Patents Examined by Ryan Henderson
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Patent number: 9504455Abstract: A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
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Patent number: 9498888Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, Cameron D. Hinman
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Patent number: 9498107Abstract: A collet comprising a cylindrical body comprising a first end and a second end and an aperture coaxial within the cylindrical body. The aperture is configured for receiving a medical device and for securing the medical device by decreasing in diameter when pressure is applied to at least one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical body.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: CareFusion 2200, Inc.Inventors: Mark Doyle, Jimmy C. Caputo
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Patent number: 9498108Abstract: A disposable sheath device for use with an endoscope is disclosed. The endoscope has a body with an insertion tube having optics at its distal end. The disposable sheath device has a primary lumen and at least one secondary lumen attached to the primary lumen along a length of the lumen. The primary lumen is for covering and protecting the insertion tube from bodily contamination. The secondary lumen is for accommodating a desired tool. The secondary lumen has an insert substantially commensurate in length to the secondary lumen and has a slit longitudinally along its length. The slit permits radial expansion to accommodate tools having a radius larger than that of the secondary lumen, which preferably is made of a flexible material that expands. A connector is attached to the proximal end of the primary lumen and connects to the body of the endoscope. The connector extends longitudinally to accommodate different length insertion tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: OPPORTUNITY/DISCOVERY LLCInventor: Edward J Lombardi
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Patent number: 9486125Abstract: An accessory for partially enclosing a shaft of an endoscope is disclosed. The accessory defines a first space for accommodating the shaft and a second space for defining a conduit along the shaft. An outer surface of the accessory around the first and second spaces is centered on a first longitudinal axis, and the first space is centered on a second longitudinal axis spaced relative to the first longitudinal axis. The first space is open to one side, so that the accessory only partially encloses the shaft when placed around it.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Endoguard LimitedInventor: Adam Graham James
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Patent number: 9486124Abstract: An advance and retreat assist tool includes a base unit, a first tubular member, a rotary portion and an advance and retreat mechanism. The advance and retreat assist tool further includes a hinge mechanism which switches to either a coaxial condition or a slanted condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Tetsuhiro Yamada
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Patent number: 9468361Abstract: An endoscope includes a flexible tube and a connection mouth ring. The flexible tube includes a helical tube, a braid tube disposed outside the helical tube, and an outer tube disposed outside the braid tube. The endoscope further includes a caulking member which caulks the end of the braid tube from the outside of the connection mouth ring in a state held therebetween. The end of the helical tube is connected by thermal action to the connection mouth ring, and a part where the end of the helical tube is connected to the connection mouth ring is positioned differently along the axis of the connection mouth ring from a part where the end of the braid tube is caulked against the connection mouth ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Shigeki Matsuo, Yasushi Machida
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Patent number: 9456735Abstract: A rear-viewing endoscope includes a rigid section having first and second ends, and a cavity situated between the first and second ends. The rigid section has a longitudinal length and defining a longitudinal axis (LAR). The endoscope further includes a flexible section having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end is coupled to the second end of the rigid section; and an imaging unit having first and second ends and a cavity situated between the first and second ends, the second end of the imaging unit coupled to the distal end of the flexible section. An objective lens assembly of the endoscope includes a complementary multiband bandpass filter (CMBF) pair situated within the cavity of the imaging unit. The CMBF filter collimated image rays passing therethrough so as to output filtered image rays. A camera or detector receives the filtered image rays and forms corresponding video information for stereoscopic imaging.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Inventors: Shahinian Karnig Hrayr, Shearn J. Michael, Manohara Harish, Mondry M. Jack, Korniski J. Ronald
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Patent number: 9456736Abstract: A medical instrument system includes an elongated member having an inner space in a direction of a longitudinal axis, an insertion section installed at the inner space and having a bending section capable of being bent, a manipulation section configured to manipulate the bending section, a first manipulation member transmitting a driving force of the bending section in accordance with the manipulation by the manipulation section, a second manipulation member arranged in the direction of a longitudinal axis, a connecting section having a first connecting section and a second connecting section and capable of connecting the first manipulation member and the second manipulation member, and a switching mechanism having a first acting section and a second acting section and switching between a connection state and a release state in accordance with a relative movement between the elongated member and the insertion section.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshio Onuki, Kiyotaka Matsuno, Tatsutoshi Hashimoto, Tsutomu Okada, Kazuo Banju, Ken Shigeta, Naoki Iwanaga, Shotaro Takemoto, Ayano Ishioka
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Patent number: 9445794Abstract: Endoscopes, medical devices for use with endoscopes, and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example medical device for use with an endoscope is a catheter having one or more ridges formed on an outer surface thereof. The ridges may interact, for example, with the elevator of an endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: William J. Shaw
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Patent number: 9440364Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, Adam Gold
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Patent number: 9439672Abstract: A surgical instrument handle operates a microsurgical instrument on a surgical instrument head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a ring mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The ring is operatively associated with the surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SynergeticsInventors: Gregg D. Scheller, Michael D. Auld
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Patent number: 9439555Abstract: A flexible endoscope insertion tube having at least one working channel extending in the axial direction of the flexible tube. One or more liners are in coaxial alignment with the distal end working channel of the tube. At least one ceramic tip liner may be disposed on the interior distal end of the endoscope working channel which protects the working channel from operational wear and tear.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Karl Storz Endovision, Inc.Inventor: Guy E. Horne, Jr.
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Patent number: 9439557Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais
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Patent number: 9434077Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, IncInventors: David J. Danitz, Adam Gold
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Patent number: 9427139Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a positioning mechanism configured for movement through at least two degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Brian Tinkham, Kevin Richardson
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Patent number: 9402531Abstract: Endoscopic cannulas and methods of their use are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoscopic cannula may include an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. A viewing channel and a working channel may extend through the elongated body. The viewing channel can be configured for passing therethrough an endoscope to the distal end of the elongated body for viewing outside the elongated body, while the working channel can be configured for passing therethrough an injection needle distally of the elongated body. The cannula may also include a suction pod disposed on a bottom surface of the elongated member, the suction pod being in communication with a suction channel extending through the elongated body to create suction between the suction pod and a tissue surface to temporary attach the elongated body to the tissue surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Pavilion Medical Innovations, LLCInventor: Albert K. Chin
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Patent number: 9386910Abstract: An endoscope overtube includes a flexible tubular member and a hub assembly provided at the proximal end of the tubular member. The hub assembly includes an elastic sleeve seal cuff extending about the inner surface of a body member of the hub. The ends of seal cuff are coupled to the body member. An inflation line extends into the body member in communication with the outer surface of the seal cuff. When fluid is pressurized through the inflation line, the cuff is distended inward to reduce the size of the opening through the port such that the cuff forms a seal about an endoscope received through the hub. The body member is preferably coupled to each of the flexible tubular member and to the elastic seal cuff using a snap-fit engagement of parts such that no fasteners, welds, glues, etc. are necessary for securing the hub assembly together.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.Inventor: Stephen West
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Patent number: 9375139Abstract: An arthroscope having an elongated core with a square radial cross section.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Cannuflow, Inc.Inventor: Theodore R. Kucklick
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Patent number: 9370868Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, Adam Gold