Patents Examined by Christopher L Templeton
  • Surgical string applicator for anastomosis surgery and method of use
    Patent number: 10285706
    Abstract: A surgical string applicator and method of use for anastomosis surgery are provided. The surgical string applicator includes an elongate shaft, a string applying assembly including a pair of opposing jaws connected to a distal end of the shaft, one or more jaws including one or more grooves along an inner surface of the jaw, each of the grooves configured to receive therein at least a portion of a surgical string, such as a zip-tie, and a string fastening mechanism adapted to engage and fasten the surgical string; and a handle portion connected to the proximal end of the shaft; the handle portion including control mechanisms adapted to open and close at least one of the jaws and to actuate the string fastening mechanism. Further provided is an intra-lumenal position guide to be used together with the surgical string applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Unique Surgical Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Francisco Sergio Pinheiro Regadas
  • Torque tool for fixable stimulation-sensing leads
    Patent number: 10279169
    Abstract: A fixation tool for applying torque to a terminal pin of an active fixation medical electrical lead includes a first handle, a second handle, an elastic member, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an insert. The insert is disposed at an end of the tool slot proximal to the elastic member. The insert includes an insert slot configured to align with the tool slot. The fixation tool is configured such that pressing the first handle and the second handle toward each other causes a movement of the first jaw and the second jaw relative to each other to change a width of the insert slot. The first jaw and the second jaw are comprised of a first material. The insert is comprised of a second material. The first material is harder than the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Linda L. Evert
  • Deployment handle for an introducer
    Patent number: 10278846
    Abstract: A handle for an implant deployment device converts rotational movement into longitudinal movement in order to provide controlled release of one or more trigger wires. The handle also allows the trigger wire to be withdrawn into the device so that it does not need to be separately removed. A preferred handle includes a rotatable portion (120) and a slideable portion (122). Releasable locks (88, 188) ensure that the handle is used to carry out implant deployment steps in a specific order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Lars S. Nimgaard
  • Vibrating surgical instruments for blunt dissection
    Patent number: 10271867
    Abstract: A dissector including a body, a first arm, a second arm, and a string. The first arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof and the second arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof. One end of the string is coupled to the first arm adjacent the distal end thereof and the other end of the string is coupled to the second arm adjacent the distal end thereof. The first and second arms have an expanded configuration such that the string is taut and have a collapsed configuration such that the string is slack. The string is configured to dissect tissue when the first and second arms are in the expanded configuration. The string may oscillate to dissect tissue. The distal ends of the first and second arms may atraumatically dissect tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Katelyn Galer, Justin Williams, Danyel Racenet, Kevin Sniffin, Stanislaw Marczyk, Saumya Banerjee
  • Surgical instrument for manipulating and passing suture
    Patent number: 10265062
    Abstract: A suture manipulating instrument for passing and retrieving suture through a tissue includes a handle mechanism, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a working distal end. The working distal end includes a needle body, a lumen defined by the needle body, a tissue penetrating distal tip, and a lateral slot. A preformed inner member is movably disposed within the lumen of the needle. The handle mechanism is used to extend the wire from the lateral slot of the needle, and to retract the wire into the lateral slot, allowing the working end of the instrument to grasp and manipulate suture by pinning and/or trapping the suture against the needle. In embodiments the inner member is further retracted within the needle lumen, drawing a length of suture into the needle lumen. The suture is subsequently ejected from the needle lumen to form a suture loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Seth A. Foerster, Thomas Weisel, Roger Pisarnwongs
  • Tunneling tool and method for an implantable medical lead extension
    Patent number: 10265096
    Abstract: A tunneling tool is used to create a subcutaneous tunnel for passage of a lead extension. The lead extension is transported from a proximal incision site to a distal incision site and as a result the proximal connector of the lead extension does not pass through the subcutaneous tunnel. The tunneling tool may carry the lead extension during the tunneling procedure. The tunneling tool may include a tool body that contains the lead extension as the lead extension is being carried to the distal incision site. The tunneling tool may further include a tracker tube that is present within the tool body, and the lead extension is contained in and carried by the tracker tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Aehle
  • System and a method for delivery of an annuloplasty implant
    Patent number: 10251749
    Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivery of an annuloplasty implant for a patient are disclosed. The delivery system comprises a commissure locator device for locating a commissure, comprising; an extension member, a catheter, and wherein the extension member is extendable relative the catheter for location of at least one commissure of a cardiac valve, and a coronary sinus contractor for temporary insertion into the coronary sinus (CS) and having a displacement unit being temporarily transferable to an activated state in which the shape of the annulus of the heart valve is modified to a modified shape to be retained by said annuloplasty implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Medtentia International Ltd Oy
    Inventors: Hans-Reinhard Zerkowski, Olli Keränen, Ger O'Carroll, Mark Pugh, Adrian Moran
  • Methods and systems for knotless suture anchoring
    Patent number: 10245020
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for securing tissue to bone. A surgical system can include an outer shaft, an elongate inner shaft, and an implantable suture anchor assembly including first and second anchor bodies. The second, more proximal, anchor body has one or more openings extending through a side wall or through opposed side walls thereof. The inner shaft is configured to be received within the outer shaft and through the first and second anchor bodies such that a distal end of the inner shaft protrudes beyond a distal end of the first anchor body. The inner shaft is configured to be removably coupled to the first anchor body such that the inner shaft is configured to be rotated to cause a proximal portion of the first anchor body to move proximally into a lumen extending through the second anchor body and to occlude the opening in the second anchor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SARL
    Inventors: Adam Gustafson, Gerome Miller, Benjamin Cleveland, Stefan Gabriel
  • Methods and apparatus for delivering and positioning sheet-like materials in surgery
    Patent number: 10245138
    Abstract: An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The implant delivery system includes a distal guidewire port for receiving the proximal end of guidewire after the guidewire distal end has been affixed to a first point on bone or other tissue. The implant delivery system is tracked over the guidewire to a selected position defined by the guidewire attachment. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Rotation Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer, Nathaniel Z. Zenz-Olson, John Quackenbush, Jeff Sims
  • Methods for diagnosing and delivering therapeutic interventions in the peritoneal cavity
    Patent number: 10238392
    Abstract: A device and system are described that are capable of isolating at least one targeted tissue and forming an anastomosis between two internal body structures though a completely endoscopic procedure. Further, the device and system described generally comprise two tubular members that are capable of moving in a telescopic fashion relative to one another. Additionally, a method is described for using the device and/or system to bypass the duodenum from digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: CVDevices, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Jose A. Navia, Sr.
  • Obstruction device
    Patent number: 10219931
    Abstract: An obstruction device includes an obstruction disc mounted on a proximal portion of a shaft. Anchoring members are disposed on the shaft on a proximal side of the obstruction disc. The anchoring members include a pair of loops which are orthogonal to each other, one being a longitudinal member and the other a latitudinal member. One or more support struts, which include one or more loops, are disposed on a distal side of the obstruction disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Easynotes Ltd.
    Inventors: Izhak Fabian, Nir Altman, Steven Haas, Yoav Hirsch
  • Suture-securing for cardiac valve repair
    Patent number: 10206673
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a casing, shaped to define a cavity, and one or more openings in the casing, in which openings one or more sutures are disposable; and a core, disposed in the cavity, and shaped to define a lumen in which the sutures are disposable. The apparatus has an unlocked configuration in which the sutures are disposable within and slidable through the openings and the lumen, and a locking configuration in which the sutures are inhibited from sliding through the openings and the lumen. The apparatus is movable from the unlocked configuration to the locking configuration, and is configured such that, when the sutures are disposed within the openings and the lumen, and the apparatus moves from the unlocked configuration to the locking configuration, the apparatus cuts the sutures at a cutting site, and becomes coupled to the sutures at a coupling site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: 4TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Maisano, Hugo Vanermen, Ottavio Alfieri, Idan Tobis, Andrea Guidotti, Paolo Denti
  • Apparatus for inserting surgical thread, and surgical procedure kit for inserting surgical thread comprising same
    Patent number: 10178990
    Abstract: A medical thread insertion surgery kit includes an insertion path forming unit which includes a pipe member comprising a pipe that is hollow and forms a path through which a medical thread is to be inserted and a support member comprising a support rod that is inserted into the pipe of the pipe member and has stiffness greater than stiffness of the pipe member; a medical thread supply unit which supplies a medical thread through the pipe member after the support member is removed from the insertion path forming unit; and a push unit that is slidable in the pipe of the pipe member and pushes the medical thread through the pipe of the pipe member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Y. Jacobs Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Young Jae Kim
  • Specimen retrieval device with pouch stop
    Patent number: 10154833
