Patents Examined by Peter A. Aschenbrenner
  • Composite electrosurgical medical instrument
    Patent number: 5197962
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for causing hemostasis having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, said instrument being coated over at least a portion of said predetermined region by a composite coating consisting essentially of a nickel-phosphorous matrix having particles of polytetrafluoroethylene distributed substantially uniformly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: MegaDyne Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias R. Sansom, Richard L. Ellingson
  • Helical-tipped lesion localization needle device and method of using the same
    Patent number: 5197482
    Abstract: A lesion localization and marking wire and needle assembly for marking non-palpable lesions within the body. A marking device having a helically wound coil of wire attached to an end of the shaft which is insertable into the body through a needle or cannula for rotatingly anchoring the marking device into a lesion or tumor is provided. The needle or cannula is inserted into the body with the marking device positioned therein so that when the cannula is positioned proximate to a lesion the shaft of the marker is rotated to advance the marker into the lesion to mark it for subsequent surgical procedures. A second helical wire may be provided on the shaft which cooperates with a wire guide device attached to the needle to enable the physician to determine the depth of the marking device as it anchors into the lesion. In particular, the device is provided for marking for biopsy lesions of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Rank, Ronald L. Nichols, Stephanie G. Schoenberger
  • Reclining seat back assembly for a wheelchair
    Patent number: 5195803
    Abstract: A reclining seat back assembly for a wheelchair includes a frame member having a pair of side posts pivotally connected to the wheelchair chassis. Each side post has a rearwardly extending handle at its upper end. A pair of extendable struts each include a hollow outer strut member pivotally connected to the chassis and an inner strut member pivotally connected to one of the side posts and received in the outer strut member. The struts contract as the seat back is pivoted toward a reclined position and extend as the seat back is pivoted toward an upright position. Mounted on each outer strut member is a locking mechanism that includes an engaging member having a first engaging surface with a profile complementary to a second engaging surface on the lower end of the inner strut member. A spring biases each engaging member into engagement with its respective inner strut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Quintile
  • Goniometer for needle placement
    Patent number: 5196019
    Abstract: A goniometer for needle placement in connection with a computer tomograph to direct a needle at a proper angle to reach an area for biopsy or other surgical procedures in the human body. One embodiment of the device includes a double ring, the outer ring having arcuate graduations and a level mounted thereon, and the inner ring being rotatable in the outer ring to various angle positions and including a needle carrier for receiving a needle holder.The outer ring has serrations on a continuous arcuate surface and the inner ring has resilient detents to contact and rid on the serrations. A lever operated needle holder has a cam to lock a detent into a serration when the needle holder is moved to a position to retain a needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: DLP, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Davis, John E. Drace
  • Electrosurgical cutting tool
    Patent number: 5196010
    Abstract: An electrosurgical tool comprises a retractable cutting blade movable along a linear cutting path and an electrical energy supply source which communicates electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) through the cutting blade and to tissue adjacent the cutting blade. During surgical procedures the electrosurgical cutting device is able to simultaneously cut tissue and cauterize, or fuse, the tissue in areas adjacent the incision through the application of electrical energy. The effect is a reduced amount of bleeding associated with surgical procedures and an enhanced ability to control and eliminate bleeding. Optionally, the electrosurgical cutting device may also include a supply of surgical staples which are deployed simulaneously with the cutting action and delivery of electrosurgical energy to adjacent tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Medical Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Nardella
  • Continuous gradient cylindrical diffusion tip for optical fibers and method for making
    Patent number: 5196005
    Abstract: A cylindrical diffuser tip for use with an optical fiber is described. The diffuser tip comprises a silicone core containing scattering centers embedded therein abutted to the terminus of the conventional optical core of an optical fiber, and an outer protective plastic tube to provide controlled stiffness or rigidity to the silicone diffuser tip while maintaining a flexibility comparable to that of the optical fiber. The scattering centers embedded in the silicone core are distributed to provide a gradient that increases continuously in a direction perpendicular from the terminus face of the optical fiber. The tip provides a substantially uniform distribution of radiance along its length and is particularly useful for laser radiation treatment of tumors. The stiffness of the diffuser tip can be varied by choosing a protective tube of varying wall thickness and durometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: PDT Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Doiron, Hugh L. Narciso, Jr., Paul Paspa
  • Electrosurgical handpiece with activator
