Patents by Inventor Richard A. Hillstead
Richard A. Hillstead 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).
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Patent number: 8647363Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Richard A. Hillstead, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Patent number: 8365721Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: NeoVista Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene deJuan, Mark S. Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske, Sabine Willenkamp, Gerd T. Phillipps
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Publication number: 20130006269Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Publication number: 20120330088Abstract: Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Charles E. Larsen, Roelaf Trip, Cory S. Anderson, John N. Hendrick, Benjamin W. Woodward
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Patent number: 8308757Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Richard A. Hillstead, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Patent number: 8292795Abstract: Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: NeoVista, Inc.Inventors: Richard A Hillstead, Charles E. Larsen, Roelof Trip, Cory S. Anderson, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske
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Publication number: 20120010652Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The shaft may be capable of an angled configuration where at least a portion of the shaft is manually movable to a direction in which it extends at an angle to another portion of the shaft. The end effector is not limited to a linear configuration and at least a portion of an elongated end effector extends at an angle relative to another portion of the end effector as is needed or desirable for the particular procedure to be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Kevin F. Hahnen, Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Patent number: 8043328Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The shaft may be capable of an angled configuration where at least a portion of the shaft is manually movable to a direction in which it extends at an angle to another portion of the shaft. The end effector is not limited to a linear configuration and at least a portion of an elongated end effector extends at an angle relative to another portion of the end effector as is needed or desirable for the particular procedure to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Richard A. Hillstead, Inc.Inventors: Kevin F. Hahnen, Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Publication number: 20110155788Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Patent number: 7951060Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: NeoVista, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene de Juan, Mark Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske
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Patent number: 7922742Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel
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Publication number: 20110021906Abstract: Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Charles E. Larsen, Roelof Trip, Cory S. Anderson, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske, John N. Hendrick, Benjamin W. Woodward
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Publication number: 20110004045Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene deJuan, Mark S. Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske, Sabine Willenkamp, Gerd T. Phillipps
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Publication number: 20100268013Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene deJuan, Mark Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske
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Patent number: 7803102Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: NeoVista, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene deJuan, Mark S. Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske, Sabine Willenkamp, Gerd T. Phillipps
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Patent number: 7803103Abstract: Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy are disclosed in which a cannula is introduced into the eye for delivery of radiation to a target tissue. Techniques for properly locating the cannula with respect to the target tissue, for protecting non-target tissue, for regulating heat generated by x-ray emitters, and for combining therapies are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: NeoVista Inc.Inventors: Richard A Hillstead, Charles E. Larsen, Roelof Trip, Cory S. Anderson
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Patent number: 7744520Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end. A positioning system for the cannula is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: NeoVista, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene de Juan, Mark Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske
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Publication number: 20100087821Abstract: Fracture fixation devices for placement within the intramedullary canal of a bone are disclosed. The devices disclosed include a tubular support including a liquid impermeable portion and a plurality of elongated members. The devices are typically used with a hardenable cement. Apparatus and methods for removing such devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: NOVALIGN ORTHOPAEDICS, INC.Inventors: Roelof Trip, James D. Stoneburner, Matthew T. Harmon, Charles E. Larsen, Mojan Goshayesh, Richard A. Hillstead, Steven B. Waite, Erik H. McDonald
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Patent number: 7563222Abstract: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation source when retracted from the cannula and includes a slider mechanism for advancing and retracting the radiation source. The radiation source is mounted to a wire that has a flexible distal end and a relatively stiffer proximal end.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: NeoVista, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Larsen, Richard A. Hillstead, Roelof Trip, Eugene deJuan, Mark Humayun, Eberhard Fritz, Rainer Pintaske
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Patent number: 7503474Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Cerebral Vascular Applications, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Hillstead, Bryan D. Knodel