Patents by Inventor Richard P. Nuchols

Richard P. Nuchols 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: 8905943
    Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of recesses to receive tissue samples. The rotatable member can be operable to successively index each recess relative to a lumen defined by the cutter. A cover portion may be associated with the rotatable member and permits one or more recesses to be viewable through the cover. The recesses may be configured to carry one or more tissue samples as the rotatable member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Trevor W. V. Speeg, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Wells D. Haberstich, Gavin M. Monson, Robert F. Weikel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8864717
    Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Richard P. Nuchols, John V. Hunt, Randal T. Byrum, Dale R. Schulze
  • Publication number: 20140276209
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, and a cutter. A motor is operable to both move the cutter relative to the needle and actuate a needle firing assembly to retract and fire the needle relative to the body. The biopsy device also includes a needle rotation assembly that is configured to substantially prevent rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a proximal position yet permit rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a distal position. A valve assembly of the biopsy device includes a slider that selectively couples a secondary lumen in the needle with either atmospheric air or saline based on the longitudinal position of the slider. The cutter passes through the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Richard P. Nuchols, Edward A. Rhad
  • Patent number: 8764680
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, and a cutter. A motor is operable to both move the cutter relative to the needle and actuate a needle firing assembly to retract and fire the needle relative to the body. The biopsy device also includes a needle rotation assembly that is configured to substantially prevent rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a proximal position yet permit rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a distal position. A valve assembly of the biopsy device includes a slider that selectively couples a secondary lumen in the needle with either atmospheric air or saline based on the longitudinal position of the slider. The cutter passes through the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rhad, John A. Hibner, Harold W. Craig, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Patent number: 8480595
    Abstract: A needle may be fired into tissue by a needle firing mechanism, which may include a fork for holding the needle and a firing rod coupled with the fork. A spring urges the fork to a distal, fired position. A screw gear is coupled with the rod. A sled is positioned at the proximal end of the rod. A catch is configured to engage the sled when the sled is moved to a proximal position. The screw gear is operable to convert rotational motion from a motor and gear set into linear motion to move the rod proximally to engage the sled with the catch, thereby cocking the needle firing mechanism. The motor may also be used to translate the screw gear distally relative to the rod after the sled has engaged with the catch. A trigger is used to fire the cocked needle firing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor W. V. Speeg, John R. Andrisek, Richard P. Nuchols, Michael J. Andreyko, Wells D. Haberstich
  • Publication number: 20120226193
    Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of recesses to receive tissue samples. The rotatable member can be operable to successively index each recess relative to a lumen defined by the cutter. A cover portion may be associated with the rotatable member and permits one or more recesses to be viewable through the cover. The recesses may be configured to carry one or more tissue samples as the rotatable member is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: DEVICOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Trevor W.V. Speeg, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Wells D. Haberstich, Gavin M. Monson, Robert F. Weikel, JR.
  • Patent number: 8241226
    Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member and at least one removable member secured about the exterior of the rotatable member. The at least one removable member defines a plurality of tissue sample compartments. Each tissue sample compartment is configured to receive one or more tissue samples captured by the cutter. In some versions, the at least one removable member comprises a belt and a plurality of vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Trevor W. V. Speeg, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Wells D. Haberstich, Gavin M. Monson, Robert F. Weikel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120109007
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, and a cutter. A motor is operable to both move the cutter relative to the needle and actuate a needle firing assembly to retract and fire the needle relative to the body. The biopsy device also includes a needle rotation assembly that is configured to substantially prevent rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a proximal position yet permit rotation of the needle about the longitudinal axis when the needle is in a distal position. A valve assembly of the biopsy device includes a slider that selectively couples a secondary lumen in the needle with either atmospheric air or saline based on the longitudinal position of the slider. The cutter passes through the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Edward A. Rhad, John A. Hibner, Harold W. Craig, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Patent number: 8052616
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter and a probe body. A cutter rotation and translation mechanism may include a sleeve that is secured to the cutter, a nut that is secured to the body, and first and second gears. The sleeve includes portion having external threads and a portion having external flats. The nut has internal threads that are configured to engage the threads of the sleeve, such that the cutter translates longitudinally when the sleeve rotates within the nut. The threads have a fine pitch (e.g., 40-50 threads per inch). The first gear is slid onto the portion of the sleeve that has flats, and is configured to rotate with the sleeve yet translate along the sleeve. The second gear is coupled with a motor. The second gear is configured to mesh with the first gear to rotate the sleeve, thereby concomitantly rotating and translating the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Andrisek, Richard P. Nuchols, Andy Nock, Edward A. Rhad, Shailendra K. Parihar
  • Publication number: 20110082426
    Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Richard P. Nuchols, John V. Hunt, Randal T. Byrum, Dale R. Schulze
  • Patent number: 7862546
    Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Richard P. Nuchols, John V. Hunt, Randal T. Byrum, Dale R. Schulze
  • Patent number: 7854707
    Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates an attached sample revolver drum assembly in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide sequentially stored tissue samples in a sample storage bandolier that is rotated about a revolver cylindrical drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Trevor W. V. Speeg, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Wells D. Haberstich, Gavin M. Monson, Robert F. Weikel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7806835
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cannula, a cutter disposed within the cannula, a needle hub having a gear for rotating the cannula, a mechanism for rotating and translating the cutter within the cannula, and a body portion. The cutter rotation and translation mechanism includes a first component that is secured to the cutter and a second component that is secured to the body portion. The body portion includes a tab that is configured to retain the axial position of the cannula and needle hub relative to the body until the tab is depressed or removed. The body is configured to permit the cannula and the needle hub to be pulled axially from the body only after the tab has been depressed or removed. The cutter can then be pulled axially from the body by unscrewing the first component of the cutter rotation and translation mechanism from the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Michael J. Andreyko, Edward A. Rhad, Shailendra K. Parihar, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Publication number: 20100130941
    Abstract: A rotational locking mechanism for securing a catheter to a surgical implant is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a deflectable extension extending from the surgical implant about the catheter attached to the surgical implant. The shape of the deflectable extension defines a slot therein. A connector having at least one tab extending therefrom is placed about the catheter at the point of attachment to the surgical implant. Rotation of the tubular connector brings at least one tab of the connector into contact with the slot in the deflectable extension and deflects and releases at least a portion of the slot as the connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within the slot. The rotation motion secures the catheter to the surgical implant, and produces a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the tubular connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Richard P. Nuchols, John V. Hunt, Randal T. Byrum, Dale R. Schulze
  • Publication number: 20100113973
    Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member and at least one removable member secured about the exterior of the rotatable member. The at least one removable member defines a plurality of tissue sample compartments. Each tissue sample compartment is configured to receive one or more tissue samples captured by the cutter. In some versions, the at least one removable member comprises a belt and a plurality of vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Trevor W.V. Speeg, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Wells D. Haberstich, Gavin M. Monson, Robert F. Weikel, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090131822
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cannula, a cutter disposed within the cannula, a needle hub having a gear for rotating the cannula, a mechanism for rotating and translating the cutter within the cannula, and a body portion. The cutter rotation and translation mechanism includes a first component that is secured to the cutter and a second component that is secured to the body portion. The body portion includes a tab that is configured to retain the axial position of the cannula and needle hub relative to the body until the tab is depressed or removed. The body is configured to permit the cannula and the needle hub to be pulled axially from the body only after the tab has been depressed or removed. The cutter can then be pulled axially from the body by unscrewing the first component of the cutter rotation and translation mechanism from the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Michael J. Andreyko, Edward A. Rhad, Shailendra K. Parihar, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Publication number: 20090131824
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter and a probe body. A cutter rotation and translation mechanism may include a sleeve that is secured to the cutter, a nut that is secured to the body, and first and second gears. The sleeve includes portion having external threads and a portion having external flats. The nut has internal threads that are configured to engage the threads of the sleeve, such that the cutter translates longitudinally when the sleeve rotates within the nut. The threads have a fine pitch (e.g., 40-50 threads per inch). The first gear is slid onto the portion of the sleeve that has flats, and is configured to rotate with the sleeve yet translate along the sleeve. The second gear is coupled with a motor. The second gear is configured to mesh with the first gear to rotate the sleeve, thereby concomitantly rotating and translating the cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: John R. Andrisek, Richard P. Nuchols, Andy Nock, Edward A. Rhad, Shailendra K. Parihar
  • Publication number: 20080200836
    Abstract: A needle may be fired into tissue by a needle firing mechanism, which may include a fork for holding the needle and a firing rod coupled with the fork. A spring urges the fork to a distal, fired position. A screw gear is coupled with the rod. A sled is positioned at the proximal end of the rod. A catch is configured to engage the sled when the sled is moved to a proximal position. The screw gear is operable to convert rotational motion from a motor and gear set into linear motion to move the rod proximally to engage the sled with the catch, thereby cocking the needle firing mechanism. The motor may also be used to translate the screw gear distally relative to the rod after the sled has engaged with the catch. A trigger is used to fire the cocked needle firing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Trevor W. V. Speeg, John R. Andrisek, Richard P. Nuchols, Michael J. Andreyko, Wells D. Haberstich
  • Publication number: 20040267291
    Abstract: An implantable band for placement around an anatomical passageway, such as the stomach or other lumen, has a non-mechanical attachment mechanism, particularly an adjustable gastric band, includes a hook and loop fastener, magnetic material, adhesive and energy bonded material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Randal T. Byrum, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Publication number: 20040254537
    Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Richard P. Nuchols, John V. Hunt, Randal T. Byrum, Dale R. Schulze