    Patent number: 5196007
    Abstract: An electrosurgical handpiece for accommodating an assortment of different-sized electrodes having hollow shanks and provided with means for supplying suction adjacent the electrode tip for simultaneous removal of liquids or gasses. The handpiece can be fitted with a removable finger switch activator which can also be attached to other objects for the surgeon's convenience. Means for controlling the suction pressure at the electrode tip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventors: Alan Ellman, Jon C. Garito
  • Laser light irradiation apparatus
    Patent number: 5193526
    Abstract: A laser light irradiation apparatus used for medical treatment of living tissues. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a probe and a plural number of optical fibers. The optical fibers surround the axis of the probe. Laser light goes through each optical fiber and is applied to the probe. Then, the laser light is emitted from the probe to uniformly irradiate the tissues, and if desired, against the tissues over a broad area. Further, a guide wire and/or a lead wire for detecting a temperature can be placed so as to be coaxial with the probe. Therefore, a perforation of a normal part of the blood vessel can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: S.L.T. Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Daikuzono
  • Polymer pallet leg for a cardboard pallet base
    Patent number: 5193464
    Abstract: A polymer pallet leg for a cardboard pallet base including a first truncated cone, a second truncated cone within said first truncated cone inversely positioned with respect thereto, a rim surrounding and offset below a top edge of said first truncated cone, and a plurality of locking tabs extending outwardly from a top edge of the first truncated cone. The locking tabs engage with corresponding tab holes of a cardboard pallet about a pallet leg hole. The second truncated cone includes a flat surface for engaging with any object placed on the pallet and is about the same height as the top edge of the first truncated cone. An optimal braking tab can also be provided for engaging the cardboard further locking the leg in position. A pallet leg insert engages into the second inverted cone for attaching a bottom pallet base to the polymer pallet legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Plastic Pallet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Morden
  • Self-adherent eye occluder
    Patent number: 5191897
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a self-adherent eye occluder for use in visual diagnostic testing and treatment is provided which includes an eye occluder that is designed to drape or contour over the eye and substantially block its vision. The eye occluder need not be fully light occlusive when it is placed over the eye, as it is intended for use in visual function and neuropthalmologic testing and treatment in which it is unnecessary to block light. The eye occluder is further provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive material applied to at least a portion of a posterior side of the eye occluder sufficient to adhere the eye occluder to either the periorbital tissue about the eye or to spectacles worn over the eye. The occluder can be constructed to be disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Lens Plus Corporation
    Inventor: LeRoy G. Meshel
  • Dialysis probe
    Patent number: 5191900
    Abstract: A microdialysis probe for living tissue having respective inlet and outlet, fluid impermeable tubes connected by a dialysis fiber membrane permeable only to small molecular weight compounds. A U-shaped, loop probe tip configuration of the fiber membrane contains a biologically inert wire insertion to prevent kinking and ensure continuous fluid flow through the tip. The length and/or inner diameter of the outlet tube is selected with respect to a given flow rate to create an optimum positive fluid pressure inside the probe membrane tip sufficient to self-support the membrane during insertion and dialysis sampling. Alternative side-by-side and concentric probe configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Pravin K. Mishra
  • Method and apparatus for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy syndromes
    Patent number: 5191895
    Abstract: A method and/or an apparatus for the determination of whether a subject has nerve damage (polyneuropathy) and/or the degree of the nerve damage is characterized in that an increase of the skin temperature is provoked at an extremity of the subject, that at the same time perfusion value or a value correlated with this perfusion value is measured at this extremity, and the time from the start of the increase in temperature of the skin up to the start of an increase in perfusion as a result of the elevated skin temperature is evaluated as a measure for the presence and/or the degree of the nerve damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Peter Koltringer
  • Method and apparatus for subjecting a body site to a movable beam of laterally directed laser radiation
    Patent number: 5190538
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in a transverse, substantially flat, annular, energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber generally parallel to the axis. The radiation is intercepted axially adjacent the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially around, the axis. A reflector block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is connected to an actuator for locating the reflector block at selected axial positions along the axis whereby the beam irradiates the body site along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Trimedyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Hany M. G. Hussein, Vahid Saadatmanesh, Stanislaw Sulek
  • Cord cutter sampler
    Patent number: 5190556
