Patents by Inventor Mark J. Clifford

Mark J. Clifford 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: 9693757
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9603586
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ENCAPSULE MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Dan Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140155779
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chememorsky, Chirstopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8337414
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Encapsule Medical, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120184874
    Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8167817
    Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120035503
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Dan Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8066727
    Abstract: A method of cutting breast tissue for removal may include a step of providing a tissue cutting device having an elongate cutting element, the cutting element being movable between a bowed position and a retracted position, the cutting element having a radially outer side and a radially inner side. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into a breast and the elongate cutting element may be moved to the bowed position. A power source may be coupled to the elongate cutting element; and the cutting element may be rotated after the moving step so that the cutting element cuts the breast tissue. The radially outer side of the cutting element may have a larger surface area for transmitting energy to cut the tissue than the radially inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical LLC
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Daniel M. Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100113922
    Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100076343
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chememorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7635340
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Christopher Daniel, Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7615013
    Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson, James W. Vetter, Daniel M. Brounstein, Ary S. Chernomorsky
  • Publication number: 20080140067
    Abstract: A device for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue may include a shaft, an integrated cut and collect assembly coupled to the shaft and an actuator. The shaft may define an opening and may include an outer surface that defines a trough adjacent the opening, the trough defining a ledge portion that is cut out of the shaft. The integrated cut and collect assembly may include an RF cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane, the collection portion being attached to the cutting portion, the integrated cut and collect assembly being configured to assume a retracted position at least partially within the opening such that part of the collection portion is disposed within the trough and in contact with the ledge portion and a selectable expanded position that extends through the opening and away from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: RUBICOR MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Dan Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7198626
    Abstract: An electrically activated surgical device includes a probe body, an active element and a structure for selectively electrically insulating and/or physically isolating the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is in use. The probe body defines an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a window defined within the outer surface near or at the distal end. The active element is electrically connected to a power source and is configured to selectively assume a non-deployed configuration and a variable deployed configuration in which the active element at least partially emerges from the window out of the probe body. The insulating structure selectively insulates the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberta Lee, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford
  • Patent number: 7122011
    Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson, James W. Vetter, Daniel M. Brounstein, Ary S. Chernomorsky
  • Patent number: 7044956
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Dan Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7029451
    Abstract: Surgical devices include a selectively cutting and atraumatic distal tip that is configured to assume a first configuration in which cutting surface or surfaces thereof are effective to cut tissue and a second configuration in which the cutting surface or surfaces thereof are ineffective to cut tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Rubicor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Anderson, Daniel M. Brounstein, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, James W. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20040255739
    Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: RUBICOR MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Clifford, Scott C. Anderson, James W. Vetter, Daniel M. Brounstein, Ary S. Chernomorsky
  • Publication number: 20040087872
    Abstract: Surgical devices include a selectively cutting and atraumatic distal tip that is configured to assume a first configuration in which cutting surface or surfaces thereof are effective to cut tissue and a second configuration in which the cutting surface or surfaces thereof are ineffective to cut tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: RUBICOR MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Scott C. Anderson, Daniel M. Brounstein, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, James W. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20040006338
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: RUBICOR MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: James W. Vetter, Ary S. Chernomorsky, Mark J. Clifford, Dan Brounstein, Scott C. Anderson