Patents by Inventor Christopher F. Heck

Christopher F. Heck 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: 7122044
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Publication number: 20040200876
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 6763993
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 6659327
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20030201301
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 6588643
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hearport, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Publication number: 20020185516
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Patent number: 6450390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hearport, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20010010320
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: HEARTPORT, INC.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 6253984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20010000903
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: HEARTPORT, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Patent number: 6209773
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 6176413
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Patent number: 5947363
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
  • Patent number: 5881943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and end-to-side surgical anastomosis apparatus for stapling an end of a tubular tissue structure to a side of a luminal structure including an elongated housing defining a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The elongated housing further includes an eversion support surface extending circumferentially about the bore opening adjacent the distal end which is configured to retain and support an everted end of the received tissue structure thereon to face an intimal surface of the tissue structure in an outward direction. The anastomosis apparatus further includes an anvil having a fastener engaging surface, and a compression device having a shoulder portion formed for selectively compressing the everted end of the tissue structure and a surface of the luminal structure together against the fastener engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
  • Patent number: 5792151
    Abstract: A reusable ligation apparatus includes a suture tying or knot tying instrument and a suture cartridge containing a preformed ligature. The cartridge is releasably attached to the instrument so that after a first ligature is made, the apparatus enables one-handed ligation, and can be quickly reloaded with a second cartridge for making another ligature without delay. The cartridge contains a preformed ligature and the instrument includes an activation system which automatically pulls one end of the preformed ligature through loops formed in the other end to thereby form a completed ligature knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Eric R. Schertel, William H. Strater
  • Patent number: 5732872
    Abstract: A stapler for stapling a tubular structure to another structure. The stapler has an anvil which is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The stapler has a recess which receives at least a portion of the tubular structure and a shoulder which receives an everted end of the tubular structure. A first actuator moves the anvil relative to the shoulder for compressing the structures which are to be stapled together. A second actuator is used for driving the staples through the structures to be stapled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck