Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Ritter

Thomas A. Ritter 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: 20200214546
    Abstract: Methods and devices for visualizing and accessing a region inside a body are described. One embodiment of a device includes a working catheter which slides along an open track in a visualization catheter. The visualization catheter is inserted into the body to locate a region of the body with the aid of the visualization element. The working catheter then slides along the track to reach the region, and a working element is inserted through the working catheter to access the region, again with the aid of the visualization element. The methods and devices may also be used to access a variety of internal cavities, soft tissues and organs, and the mediastinal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Kabir GAMBHIR, Thomas A. RITTER
  • Publication number: 20170340193
    Abstract: Methods and devices for visualizing and accessing a region inside a body are described. One embodiment of a device includes a working catheter which slides along an open track in a visualization catheter. The visualization catheter is inserted into the body to locate a region of the body with the aid of the visualization element. The working catheter then slides along the track to reach the region, and a working element is inserted through the working catheter to access the region, again with the aid of the visualization element. The methods and devices may also be used to access a variety of internal cavities, soft tissues and organs, and the mediastinal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kabir GAMBHIR, Thomas A. RITTER
  • Publication number: 20140081082
    Abstract: Methods and devices for visualizing and accessing a region inside a body are described. One embodiment of a device includes a working catheter which slides along an open track in a visualization catheter. The visualization catheter is inserted into the body to locate a region of the body with the aid of the visualization element. The working catheter then slides along the track to reach the region, and a working element is inserted through the working catheter to access the region, again with the aid of the visualization element. The methods and devices may also be used to access a variety of internal cavities, soft tissues and organs, and the mediastinal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kabir GAMBHIR, Thomas A. RITTER
  • Publication number: 20120088968
    Abstract: Methods and devices for visualizing and accessing a region inside a body are described. One embodiment of a device includes a working catheter which slides along an open track in a visualization catheter. The visualization catheter is inserted into the body to locate a region of the body with the aid of the visualization element. The working catheter then slides along the track to reach the region, and a working element is inserted through the working catheter to access the region, again with the aid of the visualization element. The methods and devices may also be used to access a variety of internal cavities, soft tissues and organs, and the mediastinal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: EPIC MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Kabir GAMBHIR, Thomas A. RITTER
  • Publication number: 20120088964
    Abstract: Methods and devices for pericardial access are described. One embodiment of a device includes a distal portion with a visualization element, along with a retractable access element. The distal portion is inserted into and navigates through the body to locate the pericardium with the aid of the visualization element. The access element is then extended and used to create an access site in the pericardium, again with the aid of the visualization element. The methods and devices may also be used to access other internal cavities, other soft tissues and organs, and the mediastinal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: EPICARDIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kabir GAMBHIR, Thomas A. RITTER
  • Patent number: 4932963
    Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device is disclosed in which the suture is received into a socket, or recess, formed within the blunt end of the needle, the entrance to the socket being defined by a circumferential sloping surface which terminates at its outer end in a circumferential cutting edge which provides quick and convenient suture cut-off capability when severing of the suture from the needle is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ritter, George R. Proto, Edward C. White
  • Patent number: 4838884
    Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Barry L. Dumican, Alan L. Kaganov, Thomas A. Ritter
  • Patent number: 4633873
    Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Barry L. Dumican, Alan L. Kaganov, Thomas A. Ritter
  • Patent number: 4630617
    Abstract: A surgical electrode consisting of an insulated stainless steel wire having surgical needles conductively affixed at one or both ends, at least one needle having a pointed end and a nonpointed end with a blind hole or flange in the nonpointed end thereof, and the blunt end of a blunt pointed pin fitted into said hole or flange and a crimp in said nonpointed end of the needle retaining said pin in said hole or flange with controlled pull-out characteristics, said pin conductively and permanently affixed at the other end to said wire, whereby said pin may be pulled out of said blind hole or flange and the blunt end of said pin used as an electrical jack for connection to a pacemaker or similar electric current generating or monitoring device. The electrodes are particularly useful as temporary heart pacer electrodes for cardiac stimulation during and after surgical operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ritter, James C. Bray, Alan L. Kaganov
  • Patent number: 4496446
    Abstract: The physical properties of structural surgical elements which are made from bioabsorbable materials having a glycolic ester linkage can be controlled so that the rate of strength loss and degradation in vivo is altered to achieve disintegration into fragments suitable for removal from or passage through the body without the need for waiting until the material is absorbed. This is achieved by a method of modifying the element through various chemical and/or physical treatments, preferably irradiation, or combinations thereof, with the result that bioabsorbable structural surgical elements are made more controllable in their strength loss and degradation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ritter, Alan L. Kaganov, John P. Budris
  • Patent number: 4237892
    Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical needle comprising a point and dual cutting blades. The point is defined by a symmetrical angle of width and an angle of slope. The needle point geometry and the dual cutting blades provide a flap incision and a reduction in the tissue penetration properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ritter, Leonard J. Laskowski, Donald S. Kaplan