Patents Issued in May 7, 2019
  • Patent number: 10278745
    Abstract: Dynamic, rigid, and convertible dynamic-to-rigid devices and methods of using such devices to treat spinal instability conditions of the cervical spine are provided. The devices may include an interspinous, interlaminar stabilization device configured for interlaminar placement between the spinous processes of adjacent cervical vertebrae and optionally secured to the lamina using bone screws or crimped or rigidly fixed to the spinous process. Multiple devices may be used to enable treatment of multiple levels at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Graeme Woodworth, Stephen Eckhof, Sven Oliver Muckenfuß
  • Patent number: 10278746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tensioning ancillary instrument (5) for tensioning an elongate element to fasten an implant on a portion of bone, by surrounding said portion of bone at least in part, said instrument (5) comprising a body (6) having proximal and distal ends (6a, 6b), the distal end (6a) being provided with a device for bearing against the implant, said body (6) extending along a longitudinal axis (L). The instrument (5) further comprising a carriage (7) that is movable along the longitudinal axis (L), and a fastener device (8) for fastening to the elongate element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COUSIN BIOTECH
    Inventors: Guy Deneuvillers, Jules Prandi
  • Patent number: 10278747
    Abstract: Medical implant which at least partially comprises a biocompatible, electrically conductive polymer with electrical resistivity p, having the property of being able to be heated and softened by a flow of current through the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: MEDACTA INTERNATIONAL S.A.
    Inventors: Wolf-Friedrich Baehre, Kurt Ruffieux
  • Patent number: 10278748
    Abstract: A bone implant (1) for stabilizing fractured or non-fractured bones comprises an implant body (2), preferably a cylindrical body, extending along a longitudinal axis (3) from a front side (4) to an end side (5). The implant has an implant width (6) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (3), and a length of the implant body (2) along the longitudinal axis (3) is at least 5 times the width (6) of the implant. The implant body (2) has an outer surface, being at least divided into a first surface (7) and a second surface (8. The first surface (7) comprises an anchorage area (9) which extends at least partially over the outer surface, preferably maximum over half of the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Hyprevention
    Inventors: Max Aebi, Marek Szpalski, Robert Gunzburg, Cécile Vienney
  • Patent number: 10278749
    Abstract: The invention relates to Implant device (1) comprising a rigid element (10) being designed to be fastened to a femur implant (20) in a fastened state of said rigid element (10), wherein particularly said femur implant (20) is an intramedullary nail or a femoral stem. According to the invention said rigid element (10) is designed as a hook-shaped plate (10) for encompassing the greater trochanter (3) of the femur (2) at least in sections when being arranged in said fastened state and when said femur implant (20) is arranged in or on the femur (2) as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITATSSPITAL BASEL
    Inventors: Marcel Jakob, Patrick Studer
  • Patent number: 10278750
    Abstract: A volar distal radius plate includes a shaft and a head. The head includes a radial side that seats below the volar rim, and an ulnar side with two extending tabs that provide a buttress support to ulnar fragments from the volar rim. The tabs are contoured to be atraumatic to the overlying soft tissue. The tabs can be readily re-orientated to better approximate the volar rim and provide close support to the volar fragments. Each tab includes a single hole specifically sized to closely receive a K-wire in a fixed angle orientation, and which permits the K-wire to apply a bending load to a tab in situ to bend the tab about a lower recess between the tab and the remainder of the head. Therefore, the plate does not require a dedicated bender. The tabs can also accommodate sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet C.V.
