Patents by Inventor James B. Hissong

James B. Hissong 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: 6958043
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating a disease or condition of the ear, such as Meniere's disease or endolymphatic hydrops, includes a manual device operable by hand to pressurize air and pressure transmitting arrangement for delivering the pressurized air to the middle ear, preferably in pulses, to displace the partition between the middle ear and the inner ear to influence fluid in the inner ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 6936046
    Abstract: A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, Fred B. Dinger
  • Patent number: 6689302
    Abstract: An antimicrobial tympanostomy tube used to alleviate bacteriostatic infections following myringotomy which is compatible with otologic tissue associated with the middle ear. The tube is formed from a microporous thermoplastic or thermoset resin having incorporated therein 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a silver compound capable of migrating to the surface of tube sidewalls to impart a therapeutically effective level of antibacterial activity throughout the sidewall surface so as to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reisdorf, James B. Hissong
  • Publication number: 20030220536
    Abstract: An apparatus for displacing a partition between a middle ear and an inner ear to treat the symptoms of Meniere's disease or endolymphatic hydrops comprises a treatment member for being disposed in the middle ear adjacent the partition and a driver for driving the treatment member to move against the partition to thereby displace the partition at an infrasonic frequency to influence fluid distribution in the inner ear. A method for treating an ear comprises the steps of disposing a treatment device within the middle ear and moving at least a portion of the treatment device against the partition at an infrasonic frequency to displace the partition to influence fluid in the inner ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: James B. Hissong
  • Publication number: 20030220585
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating a disease or condition of the ear, such as Meniere's disease or endolymphatic hydrops, includes a manual device operable by hand to pressurize air and pressure transmitting arrangement for delivering the pressurized air to the middle ear, preferably in pulses, to displace the partition between the middle ear and the inner ear to influence fluid in the inner ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: James B. Hissong
  • Publication number: 20030212351
    Abstract: A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, Fred B. Dinger
  • Patent number: 6595934
    Abstract: A method of skin rejuvenation by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of the skin, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into the skin, focusing the ultrasound energy in the skin, ablating the skin with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area below the external surface of the skin containing unablated tissue of the skin and a plurality of lesions at which the tissue of the skin is ablated, and removing the ultrasound emitting member from adjacent the external surface of the skin. The lesions cause collagen production by the skin to be stimulated. The lesions can begin and end at predetermined depths beneath the external surface of the skin so that the epidermis and the deep layer of the dermis are not damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, Fred B. Dinger
  • Publication number: 20020147441
    Abstract: An antimicrobial tympanostomy tube used to alleviate bacteriostatic infections following myringotomy which is compatible with otologic tissue associated with the middle ear. The tube is formed from a microporous thermoplastic or thermoset resin having incorporated therein 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a silver compound capable of migrating to the surface of tube sidewalls to impart a therapeutically effective level of antibacterial activity throughout the sidewall surface so as to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reisdorf, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 6451013
    Abstract: A method of tonsil reduction by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of introducing an ultrasound emitting member in a patient's oral cavity, positioning the ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of one of the patient's tonsils, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into the tissue of the one tonsil, focusing the ultrasound energy in the one tonsil, ablating the tissue of the one tonsil with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area in the one tonsil containing unablated tissue of the one tonsil and a plurality of lesions at which the tissue of the one tonsil is ablated, and withdrawing the ultrasound emitting member from the oral cavity. The ablated tissue area is surgically removed or is allowed to remain in the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Barry Bays, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 6413254
    Abstract: A method of tongue reduction by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound includes the steps of introducing an ultrasound emitting member in a patient's oral cavity, positioning the ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of the tongue, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into tissue of the tongue, focusing the ultrasound energy within the tongue at a focusing zone contained in a target area disposed beneath the external surface, heating the tissue with the focused ultrasound energy such that the tissue at the target area is heated to an ablative temperature to form a lesion and withdrawing the ultrasound emitting member from the oral cavity. The lesion is allowed to be absorbed by the patient's body and/or to remain as altered tissue such that the tongue is reduced in size to correspondingly increase the size of the patient's airway and/or is stiffened to resist vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, Fred B. Dinger
  • Patent number: 6409720
    Abstract: A method of tongue reduction by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound includes the steps of introducing an ultrasound emitting member in a patient's oral cavity, positioning the ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of the tongue, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into the tissue of the tongue, focusing the ultrasound energy in the tongue, ablating the tissue of the tongue with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area below the external surface of the tongue containing unablated tissue of the tongue and a plurality of lesions at which the tissue of the tongue is ablated, and withdrawing the ultrasound emitting member from the oral cavity. The lesions are allowed to be absorbed by the patient's body and/or to remain as altered tissue such that the tongue is reduced in size to correspondingly increase the size of the patient's airway and/or is stiffened to resist vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, Fred B. Dinger, III
  • Patent number: 6361531
