Patents by Inventor Andy Uchida

Andy Uchida has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6733496
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Sharkey, Andy Uchida, John Ashley
  • Patent number: 6726685
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a probe capable of being extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, the probe forming a loop when extended from the distal end of the introducer, the loop having first and second proximal ends external to the introducer which are brought together adjacent the introducer distal end to form the loop by the proximal ends being either attached to or entering the distal end of the introducer; and a proximal handle for externally causing the probe to be extended from the distal end of the introducer and externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin To, Le T. Le, Andy Uchida, Hugh Sharkey, John Ashley
  • Patent number: 6645204
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Sharkey, Andy Uchida, John Ashley
  • Patent number: 6638276
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal sheath sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the sheath being predisposed to adopting a bent configuration when extended from the introducer; a probe adapted to be extended from a distal end of the sheath, the bent section of the sheath causing the probe to adopt a same bent configuration; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Oratec Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Sharkey, Andy Uchida, Huy Phan, John Ashley
  • Publication number: 20020188284
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a probe capable of being extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, the probe forming a loop when extended from the distal end of the introducer, the loop having first and second proximal ends external to the introducer which are brought together adjacent the introducer distal end to form the loop by the proximal ends being either attached to or entering the distal end of the introducer; and a proximal handle for externally causing the probe to be extended from the distal end of the introducer and externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin To, Le T. Le, Andy Uchida, Hugh Sharkey, John Ashley
  • Publication number: 20020188291
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising an active and return electrode which are each spirally wrapped around the probe such that there are multiple alternating bands of the same active and return positioned longitudinally along the length of the distal section of the probe, the active and return being adapted to deliver bipolar electromagnetic energy to tissue within the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Andy Uchida, John Ashley, Hugh Sharkey
  • Publication number: 20020188290
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal sheath sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the sheath being predisposed to adopting a bent configuration when extended from the introducer; a probe adapted to be extended from a distal end of the sheath, the bent section of the sheath causing the probe to adopt a same bent configuration; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hugh Sharkey, Andy Uchida, Huy Phan, John Ashley
  • Publication number: 20020188292
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hugh Sharkey, Andy Uchida, John Ashley