Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. St. George
Lawrence J. St. George 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).
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Patent number: 11911055Abstract: A lithotripter is provided for fragmenting a stone inside a patient's body. In one form, the lithotripter includes a motor having at least two modes of operation and is configured to produce first and second waveforms. A wave guide shaft is configured to transmit the first and second waveforms to the stone. In one form, at least one of the first and second waveforms is provided to the stone at a frequency that is about equal to a natural frequency of the stone. In a variation, the lithotripter may include an ultrasonic driver configured to produce an ultrasonic frequency waveform and a sonic driver configured to produce a sonic frequency waveform. The sonic driver is mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic driver. The ultrasonic driver and the sonic driver may be disposed within a driver housing. In another variation, the lithotripter may include a brushless DC motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Artemie G. Gavala, Lawrence J. St. George, Tie Hu
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Publication number: 20230380848Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Kurt G. Shelton, Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Patent number: 11737768Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Kurt G. Shelton, Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Patent number: 11730345Abstract: A sheath includes a sheath body, an inflow port at a proximal end of the sheath body, an outflow port at the proximal end of the sheath body, and a plurality of radially expandable flexible members which extend along a length of the sheath body. The plurality of radially expandable flexible members are attached to the sheath body at a plurality of anchor points along the length of the sheath body. The plurality of radially expandable flexible members expand during active fluid inflow. The radially expandable flexible members are spaced apart along the sheath body to define one or more isolated spaces that extend between adjacent radially expandable flexible members when the radially expandable flexible members are inflated within a body passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence J. St. George
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Patent number: 11717307Abstract: A medical device for capturing one or more stone fragments includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket operable with the handle. The basket includes a plurality of wires that capture the stone fragments and has a collapsed configuration when the basket is positioned within the sheath and an expanded configuration when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath. The medical device further includes an indicator that communicates to an operator of the medical device that the size of the stone fragments exceeds a predetermined limit and a release mechanism that releases the stone fragments from the plurality of wires when the size of the stone fragments exceeds the predetermined limit. The plurality of wires are able to reset into an operable position after releasing the stone fragments.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Judy L. Walish, Lawrence J. St. George, Tailin Fan
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Patent number: 11413053Abstract: A stone retrieval device includes a sheath and a stone retrieval basket that includes a distal region with a plurality of basket wires and a proximal region with one or more core wires. The stone retrieval basket is contained within the sheath and is movable out a distal opening of the sheath to cause the plurality of basket wires to open into a basket shape. The stone retrieval device further includes a lock mechanism that locks the position of the stone retrieval basket with respect to the position of the sheath and a basket force controller that includes a first and a second control stage. The first control stage includes a sensor for measuring force on the stone retrieval basket when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked position, and the second control stage includes a sensor for measuring force when the lock mechanism is in a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Patent number: 11284912Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence J. St. George
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Patent number: 11179223Abstract: A method includes attaching one or more heat exchangers to one or more of a distal handle end and a proximal handle end of a lithotripter, the lithotripter including a handle, the handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end; a probe housed within the handle, the probe having a probe distal end and a probe proximal end; a passageway extending through the handle at least partially containing the probe; and a shielding insert contained within the passageway; wherein the probe, the passageway, and the shielding insert are contained within a central lumen of a driver resource; and performing a sterilization procedure on the surgical device; wherein the one or more heat exchangers collect and transfer heat at least through a full length of the handle, particularly to the lumen contained within the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Faherty, Lawrence J. St. George
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Publication number: 20210322040Abstract: A lithotripter is provided for fragmenting a stone inside a patient's body. In one form, the lithotripter includes a motor having at least two modes of operation and is configured to produce first and second waveforms. A wave guide shaft is configured to transmit the first and second waveforms to the stone. In one form, at least one of the first and second waveforms is provided to the stone at a frequency that is about equal to a natural frequency of the stone. In a variation, the lithotripter may include an ultrasonic driver configured to produce an ultrasonic frequency waveform and a sonic driver configured to produce a sonic frequency waveform. The sonic driver is mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic driver. The ultrasonic driver and the sonic driver may be disposed within a driver housing. In another variation, the lithotripter may include a brushless DC motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Artemie G. Gavala, Lawrence J. St. George, Tie Hu
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Patent number: 11109874Abstract: A lithotripter is provided for fragmenting a stone inside a patient's body. In one form, the lithotripter includes a motor having at least two modes of operation and is configured to produce first and second waveforms. A wave guide shaft is configured to transmit the first and second waveforms to the stone. In one form, at least one of the first and second waveforms is provided to the stone at a frequency that is about equal to a natural frequency of the stone. In a variation, the lithotripter may include an ultrasonic driver configured to produce an ultrasonic frequency waveform and a sonic driver configured to produce a sonic frequency waveform. The sonic driver is mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic driver. The ultrasonic driver and the sonic driver may be disposed within a driver housing. In another variation, the lithotripter may include a brushless DC motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Inventors: Artemie G. Gavala, Lawrence J. St. George, Tie Hu