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a device and method for clamping and cutting an umbilical cord so as to enable blood samples to be collected. Clamps are provided as either part of the device or separate therefrom to clamp off a section of the umbilical cord for the cutting and sampling process. The device includes a housing which accommodates vials for receiving the blood samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: O.B. Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Hessel
  • Instrument for ligation and castration
    Patent number: 5190560
    Abstract: An instrument for castration by ligating and severing blood and seminal vessels. A pistol-shaped tool comprises a hollow body forming a barrel and a hand grip. A yoke pivotally mounted in the cavity of the grip is pivotally connected to a trigger, ligating means and severing means. The vessel to be ligated and severed is positioned in a slotted area at the muzzle of the barrel. The initial pulling of the trigger toward the grip causes blade guards connected to the severing means to surround the vessel or vessels. Further movement of the trigger toward the grip actuates the ligating means to push a ligature from a ligature container and around the vessels. The ligature is forced through ligature compressors which press the locking ligature onto the vessels. Final movement of the trigger toward the grip moves the severing means to force a blade through the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventors: John B. Woods, Wayne Porter
  • Thermal balloon angioplasty
    Patent number: 5190540
    Abstract: A method for remodeling a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, having a stenosis to expand the stenosis comprising the steps of increasing the temperature of the body lumen and stenosis at the region of the stenosis for a time period and to a temperature level sufficient to cause a change in the stenosis and body lumen region from a relatively solid state into a softer and more moldable state and thereafter expanding the stenosis and the body lumen region while in the softer and more moldable state to thus reduce the tendency to fracture during expansion, and reducing the temperature of the stenosis and body lumen region while maintaining the expansion for a time period and to a temperature level sufficient to re-establish the relatively solid state thereof so as to increase the tendency to maintain the stenosis and body lumen region in the expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Cardiovascular & Interventional Research Consultants, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin I. Lee
  • Slotted tube injector for an intraocular lens
    Patent number: 5190552
    Abstract: An injector formed of a slotted tube is partially inserted via its front end in a minimum size eye incision to inject a temporarily folded intraocular lens having opposed haptics extending from its periphery, into the eye without stressing the incision. Holding and locking mechanisms serve to fold the lens into the tube rear end with the haptics protruding from the tube slot so as not to be jammed in the tube, and to unfold the lens out of the tube front end in the eye for release, all in controlled manner, and so as to avoid patient trauma from stress on the incision or contact of the unfolding lens with the inner wall of the cornea or other eye parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Charles D. Kelman
  • Catheter for percutaneous surgery of blood vessels and organs using radiant energy
    Patent number: 5188635
    Abstract: A catheter for percutaneous surgery of blood vessels and organs using radiant energy, such as laser or radiofrequency radiation is provided, preferably for percutaneous valvotomy and for incision of membranous obstructions in vessels and hollow organs, especially in cardiac cavities. The catheter contains at least one light conductor, such as a waveguide, for EKG timed transmission of the energy radiation from its source to the point of emission of the radiation close to the distal end of the catheter. The EKG times and triggers the pulses of radiation when a heart valve is in the open position of a heartbeat. The catheter has a positioning mechanism so that the distal end of the catheter can anchor reversably and removably in a form fitting manner on a vessel or hollow organ part. The catheter protrudes into the lumen of the vessel or hollow organ part while leaving a throughput opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Wolfgang Radtke
  • Rotatable laser probe with beveled tip
    Patent number: 5188634
    Abstract: A catheter for ablating obstructing material within a corporal lumen includes a fiber optic member through which radiant energy can be transmitted to a distal end adjacent the site of the obstructing material. Beveled surfaces carried on the distal end of the fiber optic member provide output beams of radiant energy oriented in a direction on the order of 45.degree. with respect to an axis of the member. The laterally deflected radiant energy beams impinge upon regions of plaque or obstructing material in the lumen and have an effective radius greater than the radius of the fiber optic member. By rotating the fiber optic member, a circular locus within the lumen can be ablated or vaporized to create a channel in the lumen with a diameter greater than the diameter of the fiber optic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Trimedyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Hany M. G. Hussein, Marvin Loeb, Kenneth M. Galt
  • Corrugated construction pallet
    Patent number: RE34198
    Abstract: A pallet made of corrugated material employs stringers in which panel portions therewithin are secured in oblique positions, against the external sidewall panel portions to afford enhanced lateral stability and resistance to failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Gate Pallet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Quasnick