Patents by Inventor David G. Matsuura
David G. Matsuura 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: 20040267268Abstract: A bone graft harvesting drill, comprising: an elongated flexible member and a hollow cylindrical drill bit mounted to a distal end of the elongated flexible member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Walter D. Gillespie, David G. Matsuura, James F. Marino, Corbett W. Stone
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Patent number: 6764452Abstract: A bone graft harvesting drill, comprising: a flexible tubular member and a hollow cylindrical drill bit mounted to a distal end of the flexible tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Walter D. Gillespie, David G. Matsuura, James F. Marino, Corbett W. Stone
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Publication number: 20040034343Abstract: An improved articulating device for use with a medical insertion instrument comprising in part a first tube having a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bending segments, a second tube axially disposed within the first tube, and means for transmitting an axial deflecting pull load. Such device has improved controlled for positioning an end of the device at a selected position within the body. The articulating device has a generally constant moment of inertia and a polar moment of inertia that generally decreases from its proximal to distal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Walter D. Gillespie, David G. Matsuura, Philip J. Simpson, Gregory M. Smith
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Patent number: 6682473Abstract: Disclosed are pressure attenuators, for attenuating pressure changes in an anatomical structure. The attenuators are movable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration. When in the second, implanted configuration, the attenuator attenuates pressure spikes within the body by reversibly reducing in volume in response to the pressure spike. In one application, the attenuator is utilized to treat urinary tract dysfunctions. Deployment devices, retrieval devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Solace Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter D. Gillespie, Sheila K. Wallin, Kevin G. Connors, Edward Bullister
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Patent number: 6582368Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Patent number: 6491626Abstract: An articulator for positioning a tool during a surgical procedure, comprising: a longitudinally extending body; a plurality of transverse grooves extending inwardly from opposite lateral sides of the longitudinally extending body; and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the longitudinally extending body, the plurality of recesses defining an articulation control wire lumen and a tool control wire lumen, and wherein the tool control lumen is disposed collinear with a neutral bending axis of the articulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: NuVasiveInventors: Corbett W. Stone, David G. Matsuura, Walter D. Gillespie, James F. Marino
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Patent number: 6450948Abstract: A steerable probe with a deflectable tip. In one embodiment, the probe may include a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and extending along a length therebetween, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a lumen, an elongate flexible section extending along a first portion of the length and having a section proximal end and a section distal end. A pull wire for deflecting the flexible section in a first direction in a preferred bending plane may be substantially embedded in the cannula between the interior surface and the exterior surface and extending from the section proximal end to the section distal end. The pull wire may be secured to the cannula adjacent to the section distal end and freely passing through the section proximal end. Two longitudinal strengthening members may be embedded in and extend along the flexible section generally opposite each other about the preferred bending plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Vista Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, Allen Newman
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Publication number: 20010047134Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Patent number: 6217518Abstract: An ultrasound transducer comprises a sheath body constructed from a nonconductive material. The sheath body is configured to be installed over a medical device. A piezoelectric copolymer transducer is held snugly against the medical device by the sheath body when the ultrasound transducer is installed over the medical device. The piezoelectric copolymer transducer transduces incident ultrasound signals into corresponding electric signals. A ground conductor is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer. A signal conductor is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric copolymer transducer and conducts the corresponding electric signals to a proximal end of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: Charles R. Holdaway, Paul F. Zupkas, David G. Matsuura
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Patent number: 6183461Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, John Patrick Greelis, Charles Lowell Parsons, Mikxay Sirivong, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6171298Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: David G. Matsuura, Walter Dean Gillespie, John Patrick Greelis, Charles Lowell Parsons, Mikxay Sirivong, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6149607Abstract: A biopsy device for acquiring more than one tissue sample comprises an elongated, flexible actuator shaft which is slidable within an outer sleeve. A jaw portion is coupled to the actuator shaft and the outer sleeve in such a manner as to open when the shaft is moved in a first direction relative to the sleeve and close when the shaft is moved in a second direction relative to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Endonetics, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, John Kilcoyne
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Patent number: 6139508Abstract: An articulated medical device as disclosed, incorporated in one embodiment into a biopsy device. The biopsy embodiment comprises an elongated actuator shaft which is slidable within an outer sleeve. A jaw portion coupled to the actuator shaft and the outer sleeve opens when the shaft is moved in a first direction relative to the sleeve and closes when the shaft is moved in a second direction relative to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Endonetics, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Simpson, David G. Matsuura, John Kilcoyne
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Patent number: 6139535Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a medical device, such as an infuser, into a body cavity are disclosed. The delivery device includes an ejector tube which slidably extends through a handle. The ejector tube is configured for easy insertion through the urethra into the bladder. A hollow inner tube is located within the ejector tube and includes luer fittings at its distal and proximal ends. The luer fitting at the proximal end of the inner tube is coupled to the handle. Movement of the ejector tube relative to the inner tube causes the distal luer fitting to be withdrawn within the ejector tube and can be used to force an infuser attached to the distal luer fitting from the distal luer fitting. Materials can be transported to the infuser from the proximal luer fitting through the inner tube and out through the distal luer connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: John Patrick Greelis, Mikxay Sirivong, David G. Matsuura, W. Tate Scott, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 6083166Abstract: A surgical device is comprised of a probe adapted for insertion into a patient. The probe has a means for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation. The probe also has a first receiver which is disposed within the zone of manipulation. The first receiver responds to receipt of a radiated signal by generation of a first receiver signal indicating a strength at which the radiated signal is received. A means for analyzing the first receiver signal determines a measure of manipulation to the tissue within the zone of manipulation. In one embodiment, the first receiver is disposed at the tip of the probe. In another embodiment, the means for manipulating removes energy from the tissue. In yet another embodiment, the means for manipulating adds energy to the tissue so as to alter the tissue. Optionally, the means for analyzing accumulates a set of values of the first receiver signal over time in order to determine the measure of manipulation. A scanner generates the radiated signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Situs CorporationInventors: Charles Holdaway, David G. Matsuura, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5716353Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument incorporates a heat transfer zone, which abuts against the portion of the cryosurgical instrument near the input refrigerant entrance, and which receives pure input refrigerant at the coldest temperature for quickly and effectively cooling this portion of the cryosurgical instrument. The cryosurgical instrument includes a shaft portion and a handle portion. The shaft portion includes an outer jacket tube having both an open and closed end. The closed end surrounds the freezing zone for freezing live tissue. A middle tube is disposed within the outer jacket tube. An inner tube is disposed within the middle tube. The inner tube is adapted for routing input cryogenic refrigerant therethrough to the freezing zone. The channel between the inner tube and middle tube forms a cryogenic refrigerant exhaust path for exhausting cryogenic refrigerant from the freezing zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: URDS, Corp.Inventors: David G. Matsuura, Paul F. Zupkas
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Patent number: 5307803Abstract: An endoscope including a flexible shaft having a distal end which can be deflected by a manually operable mechanism on a handle assembly. The shaft includes an elongate member having longitudinal fins that extend radially outward. A hollow lumen through the core member forms a fluid channel, and the radially extending fins provide channels for accommodating optical fibers and pull wires. The member has a substantially continuous cross-section enabling it to be inexpensively extruded.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Intramed LaboratoriesInventors: David G. Matsuura, Curt Boyll
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Patent number: D317414Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Ivac CorporationInventors: Dennis M. Lanci, David G. Matsuura, Michael P. DeFrank, Charles E. Everest
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Patent number: D318812Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: Ivac CorporationInventors: David G. Matsuura, Michael P. DeFrank