Patents by Inventor Paul F. Gr{overscore (u)}ndeman

Paul F. Gr{overscore (u)}ndeman 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).

  • Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue
    Patent number: 6755780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cornelius Borst, Hendricus J. Mansvelt Beck, Paul F. Gr{overscore (u)}ndeman, Erik W. L. Jansen
  • Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue
    Patent number: 6371906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cornelius Borst, Hendricus J. Mansvelt Beck, Paul F. Gr{overscore (u)}ndeman, Erik W. L. Jansen