Patents by Inventor Ann M. Thomas

Ann M. Thomas 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).

  • Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision
    Patent number: 8734320
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christopher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William A. Steinberg, David J. S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Ross, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz, Douglas H. Gubbin
  • Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision
    Patent number: 8449449
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christopher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William A. Steinberg, David J. S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Ross, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz, Douglas H. Gubbin
  • Methods and Apparatus Providing Suction-Assisted Tissue Engagement Through a Minimally Invasive Incision
    Publication number: 20090082620
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christpher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William A. Steinberg, David J.S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Rose, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz, Douglas H. Gubbin
  • Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision
    Patent number: 7494460
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christopher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William J. Steinberg, David J. S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Ross, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz, Douglas H. Gubbin
  • Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision
    Publication number: 20040138522
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christopher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William A. Steinberg, David J. S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Ross, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz
  • Optical probe having and methods for difuse and uniform light irradiation
    Patent number: 6487440
    Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: LifeSpex, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis K. Deckert, Roger L. Hildwein, Robert F. McConaghy, Julie R. Parnell, Ann M. Thomas, Robert L. Wilcox
  • Optical probe having and methods for difuse and uniform light irradiation
    Publication number: 20020007111
    Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Curtis K. Deckert, Roger L. Hildwein, Robert F. McConaghy, Julie R. Parnell, Ann M. Thomas, Robert L. Wilcox