Patents Examined by Ryan Henderson
  • Endoscopic accessory for endoscopic device
    Patent number: 9192284
    Abstract: An endoscopic system including an accessory that fits over an endoscopic device, the accessory including at least one collapsible tube which has a collapsed state and an expanded state, wherein in the collapsed state, the accessory increases an outer perimeter of the endoscopic device by not more than 10%, and in the expanded state, the at least one collapsible tube has fluid that flows therethrough and the accessory increases the outer perimeter of the endoscopic device by at least 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: EasyNotes Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Hirsch, Izhak Fabian
  • Distal viewing window of a medical catheter
    Patent number: 9186207
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an elongated housing, e.g., a catheter, configured to be inserted into a lumen of a patient to diagnose or treat a patient. The elongated housing includes a scope channel that accepts a cystoscope and a viewing window at the distal end of the elongated housing. The user may use the cystoscope to view tissue adjacent to the viewing window. The viewing window may take up at least 10 percent of the length of the elongated housing to allow the user to identify a large area of tissue in the lumen without moving the elongated housing with respect to the tissue. Once the user identifies the target tissue, the user may position the elongated housing graduations on the viewing window and the proximal end of the elongated housing. An ablation needle electrode may be extended into the target tissue to deliver ablation therapy to the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Elmouelhi, Gareth Morgan
  • Endoscope
    Patent number: 9188773
    Abstract: An endoscope comprising, in a part of an insertion portion having flexibility, a bending portion formed by covering an outermost circumference with a covering rubber. Respective end portions of the covering rubber being tightly bound to a rigid portion near the bending portion with a thread and fixed by applying an adhesive. In at least one end portion of both fixed end portions of the covering rubber, hardness of at least a portion in a range from an end portion in a center portion side of a portion tightly bound with the thread to an end portion in a center portion side of a portion to which the adhesive is applied is set higher than hardness in a center portion of the covering rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanao Abe
  • Distal tip channel ramp
    Patent number: 9179826
    Abstract: An endoscope and endoscope shaft having an adaptor that where the internal diameter of the adaptor increases along its longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the adaptor to the distal end of the adaptor. The adaptor guides an instrument through the working channel of the endoscope and prevents bumps from forming in the working channel of the endoscope shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Margus Lohk
  • Medical apparatus
    Patent number: 9173550
    Abstract: A medical apparatus according to the present invention includes: a flexible sheath; an arm section having a bending part capable of bending operation and a first channel capable of inserting a procedure instrument therethrough, the arm section being disposed to protrude from a tip of the sheath; and an operation stick having a second channel connected to the first channel and a bending operating part connected to the arm section by an operation-transmission member, wherein the operation stick has: a regulation section for regulating movement of the bending operating part; and a falloff-preventive section for engaging with the procedure instrument inserted in the second channel to prevent the procedure instrument from falling from the operation stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazushi Murakami
  • Retrograde instrument
    Patent number: 9173547
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical instrument includes a U-turn mechanism that transmits actuating forces around a U-turn. The U-turn mechanism is coupled between segments of the instrument and has a bend radius that is smaller than flexible arms having a similar cross section diameter. The actuating forces transmitted by the U-turn mechanism are used to move distal components of the instrument, such as an end effector and a wrist mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Duval, David C. Shafer, Bruce M. Schena
  • Endoscope
    Patent number: 9173555
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscope which is capable of letting a liquid drain off to a satisfactory level at the time of cleaning, while securing the degree of freedom of a layout. An observation window is placed on an observation window base part which is formed on a distal end surface of a distal end part so as to protrude from the surrounding area. An outer peripheral shape of the observation window base part is formed into a streamline shape with respect to a flow of a cleaning fluid jetted from a nozzle. With this feature, it is possible to block a liquid flow having a low flow rate from flowing on the observation window, and to allow the liquid flow which has been used for cleaning to promptly move to the outside of the observation window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ikeda, Kan Naito
  • Endoscope
    Patent number: 9173552
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion including a bending portion configured to bend in four directions, and a flexible tube portion provided so as to be continuous with the bending portion, wherein the bending portion includes a first bending region and a second bending region, and wherein the flexible tube portion comprises inside, four first guide pipes each including a distal end fixed to a distal end of the first bending region and a proximal end fixed to a bending portion operation device, and three second guide pipes each including a distal end fixed to a distal end of the second bending region and a proximal end fixed to a bending portion bent shape switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taigo Kakehashi
  • Fluid ejection device
    Patent number: 9167954
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a fluid chamber configured to store fluid, a nozzle configured to eject the fluid stored in the fluid chamber, a fluid supply channel connected to the fluid chamber and configured to supply the fluid to the fluid chamber, an air bubbles generating member configured to generate air bubbles in the fluid chamber, and a partitioning wall portion configured to separate the fluid chamber and the fluid supply channel, support the air bubbles generating member. The partitioning wall portion include at least one hole, communicating the fluid chamber and the fluid supply channel. The hole is configured to inhibit backflow during ejection of a jet pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Kazuyoshi Takayama, Atsuhiro Nakagawa, Toru Nakano, Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Medical system and control method
    Patent number: 9161682
    Abstract: A medical system includes a movable portion configured to allow an angle to be changed within a predetermined angular range, an actuator configured to drive the movable portion so as to change the angle of the movable portion when a wire is pulled, a control unit configured to perform drive control of the actuator, a slack detection unit configured to detect a driving condition as to whether or not the wire is slack, a slack adjustment unit configured to adjust slack of the wire based on a detection result produced by the slack detection unit; and a slack adjustment command input unit used to input a command to adjust the slack of the wire, wherein the slack adjustment unit adjusts the slack of the wire to a predetermined state of adjustment in response to the command to adjust the slack of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Umemoto, Kazuhiko Takahashi
  • Complex shape steerable tissue visualization and manipulation catheter
    Patent number: 9155452
    Abstract: Complex shape steerable tissue visualization and manipulation catheters and their methods of use of disclosed herein. The deployment catheter may be articulated utilizing various steering mechanisms to adjust a position of a visualization hood or membrane through which underlying tissue may be visualized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Rothe, David Miller, Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, Edmund Tam
  • Medical devices, systems and methods for closing perforations
    Patent number: 9155532
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods for placing tissue fixation devices are provided. The medical device includes a plurality of elongate delivery devices, a plurality of elongate tubes, and a distal tip. Each delivery device defines a delivery lumen sized to receive a tissue fixation device. Each elongate tube defines a tube lumen sized to receive one of the delivery devices. Each tube lumen has a distal port. The distal tip is connected to the plurality of elongate tubes and defines a guide surface positioned distally of the distal ports. The guide surface is structured to redirect the plurality of delivery devices radially outwardly as the plurality of delivery devices are distally translated through the tube lumens and the distal ports of the plurality of elongate tubes. A medical system is formed by an endoscope that is selectively attachable to the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Vihar C. Surti
  • Endoluminal and transluminal surgical methods and devices
    Patent number: 9155557
    Abstract: An access device adapted and configured to be inserted through a natural biological orifice, and related surgical methods are provided. The access device includes a body, a nozzle means and means for delivering a pressurized flow of fluid to the nozzle means. The body is configured and dimensioned to be inserted through a natural bodily orifice and has proximal and distal end portions and defines at least one lumen therethrough to accommodate passage of one or more surgical instruments. The nozzle means is operatively associated with the body for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen to develop a pressure differential in an area within a region within the lumen to form a fluid seal around the one or more surgical instruments passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SurgiQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Azarbarzin, Daniel B. Jones, Ralph Stearns, Timothy J. Nolan
  • Medical device for use in endoscopic procedure
    Patent number: 9149173
    Abstract: Endoscopes and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example endoscope includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include one or more channels. A catheter and/or wire locking member may be coupled to a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Scopton, Gary J. Leanna, Mark Wood, Kurt A. E. Geitz, M. Kevin Richardson, Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr.
  • Drainage tube insertion tool
    Patent number: 9144371
    Abstract: A drainage tube insertion tool for use in an endoscope, comprising: a drainage tube configured to slidably fit on an outer surface of an insertion portion of the endoscope, and a pusher tube configured to slidably fit on the outer surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope and which pushes the drainage tube, wherein a notch is formed in a side wall portion of the pusher tube along a longitudinal axis direction, and the pusher tube is fitted on the outer surface of the insertion portion upon making a side surface of the insertion portion extend through the notch, and the drainage tube is inserted into a predetermined lumen of a body cavity by pushing the drainage tube out of a distal end of the insertion portion with the pusher tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sota Hirano, Tomohiro Ohki
  • Surgical adapter assembly for use with endoscope
    Patent number: 9144372
    Abstract: Adapters for properly positioning a portion of a medical instrument that is positioned within an endoscope at site of interest is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Nico Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Mark, Brian C. Dougherty, Chad LaMar
  • Tightening string for an endoscope, outer cover securing method, flexible tube for an endoscope, and an endoscope
    Patent number: 9138131
    Abstract: A tightening string is used in an endoscope for firmly securing an outer cover of a flexible tube of the endoscope onto an internal member disposed inside the outer cover. The tightening string is comprised of a filament assembly formed by bundling a plurality of filaments made of a synthetic resin. The invention also provides an outer cover securing method, a flexible tube for an endoscope, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube. An outer cover securing method using the tightening string, a flexible tube for an endoscope equipped with the thus secured outer cover, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Sato
  • Medical instrument
    Patent number: 9138128
    Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle, on which at least one electric switch is arranged. The switch has an annular mechanical actuation unit whose outer side forms a grip surface running peripherally of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Elmar Teichtmann
  • Instrument for fine-mechanical or surgical applications
    Patent number: 9138133
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for high-precision or surgical applications of a minimally invasive nature, comprising a distally positioned directable head, a shaft upon which the head is positioned, and a proximally positioned handgrip for operating the head, wherein a ring of cables comprising longitudinally extending cables connects to the head, wherein each cable of the ring of cables is disposed such that at least a part of both sides is in direct contact with another cable of the ring of cables, and wherein the cables are fixedly secured in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Paul Breedveld, Jules Serge Scheltes
  • Locomotion device for endoscopic applications and related methods
    Patent number: 9131833
    Abstract: A locomotion device and related methods for navigation into an intracorporeal cavity such as a gastrointestinal tract are described. The locomotion device is based upon rotating pinching organs, associated actuators, and transmission systems wherein the rotating pinching organs are placed side by side and rotate in an opposite direction in order to draw and retain a tissue portion and establish an anchoring point of the locomotion device onto the substratum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITA CAMPUS BIO-MEDICO DI ROMA
    Inventors: Dino Accoto, Serena Passanisi