Patents by Inventor Richard V. Mazzola

Richard V. Mazzola 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: 6217592
    Abstract: A laproscopic instrument for setting sutures, particularly suitable for use in situations where access to the tissue to be sutured is difficult. The implement includes a pair of hinged arms, each having a handle portion and a jaw portion. The tip of one jaw has a notch or opening through which the hook may pass. A series of guides and openings position the sututre above the opening for engagement by the hook. When the jaws are closed about the tissue, the hook will pass through the tissue and the suture will ride around the hook. The suture will be engaged by the hook and upon opening the jaws, the hook will pull a loop of suture through the tissue. The suture is fixed in the usual manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Vincent Freda, Richard V. Mazzola
  • Patent number: 6063099
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The sharpened portion of the blade is substantially narrower than the inner diameter of the cannula tube and can be completely covered by the shield. The improved shielded trocar is provided with an improved shield design having a dolphin-nose shape at its distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola, Thomas R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5868773
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved locking shield design. The locking mechanism must be actuated before the shield will retract to expose the piercing tip. The shield is located inside the obturator sheath and provides faster coverage of the piercing tip after the body cavity wall has been penetrated. The cannula has an improved thread design to more easily and securely hold the cannula in the incision of the body cavity wall. A one piece inner housing is used in the cannula to reduce the need for welding to prevent gas leakage. The cannula also has improved seals to maintain insufflation of the body cavity and an automatic insufflation valve to facilitate connection to an external gas supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola
  • Patent number: 5797943
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The improved shielded trocar is provided with an improved shield having a dolphin-nose shape at its distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola, Thomas R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5607440
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The cannula also has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost. The shield locks in a partially retracted position whereby the point of the blade is covered, but sharp lateral portions are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola, Thomas R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5545150
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The cannula also has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola, Thomas R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5364372
    Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved locking shield design. The locking mechanism must be actuated before the shield will retract to expose the piercing tip. The shield is located inside the obturator sheath and provides faster coverage of the piercing tip after the body cavity wall has been penetrated. The cannula has an improved thread design to more easily and securely hold the cannula in the incision of the body cavity wall. A one piece inner housing is used in the cannula to reduce the need for welding to prevent gas leakage. The cannula also has improved seals to maintain insufflation of the body cavity and an automatic insufflation valve to facilitate connection to an external gas supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Danks, Richard V. Mazzola