Patents Examined by (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T. Ho
  • Forceps for medical use
    Patent number: 7909850
    Abstract: Forceps having two-half shells are disclosed. Each half-shell includes a front rim and a base wall and is mounted on a support element in a manner such that the half-shells can adopt a first opened-out configuration and a second closed configuration. The forceps include at least one container element having a cavity for receiving a plurality of biopsy samples. The container element is preferably associated with one of the half-shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario I. Paternuosto
  • Elongateable surgical port and dilator
    Patent number: 7909843
    Abstract: A surgical port and dilator are useful for creating access to surgical sites having tortuous geometries and/or requiring relatively long and narrow access to the surgical site. The surgical port or dilator can be provided with an oblique distal end to facilitate placement and the displace tissue near angled surfaces. The surgical port can be inserted into the operative site following dilation in the same fashion as a conventional port. Once inserted, however, the surgical port may then be elongated to provide relatively long and narrow, elliptically- shaped access to the surgical site. The elongation of the port allows the surgeon access to long and narrow surgical sites, such as the spine, without having to expand radially. This reduces trauma to the patient. A locking means is also provided to hold the surgical port in the open position until a release mechanism is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Abernathie, Anthony J. Mulac, Daniel K. Farley
  • Gastric bypass band and surgical method
    Patent number: 7909839
    Abstract: An inventive method for performing gastric bypass surgery and a gastric bypass band that is used in conjunction with the surgical method is disclosed. The inventive method involves separating a top portion of the stomach along with the esophagus from the remainder of the stomach, and re-connecting the separated portion to the small intestine to form a gastric pouch of about 20-30 cc in size. The inventive gastric band is placed midway along the gastric pouch to act as a restrictor valve to limit the amount of food passing through the valve. The band also retains food within the gastric pouch to give the patient a feeling of satiety. The band is comprised of an expansion-resistant section combined with a one-way latch mechanism. The latch has a curved orientation so that the band is formed into a radial profile when placed around the gastric pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bariatec Corporation
    Inventor: C. Bruce Fields
  • Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
    Patent number: 7909851
    Abstract: A soft tissue repair device. The device includes an inserter having a distal portion, a first anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, a second anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, and a flexible strand coupling the first and second anchors and forming an adjustable knotless loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Ryan A. Kaiser, Nathan M. Sautter, Andrew Holst
  • Integrated handle assembly for anchor delivery system
    Patent number: 7905889
    Abstract: Intergrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical application for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor device for such purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Neotract, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Catanese, III, Matt McLean, Theodore C. Lamson, Amik Nagpurkar, Daniel Merrick, Joshua Makower, Claude Vidal, Russell J. Redmond, Michael Collinson, Mitchell C. Barham, Scott West
  • Method for tissue fixation
    Patent number: 7905903
    Abstract: A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Gregory J. Denham
  • Suture cutter
    Patent number: 7905892
    Abstract: Suture cutter embodiments include elements for cutting back the leads of a suture after the suture has been tied into a knot, e.g., as a result of drawing tissue portions together. The suture cutter may include mechanisms which can be used to push and position a knot, so that a single device may be used to both push a knot and trim the excess material therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nobles Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson
  • Suction clip
    Patent number: 7905891
    Abstract: A suction clip and system and method therefor. The suction clip is configured for deployment from a catheter to provide for hemostasis of injured tissue. The suction clip preferably includes a flexible distal rim configured to form sealing contact with tissue to be treated and a proximal check valve to maintain a seal of the clip to the tissue when a vacuum has been provided therebetween. The suction clip may include a visual or radio-opaque marker to aid in later location of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gregory Self
  • Surgical device for removing tissue cells from a biological structure especially for liposuction
    Patent number: 7905895
    Abstract: In order to reduce the required separating and suction forces on the operational handpiece (1), the slit of the nozzle (8) is inclined at an angle (A) in relation to the plane of the axis of the injection cannula (5) and the angle (A) is selected in such a way that a flat liquid jet (9) is formed with at least one separation tip (10) and a first separation edge(11), in addition to a second separator edge (12), and a separator surface (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Human Med AG
    Inventor: Andreas Pein
  • Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
    Patent number: 7905904
