Patents Represented by Attorney Robert P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8348864
    Abstract: A uterine cavity length measuring device includes a first elongate member including a lumen and a plurality of apertures extending between the lumen and an exterior surface of the first elongate member, and a second elongate member including a lumen, and at least one aperture located at a distal end extending from the lumen of the second elongate member to an exterior surface, where the second elongate member is positioned within and is configured to move within the lumen of the first elongate member and where the first elongate member and second elongate member provide a fluid path from a proximal end of the lumen in the second elongate member, through the lumen in the second elongate member to the at least one aperture located at the distal end of the second elongate member and to at least one of the plurality of apertures in the first elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kotmel, J. Brook Burley, Russel M. Sampson, Estela H. Hilario
  • Patent number: 8277445
    Abstract: A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Russel M. Sampson, Eugene V. Skalnyi
  • Patent number: 8231619
    Abstract: Sterilization devices and methods for deploying porous implants within the fallopian tubes are disclosed. The devices include a catheter component including an external electrode sheath containing at least two deployable implants and a positioning member. Sliding the external sheath proximally disposes the implants within the fallopian tubes, while sliding both the positioning member and external electrode sheath distally reloads a second implant into the external electrode sheath. The devices further includes a handle component, which houses a chassis, external electrode sheath carrier, reciprocating shaft, positioning member carrier and first and second engaging members. The reciprocating shaft may be operated by a motor to slide distally and proximally along a long axis. The reciprocating shaft, external electrode sheath and its carrier, upon selective actuation, move together proportionally to deploy and reload the implants to facilitate occlusion of the fallopian tubes and complete sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: David Callaghan, Matthew LaPlaca, Jeffrey Model, Mark Putnam, James Duronio
  • Patent number: 8226645
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device adapted for occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body for sterilization purposes. The device delivers RF energy to wound tissue at a desired location within at least one fallopian tube and implants a porous foam plug adjacent to the wounded tissue at said location. Depending on the plug's pore sizes, vascularized tissue may grow into the plug to prevent or discourage the formation of scar tissue around the plug and/or a vascularized capsule may form around the plug, which limits the patient's foreign body response so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Harrington, Victoria E. Carr-Brendel, Brett S. Bowman
  • Patent number: 8007449
    Abstract: A uterine cavity length measuring device includes a first elongate member including a lumen and a plurality of apertures extending between the lumen and an exterior surface of the first elongate member, and a second elongate member including a lumen, and at least one aperture located at a distal end extending from the lumen of the second elongate member to an exterior surface, where the second elongate member is positioned within and is configured to move within the lumen of the first elongate member and where the first elongate member and second elongate member provide a fluid path from a proximal end of the lumen in the second elongate member, through the lumen in the second elongate member to the at least one aperture located at the distal end of the second elongate member and to at least one of the plurality of apertures in the first elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kotmel, J. Brook Burley, Russel M. Sampson, Estela H. Hilario
  • Patent number: 7996065
    Abstract: A biopsy marker deployment device adapted to selectively deposit a marker in a target location, such as a biopsy site. In one embodiment, the device includes a deployment assembly comprising a cannula adapted to house at least one marker, an outlet aperture defined by a portion of the cannula, and an actuatable pushrod slidably disposed and movable within the cannula. The deployment assembly further comprises a selectively opening outlet door movable between an open position and a closed position. The outlet door is biased in the closed position and at least partially obstructs the aperture in the closed position to prevent a marker from reentering the cannula upon deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Suros Surgical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry D. Hardin, Zachary R. Nicoson, Brian Zimmer, Michael E. Miller
  • Patent number: D641471
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Zimmer, Zachary R. Nicoson, Laresha V. Fluker
  • Patent number: D643118
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S Zimmer, Zachary R. Nicoson, Laresha V. Fluker, Kyle S. Curry