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Publication number: 20210177444Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Kurt G. Shelton, Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Patent number: 10932798Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Shelton, Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Patent number: 10813653Abstract: A lithotripter is provided for fragmenting a stone inside a patient's body. In one form, the lithotripter includes a motor having at least two modes of operation and is configured to produce first and second waveforms. A wave guide shaft is configured to transmit the first and second waveforms to the stone. In one form, at least one of the first and second waveforms is provided to the stone at a frequency that is about equal to a natural frequency of the stone. In a variation, the lithotripter may include an ultrasonic driver configured to produce an ultrasonic frequency waveform and a sonic driver configured to produce a sonic frequency waveform. The sonic driver is mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic driver. The ultrasonic driver and the sonic driver may be disposed within a driver housing. In another variation, the lithotripter may include a brushless DC motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Inventors: Artemie G. Gavala, Lawrence J. St. George, Tie Hu
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Publication number: 20200121338Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. d/b/a Olympus Surgical Technologies AmericaInventor: Lawrence J. St. George
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Publication number: 20200085457Abstract: A medical device for capturing one or more stone fragments includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket operable with the handle. The basket includes a plurality of wires that capture the stone fragments and has a collapsed configuration when the basket is positioned within the sheath and an expanded configuration when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath. The medical device further includes an indicator that communicates to an operator of the medical device that the size of the stone fragments exceeds a predetermined limit and a release mechanism that releases the stone fragments from the plurality of wires when the size of the stone fragments exceeds the predetermined limit. The plurality of wires are able to reset into an operable position after releasing the stone fragments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Judy L. Walish, Lawrence J. St. George, TaiIin Fan
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Patent number: 10524810Abstract: A medical device for capturing one or more stone fragments includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket operable with the handle. The basket includes a plurality of wires that capture the stone fragments and has a collapsed configuration when the basket is positioned within the sheath and an expanded configuration when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath. The medical device further includes an indicator that communicates to an operator of the medical device that the size of the stone fragments exceeds a predetermined limit and a release mechanism that releases the stone fragments from the plurality of wires when the size of the stone fragments exceeds the predetermined limit. The plurality of wires are able to reset into an operable position after releasing the stone fragments.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Judy L. Walish, Lawrence J. St. George, Tailin Fan
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Patent number: 10478205Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence J. St. George
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Publication number: 20190282248Abstract: A stone retrieval device includes a sheath and a stone retrieval basket that includes a distal region with a plurality of basket wires and a proximal region with one or more core wires. The stone retrieval basket is contained within the sheath and is movable out a distal opening of the sheath to cause the plurality of basket wires to open into a basket shape. The stone retrieval device further includes a lock mechanism that locks the position of the stone retrieval basket with respect to the position of the sheath and a basket force controller that includes a first and a second control stage. The first control stage includes a sensor for measuring force on the stone retrieval basket when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked position, and the second control stage includes a sensor for measuring force when the lock mechanism is in a locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala
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Publication number: 20190223979Abstract: A method includes attaching one or more heat exchangers to one or more of a distal handle end and a proximal handle end of a lithotripter, the lithotripter including a handle, the handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end; a probe housed within the handle, the probe having a probe distal end and a probe proximal end; a passageway extending through the handle at least partially containing the probe; and a shielding insert contained within the passageway; wherein the probe, the passageway, and the shielding insert are contained within a central lumen of a driver resource; and performing a sterilization procedure on the surgical device; wherein the one or more heat exchangers collect and transfer heat at least through a full length of the handle, particularly to the lumen contained within the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Richard C. Faherty, Lawrence J. St. George
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Patent number: 10349961Abstract: A stone retrieval device includes a sheath and a stone retrieval basket that includes a distal region with a plurality of basket wires and a proximal region with one or more core wires. The stone retrieval basket is contained within the sheath and is movable out a distal opening of the sheath to cause the plurality of basket wires to open into a basket shape. The stone retrieval device further includes a lock mechanism that locks the position of the stone retrieval basket with respect to the position of the sheath and a basket force controller that includes a first and a second control stage. The first control stage includes a sensor for measuring force on the stone retrieval basket when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked position, and the second control stage includes a sensor for measuring force when the lock mechanism is in a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. St. George, Artemie G. Gavala