Patents by Inventor Richard J. Fugo

Richard J. Fugo 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: 8137341
    Abstract: A method with apparatus for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter. Such novel plasma ablation system provides the capability to create high precision ablation with minimal damage to adjacent structures in numerous types of matter while employing multiple operation platforms including catheter based plasma application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Richard J Fugo
  • Publication number: 20120035589
    Abstract: A method with apparatus for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter. Such novel plasma ablation system provides the capability to create high precision ablation with minimal damage to adjacent structures in numerous types of matter while employing multiple operation platforms including catheter based plasma application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 8088126
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 7959632
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing surgery using plasma is described. The apparatus includes a plasma generating unit, a plasma wand and a foot pedal. The plasma wand further includes a disposable tip which may be removed and replaced for each surgical procedure, so as to maintain operating sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Publication number: 20080045941
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 7173211
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: RJF Holdings II, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Coccio, Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 6867387
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Richard J. Fugo, Damian Coccio
  • Patent number: 6787730
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventors: Damian Coccio, Richard J. Fugo
  • Publication number: 20030213780
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Richard J. Fugo, Damian Coccio
  • Patent number: 6479785
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy output needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Richard J. Fugo, Damian Coccio
  • Publication number: 20020060207
    Abstract: A device to place an incision into matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. A radiofrequency generator system produces pulsed or continuous electromagnetic waveform which is transmitted by an active transmitter incising electrode tip. This generated electromagnetic wave is utilized to initiate a plasma cloud with processes such as thermal ionization and a photoelectric effect which then trigger an Avalanche Effect for charged atomic particles at the surface of the active transmitter incising electrode tip. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, power matched and tuned to the plasma cloud in order to sustain and control a harmonious plasma cloud with reduced atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the active transmitter electrode tip as well as acts to reduce the energy needed from the power amplifier of our plasma cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Damian Coccio, Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 6079417
    Abstract: A method and device for reshaping cornea 12 wherein radially orientated microintubation channels 32 are surgically created in corneal stroma 30 with surgical microinstrumentation after which corneal shaping devices 34 are inserted into said microintubation channels. Said microintubation channels extend radially from peri-limbal tissue towards the center of said cornea, but not to the very center of said cornea. Said corneal shaping devices place stress on the dome of said cornea and alter corneal topography in a manner that allows for correction of distance vision, near vision, and astigmatism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 5958266
    Abstract: A method of incising matter with a harmonious plasma cloud. An inexpensive radiofrequency generator and power amplifier generates an electromagnetic wave which is transmitted from an incising transmitter probe. This electromagnetic wave is impedance matched, frequency matched, and power matched to initiate and sustain a harmonious plasma cloud with low atomic particle turbulence and chaos. This harmonious plasma cloud forms a coating over the surface of the incising tip as well as acts to reduce the energy output needed from the power amplifier. The electromagnetic wave is also used to produce a Pinch Effect to compress, contour, shape and control the harmonious plasma cloud. The electromagnetic wave is furthermore used to trap and contain the plasma cloud without the need of a solid matter containment vessel according to the Magnetic Bottle Effect of physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventors: Richard J. Fugo, Damian Coccio
  • Patent number: 5538016
    Abstract: A method of reopening healing or healed corneal incision lines by applying pressure to the front surface of the cornea and thereby creating a physical shearing force on cornea incision lines which tear the incision lines open. A blunt micro-ophthalmic probe is used, and does not encroach upon the deep base of the original corneal incision cavity. The blunt probe does not cut or incise any virgin, healthy cornea tissue or remove any healing connective tissue from within the cavity of the original corneal incision. Each time that the healing or healed incision line is reopened, the body secretes additional healing connective tissue which is added to or coats the original connective tissue wedge of wound "healing tissue" inside of the corneal cavity of the original keratorefractive incision. The thicker that the wedge of connective tissue between the walls of the incision line becomes, the more the walls of the original corneal incision line are physically separated by this connective tissue wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 5423815
    Abstract: A method of ocular refractive surgery which employs heat application to reshape and enhance the refractive power of the central cornea of a surgical subject. Radio frequency energy is employed to coagulate segments of corneal stroma in the perilimbal area at the pole of the corneal meridian having the lowest keratometric reading, causing the radius of curvature of the central cornea to increase in that meridian, whereby astigmatism can be safely and permanently corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 5413574
    Abstract: A method of ocular surgery wherein low power radio waves are transmitted from the tip of an active incising electrode and used to make incisions in the tissues of the eye. A high impedance contact is provided between the surgical subject and a grounding plate connected to the radio wave generator. The use of the low power radio wave energy and the high impedance contact prevents the active incising electrode from becoming hot and causing damage to sensitive tissues of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo
  • Patent number: 5411510
    Abstract: A surgical blade and method incorporating the surgical blade which ensure uniform incision depth and angulation, and the creation of self sealing surgical wounds during cataract surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Fugo