Patents Examined by Timothy J. Neal
  • Patent number: 11931006
    Abstract: A bending operation mechanism of an endoscope including: a first pulley configured to pull a first wire by being rotated in a first rotation direction; a second pulley, which is coaxial with the first pulley, configured to pull a second wire by being rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; and a rotation shaft member including a first protrusion that engages only with the first engagement portion of the first pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the first rotation direction from a neutral position when a bending portion is not bent and a second protrusion that engages only with the second engagement portion of the second pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the second rotation direction from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuto Yoshinaga, Tsukasa Ota, Xiongwei Wang
  • Patent number: 11925313
    Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject; and a channel fixing portion disposed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion and configured such that a part or all of a long channel tube is fixed in a state of being embedded in a distal end portion of the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eijiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11925322
    Abstract: A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Konstantin Bob
  • Patent number: 11918183
    Abstract: An endoscope, including: at least one outer shaft tube, at least one inner shaft tube disposed within the at least one outer shaft tube; a window distally hermetically sealing one of the inner shaft tube or the outer shaft tube, a heater disposed proximate to the window between the at least one outer shaft tube and the at least one inner shaft tube, a temperature sensor disposed embedded in a potting compound proximate to the window, and an encasement filled with the potting compound, the encasement at least partially surrounding the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Wieters
  • Patent number: 11918188
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope in which an operation switch included in the endoscope can be sealed with an airtight structure having a simple structure. A cable (16) of an endoscope (10) has a skin (52) that covers an outer periphery of the cable (16), the skin (52) defines an airtight space (17) inside the cable (16), and an operation switch (50) is disposed in the airtight space (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Inoue
  • Patent number: 11918179
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for endoscope includes an image sensor, a ferrule which is a rectangular parallelepiped having a front surface, a rear surface, and four side surfaces and includes insertion holes and trenches parallel to the insertion holes on respective two side surfaces orthogonal to each other among the four side surfaces, an optical element in which a light emitting region is disposed in a position opposed to the insertion holes, and optical fibers inserted into the insertion holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11918187
    Abstract: An endoscopic device has a handle including an adapter, a shaft connected to the handle, and one or more wires within the handle. The adapter defines one or more openings in a side or proximal end of the adapter. The shaft has a plurality of lumens extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A first lumen of the plurality of lumens is a working channel for receiving a medical instrument. Each of the one or more wires enter through the one or more openings in the adapter for guiding the one or more wires to a corresponding lumen other than the first lumen and to the distal end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Cahill, Earl McAllister, Alexander Joseph Burnham
  • Patent number: 11911020
    Abstract: A needle holder includes: a flexible sheath portion which is capable of being inserted into an instrument channel of a flexible endoscope; a first grasping member which is rotatably coupled with a distal end portion of the flexible sheath portion; and a second grasping member which is provided in the distal end portion of the flexible sheath portion. In a state where a curved needle is grasped by a first grasping surface of the first grasping member and a second grasping surface of the second grasping member, the second grasping surface inclines such that a grasped region of the curved needle that is grasped by the first grasping surface and the second grasping surface is positioned between a distal end of the second grasping member and a needle tip of the curved needle in a direction of a center axis of the second grasping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11911005
    Abstract: An endoscopic retraction assist device includes a body comprising opposite proximal and distal end portions and a central portion between the proximal and distal end portions, and a device channel defined in the body. At the central portion of the body, the device channel transitions from a circular portion having a circular cross section or perimeter to an arcuate portion having an elongated arcuate cross section or perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Applied EndoSolutions, LLC
    Inventor: Mohammed A. Qadeer
  • Patent number: 11911058
    Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanam Pham, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Theodore C. Blus, Jeffrey D. Holton, Thomas J. Holman
  • Patent number: 11909431
    Abstract: A capsule-type endoscope capable of two-way communication includes an RFID receiving antenna receiving an RFID signal, a first matching circuit for impedance matching with the RFID receiving antenna, a human body communication electrode comprised of a ground electrode and a signal electrode transmitting a signal for human body communication, and a second matching circuit for impedance matching with the human body communication electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Chosun University
    Inventors: Youn Tae Kim, Jong Jin Baek, Ji Won Park, Min Gu Kang
  • Patent number: 11903558
    Abstract: A direct intracardiac imaging catheter capable of entering chambers of the heart and providing an image through a vein or an artery percutaneously, or through direct access during open surgery. The intracardiac imaging catheter apparatus is a small optical fiber imaging system. The catheter is deflectable and capable of navigating within all heart chambers to acquire detailed images, and adjacent large vessels during percutaneous cardiac procedures. The catheter can access the arterial system to acquire blood vessel images. It can pass through the intra-atrial septum (foramen ovale) for cardiac procedures in the left chambers and large vessels adjacent the left heart, including pulmonary veins and the aorta. During open heart surgery, images can be provided from hard to access regions including the back of the heart during off pump cardiac surgery. The apparatus includes balloon tip that can be inflated and deflected based the movement of catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: John Jun Cai