    Inventors: Alfredo Castaneda, Eduardo A Ampuero
  • Patent number: 10278751
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of manufacturing a tissue-integration device, and a tissue-integration device so produced, the method comprising the steps of wrapping a porous sheet of material around a mandrel in order to create overlapping layers of the porous sheet material, the wrapped mandrel then being placed in a mould in order to apply pressure and heat to the overlapping layers in order to effect the lamination thereof such as to form a device having spaces defined by overlapping pores of the adjacent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PROXY BIOMEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Tony Durkin, Cormac Breathnach, Niall Rooney, Peter Gingras
  • Patent number: 10278752
    Abstract: A bone nail apparatus includes a bone nail, a light source unit and a focalizing unit. The bone nail has a tube wall and at least one through hole. The tube wall is enclosed to form a receiving space. The at least one through hole extends through the tube wall and communicates with the receiving space. The light source unit includes a light emitter and at least one light transmission tube. The at least one light transmission tube is connected to the light emitter and receives a light therefrom. The at least one light transmission tube is received in the receiving space of the bone nail. Each light transmission tube has a light-outputting end aligned with a respective one of the at least one through hole. The focalizing unit has a light-receiving face facing one of the at least one through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: KAOHSIUNG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jau-Sheng Wang, Tien-Ching Lee, Mei-Ling Ho, Yin-Chih Fu, Wei-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 10278753
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable osteosynthesis implant, having a polymeric main body and at least one macroscopic reinforcement structure, which is integrated in the main body and is made of a biodegradable metal or a metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Stephan Rothstock, Christoph Forkmann
  • Patent number: 10278754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John Shadduck, Robert Luzzi
  • Patent number: 10278755
    Abstract: A catheter device that includes a double-threaded guidance wire that allows multiple use of a compliant cavity creation device (i.e., treatment of more than one level). The double-threaded guidance wire may be connected with the luer part of the device and a distal part of the balloon using a threaded engagement to avoid lengthening of the inner tube, avoid lengthening of the balloon, and to limit the plastic deformation of the system in axial direction. In other implementations, the double-threaded guidance wire may be reconnected to the distal part of the balloon with a distal thread of the double-threaded guidance wire in order to restore the nominal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Müller, Kris Chavatte
  • Patent number: 10278756
    Abstract: An expandable implant for treating bone preferably in a minimally invasive manner includes a preferably cylindrical core element extending along a longitudinal axis and preferably a plurality of nestable, expandable sleeves extending along a longitudinal axis for placement radially about the core element. The plurality of nestable sleeves are sequentially insertable over the core element in such a manner that a first nestable sleeve is inserted over the core element and each subsequently inserted nestable sleeve is received between the core element and the previously inserted nestable sleeve such that the insertion of each additional sleeve causes each previously inserted sleeve to outwardly expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Thomas Hall
  • Patent number: 10278757
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for identifying an area of ablated tissue and/or assessing contact between a treatment element and tissue and/or assessing occlusion of a body lumen by the treatment element. Specifically, the device, system, and method may include a device having one or more fiber sensors and a processing unit for receiving emitted and/or reflected light from tissue and making one or more determinations based on the received light regarding ablated tissue, tissue contact, and/or occlusion. Each of the fiber sensors may include at least one multimode waveguide segment and at least one singlemode waveguide segment, or each of the fiber sensors may be singlemode waveguide including fiber Bragg grating for assessing strain of a treatment element by tissue contact. The processing unit may include a beam processing apparatus and a hyperspectral imaging and analysis apparatus, and may optionally include a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventor: Rahmani Sara
  • Patent number: 10278758
    Abstract: A device, system and method for temperature-based lesion formation assessment and mapping functionality using an accessory usable with an over-the-wire balloon catheter. The device may include a first annular element, a plurality of wires coupled to the first annular element, and a second annular element, the plurality of wires passing from the first annular element through the second annular element and into an elongate wire conduit coupled to the second annular element. At least one of the plurality of wires may include at least one temperature sensor and/or at least one mapping electrode. The first annular element coupled to an outer surface of a sheath. As a balloon catheter is advanced out of the sheath lumen, the distal tip of the catheter engages the second annular element and pushes the wires out of the sheath lumen, everting them over the balloon of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventor: Teresa Mihalik
  • Patent number: 10278759
