Patents Examined by Jocelyn Ram
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Patent number: 6575911Abstract: The medical appliance has an elongated tubular shaft with a lumen extending therethrough and slots in the distal area for pressure medium entry into the lumen. A stiffening means in the form of an independent wire extends through the lumen with its proximal area extending proximally of the shaft. The proximal area of shaft is affixed to a luer-lock comprising a housing with an inner cavity and a distal end forming a muff fixedly and tightly sealed on the proximal end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A. G.Inventor: Michael Schwager
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Patent number: 6576004Abstract: An aromatic thermal wrap comprises aromatic compounds such as camphor, menthol, essential oils and similar compounds, mixed with an absorbent material such as a silica powder and then combined with a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) to form a dry, aromatic mixture (200), and packaged in a flexible, water-permeable sachet (100). When suitably mixed with a silica powder, the aromatic compounds do not cause agglomeration or clumping of the superabsorbent polymer. Hydration of the sachet will cause the SAP to absorb water, forming a gel 210. The sachet may be produced with multiple pockets (110) that can be separated into single packets or into sets of packets to accommodate the specific application. The end user hydrates the sachet, and optionally heats or freezes the hydrated package, to produce an aromatic, thermal wrap.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Weyerhauser CompanyInventor: Scottia E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6569085Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over the exterior of an endoscope while the endoscope is installed in the patient's body allow the use of instruments which are too large to fit through the lumena of an endoscope. Furthermore, the invention allows the elimination of working lumena in an endoscope thereby minimizing the likelihood of contamination.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Syntheon, LLCInventors: Juergen A. Kortenbach, Charles R. Slater, Michael Sean McBrayer
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Patent number: 6565505Abstract: An endoscope comprises a plurality of members constituting the endoscope, and parts-bonded sections each having at least members thereof bonded together using an adhesive. The temperatures of thermal destruction at which the adhesives included in the parts-bonded sections are thermally destroyed are made equal to or higher than the maximum temperature attained during a high-pressure steam sterilization process. At the same time, the temperatures of thermal destruction are made equal to or lower than the heat-resistance temperatures above which members bonded using the adhesives or members located near the bonded members included in the parts-bonded sections fail to resist heat.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kouta Ishibiki
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Patent number: 6562060Abstract: A device to treat the temporomandibular and maxillomandibular region of patient with cryo, thermal and/or compression therapy is disclosed. The device comprises a fabric layer anatomically designed to contact the temporomandibular joint and the maxillomandibular region, an inflatable layer, and a heater for heating the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and temporal regions. In an alternative embodiment, a device comprises a fabric layer designed to contact the maxillomandibular region, an inflatable layer, a hard plate placed on said fabric layer to resist bulging of said inflatable layer when inflated, and a conductive layer covering said inflatable layer. Methods to use the device to treat the maxillomandibular region and temporomandibular joint of a patient are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Inventor: David M. Momtaheni
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Patent number: 6558371Abstract: A holding apparatus is provided for a trocar sleeve suitable for fixing the trocar sleeve in different positions relative to the patient. The holding apparatus comprises a base member fixedly positionable with respect to the patient and a retainer for the trocar sleeve. The retainer is connected to be tiltable with respect to the base member by a flexible connecting member. According to the invention, the connecting member has a first flexible operational state and a second rigid operational state and the connecting member can be switched between the first flexible and the second rigid operational state.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Jürgen Dorn
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Patent number: 6554823Abstract: A system for performing through port off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery includes a port insertable between ribs into a chest wall of a patient, a heart stabilizer extendable through and stably couplable to the port, and an instrument stabilizer adapted to dampen extraneous movement to which a surgical instrument extending through the stabilizer is subject.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Medcania, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Palmer, Javier E. Castañeda, Jose Luis Francese, Ralph de la Torre
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Patent number: 6551239Abstract: A shaft is provided for a flexible endoscope. The shaft has a tubular mantle whose outer surface contacts a body tissue of a patient during use of said endoscope. The outer surface of said shaft is microscopically roughened, for example by sand blasting.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Martin Renner, Uwe Bacher
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Patent number: 6551238Abstract: A protective tube is provided for use in sterilizing flexible endoscopes in a vacuum method. Such flexible endoscopes comprise a flexible sleeve at a distal end portion. The diameter of the protective tube is selected such that the tube can be slipped onto and fit onto the distal end portion. The length of the tube is selected such that it at least covers the end portion with the flexible sleeve. In addition, the structure of the tube is selected such that the flexible sleeve is protected against swelling under vacuum conditions, at the same time however the sterilizing agent reaches between the outside of the sleeve and the applied protective tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG.Inventor: Ralf Staud
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Patent number: 6551305Abstract: The shape memory segmented detachable coil assembly includes a plurality of hollow, tubular coil segments, and a plurality of connector members, with adjacent coil segments connected together by the connector members. The connector members are currently preferably hollow, tubular connector members that are advantageously detachable from selected portions of the coil segments by application of energy to one or more selected connector members. A heat activation member is used for heating one or more selected connector members to disconnect selected portions of the coil assembly. The heat activation member typically can be advanced axially through or over the coil assembly, and currently preferably comprises a fiber optic, although the heat activation member can also comprise a heat pipe, or a device for generating heat by RF energy or electrical resistance.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Micrus CorporationInventors: David A. Ferrera, Daniel R. Kurz, Peter Wilson
