Patents by Inventor Dale E. Slenker
Dale E. Slenker 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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Publication number: 20230248893Abstract: A fluid management cassette includes a cassette body configured for insertion into a cassette bay of a control console, the cassette body including a face plate having at least one fluid input port and at least first and second fluid output ports defined therethrough. A pump is disposed within the cassette body as is a valve manifold, first and second pinch valves, or at least one pressure sensitive valve. First and second fluid flow paths extending through the cassette body have shared connections to the pump and separate connections to the respective first and second fluid output ports. The valve manifold, first and second pinch valves, or at least one pressure sensitive valve is selectively actuatable to at least four different configurations to permit fluid flow along either, neither, or both of the first and second fluid flow paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Clint N.M. Lahey, Thoai D. Nguyen, Dale E. Slenker, Alexander J. Morley, Kathleen J. Bates, Ali Mowlai-Ashtiani, Keith W. Malang, Paul Hrenchir, Jonathan V. Hernandez, Manfred K. Luedi
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Publication number: 20230181809Abstract: A fluid management system includes a control console and a cassette. The control console includes a housing, a cassette bay defined within the housing, and an actuation mechanism disposed within the housing and including a plurality of actuators. The cassette is insertable into the cassette bay of the control console and includes a chassis supporting a plurality of fluid flow paths through the cassette, and an outer housing defining at least one access opening providing access to the plurality of fluid flow paths. With the cassette positioned within the cassette bay, each actuator of the plurality of actuators is aligned with an access opening of the at least one access opening to enable each actuator, upon actuation thereof, to close a corresponding fluid flow path of the plurality of fluid flow paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Clint N.M. Lahey, Thoai D. Nguyen, Dale E. Slenker, Alexander J. Morley, Kathleen J. Bates, Ali Mowlai-Ashtiani, Keith W. Malang, Paul Hrenchir
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Patent number: 9827367Abstract: A surgical instrument for irrigating a frontal sinus target site of a patient including a handle, an introducer, an irrigation channel, a nozzle, and an actuator assembly. The introducer extends from the handle and defines a proximal segment and a distal segment. At least a portion of the proximal segment is linear and at least a portion of the distal segment is relatively curved. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the irrigation channel, and is rotatably maintained at a distal end of the introducer. The actuator assembly includes an actuator maintained by the handle and connected to the nozzle. Movement of the actuator causes the nozzle to rotate relative to the introducer. The introducer can be sized and shaped in accordance with a size and a shape of a nasal passageway/frontal sinus of a human adult.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Isaac C. Perry, John R. Prisco, Dale E. Slenker
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Patent number: 9402645Abstract: A method of endoscopically removing tissue including providing a surgical cutting instrument including a first elongated member having a cutting tip, a second tubular member forming a cutting window, and a handpiece. The first elongated member is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member such that the cutting tip is exposed at the cutting window and combines to define a cutting implement. The first and second members are coupled to the handpiece. The method includes grasping the handpiece, deploying the instrument such that the cutting implement is adjacent a target site with the cutting window positioned at a first spatial orientation relative to the handpiece, rotating the cutting window relative to the handpiece such that the cutting window is positioned at a second spatial orientation, and moving the first elongated member relative to the second tubular member such that the cutting tip removes tissue from the target site.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Gerould W. Norman, Dale E. Slenker, Kenneth M. Adams, John T. Cleveland
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Patent number: 9339172Abstract: A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient. A bacterial biofilm removal system is provided that includes an endoscope, an irrigation duct and an aspiration duct. The endoscope includes a working end. The irrigation duct includes an outlet. The aspiration duct includes an inlet. The endoscope working end, the irrigation duct outlet and the aspiration duct inlet are disposed proximate a target site that includes a layer of bacterial biofilm. The target site is imaged with the endoscope working end. The fluid is dispensed through the irrigation duct outlet toward the target site to mechanically remove at least a portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm. The removed bacterial biofilm and the dispensed fluid are collected with the aspiration duct inlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil “Bo” O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Patent number: 9326665Abstract: Systems and methods for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient includes a surgical instrument having an introducer for bodily insertion and maintaining an irrigation duct and a nozzle. A distal portion of the introducer is transitionable between a plurality of bend angles relative to a proximal portion thereof. In particular, the instrument is adapted to independently maintain the distal portion at each of the plurality of bend angles relative to the proximal portion. The nozzle is maintained relative to the distal portion of the introducer and is adapted to dispense pressurized irrigant from the irrigation duct toward a layer of bacterial biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, John R. Prisco, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, Robert K. Vaccaro, Isaac C. Perry
