Patents by Inventor Stephen F. Spencer

Stephen F. Spencer 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: 5759502
    Abstract: An instrument cassette includes a wall having a first hole defined therein. The instrument cassette further includes a holder having a channel and a second hole defined therein. The instrument cassette also includes an instrument support positioned within the channel of the holder. The instrument support has a blocking notch defined therein. The instrument cassette includes a screw which extends through the first hole and the second hole. The instrument cassette further includes a nut positioned within the blocking notch and secured to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Sterilization Cassette Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Spencer, Cary A. Bettenhausen, Todd E. Bettenhausen
  • Patent number: 5127916
    Abstract: A localization needle assembly includes an outer tubular cannula and a reinforced needle structure slidably mounted for movement within the outer cannula between extended and retracted portions, the needle structure includes a rearwardly extending retractable barb and a non-retractable barb which are contained within the outer cannula when the inner needle structure is extended while the surgeon locates a lesion. When the target area is reached, the inner needle structure is retracted, and the retractable barb is deployed through an opening in the sidewall of the outer cannula for anchoring the localization needle assembly in body tissue in the proximity of the lesion. When positioning is satisfied with precise targeting of the lesion, the outer cannula is removed, leaving both the fixed and retractable barbs in place with both barbs deployed and localizing the lesion to be removed for biopsy procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Medical Device Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Spencer, Thomas J. Jansen