Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Findlay

Thomas R. Findlay 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).

  • Patent number: 8777968
    Abstract: A tissue fastening device includes a suture clip holder and a suture cutter. A suture clip can be releasably secured to the suture clip holder, and a suture line or lines can pass through the clip and adjacent the suture cutter. A first movement of a control handle causes the suture clip to be released from the suture clip holder, and a second movement of the control handle causes the suture cutter to cut the suture line or lines. The first movement is different from the second movement. The first movement can be rotational, with the second movement being longitudinal. Alternatively, the first movement can be longitudinal, with the second movement being rotational. The device may include a main body, an inner body, and an outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Evans, Thomas R. Findlay, III, David Zarbatany
  • Publication number: 20130053870
    Abstract: A tissue fastening device includes a suture clip holder and a suture cutter. A suture clip can be releasably secured to the suture clip holder, and a suture line or lines can pass through the clip and adjacent the suture cutter. A first movement of a control handle causes the suture clip to be released from the suture clip holder, and a second movement of the control handle causes the suture cutter to cut the suture line or lines. The first movement is different from the second movement. The first movement can be rotational, with the second movement being longitudinal. Alternatively, the first movement can be longitudinal, with the second movement being rotational. The device may include a main body, an inner body, and an outer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Edward Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Evans, Thomas R. Findlay, III, David Zarbatany
  • Patent number: 8252005
    Abstract: A tissue fastening device includes a suture clip holder and a suture cutter. A suture clip can be releasably secured to the suture clip holder, and a suture line or lines can pass through the clip and adjacent the suture cutter. A first movement of a control handle causes the suture clip to be released from the suture clip holder, and a second movement of the control handle causes the suture cutter to cut the suture line or lines. The first movement is different from the second movement. The first movement can be rotational, with the second movement being longitudinal. Alternatively, the first movement can be longitudinal, with the second movement being rotational. The device may include a main body, an inner body, and an outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, III, David Evans, David Zarbatany
  • Patent number: 6790215
    Abstract: A method of removing material from a body lumen in a patient in need of such removal, comprising advancing a catheter-mounted device having a distal material removal tip including a hollow housing and a member rotatable therewithin, rotating the rotatable member, drawing the material into the housing, shearing the material in the housing between relatively rotating shearing members to reduce the clogging propensity of the material, and removing the sheared material from within said housing as the material removal tip is advanced through the vessel. In another embodiment, the rotatable member of the invention includes grinding member for grinding the material prior to the contact of the material with the shearing member. An article of manufacture that includes packaging material and instructions in the method of the invention contained within the packaging material is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, III, James R. Madonia
  • Publication number: 20030229369
    Abstract: A method of removing material from a body lumen in a patient in need of such removal, comprising advancing a catheter-mounted device having a distal material removal tip including a hollow housing and a member rotatable therewithin, rotating the rotatable member, drawing said material into said housing, shearing said material in said housing between relatively rotating shearing members to reduce the clogging propensity of said material, and removing said sheared material from within said housing as said material removal tip is advanced through said vessel. In another embodiment, the rotatable member of the invention includes grinding means for grinding the material prior to the contact of the material with the shearing member. An article of manufacture that includes packaging material and instructions in the method of the invention contained within the packaging material is also taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, James R. Madonia
  • Patent number: 6623495
    Abstract: A catheter-based material removal device includes an elongated tube having a distal material removal tip thereon. The material removal tip includes a one- or two-piece housing affixed to the tube, and a rotating member therein. The rotating member includes a screw thread for coarsely chopping material received within the housing and an outwardly projecting flange for finely chopping the material. The housing includes at least one shearing member located axially adjacent the outwardly projecting flange. The shearing member has a relatively small circumferential size and a shearing edge that removes any material buildup on the axially-facing surface of the flange. Two shearing members may be provided, one each on both the proximal and distal sides of the flange. There may be three flanges restrained within a groove formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, III, James R. Madonia
  • Publication number: 20010005909
    Abstract: A catheter-based material removal device includes an elongated tube having a distal material removal tip thereon. The material removal tip includes a one- or two-piece housing affixed to the tube, and a rotating member therein. The rotating member includes a screw thread for coarsely chopping material received within the housing and an outwardly projecting flange for finely chopping the material. The housing includes at least one shearing member located axially adjacent the outwardly projecting flange. The shearing member has a relatively small circumferential size and a shearing edge that removes any material buildup on the axially-facing surface of the flange. Two shearing members may be provided, one each on both the proximal and distal sides of the flange. There may be three flanges restrained within a groove formed with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, James R. Madonia
  • Patent number: 6238405
    Abstract: A catheter-based material removal device includes an elongated tube having a distal material removal tip thereon. The material removal tip includes a one- or two-piece housing affixed to the tube, and a rotating member therein. The rotating member includes a screw thread for coarsely chopping material received within the housing and an outwardly projecting flange for finely chopping the material. The housing includes at least one shearing member located axially adjacent the outwardly projecting flange. The shearing member has a relatively small circumferential size and a shearing edge that removes any material buildup on the axially-facing surface of the flange. Two shearing members may be provided, one each on both the proximal and distal sides of the flange. There may be three flanges restrained within a groove formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Findlay, III, James R. Madonia
  • Patent number: 4905688
    Abstract: A portable light weight completely self-contained emergency single patient ventilator/resuscitating apparatus (10) usable at the scene of an emergency by persons with minimal training. The apparatus (10) includes a housing assembly (12) which supports a solid state oxygen generator which also acts as a power supply, the generator being in the form of a chlorate candle (20). The housing additionally supports a pump (90) in the form of a venturi ejector, a two-position valve (92), and suitable primary controls (93) which are utilized to control the inspiratory:expiratory (I:E) ratio, the inspiratory time, the expiratory time, the breaths per minute, the flow rate, the tidal volume, the minute volume, etc. Various fluid passageways (54, 58, 116, 118) interconnect the candle with the valve, and additional fluid lines (120, 138, 140, 146, 148) interconnect the valve with the pump and primary controls. The primary controls include a fixed volume timing chamber (132) which is disposed about the venturi ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Figgie International Inc.
    Inventors: Reno L. Vicenzi, Thomas R. Findlay, III