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Patent number: 8790301Abstract: Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Publication number: 20130012972Abstract: A method of endoscopically removing tissue including providing a surgical cutting instrument including a first elongated member having a cutting tip, a second tubular member forming a cutting window, and a handpiece. The first elongated member is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member such that the cutting tip is exposed at the cutting window and combines to define a cutting implement. The first and second members are coupled to the handpiece. The method includes grasping the handpiece, deploying the instrument such that the cutting implement is adjacent a target site with the cutting window positioned at a first spatial orientation relative to the handpiece, rotating the cutting window relative to the handpiece such that the cutting window is positioned at a second spatial orientation, and moving the first elongated member relative to the second tubular member such that the cutting tip removes tissue from the target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Gerould W. Norman, Dale E. Slenker, Kenneth M. Adams, John T. Cleveland
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Publication number: 20120253125Abstract: Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Patent number: 8277474Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument including a first elongated member, a second tubular member, a handpiece, a first hub, a second hub, and an actuator assembly. The first tubular member has cutting tip and is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member such that the cutting tip is exposed at a cutting window. The first hub is mounted to the first tubular member and is moveably coupled to the handpiece. The second hub is mounted to the second tubular member and defines a hub axis. The actuator assembly rotatably couples the second hub to the handpiece and includes an actuator. Movement of the actuator is translated to rotational movement of the second hub so as to effectuate spatial rotation of the cutting window. In this regard, the actuator movement is not co-axial with the hub axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Gerould W. Norman, Dale E. Slenker, Kenneth M. Adams, John T. Cleveland
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Patent number: 8206349Abstract: Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Publication number: 20110009699Abstract: A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient. A bacterial biofilm removal system is provided that includes an endoscope, an irrigation duct and an aspiration duct. The endoscope includes a working end. The irrigation duct includes an outlet. The aspiration duct includes an inlet. The endoscope working end, the irrigation duct outlet and the aspiration duct inlet are disposed proximate a target site that includes a layer of bacterial biofilm. The target site is imaged with the endoscope working end. The fluid is dispensed through the irrigation duct outlet toward the target site to mechanically remove at least a portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm. The removed bacterial biofilm and the dispensed fluid are collected with the aspiration duct inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Publication number: 20090270796Abstract: A surgical instrument for irrigating a frontal sinus target site of a patient including a handle, an introducer, an irrigation channel, a nozzle, and an actuator assembly. The introducer extends from the handle and defines a proximal segment and a distal segment. At least a portion of the proximal segment is linear and at least a portion of the distal segment is relatively curved. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the irrigation channel, and is rotatably maintained at a distal end of the introducer. The actuator assembly includes an actuator maintained by the handle and connected to the nozzle. Movement of the actuator causes the nozzle to rotate relative to the introducer. The introducer can be sized and shaped in accordance with a size and shape of the nasal passageway/frontal sinus of a human adult.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Isaac C. Perry, John R. Prisco, Dale E. Slenker
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Publication number: 20080249483Abstract: Systems and methods for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient includes a surgical instrument having an introducer for bodily insertion and maintaining an irrigation duct and a nozzle. A distal portion of the introducer is transitionable between a plurality of bend angles relative to a proximal portion thereof. In particular, the instrument is adapted to independently maintain the distal portion at each of the plurality of bend angles relative to the proximal portion. The nozzle is maintained relative to the distal portion of the introducer and is adapted to dispense pressurized irrigant from the irrigation duct toward a layer of bacterial biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, John R. Prisco, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, Robert K. Vaccaro, Isaac C. Perry
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Publication number: 20080214891Abstract: Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Publication number: 20080167527Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for one or more of reducing, removing, or preventing growth of bacterial biofilms are provided, including an endoscopic procedure using a surgical instrument adapted to dispense a pressurized flow of irrigant through a nozzle to substantially remove a layer of bacterial biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Dale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco