Patents by Inventor E. Larry Hicks

E. Larry Hicks 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: 5674226
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the excision and removal of tissue, such as the lens of the eye includes a pencil-like handpiece having a cannula probe extending from the distal end thereof. The probe includes an inner jet tube to direct a high pressure jet of fluid toward a tissue target, and an outer concentric aspiration tube to aspirate and remove fluid and tissue. The jet tube is recessed proximally within the concentric aspiration tube, and the aspiration tube has an end area significantly larger than the end area of the jet tube. These factors cooperate so that the negative pressure exerted by the aspiration tube creates a suction force that offsets and exceeds the force of the fluid jet. The jet tube is connected to a fluid pressure system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure regulator, safety release, control valve, and a pulse former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sentinel Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex E. Doherty, E. Larry Hicks, Ray Gillies
  • Patent number: 5322504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the excision and removal of tissue, such as the lens of the eye includes a pencil-like handpiece having a cannula probe extending from the distal end thereof. The probe includes an inner jet tube to direct a high pressure jet of fluid toward a tissue target, and an outer concentric aspiration tube to aspirate and remove fluid and tissue. The jet tube is recessed proximally within the concentric aspiration tube, and the aspiration tube has an end area significantly larger than the end area of the jet tube. These factors cooperate so that the negative pressure exerted by the aspiration tube creates a suction force that offsets and exceeds the force of the fluid jet. The jet tube is connected to a fluid pressure system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure regulator, safety release, control valve, and a pulse former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Rex E. Doherty, E. Larry Hicks, Ray Gillies
  • Patent number: 5307839
    Abstract: A movable cart for supporting pressurized gas cylinders in hospital operating rooms has a housing preferably proportioned to enclose a pair of cylinders in upright side by side positions. Wheels at the base of the housing are positioned to support the housing when it is tilted for transporting while enabling the housing to rest directly on the underlying surface when in a more upright orientation. A third wheel carried by a pivoting leg is swung outward from the base of the housing when it is to be tilted and moved. The housing may have a plurality of gas outlet fittings, a cylinder selector valve, plural pressure regulators for simultaneous delivery of different pressures and plural gauges for indicating pressures in different portions of the gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Loebker, E. Larry Hicks