Patents by Inventor William Harwick Gruber

William Harwick Gruber 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: 20080245371
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system and devices provide simplified use and reduced risk of adverse events. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: William Harwick Gruber
  • Publication number: 20080249366
    Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure and an introducer device suitable for use in the system. The system may be used, for example, to examine and/or to treat the uterus. According to one embodiment, the system includes an introducer, a morcellator, a flexible hysteroscope, and a fluid-containing syringe. The introducer is suitable for transcervical insertion into the uterus and includes a gun-shaped housing and a rigid sheath extending distally from the housing. The sheath is shaped to include an instrument lumen, a visualization lumen, and a pair of fluid lumens. The introducer also includes a first assembly within the housing for receiving the morcellator and for guiding the distal end of the morcellator into the instrument lumen and a second assembly within the housing for guiding the hysteroscope into the visualization channel. In addition, the introducer further includes an assembly for fluidly connecting the syringe to the fluid lumens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: William Harwick Gruber, Ronald David Adams, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Eric Karl Litscher, David Jacobs, Danny Macari, Frank V. Patterson, Christopher Patrick Tellers, Mark Thomas Erson, David L. Foshee, Theodore J. Mosler, Douglas R. Drew
  • Publication number: 20080249553
    Abstract: A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: William Harwick Gruber, Ronald David Adams, Albert Chun-Chi Chin, Erik Karl Litscher, Roy Hewitt Sullivan, Paul DiCesare, Jeffrey Radziunas, Daniel Vigliotti, Bryan Dale Knodel, Chris Scott Daniels, Kevin J. Vititoe, Michael Anthony Lorenz, Paul P. Kolada, Ryan Scott Crisp, Chris William Cicenas, Ludwin M. Mora, Brent Lee Burchfield
  • Publication number: 20080135053
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for performing gynecological procedures. According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for occluding a fallopian tube, the device including an outer member and an inner member. The outer member may be a hollow, frusto-conical structure shaped to include an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a side wall. The outer member may be self-expandable such that the distal end is biased radially outwardly. In addition, the side wall may have a porous structure to permit the ingrowth of tissue therethrough. Tines may be provided on the outer surface of the side wall to promote the anchoring of the outer member in a fallopian tube. The inner member, which may be structured to induce scarring, may comprise an elongated fibrous body fixed at its proximal end to the proximal end of the outer member. A bore may extend distally from the proximal end of the inner member to receive a delivery rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: WILLIAM HARWICK GRUBER, Ronald David Adams, J. Chirstopher Flaherty