Patents by Inventor Salvatore Castro
Salvatore Castro 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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Publication number: 20110029010Abstract: A medical dissector having an elongate flexible shaft and dissecting jaws. The jaws moveable from opened to closed and from closed to open using pull actuation of an elongate actuation members such as a pull cables. A first pull cable controls opening of the jaws, while a second pull cable controls closing of the jaws. The shaft and jaws of the instrument are axially rotatable relative to the handle to rotate the jaws about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Robert E. Welt
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Publication number: 20100298839Abstract: A peelable sheath is used to provide an atraumatic cover for an elongate medical device positionable through an incision. The peelable sheath includes a flexible tube, a pair of tabs on a proximal portion of the flexible tube, and a collar on a proximal portion of the flexible tube. The tabs extend laterally through at least one sidewall opening in the collar. The flexible tube is slidably disposed in a lumen of the collar. In use, the sheath is positioned covering at least a distal portion of the elongate medical device, and the elongate medical device is inserted into an incision or other opening in a patient. The sheath is withdrawn from the elongated medical device by pulling the tabs outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tube, causing at least a proximal portion of the flexible tube to split longitudinally into at least two longitudinal sections. The longitudinal sections move proximally through the at least one sidewall opening as the tabs are pulled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventor: Salvatore Castro
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Publication number: 20100298636Abstract: Medical instruments suitable for use in minimally invasive medical procedures have a first, highly flexible, state which allows the instruments to be easily passed into a body cavity through a trocar, cannula, catheter, or other access device positioned to give access into the body cavity. The instruments can then be arranged into a chosen shape, and rigidized in the chosen shape, allowing the user to use the instruments in a shape most suitable for the surrounding anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Michael Castro
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Publication number: 20100174363Abstract: Valve prostheses are disclosed that are adapted for secure and aligned placement relative to a heart annulus. The valve prostheses may be placed in a non-invasive manner, e.g., via trans-catheter techniques. The valve prosthesis may include a support ring, a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the support ring, and a plurality of retention clip elements. The support structure is advantageously formed from a tubular member or flat stock of shape memory metal. A delivery system for delivery of a valve prosthesis embodying the disclosed support structure is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: EndoValve, Inc.Inventor: Salvatore Castro
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Publication number: 20080208328Abstract: Valve prosthesis systems and methods/systems for placement of such valve prostheses are provided that facilitate efficient, reliable and minimally invasive delivery modalities. The placement systems and methods permit remote manipulation and positioning of the valve prosthesis such that desirable placement relative to anatomical structures, e.g., the heart annulus, may be achieved. The valve prosthesis includes a resilient ring, a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the resilient ring, and a plurality of positioning elements movably mounted with respect to the flexible ring. The delivery system includes a first elongate element that terminates at the valve prosthesis and is manipulable by an operator to remotely rotate the positioning elements relative to the flexible ring. A second elongate element terminates at the valve prosthesis and is manipulable by an operator to remotely advance the valve prosthesis downward into an anatomical annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicants: ENDOVALVE, INC., THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIAInventors: Joseph D. Antocci, David G. Lamphere, Salvatore Castro, Gregorio Ramon M. Abesames, Howard C. Herrmann
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Patent number: 7105025Abstract: A bone fusion implant system including a first implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the side wall including a concave recess and a second implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging the opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, the side wall of the second implant including an arcuate portion adapted to be received within the concave recess for enabling the first and second implant bodies to be positioned in nested side-by-side relation between the opposing vertebrae.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Patent number: 7070621Abstract: A bone fusion implant system including a first implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the side wall including a concave recess and a second implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging the opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, the side wall of the second implant including an arcuate portion adapted to be received within the concave recess for enabling the first and second implant bodies to be positioned in nested side-by-side relation between the opposing vertebrae.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Patent number: 6981966Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: United States SurgicalInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Salvatore Castro, Henry Sienkiewicz, Stephan A. DeFonzo, Douglas J. Cuny, Wayne P. Young
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Publication number: 20050250983Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a flexible, filamentous shaft slideably disposed in a sheath, the instrument including an electronic imaging system comprising an image sensor carried on a distal end portion of the instrument. The shaft may be used as a guidewire for a complementary guided device, or it may be used to carry a functional element for performing a procedure at a target site in a patient's body. In other embodiments, the present invention contemplates a flexible sheath, preferably having a simple tubular construction, with an electronic imaging system at its distal end. The sheath is adapted to slideably receive a shaft, preferably a filamentous shaft, that closely fits the sheath. The shaft carries functional element at its distal end. The instruments according to the present invention may include one or more filaments along their length for deflecting an insertable portion of the instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventors: Anthony Tremaglio, Salvatore Castro
