Patents by Inventor Steven Spisak
Steven Spisak 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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Patent number: 9351741Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Publication number: 20140074097Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Gregory P. SCHMITZ, Jeffery L. BLEICH, Steven A. SPISAK, Roy LEGUIDLEGUID, Jefferey BLEAM
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Patent number: 8585704Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Baxano Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Patent number: 8579902Abstract: Described herein are methods for achieving access to a compressed space in spinal anatomy. In some embodiments, a method for achieving access may include the steps of advancing a distal portion of a cannulated probe toward a neural foramen from a lateral side of the foramen, extending a first end of a elongate member from a distal end of the cannulated probe and through the neural foramen from the lateral side to a medial side of the foramen and at least partially around an anterior portion of a facet joint and posterior to a spinal disc, and extending the first end of the elongate member out of the patient, wherein a portion of the elongate member remains curved around the facet joint. In some embodiments, the method may further include the step of extending a first end of an inner cannula from a distal end of the cannulated probe.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Baxano Signal, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, Steven A. Spisak, David R. Miller, James R. Yurchenco
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Publication number: 20120184809Abstract: Described herein are methods for achieving access to a compressed space in spinal anatomy. In some embodiments, a method for achieving access may include the steps of advancing a distal portion of a cannulated probe toward a neural foramen from a lateral side of the foramen, extending a first end of a elongate member from a distal end of the cannulated probe and through the neural foramen from the lateral side to a medial side of the foramen and at least partially around an anterior portion of a facet joint and posterior to a spinal disc, and extending the first end of the elongate member out of the patient, wherein a portion of the elongate member remains curved around the facet joint. In some embodiments, the method may further include the step of extending a first end of an inner cannula from a distal end of the cannulated probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, Steven A. Spisak, David R. Miller, James R. Yurchenco
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Patent number: 8192435Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided including a thin belt or ribbon with an abrasive cutting surface. The device optionally may be placed within a protective sheath that exposes the abrasive surface of the ribbon only in the area where tissue removal is desired.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, Steven A. Spisak, David R. Miller, James Yurchenco
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Publication number: 20120022538Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Patent number: 8062298Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a patient may include: an elongate body having a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion having first and second major surfaces; a proximal handle coupled with the proximal portion of the body; one or more tissue modifying members disposed along the first major surface of the distal portion of the body; a guidewire coupled with and extending from the distal portion of the body; and a distal handle removably couplable with the guidewire outside the patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffrey L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Patent number: 8062300Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a patient may include: an elongate body having a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion having first and second major surfaces; a proximal handle coupled with the proximal portion of the body; one or more tissue modifying members disposed along the first major surface of the distal portion of the body; a guidewire coupled with and extending from the distal portion of the body; and a distal handle removably couplable with the guidewire outside the patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffrey L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Patent number: 7918849Abstract: Methods are provided for access to a compressed space in the spinal anatomy. These methods may be used for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided. A cannulated probe may be placed through the neural foramina of the spine and used to position a guidewire around the anterior border of a facet joint. Once properly positioned, a medical practitioner may use the guidewire with an abrasion device to enlarge the lateral recess and neural foramina. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak
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Patent number: 7887538Abstract: A method for modifying tissue in a patient may involve one or more of the following steps: advancing at least a distal portion of at least one elongate, at least partially flexible tissue modification device into a patient and between one or more target tissues and one or more non-target tissues; positioning at least one tissue modifying member of the tissue modification device adjacent the target tissue such that the tissue modifying member(s) face the target tissue and do not face the non-target tissue; applying an anchoring force to the tissue modification device at or near the distal portion or a proximal portion of the device; applying a tensioning force to the tissue modification device at or near an opposite end of the device relative to the end to which anchoring force is applied, while maintaining the anchoring force, to urge the tissue modifying member(s) against the target tissue; and modifying the target tissue, using the tissue modifying member(s), while preventing the tissue modifying member(s)Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Baxano, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Vahid Saadat, Steven A. Spisak, John E. Ashley
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Publication number: 20070260252Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a patient may include: an elongate body having a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion having first and second major surfaces; a proximal handle coupled with the proximal portion of the body; one or more tissue modifying members disposed along the first major surface of the distal portion of the body; a guidewire coupled with and extending from the distal portion of the body; and a distal handle removably couplable with the guidewire outside the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: BAXANO, INC.Inventors: Gregory Schmitz, Jeffery Bleich, Steven Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Publication number: 20070225703Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a patient may include: an elongate body having a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion having first and second major surfaces; a proximal handle coupled with the proximal portion of the body; one or more tissue modifying members disposed along the first major surface of the distal portion of the body; a guidewire coupled with and extending from the distal portion of the body; and a distal handle removably couplable with the guidewire outside the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: BAXANO, INC.Inventors: Gregory Schmitz, Jeffrey Bleich, Steven Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Publication number: 20070213734Abstract: A method for preventing unwanted damage to tissue in a spine of a patient during a tissue modification procedure may involve: advancing at least a distal portion of at least one barrier member over at least one guide member into an epidural space of the patient's spine; positioning at least an expanded portion of the barrier member between target tissue and non-target tissue; and performing at least one tissue modification procedure on the target tissue, using at least one tissue modification device. Generally, at least part of the barrier member may be disposed between the tissue modification device and the non-target tissue to prevent unwanted damage to the non-target tissue. In various embodiments, at least part of a barrier member may be advanced through a sheath- or catheter-like delivery device and may either automatically expand or be expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2006Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Jeffery Bleich, Steven Spisak, Vahid Saadat, Ronald Leguidleguid, Jeffery Bleam, Michael Drews, James Yurchenco
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Publication number: 20060241648Abstract: A method for modifying tissue in a patient may involve one or more of the following steps: advancing at least a distal portion of at least one elongate, at least partially flexible tissue modification device into a patient and between one or more target tissues and one or more non-target tissues; positioning at least one tissue modifying member of the tissue modification device adjacent the target tissue such that the tissue modifying member(s) face the target tissue and do not face the non-target tissue; applying an anchoring force to the tissue modification device at or near the distal portion or a proximal portion of the device; applying a tensioning force to the tissue modification device at or near an opposite end of the device relative to the end to which anchoring force is applied, while maintaining the anchoring force, to urge the tissue modifying member(s) against the target tissue; and modifying the target tissue, using the tissue modifying member(s), while preventing the tissue modifying member(s)Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Jeffery Bleich, Vahid Saadat, Steven Spisak, John Ashley
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Publication number: 20060095059Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. Once the sharp tip of the needle is in the epidural space, it is converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. A specially designed epidural catheter that is used to cover the previously sharp needle tip may also contain a fiberoptic cable. Further embodiments of the current invention include a double barreled epidural needle or other means for placement of a working channel for the placement of tools within the epidural space, beside the epidural instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Jeffery Bleich, Edwin Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, Steven Spisak, David Miller, James Yurchenco
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Publication number: 20060089633Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. Once the sharp tip of the needle is in the epidural space, it is converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. A specially designed epidural catheter that is used to cover the previously sharp needle tip may also contain a fiberoptic cable. Further embodiments of the current invention include a double barreled epidural needle or other means for placement of a working channel for the placement of tools within the epidural space, beside the epidural instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak