Patents by Inventor Jose Francese
Jose Francese 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: 8409090Abstract: A retractor for manipulating an object includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a retraction device with a head connected to the distal end of the body, a connector movably disposed in the body, and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are connected to the connector and each have a distal tip. The memory shape of the needles include a portion with an arcuate shape biasing the needles in a memory direction out and away from the head and toward the body to position the distal tip of each of the needles closer to the body when the needles are fully extended out of the head than when the needles are only partially extended out of the head. An actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and operatively connected to the connector through the body, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moves the connector to selectively extend the needles out of the head in different directions and withdraw the needles into the head.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: ID, LLCInventors: Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer, Juergen Kortenbach, Jose Francese
-
Publication number: 20110071360Abstract: A retractor for manipulating an object includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a retraction device with a head connected to the distal end of the body, a connector movably disposed in the body, and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are connected to the connector and each have a distal tip. The memory shape of the needles include a portion with an arcuate shape biasing the needles in a memory direction out and away from the head and toward the body to position the distal tip of each of the needles closer to the body when the needles are fully extended out of the head than when the needles are only partially extended out of the head. An actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and operatively connected to the connector through the body, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moves the connector to selectively extend the needles out of the head in different directions and withdraw the needles into the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer, Juergen Kortenbach, Jose Francese
-
Patent number: 7731655Abstract: A tissue retractor includes a body having proximal and distal ends. The retractor also includes a retraction device having a head connected to the distal end of the body and defining two opposing openings, a connector movably disposed in the body, and two flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are fixedly connected to the connector for traveling through a respective one of the openings. The memory shape of the needles includes a portion with an arcuate shape. A one-handed actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and is operatively connected to the connector through the body. Upon actuation of the actuation device, the connector can be moved to selectively extend the needles out of the head and withdraw the needles into the head. Methods for using the tissue retractor, in particular for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: ID, LLCInventors: Kevin Smith, Matthew Palmer, Juergen Kortenbach, Jose Francese
-
Publication number: 20080045786Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Kevin Smith, Jose Francese, Juergen Kortenbach, Robert Sixto
-
Publication number: 20070055253Abstract: A fracture fixation plate system for use on a long bone having a metaphysis and a diaphysis, includes at least one end plate having a head portion for the metaphysis, and at least one diaphyseal plate having a first end and a second end with a plurality of screw holes therebetween. The end plate includes mating structure adapted to mate with and securely couple to at least one end of the at least one diaphyseal plate. The system preferably includes several end plates and diaphyseal plates to accommodate anatomy of various sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: Jorge Orbay, Javier Castaneda, Robert Graham, Robert Sixto, Jose Francese, Marcus Bourda, Edward Mebarak, Cesare Cavallazzi
-
Publication number: 20060235404Abstract: A fracture fixation plate system for use on a long bone having a metaphysis and a diaphysis, includes at least one end plate having a head portion for the metaphysis, and at least one fragment plate having a first end and a second end with a plurality of screw holes therebetween. The end plate includes mating structure adapted to mate with and securely couple to at least one end of the at least one fragment plate. The system preferably includes several end plates and fragment plates to accommodate anatomy of various sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Jorge Orbay, Javier Castaneda, Edward Mebarak, Jose Francese, Robert Sixto
-
Publication number: 20050277956Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Jose Francese, Juergen Kortenbach, Carlos Rivera
-
Publication number: 20050277951Abstract: A flexible endoscopic dip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Kevin Smith, Jose Francese, Juergen Kortenbach, Robert Sixto
-
Publication number: 20050277954Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Kevin Smith, Jeffrey Messerly, Barry Jamison, Peter Kratsch, Carlos Rivera, Jose Francese, Kristin Dawson, Chester Baxter, Juergen Kortenbach
-
Publication number: 20050277953Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Jose Francese, Kevin Smith, Robert Sixto, Juergen Kortenbach, Matthew Palmer
-
Publication number: 20050245841Abstract: A biopsy instrument and method of using such are provided wherein the biopsy instrument includes a proximal actuation handle, an elongate flexible member, and a distal assembly. The flexible member, connected to and extending from the actuation handle, includes an aspiration conduit for fluid connection with a vacuum source and for permitting the flow of fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the biopsy instrument. The flexible member may include an irrigation conduit for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end. The actuation handle includes a stationary member and an actuation device, and may include a sample chamber, a sample collector, valves for regulating the vacuum in the aspiration conduit and the fluid flow in the irrigation conduit, and a pressure increasing device for selectively increasing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the distal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: Vincent Turturro, Jose Francese, Saul Gottlieb, Juergen Kortenbach
-
Publication number: 20050090837Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Robert Sixto, Kevin Smith, Juergen Kortenbach, Kristin Dawson, Scott Arp, Jose Francese, Matthew Palmer, Peter Kratsch, Carlos Rivera
-
Publication number: 20050065409Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Ralph de la Torre, William Cohn, Jose Francese, Matthew Palmer
-
Publication number: 20050049624Abstract: An improved surgical port device includes a port body with a tubular section having a distal end. A flexible flange is disposed at the distal end. A retention member is slidably mated along the tubular section such that a distance between the retention member and the flexible flange can be adjusted. In this manner, the position of the retention member with respect to the flexible flange is adjustably fixed to clamp portions of a body wall disposed therebetween, thus effectively clamping the port body in place. The flexible flange has an adaptable diameter that is reduced when the port body passes through a narrow opening in the body wall. Preferably, the flexible flange has a conically-shape that butts up against the inner surface of the body wall during use to thereby provide a seal between the body wall and the frusto-conical flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventors: Jose Francese, Matthew Palmer, Ralph de la Torre
-
Publication number: 20050033333Abstract: A surgical clip has a base portion and two generally parallel, spaced arms extending from the base portion and defining an opening therebetween. The arms terminate distally in fingers which are of reduced width and thickness relative to the arms and which are adapted to be bent towards and past each other. A transition section from each arm to the finger provides curved structures which extending away from each other and providing a wider mouth for the opening between the arms. The arms also have a proximal section with an undercut which helps in flexure of the arms. The base is an extended structure having a rounded proximal end with outwardly extending shoulders which are arranged to be engaged by the curved structures of the mouth of another clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Kevin Smith, Jose Francese, Robert Sixto, Juergen Kortenbach, Thomas Bales, Carlos Rivera, Matthew Palmer
-
Publication number: 20040225194Abstract: A tissue retractor includes a body having proximal and distal ends. The retractor also includes a retraction device having a head connected to the distal end of the body and defining two opposing openings, a connector movably disposed in the body, and two flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are fixedly connected to the connector for traveling through a respective one of the openings. The memory shape of the needles includes a portion with an arcuate shape. A one-handed actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and is operatively connected to the connector through the body. Upon actuation of the actuation device, the connector can be moved to selectively extend the needles out of the head and withdraw the needles into the head. Methods for using the tissue retractor, in particular for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Kevin Smith, Matthew Palmer, Juergen Kortenbach, Jose Francese