Patents by Inventor William A. Pierce

William A. Pierce 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: 8007472
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7658754
    Abstract: An anterior instrumentation method of treating spinal deformities involves a combination of a spinal rod anterior system and one or two spinal plates fixed on the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae of the instrumented segment. Deformities are treated by the anterior rod system through compression, distraction and derotation. Two spinal plates are fixed to the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae respectively to prevent the end vertebrae from rotating into kyphosis. A number of cancellous screws are inserted into the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae and their adjacent vertebrae through the spinal plate to provide several points of fixation on the end vertebrae to prevent implant failure and loss of correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Charles E. Johnston, II, William A. Pierce, Richard B. Ashman
  • Publication number: 20080269696
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7169130
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20030195541
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6582473
    Abstract: A golf prosthesis assisting an upper extremity amputee to swing a golf club. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises first and second prosthetic sockets in which the amputee's limbs are received. An extension pylon extends from the first prosthetic socket towards the golf club. The second prosthetic socket is attached to the extension pylon, thereby assisting the amputee in keeping shoulders, back and hips in proper alignment during back swing and return swing. There is also a more complete transfer of energy into the swing from the shoulders, back and legs. A wrist terminal device connects the extension pylon to the golf club. The wrist terminal device emulates cocking and release of the wrists during a conventional golf swing. The wrist terminal device provides a club holder firmly holding the golf club, and a rotary joint advantageously restrained from rotation in all but a preselected plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
    Inventors: William A. Pierce, John W. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6551282
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6485523
    Abstract: A golf prosthesis assisting an upper extremity amputee to swing a golf club. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises first and second prosthetic sockets in which the amputee's limbs are received. An extension pylon extends from the first prosthetic socket towards the golf club. The second prosthetic socket is attached to the extension pylon, thereby assisting the amputee in keeping shoulders, back and hips in proper alignment during back swing and return swing. There is also a more complete transfer of energy into the swing from the shoulders, back and legs. A wrist terminal device connects the extension pylon to the golf club. The wrist terminal device emulates cocking and release of the wrists during a conventional golf swing. The wrist terminal device provides a club holder firmly holding the golf club, and a rotary joint advantageously restrained from rotation in all but a preselected plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
    Inventors: William A. Pierce, John W. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20020116074
    Abstract: A golf prosthesis assisting an upper extremity amputee to swing a golf club. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises first and second prosthetic sockets in which the amputee's limbs are received. An extension pylon extends from the first prosthetic socket towards the golf club. The second prosthetic socket is attached to the extension pylon, thereby assisting the amputee in keeping shoulders, back and hips in proper alignment during back swing and return swing. There is also a more complete transfer of energy into the swing from the shoulders, back and legs. A wrist terminal device connects the extension pylon to the golf club. The wrist terminal device emulates cocking and release of the wrists during a conventional golf swing. The wrist terminal device provides a club holder firmly holding the golf club, and a rotary joint advantageously restrained from rotation in all but a preselected plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: William A. Pierce, John W. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20020116073
    Abstract: A golf prosthesis assisting an upper extremity amputee to swing a golf club. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises first and second prosthetic sockets in which the amputee's limbs are received. An extension pylon extends from the first prosthetic socket towards the golf club. The second prosthetic socket is attached to the extension pylon, thereby assisting the amputee in keeping shoulders, back and hips in proper alignment during back swing and return swing. There is also a more complete transfer of energy into the swing from the shoulders, back and legs. A wrist terminal device connects the extension pylon to the golf club. The wrist terminal device emulates cocking and release of the wrists during a conventional golf swing. The wrist terminal device provides a club holder firmly holding the golf club, and a rotary joint advantageously restrained from rotation in all but a preselected plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: William A. Pierce, John W. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 5989224
    Abstract: A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Dexide Corporation
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5925013
    Abstract: A cannula comprises a housing secured to a generally tubular sleeve member. The housing is provided with irrigation and evacuation fluid ports for connection to irrigation and evacuation conduits. An instrument port is formed in the housing and aligned with the sleeve member, wherein a surgical instrument can be inserted through the instrument port, housing, and sleeve member and into the bodily cavity. The instrument port includes seal members to seal against fluid leakage from the cannula with or without a surgical instrument passing through the housing and sleeve member. A valve member is rotatably carried by the housing to selectively obstruct one or more of the irrigation and evacuation ports. The valve is arranged such that the surgical instrument may remain in the housing and sleeve member during manipulation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventors: Donald D. Exline, William A. Pierce