    Abstract: A specimen retrieval device includes an outer shaft defining a bore, an inner shaft slidably disposed within the bore of the outer shaft, a pouch detachably coupled to a distal end of the inner shaft, and a pouch retention mechanism configured to selectively retain the pouch at the distal end of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Henry Holsten, Thomas Zammataro, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Peter Hathaway
  • Suturing instrument with elastomeric cleat
    Patent number: 10149678
    Abstract: A surgical instrument that has a cartridge receiving assembly, a shaft assembly, and a needle driving cartridge. The cartridge receiving assembly in connected to the shaft assembly. The needle driving cartridge is capable of being inserted into the cartridge receiving assembly. The needle driving cartridge is capable of driving a needle along an orbital path in a single angular direction. The needle driving cartridge includes a body, a curved needle, a needle drive assembly, and a needle guide assembly capable of guiding a needle along the orbital path. The needle guide assembly includes a cleat. The cleat has two needle engagement features. The two needle engagement features are configured to simultaneously engage two separate regions of the outer surface of the needle at the same portion of the length of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Christopher J. Hess, William J. White, Aaron J. Brickner, Daniel J. Prenger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Adam Hensel
  • Ultrasound catheter apparatus
    Patent number: 10130380
    Abstract: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods of the present invention generally provide for ablation and/or disruption of vascular occlusions. An ultrasound transmission member, such as a wire, transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasound transducer to a distal head of the catheter to disrupt vascular occlusions. An absorber member is disposed on or around the ultrasound transmission wire at a location adjacent the sonic connector of the catheter. The absorber member absorbs heat, vibrations, and/or the like from the ultrasound transmission wire at or near the area where the transmission wire is coupled with the sonic connector. The absorptive function typically slows the process of wear and tear on the transmission wire, thus extending the useful life of the ultrasound catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Flowcardia, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Nita, Jeff Sarge, Simon Nguyen
  • Surgical incision and closure apparatus with integrated force distribution
    Patent number: 10123800
    Abstract: Apparatus for closing a surgical incision comprise a base having left and right panels, a force distribution structure coupled to each panel, and a closure component which releasably attaches to the force distribution structure to draw the inner edges of the panels together in order to close adhered tissue edges. The force distribution structures allow the inner edges of the panels to expand while restraining expansion of the outer edges of the panels and limiting elongation of the lateral dimension of the panels. The incision closure appliance may be placed on skin or other tissue prior to forming the incision to be available to close said incision at the end of the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZipLine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, Eric Storne, Eric T. Johnson, Robert R. Ragland, Phillip C. Burke, Luke Clauson
  • Traction-limiting vitrecetomy probe
    Patent number: 10111777
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for selectively generating an aspiration flow within a surgical instrument. Particularly, the disclosure describes example vitrectomy probes operable to selectively generate an aspiration flow in relation to operation of the cutter of the vitrectomy probe. In some instances, one or more valves may be used to form a barrier or closure and create a piston effect in order to selectively generate an aspiration flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Nicholas Max Gunn
  • Twist-to-charge mechanism of lancing device
    Patent number: 10105086
    Abstract: A lancing device includes a housing, a lancet carrier translational within the housing, a drive spring for propelling the lancet carrier through a translational lancing stroke, and a charging mechanism. The charging mechanism includes a first cam member that is rotatable relative to the housing, a second cam member that abuts the first cam member, is coupled to the lancet carrier, and is restricted from rotation relative to the housing, and a rotatable handle co-rotationally attached to the first cam member. Rotation of the handle rotates the first cam member with it, causing the first cam member to rotate against the second cam member, which in response traverses axially because it is restricted from rotation, thereby retracting the lancet carrier to a retracted or charged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FACET TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Christopher, Lauren R. Pusey, Jeremy Rodgers
  • Injector for implanting an intraocular lens
    Patent number: 10098730
    Abstract: An injector system for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye includes an injector body having a front and rear ends; a cannula arranged at the front end, which provides a transport channel for a lens to be implanted; a magazine with a receptacle area for a lens which is securable in the receptacle area by a retainer, the magazine being arranged so that a lens can be fed into the transport channel via the preferably lateral inlet opening; a folding body insertable into the magazine and into the inlet opening, for pushing the lens into the transport channel in a manner so that the lens is partially foldable around the folding body; and a slider which is slideably arranged in the injector body and which can be pushed into the transport channel via the front end so that the lens can be ejected from the transport channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IOLUTION GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Maroscheck, Helmut Binder