Patents Examined by Melanie Tyson
  • Patent number: 9814482
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasonic surgical instrument (100) and ultrasonic surgical system; the ultrasonic surgical instrument (100) includes a waveguide (1) rotatable around an axis and in threaded connection with a transducer (200); a force transmission mechanism is in fixed connection with the waveguide (1), which has at least one stress surface (41); a rotatable mechanism includes a pushing mechanism and a rotatable driving mechanism having at least one force applying surface (51), the applying surface (51) and the stress surface (41) are not perpendicular to the axis, and can be engaged with each other; the pushing mechanism provides a pushing force the rotatable driving mechanism towards the force transmission mechanism, and the rotatable driving mechanism can overcome the pushing force when interaction force between the applying surface (51) and the stress surface (41) is in excess of a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: China Surgical (Shanghai) Corporation, REACH SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Qingchao Xue, Wugan Hao, Xiaofeng Yang, Meijun Shen, Qizhang Chen
  • Patent number: 9814564
    Abstract: A recyclable and adjustable interventional stent for intravascular constriction. The stent main body is divided into three parts and shaped like a waist drum with expansion parts (1, 4) being arranged on the upper and lower parts of the stent main body respectively for supporting and positioning. A variable aperture part (2) is arranged in the middle of the stent main body. The upper expansion part (1) is or is not provided with a coating; the middle variable aperture part (2) and the upper half part of the lower expansion part (4) are covered with a pericardium (3) subjected to anti-calcification treatment; and a metal wire ring (5) is passed through the lowermost edge of the stent. A compound conveying guide pipe is composed of an outer sheath (6) and a core (7). The core (7) is a hollow pipe and a wire hanging groove is arranged on the outer side wall of the tip of the pipe to hang the metal wire ring (5) of the lowermost edge of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE FIRST AFFILIATED HOSPITAL OF NANJING MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shijiang Zhang, Weidong Gu
  • Patent number: 9808331
    Abstract: A hernia repair device is provided which may include a soft tissue repair prosthesis and an expandable device configured to be removably connected with the soft tissue repair prosthesis. Attachment components may be used to removably connect the soft tissue repair prosthesis with the expandable device. The hernia repair device may be manipulated into a reduced configuration for insertion into the body. When expanded, the expandable device may be configured to position the soft tissue repair prosthesis adjacent a hernia defect. The expandable device and/or the attachment components may be shaped and/or configured to minimize the maximum dimension of the hernia repair device in its reduced configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Michael F. Jacene
  • Patent number: 9801679
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Trees, Eric Johnson, Chad Boudreaux, Robert Laird, Rudolph Nobis, Geoffrey Strobl, Jason Lesko, John Hibner, David Yates, David Locke, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Phillip Clauda
  • Patent number: 9795480
    Abstract: Among other things, a tool to attach a support to a heart valve annulus includes a stabilizing body that includes features to stabilize an axial position of the tool relative to the annulus, and an attachment device connected to the stabilizing body, the stabilizing body and the attachment device being movable relative to one another under control from a location remote from the tool. The support may have an expandable tubular body having a plurality of struts, a plurality of tissue anchors extending from distally facing apexes in a distal direction post-deployment, wherein axial distal advance of the implantable annulus support causes the plurality of tissue anchors to axially engage tissue, and the implantable annulus support is self-contractible from a radially enlarged engagement configuration for engaging tissue of the mitral valve annulus, to a reduced, deployed configuration for modifying mitral valve annulus geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Millipede, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Bolling, Jeremy A. Abbs, Brian A. Biancucci
  • Patent number: 9788945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for the transvasculur implantation of prosthetic heart valves, in particular comprising self-expanding anchorage supports (10), which allow a minimally invasive implantation of prosthetic heart valves. The aim of the invention is to reduce the risk to the patient during the implantation. To achieve this, according to the invention a prosthetic heart valve comprising anchorage supports is temporarily housed in a folded form in a cartridge-type unit (4) riming the implantation. The cartridge-type unit can be fixed on the proximal end of a guide system (1), which comprises a flexible region (9) that can be guided through the aorta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: JENAVALVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: RĂ¼diger Ottma, Robert Moszner, Hans-Reiner Figulla, Markus Ferrari, Christoph Damm
