Patents Examined by George J Ulsh
  • Patent number: 10792173
    Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Slazas, Juan A. Lorenzo
  • Patent number: 10786262
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hub assembly for use with an endoscopic assembly of a reposable surgical clip applier having an outer housing defining a channel therethrough, a driver gear slidably disposed within the channel, and a display gear slidably and rotatably disposed within the channel and including first and second plurality of teeth. Distal advancement of the driver gear causes the display gear to advance in a distal direction such that the second plurality of teeth engage a portion of the driver gear and causes the display gear to rotate in a first direction. Retraction of driver gear causes the display gear to translate in a proximal direction such that the first plurality of teeth engage a portion of the channel and causes the drive gear to further rotate in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Matthew A. Dinino
  • Patent number: 10786299
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a movement unit including: a bar that moves in a direction of a prescribed motion; (b) a latch unit including: (i) a latch plate including a hook latch that selectively receives the bar, the latch plate being movable in the direction of the prescribed motion between (A) a lockable state where the hook latch is engageable by the bar of the movement unit, and (B) an unlockable state where the bar does not reach the hook latch or the hook latch is moved out of alignment with the prescribed motion so that the hook latch is not engaged by the bar; and (ii) a stop that restricts movement of the movement unit relative to the hook latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J Boone, Christian J Fiksen
  • Patent number: 10779896
    Abstract: Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods include an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member. An example method of transmitting torque through an offset drive shaft routed within a rotatable main shaft includes supporting a main shaft to rotate relative to a base so that the main shaft rotates about a main shaft rotational axis. A drive shaft is supported to rotate relative to the main shaft so that the drive shaft rotates about a drive shaft rotational axis that is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. The drive shaft is engaged with a drive feature having a drive feature rotational axis that is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The main shaft is rotated relative to the base. The drive feature is rotated relative to the main shaft so as to rotate the drive shaft relative to the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Todd E. Murphy, William A. Burbank, William A. McDonald, II, Bruce Michael Schena
  • Patent number: 10779847
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include various ultrasonic surgical instruments. At least one disclosed surgical instrument includes a waveguide including a blade and a transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may be coupled to the waveguide to define a tapered joint at an interface between the waveguide and the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may include first and second sides defining corresponding first and second flat faces configured to receive first and second piezoelectric elements. The first and second piezoelectric elements are configured to operate in a D31 mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Black, Frederick Estera, Jason R. Lesko, Benjamin M. Boyd, Kevin M. Fiebig, Chad P. Boudreaux, Grace E. Waters, Kristen G. Denzinger, Amy M. Krumm, Amelia A. Pierce, Chad E. Eckert, Joseph D. Dennis, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Monica L. Zeckel, William A. Olson, Patrick J. Scoggins, Larry A. Pummill, Jr., John S. Frazier, William A. Crawford, Brian J. Hemmelgarn, Eric Stout, Benjamin D. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 10772633
    Abstract: A nerve repair conduit configured to be secured on first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit includes a polymeric body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior lumen. In addition, the nerve conduit includes at least one drug reservoir to hold agent(s) that may, for example, facilitate nerve regeneration. The drugs diffuse from the drug reservoir(s) into the nerve repair conduit through an outlet (e.g., a semipermeable membrane) in proximity to the first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit may be configured to deliver the agent(s) at a rate having substantially zero-order kinetics and/or at a constant rate over a selected period of time (e.g., at least 1 week).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jayant P. Agarwal, Bruce Kent Gale, Himanshu Jayant Sant, Keng-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 10772643
    Abstract: A device for simultaneously monitoring the health of surgical drills and detecting proximity to critical structures during surgery is described herein. By using various sensors (e.g. microphones, accelerometers, temperature sensors, etc.), signals from the drill can be measured and analyzed. The processed signals can then be used to indicate the proximity of the drill bit to critical structures, such as the patient's brain, and identify drill health issues (e.g. worn bearings, misaligned rotational axis, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Jeffrey Vipperman, Carl Snyderman, Timothy Ryan, Paul Johnson
  • Patent number: 10765440
    Abstract: A system, device and method for removing occlusive material from a bodily lumen comprising a catheter with a distally mounted and fluid-fillable litho-cushion in operative connection with at least one forward-focusing reflector. The catheter comprises a lumen with an electrode pair housing disposed in watertight engagement with the lumen at or near the distal end of the lumen, the electrode pair housing comprising at least one electrode pair. The at least one electrode pair is in wired communication with a pulse generator, wherein the electrode pair is configured to generate an electrical arc between the electrodes of the electrode pair with subsequent generation of a shock wave. The shock wave is directed distally out of the catheter lumen and focused forward and distally away from the catheter lumen by the at least one reflector toward the targeted occlusive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sonic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Tozzi
  • Patent number: 10758411
    Abstract: A handheld reciprocating surgical tool may contain an inertial damper to counteract the momentum of a diaphragm assembly of the reciprocating surgical tool. A momentum of the inertial damper may be tuned such that the momentum of the inertial damper is comparable in magnitude and opposite in direction to a momentum of the diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm assembly may include a cutting tool. The combined momentum of a diaphragm assembly and the inertial damper may result in a reduced net momentum, which may reduce vibration of the reciprocating surgical tool haptically experienced by a surgeon, thereby improving surgeon comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Dean, Nicholas Max Gunn, Andrew David Johnson
  • Patent number: 10758246
    Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TREBOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M Carmichael, Jeff Morris, Stephen Grasso
  • Patent number: 10758258
