Patents Examined by Victor Shapiro
-
Patent number: 9023015Abstract: There is provided a method of attaching an end effector to a surgical instrument having a center rod with a distal tip. The method includes providing an end effector having a base and a coupler defining a pocket and movably mounted within the base. The end effector is moved over the center rod such that the distal tip of the center rod is seated within the pocket of the coupler. There is also disclosed an end effector including a base having a slot, a coupler movably mounted within the base and defining a pocket for receipt of a moving member of a surgical instrument and an operative member movably mounted on the base and connected to the coupler.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Christopher Penna
-
Patent number: 9017257Abstract: The activity monitor (100) includes a basic information acquisition unit (20) that accepts input of basic physical information (BA) of the user's body, a target information acquisition unit (30) that accepts input of the user's target physical expenditure (CS), an activity pattern acquisition unit (40) that acquires pattern information indicating the user's intent on the activity amount (AM), and a target activity calculation unit (50) that determines a target activity amount (TA) on the basis of the basic physical information (BA), the target physical expenditure (CS), and the pattern information acquired by the activity pattern acquisition unit (40).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Tanita CorporationInventors: Miyuki Kodama, Jun Kato, Mayumi Yamashita, Shizuka Takahashi
-
Patent number: 9017316Abstract: A system and method of estimating a distance between the distal end of an optical fiber and treated tissue, to improve treatment efficiency, is provided herein. The estimation is achieved by modulating the numerical aperture of a light beam transmitted through the fiber to receive reflections from the tissue and distinguish them from other reflections in the fiber, and further by calculating the distance by comparing reflection intensities of beams having different numerical aperture values that illuminate the tissue over a very short period, so that tissue and environment conditions do not change much. Distance estimation may be carried out by modulating the treatment beam itself, or by a light beam transmitted between pulses of a pulsed treatment beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Lumenis Ltd.Inventors: Arkady Khatchaturov, Uri Voitsechov, Igal Koifman
-
Patent number: 9005261Abstract: A therapeutic laser with a source of pulsed electromagnetic radiation, a control device for controlling the intensity and/or the duration of the therapeutic laser applied to the tissue, and a detection device for detecting optoacoustic signals triggered by irradiating the living tissue with the pulsed electromagnetic radiation. The therapeutic laser is characterized by an evaluation device that acts on the control device and is used for calculating a degree of quality B(t) from the optoacoustic signals detected by the detection device for individual laser pulses applied to a predetermined laser spot and determining a fit function f(t) at a predetermined point in time ?t1, the fit function f(t) approximating the mean curve of B(t) for 0?t??t1. The intensity and/or the irradiation time of the therapeutic laser is defined by the parameters for the predetermined laser spot, the parameters being determined for the fit function f(t).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebech GmbHInventor: Ralf Brinkmann
-
Patent number: 8998887Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for removing tissue, in particular a shaver, drill, or morcellator, having a tool that can be set in rotation and a motorized drive for driving the tool, and having an elongate body and a handle that projects laterally from said elongate body. The handle is fastened in a detachable manner to the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Markus Simmen, Raphael Spycher, Urs Vogel
-
Patent number: 8986290Abstract: Devices to perform femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification are physically and/or operationally combined. In some embodiments the femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification are housed together, and in other embodiments they are housed separately, but operated through a common display screen. At least some software can be shared by the femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification functionalities. A non-transitory computer-readable memory can provide data that can be used to operate each of at least one femtolaser ablation functionality and at least one phacoemulsification functionality.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: Douglas Patton
-
Patent number: 8979912Abstract: Embodiments of dermalogical cell treatment are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventors: Jongju Na, Merle Richman
-
