Patents by Inventor Bryan D. Knodel

Bryan D. Knodel 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).

  • Anastomosis tool actuated with stored energy
    Patent number: 7682368
    Abstract: An anastomosis tool may include a tissue effector having an anvil and a staple holder movable relative to one another, where that tissue effector may be movable from an open position to a closed position. A fluid-driven actuator may be utilized to move the tissue effector between those positions, and/or to deploy connectors from the staple holder when the tissue effector is in the closed position. The fluid-driven actuator may utilize pressurized gas stored in a cylinder or reservoir within the anastomosis tool. A separate clip applier may be used to close the entry hole made by the anvil in a target vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Bombard, Philipe R. Manoux, Joshua M. O. Newth, James T. Nielsen, Nathan H. White, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Anastomosis Method Utilizing Tool with Fluid-Driven Actuator
    Publication number: 20100069934
    Abstract: A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a circumferential wall and a lumen therethrough, may include providing an anastomosis tool including a tissue effector and a fluid-driven actuator operationally connected to that tissue effector; connecting the fluid-driven actuator to an energy source; placing an end of the graft vessel in proximity to the side of the target vessel; and actuating the fluid-driven actuator to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARDICA, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Bombard, Philipe R. Manoux, Joshua M. O. Newth, James T. Nielsen, Nathan H. White, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Surgical stapling tool
    Patent number: 7678121
    Abstract: A surgical stapler may include a catheter connected to a stapler head and a handle. The stapler head may be configured for introduction into the vasculature of a patient. The stapler head may include a driver movable in two dimensions relative to a plurality of staples. Each staple may be held by a holder, where the holders may be connected together or fabricated as a unitary cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Knodel
  • Heart defect closure apparatus
    Patent number: 7670348
    Abstract: An exemplary medical apparatus insertable into the vasculature of a patient at an insertion point for treating a defect in the heart, may include an elongated, flexible driver sufficient in length to extend from the insertion point to the defect in the heart; and a staple frangibly attached to the distal end of the driver. Another exemplary medical apparatus may include a catheter sufficient in length to extend from the insertion point to the patent foramen ovale; a housing attached to the distal end of the catheter; a driver extending into the housing; and a staple frangibly attached to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Hausen, Theodore M. Bender, Zachary Warder-Gabaldon, Matthew B. Newell, Brian R. DuBois, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Fluid delivery system and related methods of use
    Patent number: 7641668
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ejecting fluid from a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system has a pneumatic assembly that when triggered injects gas into a hydraulic assembly, which in turn ejects fluid through an external interface. An electronic interface displays various measurements, for example, how much fluid has been ejected and if the hydraulic system is closed the pressure of the system. The pneumatic assembly can also be depressurized such that fluid can reenter the hydraulic assembly through the external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Perry, Michele B. Carter, David R. Conti, Thomas F. Janecek, Bryan D. Knodel, Anthony Scott Hollars, Peter Crowley, Donald C. Hovey, William Lucas Churchill, John C. Golden, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams, Carleton E. Yee, Otto E. Anderhub
  • Vascular Closure with Multi-Pronged Clip
    Publication number: 20090254121
    Abstract: A medical device for closing an opening in tissue may include a staple including a plurality of tines, where the staple is deformable from an initial configuration to a splayed configuration and then a closed configuration and a shuttle fixed to the staple, where the shuttle includes a weakened area proximal to the shuttle. A method for closing an opening in tissue of a patient with that medical device may include moving the staple to a location in proximity to the opening; plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration; penetrating at least one of the tines into tissue in proximity to the opening; plastically deforming the staple to a closed configuration; and fracturing said shuttle at the weakened area, whereby the staple and a fragment of the shuttle fixed to the staple remain in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: CARDICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua M. O. Newth, Bernard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Apparatus and method for closing an atrial appendage
    Patent number: 7569064
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus useful in closing an atrial appendage may include a clamp with a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from one another along at least a portion of their length, pins associated with the first arm, and a locking plate associated with the second arm. The clamp may have an open position in which the arms are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the arms are closer to one another. To close the atrial appendage with the apparatus, the clamp in the open position may be placed relative to the atrial appendage such that it is located between the arms, and the clamp may be moved to the closed position, where that motion may cause the pins to penetrate the atrial appendage and engage the locking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel, Brian R. DuBois
  • Surgical Method for Stapling Tissue
    Publication number: 20090134198
    Abstract: An exemplary method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing a surgical stapler that includes at least one staple, a pusher configured to hold at least one staple, a splay arm movable relative to the pusher, where that splay arm includes two spaced-apart splay tips, and a driver movable relative to the pusher; splaying at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips; and after splaying, closing at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias
  • Surgical stapler
    Patent number: 7533790
    Abstract: A surgical stapler may include a staple, a pusher that holds the staple, a driver, and a splay arm, where motion of at least one of the splay arm and the pusher relative to the other may cause the splay arm to contact and then splay the staple, and wherein the driver may deform the staple against the splay arm to close the staple. Splaying the staple may be performed by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against splay tips on the splay arm. Closing the staple may be performed by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias
  • Surgical tool for creating an incision in a tubular vessel
    Patent number: 7530987
