Patents by Inventor William R. Rank

William R. Rank 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: 5234426
    Abstract: A lesion localization and marking wire and needle assembly for marking non-palpable lesions within the body. A marking device having a helically wound coil of wire attached to an end of the shaft which is insertable into the body through a needle or cannula for rotatingly anchoring the marking device into a lesion or tumor is provided. The needle or cannula is inserted into the body with the marking device positioned therein so that when the cannula is positioned proximate to a lesion the shaft of the marker is rotated to advance the marker into the lesion to mark it for subsequent surgical procedures. A second helical wire may be provided on the shaft which cooperates with a wire guide device attached to the needle to enable the physician to determine the depth of the marking device as it anchors into the lesion. In particular, the device is provided for marking for biopsy lesions of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Rank, Ronald L. Nichols, Stephanie G. Schoenberger
  • Patent number: 5197482
    Abstract: A lesion localization and marking wire and needle assembly for marking non-palpable lesions within the body. A marking device having a helically wound coil of wire attached to an end of the shaft which is insertable into the body through a needle or cannula for rotatingly anchoring the marking device into a lesion or tumor is provided. The needle or cannula is inserted into the body with the marking device positioned therein so that when the cannula is positioned proximate to a lesion the shaft of the marker is rotated to advance the marker into the lesion to mark it for subsequent surgical procedures. A second helical wire may be provided on the shaft which cooperates with a wire guide device attached to the needle to enable the physician to determine the depth of the marking device as it anchors into the lesion. In particular, the device is provided for marking for biopsy lesions of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Rank, Ronald L. Nichols, Stephanie G. Schoenberger
  • Patent number: 5018530
    Abstract: A lesion localization and marking wire and needle assembly for marking non-palpable lesions within the body. A marking device having a helically wound coil of wire attached to an end of the shaft which is insertable into the body through a needle or cannula for rotatingly anchoring the marking device into a lesion or tumor is provided. The needle or cannula is inserted into the body with the marking device positioned therein so that when the cannula is positioned proximate to a lesion the shaft of the marker is rotated to advance the marker into the lesion to mark it for subsequent surgical procedures. A second helical wire may be provided on the shaft which cooperates with a wire guide device attached to the needle to enable the physician to determine the depth of the marking device as it anchors into the lesion. In particular, the device is provided for marking for biopsy lesions of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Rank, Ronald L. Nichols, Stephanie G. Schoenberger