Patent number: 8974444Abstract: A method for welding tissue wounds in an animal. The method comprises joining edges of a tissue wound and irradiating the tissue wound and tissue surrounding the tissue wound with a pulsed laser. The pulsed laser has a laser wavelength in a range of an absorption band of water, elastin and/or collagen in the tissue wound and tissue surrounding the tissue wound. The pulsed laser has a pulse width of not more than picoseconds in order of magnitude to heat tissue surrounding the tissue wound and facilitate bonding of native tissue protein present in the tissue surrounding the tissue wound to achieve tissue repair. The laser wavelength is in a range of between about 800 nm to about 2,700 nm.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Vidyasagar Sriramoju
-
Patent number: 8974449Abstract: An electrosurgical ablation system includes an energy source adapted to supply energy to an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a handle assembly configured to couple a pair of antennas extending from a distal end thereof to the energy source for application of energy to tissue. A power splitting device is operatively associated with the handle assembly and has an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a pair of output channels operably coupled to the respective pair of antennas. A phase shifter is operatively associated with the handle assembly and is operably coupled to the pair of output channels. The phase shifter is configured to selectively shift a phase relationship between the pair of output channels.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Joseph D. Brannan
-
Patent number: 8968345Abstract: A surgical introducer including a body portion, a shaft and a sensor is disclosed. The body portion includes a reference indicator. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and is positionable adjacent the body portion. The shaft is rotatable with respect to the body portion and includes a longitudinal indicator and a circumferential indicator. The sensor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal portion of the shaft and is adapted to provide physiological data pertaining to a surgical worksite. At least a portion of the sensor is substantially aligned with the circumferential indicator. Rotation of the shaft with respect to the body portion causes displacement between the circumferential indicator and the reference indicator. Longitudinal movement of the shaft with respect to the body portion causes displacement between the longitudinal indicator and the reference indicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Arnold V. DeCarlo
-
Patent number: 8961500Abstract: A stabilizer for use with a trackable surgical instrument can include a first member, a second member and a retaining member. The first member can have a first annular body portion and a first pair of legs extending therefrom. The first annular body portion can include a plurality of locating slots for engaging a selectively positionable portion of a surgical instrument. The second member can have a second annular body portion and a second pair of legs extending therefrom. The second annular body can engage a drive device of the surgical instrument. The first pair of legs can be telescopically coupled with and adjustable relative to the second pair of legs such that the first member can be axially adjustable relative to the second member. The retaining member can cooperate with at least one leg to retain the first member adjustably coupled to the second member.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventors: Matthew F. Dicorleto, Marco Capote
-
Apparatus and method for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye for correction of ametropia
Patent number: 8956344Abstract: An apparatus for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia is provided, said apparatus comprising a laser unit, which can focus pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and move it therein in order to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls the laser unit for generating cut surfaces such that a predetermined lenticle to be removed is separated from the surrounding corneal material in the cornea by at least one cut surface, and that at least two mutually spaced apart cut surfaces are formed as opening cuts, each extending from the lenticle to the anterior corneal surface, the position and shape of the opening cuts being selected such that the opening cuts contribute to the correction of the ametropia of the eye or do not counteract the correction of the ametropia of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AGInventors: Christoph Russmann, Juergen Kuehnert, Wilfried Bissmann, Gregor Stobrawa -
Patent number: 8956342Abstract: A handheld surgical device includes a multi-position throttle, rotatably attached to the body of the device, to allow for ambidextrous positioning of a motor speed control lever. The motor speed control lever may interact with a speed control sensor in the body of the device capable of detecting the actuation level of the motor speed control lever in any one of two or more positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Microaire Surgical Instruments LLCInventors: Robert Scott Russo, John H. Pascaloff, Robert McKemie
-
Patent number: 8939963Abstract: A flexible surgical instrument employs sheaths around tendons that actuate an end effector or other mechanisms in a distal tip of the instrument. A liquid lubricant can be introduced in the sheaths to reduce friction, and the sheaths can be porous or non-porous. The lubricant can be confined, for example, with an o-ring or a bellow seal, to keep lubricant from leaking where the tendons extend out of the sheaths. More generally, the distal end of the instrument is sealed to prevent leakage of lubricant into a patient. To further reduce risks, a non-toxic water-based lubricant can be used.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, John Ryan Steger, Eugene F. Duval