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Patent number: 6547724Abstract: A sleeve is provided for placing over a flexible endoscope. The sleeve has a port between its distal and proximal openings and the port is connected to a vacuum source. Once the endoscope is retracted proximal to the suction port, the sleeve's proximal opening is sealed off and the entire sleeve is turned into a suction lumen. Devices and methods in accordance with the invention provide improvement in removing materials from body cavities, especially in removing stones from the upper urinary tract.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jon Soble, Anthony Tremaglio
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Patent number: 6540739Abstract: Instrument holder comprising a shank (1) equipped with a head (2) designed to receive an instrument and a locking component (4) pushed against the head by a spring (9) bearing on a ring (11) sliding on the shank, and having means of connection (8, 12) on the shank which is engaged by rotation of the ring, in such a way that the release of the ring allows the locking component, the spring and the ring to slide freely in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Precimed, S.A.Inventor: Andre Lechot
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Patent number: 6540738Abstract: An apparatus provided for allowing transcutaneous access to an internal hollow organ, in particular the stomach. The apparatus comprises a tubular flexible probe, which can be placed transcutaneously in the hollow organ. The apparatus further comprises a rigid sleeve attachable to a section of the probe extending from the body. The sleeve engages around and guides the section. A clamping device is also provided for releasibly, but rigidly connecting the probe to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karlheinz Kurfess, Markus Salvermoser
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Patent number: 6540737Abstract: A handle is provided for a medical instrument having a tubular shaft. The handle comprises at least one movable grip element as well as a coupling portion through which the tubular shaft is connected or can be connected to the handle. The movable grip element is or can be connected to a force transmission element axially movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Motion of the at least one movable is translated into an axial motion of the force transmission element. The coupling portion is pivotal and lockable relative to a handle axis about a pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. A control element formed as a dual-arm lever is provided whose one lever arm is connected to the movable grip element and whose other lever arm is connected to the force transmission element, such that motion of the movable grip element causes rotation of the control element, which is translated into an axial movement of the force transmission element.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Uwe Bacher, Alfred Cuschieri, Timothy Graham Frank
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Patent number: 6540669Abstract: An flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent resilience and durability is disclosed. The flexible tube is composed of a tubular core boy obtained by covering the outer periphery of a coil with a reticular tube of a braided thin wires and an outer cover formed of a synthetic resin and provided over the outer periphery of the tubular core boy. At least one of the thin wires has a coating layer and the flexible outer cover has a portion which is in contact with the coating layer of the thin wire of the reticular tube, in which the coating layer is formed of a material containing the material of the portion of the outer cover, and the material of the coating layer has a higher melting point than that of the material of the portion of the outer cover. The outer cover may be formed into a multi-layered structure including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Pentax CorporationInventors: Masanao Abe, Shinji Hayakawa, Kikuo Iwasaka, Minoru Matsushita
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Patent number: 6537205Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
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Patent number: 6537308Abstract: A washable facial mask comprising a unitary frontal element having two eye patch regions made from a washable material, the two eye patch regions coupled to straps having a fastening means for securing the eye patch regions over the eyes of a person, the straps being made from a washable material. The eye patch regions have a pocket means for allowing placement of facial contact elements, the pocket means also made from a washable material.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: Alma D. Burkhart
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Patent number: 6537307Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket with a multilayer sheet and a method of use are disclosed for delivering thermally-controlled air to a person. The apparatus includes an inflatable structure formed from joining a first sheet and a second sheet. An inlet is provided into the inflatable structure for receiving thermally-controlled air. A multilayer sheet, made from a plurality of sheets releasably attached together, is attached to the second sheet. Means are provided for exhausting the thermally-controlled air from the inflatable thermal blanket. In the method of use, the inflatable thermal blanket is deployed in a first use and a source of thermally-controlled air is attached to the inflation port admitting thermally-controlled air into the inflatable structure and exhausting thermally-controlled air.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott Douglas Augustine, Douglas Arnold Hall, Rudolf Andreas Deibel
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Patent number: 6533720Abstract: A modular endoscope valve assembly is releasably mounted on the handpiece of an endoscope. This valve assembly includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a valve manually operable selectively to block and to allow the flow of irrigation fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The valve assembly is releasably held to the handpiece of the endoscope by a mechanical fastener such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a strap, a snap lock, or otherwise. Once the valve assembly is releasably mounted to the handpiece, the physician using the endoscope can manually control the flow of irrigation fluid with the same hand as the one that supports the handpiece, thereby leaving the other hand of the physician free for surgical procedures. The modular valve assembly of this invention can be used with the widest variety of endoscopes, including flexible, rigid and semi rigid ureteroscopes as well as various percutaneous endoscopes.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Inventor: Avtar S. Dhindsa
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Patent number: 6533778Abstract: A portable, thermal cauterizing forceps device for use in surgery. The device incorporates a pair of ceramic heater elements mounted within the tips of the tines of a forceps. The forceps is used to grasp tissue or blood vessels and apply heat to effect cauterization. In the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the forceps instrument incorporates a battery and control electronics. The thermal-forceps is of a self-contained wireless, handheld disposable design. In a second embodiment of the invention, the forceps handpiece is connected to an external power source. Both embodiments of the forceps incorporate set of rapidly heating ceramic heater elements that may be composed of silicon nitride. An LED provides the operator feedback as to the operating level of the heaters and/or battery reserve. Enhancements to the second embodiment include a rechargeable power supply, variable control of the heater temperature, as well as a, digital display of the tip temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Inventor: Garrett D. Herzon