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).
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Patent number: 7122044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Publication number: 20040200876Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 6763993Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 6659327Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Publication number: 20030201301Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2003Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 6588643Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Hearport, Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Publication number: 20020185516Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Patent number: 6450390Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Hearport, Inc.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Publication number: 20010010320Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: August 2, 2001Applicant: HEARTPORT, INC.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 6253984Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Publication number: 20010000903Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2001Publication date: May 10, 2001Applicant: HEARTPORT, INC.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Patent number: 6209773Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 6176413Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Patent number: 5947363Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck
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Patent number: 5881943Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Christopher F. Heck, Lee R. Bolduc
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Patent number: 5792151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 1996Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: The Ohio State UniversityInventors: Christopher F. Heck, Eric R. Schertel, William H. Strater
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Patent number: 5732872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 1996Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Bolduc, Christopher F. Heck