Patents by Inventor William J. Steinberg

William J. Steinberg 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).

  • Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision
    Patent number: 7494460
    Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Haarstad, Christopher P. Olig, Paul T. Rothstein, Michael J. Hobday, William J. Steinberg, David J. S. Kim, Thomas P. Daigle, Ann M. Thomas, Brian J. Ross, Steven C. Christian, Robert H. Reetz, Douglas H. Gubbin