Patents by Inventor Mark A. Vierra

Mark A. Vierra 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).

  • Publication number: 20110106029
    Abstract: A polyp trap comprises a body portion and a top portion sealingly and releasably covering the body portion. A suction entrance passageway in the top portion receives liquid and tissue during examination procedures. A removable tissue collection basket in the body portion has a bottom wall with small drainage openings therein, and a removable screen is positioned in the body portion below the collection basket. A suction discharge passageway in the body portion is located below the removable screen, and the discharge passageway is connected to a suction source for the passage of liquid from the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Mary L. Garren, Lloyd R. Garren, Silas Lum, Daniel G. Luba, James A. Disario, Mark Vierra
  • Patent number: 7025722
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Publication number: 20040254425
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6821247
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Publication number: 20030055318
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (1) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6482151
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6149583
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6139492
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6017304
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 5807243
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 5749892
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Heartport, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vierra, Alex T. Roth