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Publication number: 20050228499Abstract: A bone fusion implant system including a first implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the side wall including a concave recess and a second implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging the opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, the side wall of the second implant including an arcuate portion adapted to be received within the concave recess for enabling the first and second implant bodies to be positioned in nested side-by-side relation between the opposing vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Applicant: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Publication number: 20050096605Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2004Publication date: May 5, 2005Inventors: David Green, Henry Bolanos, Salvatore Castro, Henry Sienkiewicz, Stephan DeFonzo, Douglas Cuny, Wayne Young
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Patent number: 6783545Abstract: A bone fusion implant includes a rigid body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends and a concave channel formed in the body between the distal and proximal ends, the concave channel being formed about an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. The body has a first rigid cylindrical outer wall extending between the distal end of the body and the concave channel and a second rigid cylindrical outer wall extending between the proximal end of the body and the concave channel. The body also has a first opening at the distal end, a second opening at the proximal end and a hollow, internal chamber extending between the first and second openings.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Howmedica Osteonica Corp.Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Patent number: 6743257Abstract: The invention is a single piece, self seating and locking dynamic intervertebral spacer. The dynamic spacer is load-supporting but also able to undergo flexure in either or both the lateral and sagittal planes.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Cortek, Inc.Inventor: Salvatore Castro
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Publication number: 20030195472Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Salvatore Castro, Henry Sienkiewicz, Stephan A. DeFonzo, Douglas J. Cuny, Wayne P. Young
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Patent number: 6569120Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Salvatore Castro, Henry Sienkiewicz, Stephan A. DeFonzo, Douglas J. Cuny, Wayne P. Young
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Publication number: 20030097181Abstract: A bone fusion implant system including a first implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the side wall including a concave recess and a second implant body having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces for engaging the opposing vertebrae and a side wall extending between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, the side wall of the second implant including an arcuate portion adapted to be received within the concave recess for enabling the first and second implant bodies to be positioned in nested side-by-side relation between the opposing vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2003Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Publication number: 20030018389Abstract: A vertebral implant (10) is provided with a concave cut-away section (16) configured to correspond to the outer circumference of another implant placed adjacently thereto. A specialized distractor tool (20) with distractor tips (21) for distracting a vertebral space has two channels (26, 27) of generally circular profile that overlap in cross-section to accommodate implants according to the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2000Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Publication number: 20020143343Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae, In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae includes a retractor and a retractor introducer. The retractor includes a retractor sleeve having proximal and distal ends and defines a longitudinal passageway for reception of surgical instrumentation. The retractor sleeve has first and second retractor arms extending distally therefrom in a general longitudinal direction. Each retractor arm has first and second opposed supporting surfaces for engaging respective adjacent opposed vertebrae. Each retractor arm defines a dimension between the first and second supporting surfaces sufficient to distract the opposed vertebrae upon insertion thereof. The retractor introducer is positionable within the longitudinal passageway of the retractor sleeve. The retractor introducer includes an elongated member defining proximal and distal ends and having a distal introducer head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Surgical Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Salvatore Castro
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Patent number: 6436141Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent bony structures includes an implant body dimensioned for positioning between adjacent bone structures to maintain the bone structures in desired spaced relation during interbody fusion. The implant body has an outer wall and an external threaded configuration disposed on the outer wall. At least one concave surface at least partially extends along the implant body. The concave surface advantageously reduces the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the implant member thereby facilitating placement of the implant member in restricted intervertebral areas. In addition, the concave surface enables placement of a pair of implants in nested side-by-side relation. Preferably, the threaded configuration has portions removed along an arc section of the outer wall thereby defining a series of generally longitudinally aligned concave surfaces in individual turns thereof. A system and method for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Surgical Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Salvatore Castro, Christopher McDonnell
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Publication number: 20020077702Abstract: The invention is a single piece, self seating and locking dynamic intervertebral spacer. The dynamic spacer is load-supporting but also able to undergo flexure in either or both the lateral and sagittal planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: Cortek, Inc.Inventor: Salvatore Castro