    Abstract: A single tool penetrates a target vessel and cuts an incision of a known length in the vessel. The tool is easily held by the user in one hand and actuated with that single hand. The tool has features to allow for easy penetration of the target vessel as well as safety features integrated within the tool itself. User input features are located conveniently on the exterior of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Intravascular Stapling Tool
    Publication number: 20090090766
    Abstract: An intravascular stapler may include a handle; a catheter attached to the handle; a stapler head attached to the catheter; and a staples held by the stapler head, wherein the stapler head is configured to sequentially deploy staples. An intravascular stapler may include a reciprocating driver within the stapler head, wherein the driver reciprocates back and forth substantially along a first axis, and wherein the staples are advanceable substantially along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. An intravascular stapler may include internal anvils held by and movable within the stapler head, each internal anvil positioned in proximity to and movable in tandem with a corresponding staple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Knodel
  • Non-snag polymer ligating clip
    Publication number: 20090088783
    Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved legs with each having a pair of opposing side surfaces joined at their proximal ends by a flexible hinge section and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The first leg terminates at its distal end in a female locking member, and the second leg member terminates in a male locking member complimentary to the female locking member. The clip is provided with low profile boss-like elements on the legs thereof to reduce the risk of snagging a suture during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel L. Kennedy, Donald F. Wilson, JR., Bryan D. Knodel
  • Surgical Stapler With Splaying Mechanism
    Publication number: 20090072006
    Abstract: One example of a surgical stapler may include a pusher, at least one generally planar staple, where the pusher holds at least one staple, and a splay arm that includes spaced-apart splay fingers extending generally distally, where at least one splay finger includes a splay tip extending therefrom, and where relative motion of said pusher and said splay fingers causes said at least one said splay tip to engage and then splay at least one said staple. Another example of a surgical stapler may include a plurality of staples positioned out of contact with one another; a pusher that engages each staple; and at least one splay tip, each splay tip configured to contact a distal surface of the distalmost staple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, Matthew B. Newell
  • Medical instrument
    Patent number: 7503474
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cerebral Vascular Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Endocutter With Staple Feed
    Publication number: 20090065552
    Abstract: A surgical endocutter may include an end effector, at least one feeder belt that extends at least partially into the end effector; and two or more staples, where each staple has a first end frangibly connected to a corresponding feeder belt and a second, free end, and where the staples form at least one row. The endocutter may be used to treat a patient by inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening such as a trocar port, engaging tissue with the end effector, stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector, releasing the tissue from the end effector, and repeating the holding, stapling and engaging on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient without removing the end effector from within the body of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: CARDICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Knodel, Bernard A. Hausen, Luke W. Clauson
  • Vascular Closure System With Splayable Staple
    Publication number: 20090039138
    Abstract: A medical device for closing an opening in tissue may include a staple with a plurality of tines, where the staple is deformable from an initial configuration to a splayed configuration and then to a closed configuration; a cradle that includes a distal stop and a proximal stop proximal to the distal stop extending therefrom, where the cradle holds a portion of the staple between the proximal stop and the distal stop, and where the proximal stop and distal stop are spaced apart from one another a fixed distance substantially equal to the thickness of the portion of the staple held therebetween, where that portion of the staple substantially contacts both stops in the initial configuration; and a housing, where the cradle is movable relative to that housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Bender, Zachary Warder-Gabaldon, Matthew B. Newell, Bemard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Surgical stapler
    Patent number: 7473258
    Abstract: A method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing staples in a first configuration, plastically deforming at least one staple to a second configuration different from the first configuration; and then plastically deforming at least one staple to a third configuration different from the first configuration and the second configuration. The deformation of a staple from the first configuration to the second configuration may be performed by splaying the staple. The staple may be splayed by a splay arm or other suitable structure or mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, Matthew B. Newell
  • Intravascular stapling tool
    Patent number: 7462185
    Abstract: An intravascular stapler may include a catheter connected to a stapler head and to a handle. The stapler head may be introduced into the vasculature of a patient through an opening in the femoral artery or other part of the vasculature, and advanced to a treatment site such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm via the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Cardican Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Knodel
  • Vascular closure system utilizing a staple
    Patent number: 7458978
    Abstract: A system for closing an opening in tissue may include an end effector that holds a staple, where the staple is deformed to a splayed configuration for engaging tissue, then deformed to a closed condition for closing the opening. The system may include one or more butterfly members configured to register the opening to the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Bender, Zachary Warder-Gabaldon, Matthew B. Newell, Bernard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Surgical Stapler
    Publication number: 20080217376
    Abstract: A method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing staples in a first configuration, plastically deforming at least one staple to a second configuration different from the first configuration; and then plastically deforming at least one staple to a third configuration different from the first configuration and the second configuration. The deformation of a staple from the first configuration to the second configuration may be performed by splaying the staple. The staple may be splayed by a splay arm or other suitable structure or mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: CARDICA, INC.
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, Matthew B. Newell