Patents by Inventor Michael K. Simmons

Michael K. Simmons 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: 6730101
    Abstract: An endoscopic ligating apparatus is provided that can be used to dispense multiple ligating bands or rings about several lesions. In one embodiment, a barrel supporting a plurality of bands stretched around its circumference is removably engaged to the insertion end of an endoscope. A trip wire extends through a working channel of the endoscope and includes at least one piece of flexible material extending from the distal end of the barrel and wrapped around the end of the barrel. The ligating bands are situated over the flexible material. As tension is applied to the trip wire by way of an activating mechanism, the flexible material retracts within the barrel so as to draw the ligating bands successively to the end of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Dabegran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peifer, Michael K. Simmons, Munir Ahmed
  • Patent number: 6565578
    Abstract: An activating mechanism for activating an endoscopic ligator is disclosed. The activating mechanism includes a mounting member, a spool, and a line. The mounting member has a passage and is adapted to be inserted into an endoscope channel. The spool is coupled to the mounting member and the line is coupled to the spool and extends through the passage of the mounting member and into the endoscope. Also disclosed is an activating mechanism with a mounting member coupled to a spool. The mounting member has a longitudinal axis for insertion into an endoscope channel, and the spool has an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the mounting member. Each device can be operated by rotating the spool to pull a line that is in turn operable coupled to an endoscopic ligator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peifer, Michael K. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6074402
    Abstract: An activating mechanism (20) for activating an endoscopic ligator is disclosed. The activating mechanism (20) includes a mounting component (21) and an activating component (22) coupled thereto. The mounting component (21) inserts directly into the proximal opening of an operating channel of an endoscope and is dimensioned to fit within the operating channel to mount the mechanism (20) to the endoscope. The mounting component (21) includes a channel receiving an activation line of the ligating device which is threaded through the operating channel and the channel in the mounting component, and onto the activating component (22) of the activating mechanism (20). The activation line attaches to a spool (50) of the activating component (22). The activating component (22) further provides a drive pin (40) and a roller clutch (70) for setting the activating component (22) in an engaged or disengaged position and a knob (60) for rotating the drive pin (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peifer, Michael K. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6007551
    Abstract: An endoscopic ligating apparatus is provided that can be used percutaneuously to dispense multiple ligating bands or rings about several lesions. In one embodiment, a barrel supporting a plurality of bands stretched around its circumference is removably engaged to the insertion end of an endoscope. A trip wire extends through a working channel of the endoscope and includes a plurality of strands extending from the distal end of the barrel and wrapped around the end of the barrel. The ligating bands are situated over the strands, while the strands are provided with beads disposed adjacent the bands. As tension is applied to the trip wire by way of an activating mechanism, the strands retract within the barrel so that the beads draw the ligating bands successively to the end of the barrel. In one embodiment, the activating mechanism includes a mounting component that stably mounts the mechanism to a variety of endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peifer, Michael K. Simmons, Munir Ahmed
  • Patent number: 5735861
    Abstract: An activating mechanism for activating an endoscopic ligator is disclosed. The activating mechanism includes a mounting component and an activating component coupled thereto. The mounting component inserts directly into the operating channel of an endoscope and is dimensioned to maintain a friction fit within the operating channel to mount the mechanism to the endoscope. The mounting component includes a channel for receiving an activation line of the ligating device which is threaded through the operating channel and the channel in the mounting component, and onto the activating component of the activating mechanism. The activation line attaches to a spool of the activating component. The activating component further provides a drive pin and a roller clutch for setting the activating component in an engaged or a disengaged position and a knob for rotating the drive pin. When the drive pin is engaged with the roller clutch, the knob can only rotate in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peifer, Michael K. Simmons