Patents by Inventor Paul H. Lovato

Paul H. Lovato 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: 6156049
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate, which includes inserting a transurethral incisional device through the patient's urethra, incising off at least one piece of targeted prostatic tissue using the incisional device, inserting a morcellation probe through the patient's urethra, morcellating the excised piece of targeted prostatic tissue with the morcellation probe, and aspirating the morcellated prostatic tissue through the morcellation probe and out of the patient. The morcellation probe of the present invention includes an elongated inner probe tube that defines an aspiration channel therein and an aperture with opposing cutting edges formed adjacent to its distal end. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube, and moves relative thereto in a longitudinal reciprocating manner. The outer probe tube has an open distal end and another aperture with opposing cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Coherent Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Lovato, David Alan Gollnick, Russell Alex Zinner, David P. Thompson, Kevin Connors, Mike Hmelar
  • Patent number: 6024751
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate, which includes inserting a transurethral incisional device through the patient's urethra, incising off at least one piece of targeted prostatic tissue using the incisional device, inserting a morcellation probe through the patient's urethra, morcellating the excised piece of targeted prostatic tissue with the morcellation probe, and aspirating the morcellated prostatic tissue through the morcellation probe and out of the patient.The morcellation probe of the present invention includes an elongated inner probe tube that defines an aspiration channel therein. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube. The outer probe tube has a first aperture with a first cutting edge for cutting tissue. The inner probe tube has a second aperture or a spiral shaped groove defining a second cutting edge that moves relative to the first cutting edge to cut tissue drawn through the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Coherent Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Lovato, David Alan Gollnick, Russell Alex Zinner, David P. Thompson, Kevin Connors, Michael Hmelar