Patents by Inventor John C. Pulford

John C. Pulford 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: 7033319
    Abstract: An adjustable retractor is disclosed comprising an inner ring, an outer ring spaced from the inner ring, and an elongate sleeve open at opposite ends. The sleeve is provided and extends between the inner and outer rings and is connected at the opposite ends to the rings. The outer ring is provided with a pre-loaded rotational torque to assist with rotation of the outer ring about its central axis to roll the sleeve about the outer ring to adjust sleeve length. An obstetrics version of the retractor may be used for caesarean sections. A hydraulically controlled retractor includes fluid channels in the inner and outer rings that may be dilated by injection of an appropriate fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Medical Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Pulford, Marco Pelosi
  • Publication number: 20040260153
    Abstract: An adjustable retractor is disclosed comprising an inner ring, an outer ring spaced from the inner ring, and an elongate sleeve open at opposite ends. The sleeve is provided and extends between the inner and outer rings and is connected at the opposite ends to the rings. The outer ring is provided with a pre-loaded rotational torque to assist with rotation of the outer ring about its central axis to roll the sleeve about the outer ring to adjust sleeve length. An obstetrics version of the retractor may be used for caesarean sections. A hydraulically controlled retractor includes fluid channels in the inner and outer rings that may be dilated by injection of an appropriate fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Apple Medical Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Pulford, Marco Pelosi
  • Patent number: 6723044
    Abstract: An adjustable retractor is disclosed comprising an inner ring, an outer ring spaced from the inner ring, and an elongate sleeve open at opposite ends. The sleeve is provided and extends between the inner and outer rings and is connected at the opposite ends to the rings. The outer ring is provided with a pre-loaded rotational torque to assist with rotation of the outer ring about its central axis to roll the sleeve about the outer ring to adjust sleeve length. The outer ring may be formed in a mobius configuration to provide the pre-loaded rotational torque. The outer ring has a cross-sectional shape that may have numerous different configurations. The mobius configuration may include the cross-sectional shape having an outer circumference offset by a predetermined amount about the central axis of the outer ring proceeding longitudinally along the central axis from one location on the outer ring to another location on the outer ring. A method of adjusting a retractor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Medical Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Pulford, Marco Pelosi
  • Publication number: 20030176771
    Abstract: An adjustable retractor is disclosed comprising an inner ring, an outer ring spaced from the inner ring, and an elongate sleeve open at opposite ends. The sleeve is provided and extends between the inner and outer rings and is connected at the opposite ends to the rings. The outer ring is provided with a pre-loaded rotational torque to assist with rotation of the outer ring about its central axis to roll the sleeve about the outer ring to adjust sleeve length. The outer ring may be formed in a mobius configuration to provide the pre-loaded rotational torque. The outer ring has a cross-sectional shape that may have numerous different configurations. The mobius configuration may include the cross-sectional shape having an outer circumference offset by a predetermined amount about the central axis of the outer ring proceeding longitudinally along the central axis from one location on the outer ring to another location on the outer ring. A method of adjusting a retractor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Pulford, Marco Pelosi
  • Patent number: D445495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Schaefer, John C. Pulford