Patents Examined by Kevin Truong
  • Patent number: 6387123
    Abstract: A stent configuration wherein a radiopaque material is completely encapsulated in a skin of biocompatible material to prevent the exposure of radiopaque materials to living tissue and to prevent galvanic corrosion between disparate metals. The stent is initially formed and rendered radiopaque after which all surfaces are coated with the biocompatible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jacobs, Ryan John Santos
  • Patent number: 6383196
    Abstract: A surgical extractor for removing objects from a body including, for example, calculi, such as kidney stones and gall stones. The extractor includes a handle at an proximal end of the extractor with a slider for operation by a physician. At the distal end the extractor includes a plurality of wires with each wire comprising a first portion having an individual strand and a second portion comprising a plurality of filaments. When a retaining sheath is retracted, the wires, formed of a shape memory material such as stainless steel, expand such that each of strands assume a spaced relationship to define a first section of a basket and the plurality of the filaments assume a spaced relationship to define a second section of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Leslie, James S. Bates
  • Patent number: 6383203
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing a vitreous in an eyeball, comprises a cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder so as to be capable of moving, a moving device for reciprocating the piston in the cylinder, and a vitreous cutter. The vitreous cutter comprises a first gas chamber which connects with a second has chamber in the cylinder via a tube, an outer tubular blade having a hole, an inner tubular blade, a moving body which is capable of moving in a longitudinal axial direction of the outer tubular blade with holding the inner tubular blade, and an energisation device which causes the moving body to perform a backward movement toward the opposite side of the hole relative to the outer tubular blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Makihara
  • Patent number: 6379374
    Abstract: A medical device for placing a very small embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining a headpiece with an attached embolic coil such that when the catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal tip of the catheter expands outwardly to release the headpiece and coil at the preselected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Cordis Neurovascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Hieshima, Robert Lulo
  • Patent number: 6379383
    Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device which is fabricated from materials which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface which has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent which is made of a material having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Bio Prosthetic Surfaces, Ltd.
    Inventors: Julio C. Palmaz, Eugene A. Sprague, Cristina Simon, Denes Marton, Roger W. Wiseman, Christopher E. Banas
  • Patent number: 6379373
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of forming hydrogel systems in situ are provided using a delivery system configured to deliver two or more fluent prepolymer solutions without premature crosslinking. The delivery system comprises separate first and second lumens coupling first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, respectively, and may include a balloon, flexible distal region, mixing chamber or steerable distal end. Multi-component hydrogel systems suitable for use with the inventive methods and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Confluent Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Amarpreet S. Sawhney, John Spiridigliozzi
  • Patent number: 6375670
    Abstract: An intraluminal filter for vascular use during medical procedures is disclosed. The filter is formed of a plurality of flexible, resilient monofilament wires interbraided in a relatively open mesh forming a basket with a plurality of multifilament yarns braided in a relatively closed mesh having a predetermined porosity forming a filter element. The filter element is positioned distally of the basket forming a concave portion, the remaining portion of the basket being unobstructed and forming openings facing the concave portion. The filter is elastically deformable between two shape states, the first having a small diameter enabling the filter to slide within the bore of a catheter for positioning the filter in the lumen of an artery, the second shape state having a substantially larger diameter sized to sealingly interfit within the artery lumen. The filter is biased and will expand upon release from the catheter to the second shape state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Prodesco, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Skott Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 6375664
    Abstract: A medical anesthetic needle which comprise an outside needle and a mandrin inserted into the outer needle to freely move in and out, and is slightly bent upward at is tip when its needle axis is positioned horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Higuchi, Hayato Hyugaji
  • Patent number: 6375665
    Abstract: A dissector/retractor device comprising a balloon having a deflated state and an inflated state is described for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures by creating a tunnel alongside a target tissue in the body. The balloon in its inflated state forms an open space extending transversely through the balloon. The balloon is carried by an insertion assembly. The balloon may be an elongate torus shape with an elongate open area in its interior. The insertion assembly includes a blunt dissection device and a handle. In use, the dissector retractor is inserted through a small incision and bluntly tunneled through body tissue to a desired location. The balloon is inflated to create a space in the body tissue and may also dissect tissue as necessary away from the tissue to be treated. The balloon is left in place inflated to retract the space. Another incision may be made to provide more direct access to the target tissue than the original incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Nash, Gary Ashley Stafford
  • Patent number: 6371978
    Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for treating bifurcated vessels. The catheter assembly of the present invention includes a tubular sheath for restraining dual balloons normally biased apart. Withdrawal of the sheath allows the balloons to separate and deploy intravascular stents in a bifurcated vessel. The catheter assembly also includes the feature of containing two guide wire lumens in a single catheter designed to track over a single wire prior to arrival at the bifurcation, thus preventing wire wrapping and crossing of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Stan Wilson
  • Patent number: 6371969
    Abstract: The invention provides a nested tubing cannula which comprises outer and inner elongate tubular members, both having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The inner tubular member is sealed at its distal end and is nested substantially coaxially within the lumen of the outer tubular member, so that the gap between the inner and the outer tubular member defines a second lumen whereas the first lumen is the lumen of the inner tubular member. A tubular sleeve is disposed coaxially between the inner and outer tubular members. A balloon is mounted on a distal region of the outer tubular member and is in communication with the first lumen. The cannula further comprises a port proximal or distal the balloon occluder and is in communication with the second lumen. Methods for making the devices herein are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross S. Tsugita, Tracy D. Maahs, Yue-Teh Jang