  • Patent number: 9788844
    Abstract: A system and method for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a system for attaching tissue to bone includes a suture, suture anchor, inserter tool, drill, and drill guide having an outer guide and an inner guide. A method for attaching tissue to bone includes attaching a suture to tissue, nesting the suture in a notch on the distal end of the outer guide, passing the suture through a lumen formed in the outer guide, and inserting an inner guide in a lumen formed in the outer guide. The drill guide protects the suture from rotational movement of the drill and allows a user to maintain alignment between the drill guide and the drilled hole. As a result, a suture anchor can be more easily positioned within the drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SARL
    Inventors: Gerome O. Miller, Kevin B. McKenney, Gregory R. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 9782188
    Abstract: A transmission adapter for a medical instrument with a shaft, a transmission device movable in the shaft, and a manipulating device with a first part, which can be coupled mechanically rigidly to a proximal end of the shaft, and a second part, which is movable relative to the first part, includes a first coupling element for releasable mechanical coupling to the second part of the manipulating device, and a second coupling element for releasable mechanical coupling to a proximal end of the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Daniel Kaercher
  • Patent number: 9775602
    Abstract: A machine constructed and configured for automatic continuous suturing for reduced or minimized scarring and reduced suturing time, including methods of using the same. A device for continuous suturing. A device, method and suture for subcuticular suturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: iSuturing, LLC
    Inventors: Adel W. Mohamed, Mansour H. Mohamed, Dmitri D. Mungalov
  • Patent number: 9775706
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of deploying a stent graft having a proximal anchor stent ring includes restraining proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring between a spindle body of a spindle and a control release sleeve of a tapered tip. The control release sleeve is advanced relative to the spindle to release a first proximal apex through an opening in the control release sleeve while the remaining proximal apexes remain restrained by the control release sleeve. The control release sleeve is further advanced relative to the spindle to release the remaining proximal apexes from the control release sleeve. In another example, a stent capture fitting has variable length stent capture fitting arms. As the stent capture fitting is retracted, the proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring are sequentially exposed from and released by the variable length stent capture fitting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Rea Peterson, Brian Glynn
  • Patent number: 9775705
    Abstract: A catheter is described for the transvascular implantation of prosthetic heart valves, e.g., including self-expanding anchorage supports, to reduce the risk to the patient during the implantation. Accordingly, a prosthetic heart valve with anchorage supports is temporarily housed in a folded form in a cartridge-type unit during the implantation. The cartridge-type unit can be fixed on the proximal end of a guide system, which includes a flexible region that can be guided through the aorta. Actuating elements run through the interior of the hollow guide system, permitting sections of the cartridge-type unit to be displaced radially about their longitudinal axis and/or laterally in a proximal direction, thus allowing individual sections of the anchorage support and the associated prosthetic heart valve to be sequentially released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: JenaValve Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: RĂ¼diger Ottma, Robert Moszner, Hans-Reiner Figulla, Markus Ferrari, Christoph Damm
  • Patent number: 9770232
    Abstract: Devices for occluding an aperture in tissue or a vessel include a first flexible wire and a second flexible wire. Each of the first and second wires is formed of a shape memory material. Each of the first and second wires is shaped into first and second geometric forms such that the first geometric form of the first wire and the first geometric form of the second wire form a first plate in a first plane, and the second geometric form of the first wire and the second geometric form of the second wire form a second plate in a second plane that is parallel to and remote from the first plane. The first and second plates are separated by a waist formed from two portions of the first wire and two portions of the second wire. Methods for occluding an aperture in tissue or a vessel using such devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Zahid Amin, Edward H. Cully, Warren Cutright, Coby Larsen, Steven J. Masters, Edward Emil Shaw
  • Patent number: 9770239
