizing any adverse ferromagnetic effects on the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Jon Wohlgemuth, Katie Messing
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Publication number: 20030135156Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2003Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Bernard J. Durman, Peter Franklin Campbell, Brandon Shuman, Russell B. Thompson
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Patent number: 6579278Abstract: A steerable medical device comprises an elongated tubular body and first and second stiffening members, preferably in the form of compression coils or flat flexible wires. The stiffening members are arranged such that when a user engages a steering assembly, incorporated into the device, a distal end of the tubular body can be selectively bent in a first direction into a first configuration or in a second direction into a second configuration. The first and second configurations are functions of the lengths and locations of the first and second stiffening members.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Bencini
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Publication number: 20030050558Abstract: A sensor assembly that allows a sensor to be detachably mounted onto a fluoroscopic mount, such as a C-arm, is provided.. The sensor assembly comprises an electromagnetic sensor that is configured for outputting positional data relating to the fluoroscopic mount. The sensor includes a mount engaging element, and the sensor mount includes a sensor engaging element, both of which are configured to be removably mounted in an interference relationship with each other. The mount engaging element of the sensor can be a sensor housing, or alternatively, an element that is separate from the sensor housing. The sensor mount, which is composed of a non-ferromagnetic material, further includes a spacer for maintaining the sensor a prescribed distance from the ferromagnetic fluoroscopic mount, thereby minimizing any adverse ferromagnetic effects on the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Jon Wohlgemuth, Katie Messing
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Publication number: 20030009162Abstract: Distal catheter assemblies, catheters, and methods for minimizing damage to heat and/or magnetically sensitive components are provided. A distal catheter assembly comprises a housing having a cavity and a proximal mounting member. The sensitive component, e.g., a magnetic sensor, is mounted within the cavity of the housing, and another component, e.g., a steering assembly or RF wire, is mounted to the proximal mounting member. If the proximal mounting member is hollow, it may have a window to provide access to the inner surface of the proximal mounting member to facilitate mounting of the other component. The proximal mounting member extends proximally from the sensitive component, thereby minimizing any adverse effects on the sensitive component that may otherwise result from mounting the other component in close proximity to the sensitive component. In the preferred embodiment, the housing forms a cap-shaped head and a cylindrical neck section, with the head forming an ablation electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Katie Messing, Jon Wohlgemuth, Robert F. Bencini
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Publication number: 20030009161Abstract: Distal catheter assemblies, catheters, and methods for minimizing damage to heat and/or magnetically sensitive components are provided. A distal catheter assembly comprises a distal housing having a cavity and a separate proximal mounting member. A first component, e.g., a sensor, is mounted within the cavity of the housing, and a second component, e.g., a steering assembly or RF wire, is mounted to the proximal mounting member. If the proximal mounting member is hollow, it may have a window to provide access to the inner surface of the proximal mounting member to facilitate mounting of the second component. After the first and second components are mounted, the proximal mounting member can then be affixed to the distal housing, thereby minimizing any adverse affects on the sensitive component that may otherwise result from mounting the first and second components on a single member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Katie Messing, Jon Wohlgemuth, Robert F. Bencini
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Publication number: 20030009163Abstract: Distal catheter assemblies, catheters, and methods for minimizing damage to heat and/or magnetically sensitive components are provided. A distal catheter assembly comprises a composite housing having a cavity formed therein and first and second complementary lateral housing sections. A first component, e.g., a sensor, is mounted within the first housing section. Optionally, a second component, e.g., a steering assembly or RF wire, can also be mounted to the first housing section. The open housing section allows the first and second components to be mounted in any order. Thus, if the first component is mounted last, any adverse effects on the first component that may otherwise result from mounting the components in the reverse order may be minimized. After the first and second components are mounted, the first and second housing sections are affixed to each other in a suitable manner, e.g., by using a pin and hole arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Katie Messing, Jon Wohlgemuth, Robert F. Bencini
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Electrophysiological probes having selective element actuation and variable lesion length capability
Publication number: 20030004505Abstract: An apparatus having a support structure, a plurality of longitudinally spaced conductive regions, and an actuation device including at least one electrical contact located within the support structure and movable between respective positions where the one electrical contact is in electrical connection with one of the spaced conductive regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Miriam H. Taimisto -
