Patents Examined by Sarah Simpson
  • Device for applying a marking to the human eye
    Patent number: 11147711
    Abstract: A device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular to the cornea of the eye, comprises a marking head comprising a marking element and a holding device carrying the marking head or an intermediate adapter. The marking head or the intermediate adapter has a bearing area which is rotatably mounted in a bearing ring of the holding device which surrounds the bearing area in a predeterminable or variable angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GEUDER AG
    Inventors: Hamadi El-Ayari, Julius Mueller-Albinus, Hartmut Fath
  • Method and apparatus for endoscopic ligament release
    Patent number: 11147584
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for cutting anatomic members, such as ligaments, in surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release, plantar fasciotomy, gastroc release, and cubital and tarsal tunnel release. The apparatus includes a guide tool for guiding a knife and a scope during surgery which may be employed with a translating knife. Relevant features include a knife stop for preventing the knife from inadvertently raising out of the knife channel, indicia viewable to show the proper orientation for the guide tool, a self dilating tip and channel design on the guide tool, a cover piece and/or pivotable panel system for preventing ligaments and other anatomy from getting caught in the guide tool, a pivot pin and groove system for stabilizing the knife and also assuring that the knife blade is not inadvertently raised out of the channel, and a use indicator employable to prevent re-use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Trice Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Seymour, Richard Thomas Briganti, Alan B. Miller, Charles F. Leinberry, Jr.
  • Specimen retrieval device
    Patent number: 11134932
    Abstract: A specimen retrieval device includes a tubular body, an inner shaft slidably positioned within a longitudinal bore of the tubular body, and a specimen bag supported on the distal portion of the inner shaft. In embodiments, the tubular body tubular body is formed of a lubricious material. The specimen bag is formed from a pattern and welded by a radiofrequency welder. The specimen bag includes a tail section through which the inner shaft passes, and the tail section may be attached to a handle at a proximal portion of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Saumya Banerjee, Eric Brown, Gregory R. Morck, Roy J. Pilletere
  • Surgical punch
    Patent number: 11129640
    Abstract: A cutting edge of a punch includes side segments and a central segment disposed between the side segments. When the punch head slides into a hollow blade, the central segment of the cutting edge meets the punch head before the side segments meet the punch head. The central segment starts cutting first, which can help avoid a dog-bone shaped hole when the punch is used on a blood vessel, such as the aorta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: John Duc Nguyen, Carine Hoarau, Steven H. Reichenbach, James Badia, Ruth Eleanor Beeby
  • Steerable delivery system and components
    Patent number: 11123186
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. Disclosed are a number of features that can improve steerability or release of the prosthesis into the body location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: David Robert Landon, Alexander H. Cooper, Julio Cesar Sanchez, Glen T. Rabito, Victoria Cheng-Tan Wu, Kevin M. Golemo, J. Brent Ratz, Tarannum Ishaq Gutierrez, Ramon Aguilar, Jr., Taylor Jacob Scheinblum, Kevin M. Stewart, Garrett Dallas Johnson, Jesse Robert Edwards, Hieu Minh Luong, Lindsay Lam
  • Handle device
    Patent number: 11123092
    Abstract: A handle device, in particular a surgical-tool handle device, with a first handle element and a second handle element, and with a shear joint by means of which the two handle elements are connected pivotably and separably, and with a coupling unit, which is configured to keep the two handle elements together counter to a separation direction and which comprises at least one coupling element that is configured to establish, depending on a relative position of the handle elements, a form-fit connection of the handle elements counter to the separation direction. The at least one coupling element is embodied as a centering element for centering the form-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: STERIS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Dannoritzer, Stefan Rauch, Harald Fuchs, Gerlinde Klaiber, Julian Dannoritzer
  • Delivery system and method for loading a self-expanding collapsible heart valve
    Patent number: 11096812
    Abstract: A delivery system has a delivery capsule with a detachable portion including first and second open ends with a tapered wall extending therebetween to compress and guide a collapsible heart valve into the delivery capsule. The detachable portion may be detached from the delivery capsule after loading the collapsible heart valve to leave a smooth distal surface on the delivery capsule. Detachment of the detachable portion may occur by breaking or removing a frangible member interposed between the detachable portion and the delivery capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Finn, Keith High
  • Surgical instrument system including replaceable end effectors
    Patent number: 11083457
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Tissue resecting instrument including an outflow control seal
    Patent number: 11083481
    Abstract: A tissue resecting instrument includes an end effector assembly having a proximal hub housing, outer and inner shafts extending therefrom, and an inner core drive assembly to rotate and reciprocate the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. The inner core drive assembly includes a proximal receiver that receives a rotational input and rotates in response and includes a seal member disposed thereon. The rotation of the proximal receiver effects rotation of a connector and reciprocation of the connector between a proximal position and a distal position. The connector is operably coupled to the inner shaft such that the rotation and reciprocation of the connector effects the rotation and reciprocation of the inner shaft. In the proximal position, the connector and the seal member establish a seal that blocks outflow. In the distal position, the connector is displaced from the seal member to permit outflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Timothy J. Wood
  • Knotless filament anchor for soft tissue repair
    Patent number: 11076865
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Tracy Pat-Yen Ng, Kyle Craig Pilgeram, Lee Harris Cordova, Robert Eugene McLaughlin, II, Stuart Edward Fromm
  • Volumetric grafts for treatment of fistulae and related methods and systems
    Patent number: 11064987
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and systems useful in the treatment of fistulae, and in certain embodiments those having openings extending into the alimentary canal, such as anorectal fistulae. Illustratively, an anorectal fistula can be treated by placing a volumetric construct within the primary opening of the fistula. In certain embodiments, the volumetric construct can include a rolled remodelable material processed to form a substantially unitary body. Advantageous such remodelable materials can include collagenous extracellular matrix materials, such as small intestine submucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated
    Inventors: F. Joseph Obermiller, Michael C. Hiles, Matthew R. Graham, Clay D. Fette
  • Synthetic chord for cardiac valve repair applications
    Patent number: 11058538
    Abstract: Synthetic chord devices and methods for using the same for connecting tissues are provided. Aspects of the synthetic chord devices include a first flexible connector having first and second ends. Located at the first end is an attachment element that includes a tissue piercing member coupled to a securing member. The securing member includes an elongated shape memory coil that is present in a removable sheath configured to maintain elongation of the shape memory coil. A reinforcing element is located at the second end. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications, such as cardiac valve, e.g., mitral valve, repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Charles Somers Living Trust
    Inventor: James Longoria
  • Uterine fibroid tissue removal device
    Patent number: 11045217
    Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, William Lucas Churchill, Ronald David Adams, William Harwick Gruber, David Jacobs
  • Apparatus and method for septal punch
    Patent number: 11045224
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes a shaft having a side catheter guide attached thereto via a guide coupler into an inferior vena cava and a superior vena cava such that the guide coupler is disposed in a right atrium, and applying a distal force to a proximal portion of the side catheter guide such that a distal end of the side catheter guide deflects laterally about the guide coupler towards a septum. The method further includes extending a side catheter that is disposed within the side catheter guide distally from the side catheter guide towards and into contact with the septum. The method further includes, with the side catheter in contact with the septum, extending a septum penetrator that is slidably disposed within the side catheter distally from the side catheter such that the septum penetrator pierces the septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland Medical System LLC, Protaryx Medical Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Gammie, Philip J. Haarstad, David Blaeser, Ryan Bauer, Stephen Roller, Rachael Quinn, Chetan Pasrija, Edwin Hlavka
  • Suture anchor system and method
    Patent number: 11033259
    Abstract: A suture anchor method including a suture anchor and a suture anchor drive. The suture anchor is positionable on a rod of the suture anchor drive. The rod defines an awl for forming a hole in a bone. The suture anchor drive further has an impactor for moving the suture anchor along the rod between a retracted position and an advanced position so as to implant the suture anchor in the bone with the awl positioned in the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Bouduban, Patrick Burki, Beat Lechmann, Philippe Gedet
  • Hernia repair prostheses
    Patent number: 11026774
    Abstract: Prosthesis (1a) for repair of an inguinal hernia, intended to be implanted laparoscopically, comprising openwork fabric of biocompatible material, comprising a first surface, called parietal surface, intended to be placed facing biological tissues of the inguinal region, and a second surface, opposite the first surface, called peritoneal surface, intended to be placed facing the peritoneum, the peritoneal surface comprising, on a portion of the surface thereof, a first zone (6), provided with a non-stick coating, the parietal surface comprising, on a portion of the surface thereof, a second zone (7) provided with a non-stick coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: THT BIO-SCIENCE, SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE
    Inventors: Edouard Pelissier, Claude Largenton, Philippe Ngo
  • Occlusive medical device with cushioning member
    Patent number: 11020123
    Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes a framework including a projection and a cushioning member coupled to the framework, the cushioning member including a first end region and a second end region opposite the first end region. Additionally, the first end region is coupled to the projection, the second end region is coupled to the framework and the cushioning member includes a curved portion designed to minimize trauma to a target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Joseph Tischler
  • Surgical device and methods of delivering implants
    Patent number: 11006944
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a surgical device configured to deliver implants and a method of repairing damaged tissue, such as meniscus tears. One exemplary surgical device includes a cannula and a pusher moveable within the cannula to deploy a plurality of implants. Movement of the pusher in the distal direction deploys a distal-most implant and moves any additional implants distally within the cannula. Thus, multiple implants can be loaded into the cannula and deployed using one pusher. The disclosed arrangement is easy to use and has fewer component parts compared to prior devices, which in turn increases the ease of manufacture and reduces cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Joseph Best, Kenneth T. Helenbolt, Andrew Osika, Timothy J. Haughton, Marshall Dean, Omar Bermudez, Charles William Sears, Timothy N. Johnson
  • Pixel array medical systems, devices and methods
    Patent number: 11000310
    Abstract: Systems, instruments, and methods for minimally invasive procedures including one or more of fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, and/or fractional scar revision are described. Embodiments include instrumentation comprising a scalpet assembly coupled to a carrier, and the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array. The scalpet array includes one or more scalpets configured for fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, and/or fractional scar revision. The system includes a vacuum component coupled to the scalpet assembly and configured to evacuate tissue from the a site. The carrier is configured to control application of a rotational force and/or a vacuum force to the scalpet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SRGI HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Knowlton
  • Hydraulically assisted lens delivery system and method
    Patent number: 10987215
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method that provides hydraulically assisted delivery of intraocular lenses (IOL) from a insertion tool. The IOL insertion system having an insertion rod with a tube having a first end and a second end, a piston head affixed to the insertion rod and positioned between the first and second end, a hydraulic chamber, an aspiration line communicatively connected to the hydraulic chamber, and at least one valve in fluid communication with the aspiration line, wherein the insertion rod moves in response to the displacement of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Steen