  • Patent number: 6371967
    Abstract: In the present invention, a cordless inductively coupled electrosurgical instrument is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from a specially designed trocar or trocar adapter. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrosurgical instrument includes a handle, an elongated tube and an electrosurgical end effector. The handle may include an actuator such as a trigger which is operatively connected to the end effector through the elongated tube. The elongated tube may be, for example, a closure tube which is adapted to close the end effector when the handle actuator is moved. The electrosurgical end effector is adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to biological tissue in order to effect treatment of the tissue. The elongated closure tube includes one or more inductor coils adapted to couple electrosurgical energy to the end effector. The one or more inductor coils are electrically connected to the end effector through one or more electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Long, Lynetta J. Freeman, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Patent number: 6368327
    Abstract: A medical device comprising a canula assembly having a movable medical instrument assembly on the distal end thereof and a moving assembly on the proximal end thereof. The medical instrument assembly comprises a plurality of cooperating medical instrument structures having proximal ends confined peripherally at a position of confinement and distal ends movable toward and away from each other. Each cooperating medical instrument structure include a longitudinally stable tubular portion at the proximal confined end thereof having an open end spaced from the position of confinement. Each tubular portion has a movable elongated flexure element extending therethrough having a distal end disposed outwardly of the open end of the tubular portion and fixed with respect to a cooperating medical instrument structure at a position thereon spaced from the confined proximal end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Raymond F. Lippitt, Robert G. Lippitt, Andrew R. Leopold
  • Patent number: 6368330
    Abstract: This apparatus comprises a rigid half circular headclamp, three fixation pins to firmly secure the clamp to the patient's skull, a connector to firmly secure the clamp to a surgical table on which the patient rests, an articulate arm including clampable joints, secured to the headclamp in one of several possible positions and a double chuck secured to the distal end of the articulated arm. The double chuck has two ball collets arranged in side by side cavities in the chuck body, and two locking screws for each ball collet. A first locking screw releasably locks the ball collet in a selected orientation, a second separate locking screw releasably locks in an adjusted axial position an elongated instrument inserted through said collet. The first and second locking screws are actuated independently of each other. A computer guided probe and a large number of surgical instruments can be slidably inserted within the ball collets and locked in an adjusted axial position and in a selected orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hybex Surgical Specialties Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hynes, André Olivier
  • Patent number: 6368336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device preferably in the form of a ceramic trimmer that is useful in treating soft tissue such as gingival tissue in an individual. The device Is capable of heat coagulating the soft tissue when the device in rotary motion is contacting the soft tissue. The device is preferably used in the area of therapy or surgery carried out on the human or animal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ronvig A/S
    Inventor: Jorn Ronvig
  • Patent number: 6368340
    Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: William W. Malecki, Wesley D. Sterman, Hanson S. Gifford, III, Scott H. Miller
  • Patent number: 6364887
    Abstract: In order to permanently position a tubular implant in a vessel in such a way that it is sealed off in relation to the vessel wall, a device for inserting such an implant is proposed, which is characterized by an introducing head having an advancing handle and being insertable into the implant, with radially outwardly movable spreading elements arranged on the circumference of the introducing head, and by a locking member mounted for displacement on the introducing head and displaceable via a transmission member between a rest position in which the spreading elements are radially retracted and a spread position in which the spreading elements protrude radially outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Aesculap AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Dworschak, Theodor Lutze, Harald Stallforth, Thomas Weik
  • Patent number: 6364891
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting tissue. The surgical instrument includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a cutter coupled to the distal end, and a handle coupled to the proximal end. The cutter is formed to include a base having two cutting edges providing an opening, a slider, and a tip coupled to both the base and the slider. The cutter is formed to move between a fully open position in which the cutting edges of the tip form an obtuse angle relative to the shaft and a fully closed position in which the tip is received within the opening of the base. The handle is arranged to move the cutter between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Doble
  • Patent number: 6364895
    Abstract: An intraluminal filter for vascular use during medical procedures is disclosed. The filter is formed of a plurality of flexible, resilient monofilament wires interbraided in a relatively open mesh forming a basket with a plurality of multifilament yarns braided in a relatively closed mesh having a predetermined porosity forming a filter element. The filter element is positioned distally of the basket forming a concave portion, the remaining portion of the basket being unobstructed and forming openings facing the concave portion. The filter is elastically deformable between two shape states, the first having a small diameter enabling the filter to slide within the bore of a catheter for positioning the filter in the lumen of an artery, the second shape state having a substantially larger diameter sized to sealingly interfit within the artery lumen. The filter is biased and will expand upon release from the catheter to the second shape state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Prodesco, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Skott Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 6364890
    Abstract: A device for sampling blood from the skin of a patient by puncture. The device includes one or more lancets for lancing the skin and a fluid-conducting plate unit for transporting blood from the lancing wound. The plate unit has one or more channels for conducting fluid to one or more target locations. Preferably there is a first channel for conducting away a first portion of fluid that contains more of a fluid that is emitted initially (initial fluid) from the puncture wound and a second channel for conducting a second portion of fluid that contains less of the initial fluid from the puncture wound. Blood is drawn into the channels by capillary force. The device can be used to lance the skin and obtain a representative sample of blood with relatively simple procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lum, Leslie A. Leonard, Edward D. Verdonk, Dominique M. Freeman, Michael Greenstein, Catherine Keely-Templin