-
Patent number: 8940033Abstract: An apparatus for whitening teeth comprises a mouth tray comprising a horseshoe-shaped trough sized to accommodate a dental ridge. A planar projection extends from the outer side of the trough so that its far end is external of the mouth. A light box containing a plurality of LEDs couples with the external end of the projection and illuminates the projection end. The mouth tray and projection are formed of a light-transmissive material to irradiate a peroxide gel in the trough to whiten the user's teeth.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Whiten, LLCInventors: Joe Dwyer, Kaya Bromley
-
Patent number: 8938295Abstract: An improvement in a light therapy device including multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned in a handheld portable device is disclosed. Where the housing and the LEDs are configured to have direct contact with the skin or tissue of the user without any intermediary materials, and light the surface and underlying layers of tissue for photodynamic stimulation of the cells. Two iterations of the device utilize light known to have a bactericidal effect in the case or acne or Rosacea. The devices are fabricated from an injection molded plastic housing. The housing contains an arrangement of 36-72 LEDs on a circuit board in an arrangement to provide even lighting over the skin or tissue surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: LED Intellectual Properties, LLCInventors: Craig Baird, Stan Stanbridge
-
Patent number: 8926598Abstract: Hand-held surgical instruments that have and end effector attached to an elongate shaft are disclosed. The end effector is articulatable and rotatable relative to the shaft by a nozzle arrangement supported by a handle from which the elongate shaft extends. In various embodiments, the nozzle is operable by the same hand that is used to support the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Rebecca J. Mollere, Charles J. Scheib, Chad P. Boudreaux, Michael J. Vendely, Aron O. Zingman, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Barry C. Worrell, Janna B. Volz, John C. Schuckmann, Megan A. O'Connor
-
Patent number: 8926601Abstract: An improved system for safe and efficient generation of plasmas and vapors bubbles with continuous wave radiations and low levels of power densities, sufficient to treat medical pathologies and to avoid the creation damage to healthy tissue is provided. Transmission means in different configurations are used to achieve a high absorption in water, which is able to initiate plasma with low levels of power density. Once plasma and vapor bubbles are formed, they absorb other wavelengths in addition to the one that initiated it. Other wavelengths, more efficiently generated by diodes or diode pumped lasers, are added into the beam to improve treatment efficiency. This modulated plasma produces fast tissue ablation and good hemostasis effect with minimal overheating of remaining tissue. After plasma and high-energy vapors are generated, only laser radiation that passes through the plasma bubble directly interacts with soft tissues.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Biolitec Pharma Marketing LtdInventors: Wolfgang Neuberger, Walter Cecchetti, Leonardo Cecchetti, Filiberto Zattoni
-
Patent number: 8926600Abstract: Systems and methods for removing an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer in a cornea irradiate a region of the epithelial layer with a pulsed beam of ablative radiation. The ablative radiation is scanned to vary the location of the beam within the region in accordance with a pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is arranged to enhance optical feedback based on a tissue fluorescence of the epithelial layer. The penetration of the epithelial layer is detected in response to the optical feedback. The use of scanning with the pulse sequence arranged to enhance optical feedback allows large areas of the epithelium to be ablated such penetration of the epithelial layer can be detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLCInventors: Mark E. Arnoldussen, Jonathan Wong, Benjamin A. Logan, Leander Zickler
-
Patent number: 8911429Abstract: A cooperative-control robot includes a base component, a mobile platform arranged proximate the base component, a translation assembly operatively connected to the base component and the mobile platform and configured to move the mobile platform with translational degrees of freedom substantially without rotation with respect to said the component, a tool assembly connected to the mobile platform, and a control system configured to communicate with the translation assembly to control motion of the mobile platform in response to forces by a user applied to at least a portion of the cooperative-control robot. The translation assembly includes at least three independently operable actuator arms, each connected to a separate position of the mobile platform. A robotic system includes two or more the cooperative-control robots.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Kevin C. Olds, Russell H. Taylor