Patents by Inventor Steven E. Decker

Steven E. Decker 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: 20110015655
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for closing incisions within biological tissue. In one embodiment, a device and method are provided for suturing biological tissue, such as, for example, an organ or blood vessel. The suturing apparatus is particularly well suited for suturing an incision made in an artery, such as the femoral artery, following a catheterization procedure. The device eliminates the need to apply pressure to a patient's thigh for an extended period of time, and eliminates many of the complications and costs associated with the creation of a thrombus patch. In addition, the device comprises an improved handle portion which enables the physician to quickly and easily apply suture. The handle portion is very reliable and easy to manipulate. The suturing may be used in combination with existing catheter sheath introducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Hung Tran, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Patent number: 7803167
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for closing incisions within biological tissue. In one embodiment, a device and method are provided for suturing biological tissue, such as, for example, an organ or blood vessel. The suturing apparatus is particularly well suited for suturing an incision made in an artery, such as the femoral artery, following a catheterization procedure. The device eliminates the need to apply pressure to a patient's thigh for an extended period of time, and eliminates many of the complications and costs associated with the creation of a thrombus patch. In addition, the device comprises an improved handle portion which enables the physician to quickly and easily apply suture. The handle portion is very reliable and easy to manipulate. The suturing may be used in combination with existing catheter sheath introducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Hung Tran, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Publication number: 20080269786
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale. Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms adapted to hold end portions of a suture when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a proximal-to-distal direction to engage the suture end held by the first suture clasp arm, and a second suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum primum to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum secundum to deliver a suture thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Benjamin G. Brosch, Steven E. Decker, Michael J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 7090686
    Abstract: A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture non-simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Patent number: 7004952
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Patent number: 6911034
    Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises an elongated body, at least one arms movable relative to the elongated body and at least one needle movable relative to the elongated body. The arm releasably holds an end portion of a length of suture. The arm has a sharp end portion adapted to pierce an inner surface of a wall of a biological structure and pass an end portion of the suture through the inner surface. The needle is adapted to pierce the inner surface of such biological structure at a location proximal to the location where the end portion of the suture was inserted. The needle captures an end portion of the suture from the arm and draws the end portion of the suture back through the inner surface. The end of the suture is then drawn out of the biological structure by removing the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Sterilis, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson, Chad W. Trembath
  • Publication number: 20040210238
    Abstract: Suture cutter embodiments include elements for cutting back the leads of a suture after the suture has been tied into a knot, e.g., as a result of drawing tissue portions together. The suture cutter may include mechanisms which can be used to push and position a knot, so that a single device may be used to both push a knot and trim the excess material therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040092966
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosh
  • Patent number: 6733509
    Abstract: Suture cutter embodiments include elements for cutting back the leads of a suture after the suture has been tied into a knot, e.g., as a result of drawing tissue portions together. The suture cutter may include mechanisms which can be used to push and position a knot, so that a single device may be used to both push a knot and trim the excess material therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040006352
    Abstract: A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture non-simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Patent number: 6562052
    Abstract: A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture non-simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Patent number: 6551331
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosh
  • Publication number: 20020087178
    Abstract: Suture cutter embodiments include elements for cutting back the leads of a suture after the suture has been tied into a knot, e.g., as a result of drawing tissue portions together. The suture cutter may include mechanisms which can be used to push and position a knot, so that a single device may be used to both push a knot and trim the excess material therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20020049453
    Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises an elongated body, at least one arms movable relative to the elongated body and at least one needle movable relative to the elongated body. The arm releasably holds an end portion of a length of suture. The arm has a sharp end portion adapted to pierce an inner surface of a wall of a biological structure and pass an end portion of the suture through the inner surface. The needle is adapted to pierce the inner surface of such biological structure at a location proximal to the location where the end portion of the suture was inserted. The needle captures an end portion of the suture from the arm and draws the end portion of the suture back through the inner surface. The end of the suture is then drawn out of the biological structure by removing the elongated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Rod T. Peterson, Chad W. Trembath
  • Publication number: 20020045908
    Abstract: A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture non-simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosch
  • Publication number: 20010031973
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosh
  • Patent number: 6245079
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosh
  • Patent number: 6117144
    Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sutura, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Steven E. Decker, Benjamin G. Brosh