Patents by Inventor W. Michael Hipps

W. Michael Hipps 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: 6482153
    Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Hipps, Robert F. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6468206
    Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Hipps, Robert F. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6350236
    Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Hipps, Robert F. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6228025
    Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Hipps, Robert F. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6162208
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic and open surgical procedures, e.g., prosthetic implant replacement surgery. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic tube section extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotally connected to a distal end of the tube section, and an implant adaptor operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for progressively manipulating the articulating section of the instrument relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion within an angular range of motion. Structure is further provided for rotationally manipulating the implant adaptor relative to the extended longitudinal axis of the distal end of the articulating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventor: W. Michael Hipps
  • Patent number: 5827263
    Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally including a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle has an elongated base, an elongated lever with a downwardly projecting actuator arm and a mechanism for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, which mimics the natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. An actuator of the surgical tool moves an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever, and the lever is biased in an open position by a spring longitudinally positioned around the actuator rod within the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, W. Michael Hipps
  • Patent number: 5797956
    Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon, is provided. The handle has an elongated base, an elongated lever with a downwardly projecting actuator arm and structure for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, which mimics the natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. The surgical tool may be activated by moving an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever. The lever may be biased by a spring longitudinally positioned around the actuator rod within the base, in an open position. The instrument includes structure for securing the handle at selected points throughout a range of motion or, alternatively, allowing motion that is not locked at any position. Also provided is a collar for allowing rotation of the tool to a desired radial orientation and adjustably securing the tool in that orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Snowden-Pencer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, W. Michael Hipps
  • Patent number: 5665105
    Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon, is provided. The handle has an elongated base, an elongated lever with a downwardly projecting actuator arm and a member for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, which mimics the natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. A member for actuating the surgical tool by moving an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever, and a member for biasing the lever in an open position longitudinally positioned around the actuator rod within the base, are provided. The instrument includes a member for securing the handle at selected points throughout a range of motion or, alternatively, allowing motion that is not locked at any position. Also provided is a collar for allowing rotation of the tool to a desired radial orientation and adjustably securing the tool in that orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Snowden Pencer/Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, W. Michael Hipps
  • Patent number: D395707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Snowden-Pencer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, W. Michael Hipps
  • Patent number: D396286
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: W. Michael Hipps, William R. Mayfield, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Patent number: D401333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Snowden-Pencer, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Furnish, W. Michael Hipps