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamp for medical use, particularly for use in aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty procedures, said clamp comprising two arms (1) connected at corresponding ends, with a scoop (2) provided at the free end of each arm (1). Each scoop (2) comprises: on one longitudinal edge, a recess (3) with a plurality of through-holes (4), the size of which allows the double pass of a needle; and, on the longitudinal edge opposite the recess (4), respective opposing longitudinal projections (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: ANSABERE SURGICAL, S.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Bazan Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10758729
    Abstract: In a system for retrieving an implanted device, a flared inner surface of a catheter tubular sidewall may define a distal-most opening of a device receptacle; the opening has a first diameter equal to that of the receptacle, and a second diameter, coincident with a distal-most edge of the tubular sidewall, and at least 5% greater than the receptacle diameter. Alternately, a retrieval tool in sliding engagement within a lumen of a catheter includes a shaft assembly, through which a snare member passes, and which includes a collapsible spring-biased perimeter sidewall; the sidewall defines a capture member passageway approximately coaxial, and in fluid communication with a lumen of the shaft assembly. A distal-most opening of the passageway has a spring-biased diameter that is greater than that of a distal-most opening of a device receptacle of the catheter, and a collapsed diameter that is less than the receptacle distal-most opening diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paula McDonnell, Brendan P Geraghty, Gwenda Francis, Rónán Wood, Sean Ward, Pat McHugh, Tomas K Kelly
  • Patent number: 10751061
    Abstract: A pushing apparatus and conveying system for an interventional medical instrument. By covering a thermoplastic elastomer on the surface of a steel cable to form an overlay film, steel cable support is improved when guaranteeing the flexibility thereof so that it is difficult for the instrument to deviate from a predetermined position when conveying the instrument, the operation time is shortened, and the operation risk of patients is reduced. Meanwhile, in the conveying system, a sealing member is provided in an inner cavity of a hemostasis valve body to match the overlay film of the steel cable so that the distal end of the hemostasis valve body is isolated from the outside, and the release effect of the instrument can be assessed by radiography before the instrument is released from the steel cable in operation, thereby effectively reducing harm to patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: LIFETECH SCIENTIFIC (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei Jiang, Gang Wang, Renmei Ma
  • Patent number: 10751178
    Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes a tubular member including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer having an inner surface, an outer surface and wall extending therebetween. The outer layer is disposed along the outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer includes a plurality of longitudinal channels extending radially outward from the inner surface. Each channel of the plurality of channels has a circumferential width. Further, the tubular member is designed to shift from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein the width of each channel increases as the tubular member shifts from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Reynolds, Ross A. Olson, James M. Anderson, Heather Hetteen, Adam David Grovender, Uchenna Junior Agu
  • Patent number: 10751060
    Abstract: A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, the method comprising: intentionally occluding a blood vessel so as to create hypoperfusion in a gastrointestinal organ serviced by the blood vessel, whereby to interfere with normal gastrointestinal function and thereby induce weight loss in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Anaxiom Corporation
    Inventors: Reynolds M. Delgado, William E. Cohn
  • Patent number: 10743871
    Abstract: End effectors with increased clip loading capacity include a housing having a tapered section at a distal end; first and second jaw members protruding distally from the tapered section; a surgical clip feeder arranged within the housing and configured to contain a plurality of surgical clips therein; and a feedbar longitudinally movable between the housing and the plurality of surgical clips, the feedbar having a distal portion engageable with a distal-most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips within the tapered section. The plurality of surgical clips is arrangeable within the surgical clip feeder at a non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the end effector. Actuation of the feedbar engages and advances the distal-most surgical clip out of the surgical clip feeder and into interposition between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott, Nathan Cummings, Tyler Brehm, Michael Stokes, Disha Labhasetwar, Joshua Young
  • Patent number: 10743859
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an end effector for use with a surgical device is provided. The end effector includes a drive assembly, a driver, a needle assembly and a biasing element. The driver is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly. Rotation of the drive assembly in a first direction causes distal translation of the driver with respect to the drive assembly. The needle assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the driver. Distal translation of the driver causes a corresponding distal translation of the needle assembly. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the needle assembly and is configured to bias the needle assembly proximally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Arpan Desai, Paul C. DiCesare, Danial Ferreira, Brandon Michael Zalewski
  • Patent number: 10744013
    Abstract: Provided is a treatment device for aneurysms. The device may include an endoprosthesis including a main channel and secondary openings and configured to be inserted in a main blood vessel (V1) at the point of an aneurysm and of a second blood vessel (V2), a first guide wire configured to be inserted in the endoprosthesis when inside the blood vessel (V1), through the main channel and a secondary opening, a second guide wire configured to be inserted inside the main blood vessel (V1) and the secondary blood vessel (V2), first magnetic means placed at the first guide wire, second magnetic means placed at the second guide wire, the magnetic means being mutually attracted and at least one of the magnetic means being mobile along its guide wire; means of moving the mobile magnetic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KARDIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Roberto Ferraresi
  • Patent number: 10736724
    Abstract: An insertion device, includes an elongate member having a needle portion and a handle portion. The handle portion includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is configured to indicate an orientation of the needle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Goddard
  • Patent number: 10736625
    Abstract: A suturing system including at least one drive gear with a plurality of outward protrusions and a needle with a first end, a second end, and a plurality of indentations therebetween wherein the plurality of indentations engage with the plurality of outward protrusions of the drive gear to circularly rotate the needle. Additional suturing systems and a method of suturing biological material are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ACUSTITCH, LLC
    Inventors: John N. Penn, IV, John M. Menezes