    Abstract: A fibrous tissue repair device and associated method. The device includes an inserter having a solid distal portion defining an external surface, and a single anchor carried solely on the external surface of the distal portion of the inserter. The method includes preloading a first anchor externally onto a first inserter, passing the first inserter from a first side to a second side of the fibrous tissue at a first location, delivering the first anchor on the second side of the fibrous tissue, and retracting the first inserter away from the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Ryan A. Kaiser, Nathan M. Sautter, Andrew Holst
  • Annulotomy closure device and related methods
    Patent number: 7901430
    Abstract: A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter D. Gillespie, James F. Marino, Selise M. Pastore
  • Tissue clamp
    Patent number: 7901420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue clamp, a tool for grasping the clamp and a method of using the clamp for surgical procedures. The clamp has a fixture or fixtures positioned on the proximal end of the arms of the clamp so that a tool can be used by the surgeon to securely grasp the clamp during placement thereof on the vasculature or other tissue of the patient. The fixture can have a plurality of channels so that the user can select the angular orientation of the tool relative to the damp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventor: Raymond M. Dunn
  • Metallic coils enlaced with biological or biodegradable or synthetic polymers or fibers for embolization of a body cavity
    Patent number: 7896899
    Abstract: The invention provides for vaso-occlusive coils comprising fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Patterson, Earl Slee, Tom Wilder, Thomas McCarthy, Brian Strauss, Herman Monstadt, Hans Henkes
  • Apparatus and method for manipulating or retracting tissue and anatomical structure
    Patent number: 7896891
    Abstract: Intergrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Neotract, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Catanese, III, Theodore C. Lamson, Joshua Makower, Amik Nagpurkar, Daniel Merrick, Jacqueline Nerney Welch, Richard G. Vecchiotti, Scott West, Claude Vidal, Russell J. Redmond, Michael Collinson
  • Apparatus for single pass gastric restriction
    Patent number: 7896894
    Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus that facilitates the creation of a transoral linear passageway through the stomach includes an elongated body including a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated body is generally sinusoidal shaped with at least one tissue engaging surface oriented such that a needle will pass therethrough. The elongated body also includes at least one needle passing channel respectively formed adjacent the at least one tissue engaging surface. The at least one needle passing channel generally passes through the center of the sinusoidal waveforms defined by the at least one tissue engaging surface such that a needle will pass entirely through stomach tissue contacting the tissue engaging surface of the elongated body. The elongated body further includes a suture passing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, David B. Griffith, Michael J. Stokes
  • Embolic coil having stretch resistant member with an attached end and an end with movement freedom
    Patent number: 7883526
    Abstract: A coil device is provided with a stretch resistant feature. The device includes a wound coil defining a lumen and a stretch resistant member at least partially received within the lumen. A headpiece is formed by a joining of the coil and a restrictor member, typically by plasma welding. The restrictor member is also at least partially received within the lumen and defines an aperture adapted to movably receive a portion of the stretch resistant member to allow the wound coil to stretch and elongate. The stretch resistant member includes an enlarged portion that is larger than the aperture and adapted to engage the restrictor member to prevent or resist stretching of the wound coil. The restrictor member may be provided as a separate element fixedly secured to the coil wire, or the coil wire may include one or more minor turns adapted to perform the function of the restrictor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald K. Jones, Vladimir Mitelberg, William W. Sowers
  • Fully threaded suture anchor with insert-molded suture
    Patent number: 7883528
    Abstract: A fully threaded, bioabsorbable suture anchor with a suture loop that is disposed internally within the suture anchor. The suture loop is insert-molded into the anchor. The fully threaded design provides improved fixation, while the insert-molded internal suture loop serves as a recessed eyelet for a second (knot-tying) suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Donald Grafton, Stephen S. Burkhart
  • Lancet assembly
    Patent number: 7883523
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lancet assembly which eliminates the need to remove a resin cover encapsulating a pricking element. Upon inserting a lancet structure into a lancet holder, a force which separates a lancet cover encapsulating the sharp tip portion of the pricking element from a lancet body is generated, and this force is allowed to act on the lancet cover and the lancet body to thereby expose, within the lancet holder, the sharp tip portion of the pricking element encapsulated by the lancet cover and to locate the opening of the lancet holder in front of the sharp tip portion of the pricking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Izumi-Cosmo Company, Limited
    Inventors: Teruyuki Abe, Kazuharu Seki
  • Surgical knot
    Patent number: 7883518
    Abstract: A length of suture is provided, and a knot is partially tied in that suture around a tube. The partially-tied knot includes a noose portion connected to a loosely-tied barrel portion. The knot is tied by holding a standing end of the suture substantially stationary and pulling the running end of the suture through the noose. The knot locks upon tightening, making it suitable for surgical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen H. Davies, Zachary Warder-Gabaldon
  • Vascular suturing device
    Patent number: 7883517
    Abstract: A surgical device for suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian Ellingwood, Erik Walberg