    Abstract: A focused ultrasound ablation device includes an ultrasound emitting member and a handle shaft having a distal end at which the ultrasound emitting member is disposed. The handle shaft is malleable to permit selective, manual shaping of the handle shaft to access a selected anatomical operative site from a remote location and/or to orient the ultrasound emitting member for contact with anatomical tissue at the selected operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 6361526
    Abstract: An antimicrobial tympanostomy tube used to alleviate bacteriostatic infections following myringotomy which is compatible with otologic tissue associated with the middle ear. The tube is formed from a microporous thermoplastic or thermoset resin having incorporated therein 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a silver compound capable of migrating to the surface of tube sidewalls to impart a therapeutically effective level of antibacterial activity throughout the sidewall surface so as to provide long-term prevention of infections which may otherwise result during or after surgery or implantation of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reisdorf, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 5669501
    Abstract: A package for sterile delivery of medical implants such as, for example, wire piston prostheses, includes a tray defining a compartment, an insert removably disposed in the tray, and a lid mounted by the tray for sliding movement relative thereto. The medical implant is held by the insert in a specific position above a bottom wall of the compartment and with a longitudinal axis of the implant aligned with a recess in a wall of the compartment to permit the implant to be grasped with forceps for proper presentation at the operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Xomed Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Hissong, John E. Studer
  • Patent number: 5531752
    Abstract: A vocal cord medialization prosthesis includes a preformed and presized vocal cord engagement member. The engagement member has a base surface and an engagement surface that is inclined a predetermined amount with respect to the base surface. Measurement indicia is provided on the engagement member to indicate elevation of the engagement surface at predetermined points along the prosthesis. A vocal cord medialization tool is used to measure displacement of a vocal cord to an optimum phonation and breathing position before insertion of the prosthesis. The medialization tool provides measurements that correspond to sizing indicia on the prosthesis. The prosthesis can thus be trimmed to eliminate elevations that are unnecessary for obtaining optimum positioning of a vocal cord. One embodiment of the medialization tool also includes provision for measuring the thickness of a thyroid cartilage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Netterville, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 5456250
    Abstract: The jet ventilation tube includes a flexible conduit with a flexible monitoring line, a centering portion for centering the tube in a trachea and a flexible reinforcement member for the conduit. The conduit is formed of combustion resistant plastic material and the noncombustible reinforcement member is in the form of a straight or coiled wire. The straight wire reinforcement can be located outside the conduit, whereas the coiled wire reinforcement can be located inside or outside the conduit. The integrity of the conduit is maintained by the reinforcement member and helps prevent break-up of the conduit in the event of a laser strike. A centering portion of the jet tube can be reinforced with wire, formed as a segmented structure or as a spirally expanded extension of the reinforcing coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Xomed-Treace, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 5201765
    Abstract: A vocal cord medialization prosthesis includes a preformed and presized vocal cord engagement member. The engagement member has a base surface and an engagement surface that is inclined a predetermined amount with respect to the base surface. Measurement indicia is provided on the engagement member to indicate elevation of the engagement surface at predetermined points along the prosthesis. A vocal cord medialization tool is used to measure displacement of a vocal cord to an optimum phonation and breathing position before insertion of the prosthesis. The medialization tool provides measurements that correspond to sizing indicia on the prosthesis. The prosthesis can thus be trimmed to eliminate elevations that are unnecessary for obtaining optimum positioning of a vocal cord. One embodiment of the medialization tool also includes provision for measuring the thickness of a thyroid cartilage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Xomed-Treace Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Netterville, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 5139019
    Abstract: An endotracheal device for passing fluids into or out of the body includes a tube member with a laser reflective material in the form of a flexible sheath that is covered by a flexible non-metallic protective covering. The laser reflective material is preferably metallic and can be formed of aluminum, copper, silver or stainless steel. Flexibility of the laser reflective material is obtained by applying the sheath to the tube member in the form of a spiral or in a corrugated form. A protective covering is provided over the laser reflective material and is preferably formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene material. The protective covering, coating or tubular wrapping is applied in a manner which enables such covering to rupture or break when a laser beam strikes the tube. The area of breakage of the protective covering exposes the underlying laser reflective material thereby enabling the laser beam to be reflected away from the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Xomed-Treace Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Smith, James B. Hissong
  • Patent number: 5103817
    Abstract: An indwelling device for passing fluids into or out of the body includes an inflatable cuff for lodging the device within a body passage. The inflatable cuff is inflated with a fluid such as saline. Prior to the inflation process a dye dispersant material such as methylene blue is incorporated in dry form within the inflation cuff and/or within an inflation lumen which leads to the inflation cuff and/or within a pilot balloon which is accessed by a source of saline fluid. Thus, as the cuff is inflated with saline, the methylene blue dissolves and disperses in the saline enabling the saline to take on the color of the methylene blue dye. A buffer is combined with the methylene blue to enhance the dispersal of the dye in the saline. Potential piercing of the expanded cuff after it is filled with methylene blue provides a blue stain or leak that is easily recognized as a sign of damage to the cuff. Correction steps can thus be taken to repair or replace the endotracheal tube as soon as the leak is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Xomed-Treace Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reisdorf, James B. Hissong