  • Patent number: 11896198
    Abstract: Provided are a flexible portion shape estimating device and an endoscope system having the same. According to the present disclosure, the flexible portion shape estimating device includes a probe adapted to be inserted into a flexible portion and having a torque transmission wire transmitting a torque applied to one end thereof to other end thereof, and a rotation information measuring part coupled to other end of the probe to measure rotation information on the other end of the torque transmission wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Yonho Park
  • Patent number: 11896440
    Abstract: A medical delivery system including a carrier and a lead delivery device. The carrier defines a carrier body configured to engage a stereotactic system (or a similar pointing device with or without navigation/robotic assistance). The carrier defines a carrier channel configured to engage the lead delivery device and impart a torque to a portion of the lead delivery device. The lead delivery device and carrier are configured to cause the imparted torque to cause a cannula of the lead delivery device to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the lead delivery device. The cannula is configured to cause a rotation of an implantable lead within the cannula when the cannula is caused to rotate. The cannula is configured to translate substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the implantable lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Janardan Vaidyanathan, Charles T. Graves
  • Patent number: 11889977
    Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a casing that forms an exterior, a single manipulation ring rotatably provided on an outer surface of the casing, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to detect rotation of the single manipulation ring; calculate a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the single manipulation ring based on a detection result; execute a first function or a second function depending on the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the single manipulation ring calculated, wherein the first function is a different type of adjustment than the second function; and switch a function executed by the control circuitry to the first function or the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Atsuomi Ohno
  • Patent number: 11890027
    Abstract: An endoscopic grasping device for use during an endoscopic procedure. The device includes at least a fork operably connected to a pair of jaws pivotally mounted about a pivot point to the fork. A pusher is disposed within the fork and operably connected to a drive wire and a pair of arms. Each arm is attached to a respective jaw and configured to move that jaw upon a movement of the pusher in a distal direction or proximal direction resulting in the pair of jaws being in a closed position and a open position. Each jaw includes a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and towards the opposite jaw. One or more of the teeth are backwards curved and angled in a proximal direction from the jaw to improve a grasping, cutting, and handling feature of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED STATES ENDOSCOPY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Jessica Russo, Keith R. John, Alex Uspenski, Gerald Chiappone
  • Patent number: 11883049
    Abstract: Surgical tool can include an outer shaft, a guide, an end effector, and a drive shaft. The outer shaft can extend along a longitudinal axis. The guide can be connected to the outer shaft. The end effector can include a first jaw connected to the outer shaft distal of the guide and a second jaw pivotably connected to the outer shaft distal of the guide. The drive shaft can be located within the outer shaft and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The drive shaft can be connected to the end effector and the drive shaft can be engageable with the guide to limit movement of the drive shaft with respect to the outer shaft in a direction not parallel with the guide. The drive shaft can be translatable along the outer shaft to operate the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Hanam Pham, Jeffrey D. Holton
  • Patent number: 11883059
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11883326
    Abstract: A phacoemulsification system including a phacoemulsification probe having a probe body, a horn disposed at least partially in the probe body, a needle coupled with the horn and configured to be inserted into an eye, and a piezoelectric actuator disposed in the probe body and configured to vibrate the horn and the needle in a first direction with a stroke length with respect to the probe body; a signal generator configured to generate a drive signal to drive a vibration of the piezoelectric actuator; a stroke measurement apparatus configured to provide indications of the stroke length of the needle over time; and a controller configured to dynamically adjust a frequency of the drive signal so as to maximize the stroke length and maintain mechanical resonance of the needle responsively to the provided indications of the stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION, INC.
    Inventor: Vadim Gliner
  • Patent number: 11883058
    Abstract: A jaw member, end effector assembly including the jaw member and an ultrasonic blade, and an ultrasonic surgical instrument including the end effector assembly are provided. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner. The structural body includes a pair of proximal flanges and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flanges. The elongated distal portion includes spaced-apart side rails defining an elongated opening therebetween and interconnected at distal ends thereof via a distal cap. The jaw liner is engaged within the elongated opening and includes a base and first and second arms extending from the base. Each arm defines an inwardly-angled tissue contacting surface. The jaw liner defines a jaw liner compliance feature extending longitudinally therealong between the inwardly-angled tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second arms to facilitate outward deflection of the first and second arms relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, David J. Van Tol