Patents by Inventor Ronald E. Zook

Ronald E. Zook 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).

  • Publication number: 20220395289
    Abstract: A medical instrument and associated functionality are described for performing a cystostomy with optical guidance. A cystostomy device (10) includes a sound (12) including a distal portion (18) and a proximal portion (20), a front handle (14) and a rear handle (16). A physician or other user can grip the handles (14 and 16) to guide the distal portion (18) of the sound (12) through the urethra and into a bladder of the patient. The device (10) includes an optical unit (32) mounted at the tip (22) of the sound (12). The optical unit (32) generally includes a distal sound tip cap (34) with a lens opening and an optical lens (36) mounted on the opening. The optical unit (32) may further include one or more illumination sources, such as LEDs, for illuminating a volume forward of the tip (22) of the sound (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald E. ZOOK, Timothy E. BRAUN, Paul BUREK
  • Patent number: 10172642
    Abstract: A cannula is placed in an enlarged opening through a bladder wall and an abdominal wall by applying pulling tension to a placement guide extending through a small pathway to hold an inflated placement balloon in sealing contact with the bladder wall. The seal confines distension fluid in the bladder to establish sufficient reactive resistance to enlarge the opening through the bladder wall with blunt force dilation from an obturator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SWAN VALLEY MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Mark Carl
  • Publication number: 20160135837
    Abstract: A cannula is placed in an enlarged opening through a bladder wall and an abdominal wall by applying pulling tension to a placement guide extending through a small pathway to hold an inflated placement balloon in sealing contact with the bladder wall. The seal confines distension fluid in the bladder to establish sufficient reactive resistance to enlarge the opening through the bladder wall with blunt force dilation from an obturator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: RONALD E. ZOOK, LAURENCE K. SAMPSON, MARK CARL
  • Patent number: 9271752
    Abstract: A cannula is placed in an enlarged opening through a bladder wall and an abdominal wall by applying pulling tension to a placement guide extending through a small pathway to hold an inflated placement balloon in sealing contact with the bladder wall. The seal confines distension fluid in the bladder to establish sufficient reactive resistance to enlarge the opening through the bladder wall with blunt force dilation from an obturator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SWAN VALLEY MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Mark Carl
  • Patent number: 9114228
    Abstract: A cystotomy apparatus includes a sound from which an advancement device having a cutting tip creates a surgical pathway from the bladder through abdominal tissue to the external abdomen along a predetermined path. The cutting tip is captured and removed from the advancement device in a capture cup located in the predetermined path by an alignment structure. The cutting tip is removed from the advancement device while within the capture cup, to allow a dilator, cannula or catheter to be drawn through the surgical pathway into the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Swan Valley Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Steven W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Publication number: 20140276532
    Abstract: A cannula is placed in an enlarged opening through a bladder wall and an abdominal wall by applying pulling tension to a placement guide extending through a small pathway to hold an inflated placement balloon in sealing contact with the bladder wall. The seal confines distension fluid in the bladder to establish sufficient reactive resistance to enlarge the opening through the bladder wall with blunt force dilation from an obturator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SWAN VALLEY MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Mark Carl
  • Patent number: 8574256
    Abstract: A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Swan Valley Medical, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Patent number: 8382785
    Abstract: A cystotomy apparatus includes a sound from which an advancement device having a cutting tip creates a surgical pathway from the bladder through abdominal tissue to the external abdomen along a predetermined path. The cutting tip is captured and removed from the advancement device in a capture cup located in the predetermined path by an alignment structure. The cutting tip is removed from the advancement device while within the capture cup, to allow a dilator, cannula or catheter to be drawn through the surgical pathway into the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Swan Valley Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Publication number: 20120109175
    Abstract: A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SWAN VALLEY MEDICAL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Patent number: 8118826
    Abstract: A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Swan Valley Medical, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Patent number: 8118736
    Abstract: A bladder access apparatus and method of provided access into a bladder through a abdominal wall therewith is provided. The apparatus has an annular body extending between opposite ends with a through passage extending between the ends. A tubular sheath is attached to one end of the body in coaxial alignment with the through passage. The sheath is expandable from a first diameter to an enlarged second diameter. The apparatus has an elongate stylet with a rod sized for receipt in the sheath. The rod has a length greater than the tubular sheath and a diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the sheath. The apparatus includes a rigid, tubular body having an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the second diameter of the sheath and a rigid, cylindrical member sized for sliding receipt in the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Swan Valley Medical, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Publication number: 20100298857
    Abstract: A cystotomy apparatus includes a sound from which an advancement device having a cutting tip creates a surgical pathway from the bladder through abdominal tissue to the external abdomen along a predetermined path. The cutting tip is captured and removed from the advancement device in a capture cup located in the predetermined path by an alignment structure. The cutting tip is removed from the advancement device while within the capture cup, to allow a dilator, cannula or catheter to be drawn through the surgical pathway into the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Laurence K. Sampson, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Publication number: 20090088786
    Abstract: A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Publication number: 20090088599
    Abstract: A bladder access apparatus and method of provided access into a bladder through a abdominal wall therewith is provided. The apparatus has an annular body extending between opposite ends with a through passage extending between the ends. A tubular sheath is attached to one end of the body in coaxial alignment with the through passage. The sheath is expandable from a first diameter to an enlarged second diameter. The apparatus has an elongate stylet with a rod sized for receipt in the sheath. The rod has a length greater than the tubular sheath and a diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the sheath. The apparatus includes a rigid, tubular body having an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the second diameter of the sheath and a rigid, cylindrical member sized for sliding receipt in the tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Timothy E. Braun, Kenneth A. High, Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky, Pete W. Kroehl, Davey B. Palmer, David W. Wright, Paul P. Burek
  • Patent number: 4857716
    Abstract: A patient identification system for relating items with patients and ensuring that an identified item corresponds to an identified patient. The patient identification system includes a computer system (42) interconnected to a plurality of remote terminals (62) by conventional telephone wiring (66,70). The patient identification system further including a portable bar code reading device (48) including a bar code wand (120), an LCD display (116) and a key pad (114). The portable bar code reading device (48) communicates via RF transmission with an RF/PLC modem (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: CliniCom Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter P. Gombrich, Ronald E. Zook, Max S. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 4850009
    Abstract: A portable handheld terminal (20) including optical bar code reader apparatus. A housing (22) having first and second spaced apart, opposing major surfaces (24,26) extending longitudinally between first and second end portions (28,30). A handle portion (40) being interconnected to the housing (22) and extending longitudinally along the second surface (26) so as to provide a handle for holding the bar code reader apparatus. Additionally, the portable handheld terminal (20) includes an optical bar code reader apparatus utilizing a binary imaging sensor (52) and an RF transceiver (79).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: CliniCom Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Zook, Peter P. Gombrich
  • Patent number: 4835372
    Abstract: A patient identification system for relating items with patients and ensuring that an identified item corresponds to an identified patient. The patient identification system includes a computer system (42) interconnected to a plurality of remote terminals (62) by conventional telephone wiring (66, 70). The patient identification system further including a portable bar code reading device (48) including a bar code wand (120), an LCD display (116) and a key pad (114). The portable bar code reading device (48) communicates via RF transmission with an RF/PLC modem (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: ClinCom Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter P. Gombrich, Richard J. Beard, Richard A. Griffee, Thomas R. Wilson, Ronald E. Zook, Max S. Hendrickson