    Abstract: A suture stitch or a series of suture stitches with loops underneath and substantially parallel to the surface of a tissue for subcuticular suturing for reduced or minimized scarring and reduced suturing time. Each subsequent stitch connects with the previous suture through material across the diameter. The suture stitch or series of suture stitches include one or more knots acting as anchors for the first loop in the suture stitch or series of suture stitches, and the suture stitch or series of suture stitches are preferably administered via an automated suturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: iSuturing, LLC
    Inventors: Adel W. Mohamed, Mansour H. Mohamed, Dmitri D. Mungalov
  • Patent number: 9770299
    Abstract: A treatment tool of which a treatment unit operates with a driving force generated from a driving source includes a driving force transmission member that is connected to the driving source, a connecting portion that is formed in the treatment unit, that is connected to the driving wire, that is supplied with the driving force from the driving source via the driving force transmission member, and that converts the driving force into movement of the treatment unit, and a member for detecting amount of movement that is moved by the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Komuro, Masatoshi Iida, Hirotaka Namiki
  • Patent number: 9763829
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease, including open angle glaucoma and narrow angle glaucoma. Implants are described herein that create a directed flow field, such as between the anterior chamber and either the supraciliary space or suprachoroidal space. In addition, the implant can include a variety of features, including extruded features, such as rings and pegs, which can assist in preventing ocular tissue from collapsing onto the implant and occluding fluid pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Luke Clauson, Steven John, David Lari, Sean Ianchulev, Michael Schaller
  • Patent number: 9763817
    Abstract: A delivery system for a medical device includes a proximal tip having a curved groove formed therein and a pre-loaded catheter disposed in the groove such that the pre-loaded catheter is disposed at least partly circumferentially with regard to the proximal tip. A guidewire can be advanced through the pre-loaded catheter and extended laterally from the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Blayne A. Roeder
  • Patent number: 9757121
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a joining element having a core having first and second opposed ends that define a length therebetween along a longitudinal direction, a jacket that surrounds the core along at least a portion of the length and defining first and second opposed ends that are spaced along the longitudinal direction, where the first and second opposed ends are in mechanical communication with the first and second ends of the core; and, where one of the jacket and the core is pre-tensioned, and the other of the jacket and the core is configured to transition from a first rigid configuration where its length is constant, to a second deformed configuration where the one of the jacket and the core relaxes from a pre-tensioned state so as to draw the first and second opposed ends of the other of the jacket and the core toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Mayer, Jochen Ganz, Beat Keller, Ralph Hertel
  • Patent number: 9757120
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a joining element elongate in a longitudinal direction including an inner core extending substantially in the longitudinal direction and an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The sleeve includes a lattice that defines at least one angle with respect to the longitudinal direction and the core is swellable against the sleeve along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to thereby increase the angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. The disclosure is further directed to a method of joining a first a second material including the joining element of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Mayer, Jochen Ganz, Beat Keller, Ralph Hertel
  • Patent number: 9737320
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgical procedures having a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion, an end effector movable between a first position and a second position, and an elongated tissue probe movably positioned within the elongated portion. The probe is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, wherein movement of the probe moves the end effector from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joshua Benjamin Stopek, Garrett Ebersole, Amin Elachchabi
  • Patent number: 9730717
    Abstract: A medical manipulator system has an operating unit including a grip handle and a composite input unit, a working unit detachably mounted on the operating unit and including an end effector, and a controller for controlling the operating unit. The controller judges starting and ending of a surgical case and increments the usage count of the working unit based on a manner in which the working unit is mounted and dismounted, and the times at which the working unit is mounted and dismounted, and disables the working unit if the usage count of the working unit exceeds a preset count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ryohei Katsuki, Makoto Jinno, Shigeru Omori, Masao Hitotsuyanagi, Jack Marlotte, Deanna Hirzel, Pari Shimoyama, Rie Nakamura