Patents by Inventor John Aoki

John Aoki 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).

  • Neuro endoscope for shunt
    Patent number: 5458606
    Abstract: A shunt for relieving hydrocephalus has a closed distal end and an aperture formed in the distal end. A hollow hypotube has a distal end, and the hypotube holds an image fiber which protrudes beyond the distal end of the hypotube. The hypotube is positioned in the shunt with the distal end of the hypotube abutting the distal end of the shunt and the image fiber protruding through the aperture. The hypotube with shunt can then be advanced into the brain of a patient, while the surgeon views the path of advancement on a nearby video monitor which is connected to the image fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the image fiber is flush with the distal end of the hypotube. The shunt has a slit formed in its distal end, and the hypotube with image fiber can be selectively advanced through the slit to view the area of the brain beyond the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Neuro Navigational Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Cohen, Lance Kumm, John Aoki, Rith N. Kimm, Shea Bassett
  • Shunt with internal neuroendoscope
    Patent number: 5437626
    Abstract: A shunt for relieving hydrocephalus has a closed distal end and an aperture formed in the distal end. A hollow hypotube has a distal end, and the hypotube holds an image fiber which protrudes beyond the distal end of the hypotube. The hypotube is positioned in the shunt with the distal end of the hypotube abutting the distal end of the shunt and the image fiber protruding through the aperture. The hypotube with shunt can then be advanced into the brain of a patient, while the surgeon views the path of advancement on a nearby video monitor which is connected to the image fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the image fiber is flush with the distal end of the hypotube. The shunt has a slit formed in its distal end, and the hypotube with image fiber can be selectively advanced through the slit to view the area of the brain beyond the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Neuro Navigational Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Cohen, Lance Kumm, John Aoki, Rith N. Kimm, Shea Bassett
  • Advancer for surgical instrument
    Patent number: 5306272
    Abstract: A device for axially advancing a surgical instrument into the brain of a patient includes an advancer that is engageable with the gooseneck of a surgical apparatus. The is axially telescoping, and the advancer can selectively grip the surgical instrument. Accordingly, the surgical instrument can be gripped by the advancer and the advancer telescoped to advance the instrument into the brain along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Neuro Navigational Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Cohen, John Aoki