Patent number: 6206897Abstract: A surgical device having a latching mechanism comprising a latch member; and a retaining member having at least one aperture adapted to receive and retain said latch member in a locked position, said latch member and said retaining member being of contrasting colors so that when the latch member is locked in place by the retaining member that the latch member's presence in the locked position is externally visible.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1994Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Leslie Hamilton, Richard Smith, Robert F. Bencini
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Patent number: 6014579Abstract: An endocardial mapping catheter for introduction into a chamber of a heart formed by a wall. The flexible elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of longitudinally-extending spaced-apart members are carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and have proximal extremities and interconnected distal extremities. Certain of the plurality of longitudinally-extending members are arms of a basket-like assembly and are movable between contracted positions and expanded positions in which the arms bow outwardly from the longitudinal axis. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes are carried by each of the arms. Electrical conductors extend through the flexible elongate tubular member and are connected to the electrodes for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes. At least one additional electrode is slidably mounted on one of the longitudinally-extending members.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Cardiac Pathways Corp.Inventors: Mark L. Pomeranz, Susan M. Pietroski, Harold A. Heitzmann, Robert F. Bencini, Edward M. Gillis
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Patent number: 5976164Abstract: A semi-automatic cardiac tissue removal device for obtaining biopsy samples and/or creating revascularization pathways in the myocardium of the heart, mechanically cuts the pathways using a handpiece with a cutting tip assembly having a hollow needle with an angled, sharpened edge rotatable mounted around a separately advancable stylet. The stylet defines a piercer to spread the myocardium prior to insertion of the needle and to allow creation of a pathway only within the myocardium. The stylet further defines a plug at the cutting edge of the needle to finish the cutting cleanly and to plug the hollow needle thereby forming a closed chamber for excised tissue. A single button on the left or right handed handpiece actuates movement of the stylet into the myocardium, movement of the needle into the path produced by the piercer, and rotation of the needle to cut tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Eclipse Surgical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Richard L. Mueller, Richard D. Phipps
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Patent number: 5401248Abstract: An elastomeric seal for a trocar assembly is disclosed. The seal can be used in a trocar device to seal against loss of gas pressure during a laparoscopic surgical procedure when a surgical instrument is inserted therethrough as well as when no instrument is inserted. The preferred one piece seal is cylindrical and has first and second collapsed sections defining generally a curved slit. The elastomeric seal is preferably composed of a silicone rubber. The seal has the advantages of simplicity of manufacture and assembly and the ability to provide an adequate seal against the surface of any surgical instrument inserted through it. Also, the improved seal will require a small amount of force to insert instruments and will resist eversion when instruments are withdrawn.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1994Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Ethicon Endo-SurgeryInventor: Robert F. Bencini
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Patent number: 5172700Abstract: A disposable biopsy forceps includes an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends. Manually operated actuating means is mounted to the proximal end of the flexible tubular member. A biopsy jaw assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tubular member and is operatively connected to the actuating means by a control wire extending through the tubular member. Several embodiments of jaw arrangements are disclosed. At least the cups and cutting rim portion of the cutting jaws retain an edge sufficiently sharp to cut tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1990Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Barry D. Weitzner
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Patent number: 5084054Abstract: A surgical gripping instrument comprises a support assembly, a slide mounted on the support assembly for relative movement with respect thereto, a wire movable with the slide relative to the support assembly, gripping means at the distal end of the wire, and a sheath enveloping the wire. Movement of the wire a predetermined distance relative to the sheath causes the gripping means to be actuated. A belt or gear arrangement is provided to enable the slide to be moved a distance relative to the support assembly less than the predetermined distance causing sufficient displacement of said sheath relative to the gripping means to actuate the latter.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1990Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Barry D. Weitzner, Stanley H. Remiszewski
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Patent number: 5052402Abstract: A disposable biopsy forceps includes an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends. Manually operated actuating means is mounted to the proximal end of the flexible tubular member. A biopsy jaw assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tubular member and is operatively connected to the actuating means by a control wire extending through the tubular member. Several embodiments of jaw arrangements are disclosed. At least the cups and cutting rim portion of the cutting jaws is formed from an injection molded plastic capable of holding and retaining an edge sufficiently sharp to cut tissue.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1991Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Bencini, Barry D. Weitzner
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Patent number: D418223Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Eclipse Surgical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Phipps, Loren D. Stirling, Robert F. Bencini