    Abstract: A cautery device includes an elongated handpiece extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end and a cautery tip extending coaxially with the handpiece from the distal end of the handpiece. The tip defines a channel extending coaxially with the handpiece along an entire length of the cautery tip from a proximal open end to a distal open end. The device includes a gas supply connection extending from the proximal end of the handpiece for supplying gas to the cautery tip. The gas supply connection is fluidly coupled to the cautery tip. The device includes an electric supply connection extending from the proximal end of the handpiece for supplying electricity to the cautery tip. The electric supply connection is electrically coupled to the cautery tip. The gas supplied to the cautery tip is introduced to the channel at the proximal open end and exits the tip at the distal open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Amit Trivedi, Thomas J. Campanelli, Roberto Pedros
  • Patent number: 10278760
    Abstract: A surgical device and procedure are provided for performing microsurgery, including a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye. The device has an elastically deformable cutting element mounted within an elastomeric suction cup. The suction cup is attached to an arm for manipulating the device. The device can be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, through a corneal incision, to cut a piece from the anterior portion of the lens capsule of the eye. The device is secured against the lens capsule using suction applied by one or more suction elements. The device is then removed from the eye, with the cut piece of membrane retained within the device by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Mynosys Cellular Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Guild Keller
  • Patent number: 10278761
    Abstract: An ablation device may generally comprise a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes, and a grounding pad. Each of the plurality of second electrodes may comprise a first conductive section, a second conductive section, and a non-conductive section between the first conductive section and the second conductive section. The first electrode and each of the plurality of second electrodes may be coupled to an energy source delivering a series of electrical pulses to tissue to induce cell necrosis by irreversible electroporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Long, David N. Plescia, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10278762
    Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly powering an electrosurgical device using a generator to generate a radio frequency (RF) energy field. A switch on the electrosurgical device sends a wireless signal to the generator, where the generator allows a current to pass through an inductive coil to generate the RF energy field. The RF energy field induces a current to flow across an inductive coil within the electrosurgical device. The current flow is then processed through a RF conditioning circuit and outputted to the end effector assembly of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Tony Moua, Jason L. Craig
  • Patent number: 10278763
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electrosurgical electrode of a medical device includes a hand-held electrosurgical electrode having cutting probe. A return electrode is positioned remote from the electrosurgical electrode. An RF generator is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode and to the return electrode, and includes an RF amplifier. The RF generator generates an RF signal at a first RF power level for tissue cutting and generates the RF signal at a second RF power level greater than the first RF power level to initiate tissue cutting. A sensor monitors an electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode. A controller coupled to the RF amplifier maintains a desired RF power output and a desired RF duty cycle at the first RF power level by adjusting a DC input voltage applied to an output stage of the RF amplifier based on the monitored electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SenoRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek J. Daw, James H. Dabney
  • Patent number: 10278764
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage, a sensor for sensing current, and an active lead. The radio frequency output stage is configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform. The sensor includes a current sensor coil including an outer coil including an opening therethrough and an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil. The active lead is coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passes through the current sensor coil opening. The current sensor coil is configured to output a first signal indicative of a current within the active lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10278765
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling the application of energy to tissue using measurements of impedance are described. The impedance, correlated to the temperature, may be set at a desired level, such as a percentage of initial impedance. The set impedance may be a function of the initial impedance, the size and spacing of the electrodes, the size of a targeted passageway, and so on. The set impedance may then be entered into a PID algorithm or other control loop algorithm in order to extract a power to be applied to a treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Jarrard
  • Patent number: 10278766
    Abstract: This relates to treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan E. Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary S. Kaplan, Kelly M. Shriner, William J. Wizeman
  • Patent number: 10278767
    Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Endomedical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Barrett, Gregg Alan VanDusseldorp, Sr., Gregg VanDusseldorp, II
  • Patent number: 10278768
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members define opposed tissue-contacting surfaces that cooperate to define a tissue grasping area within which tissue is grasped when the jaw members are moved to the approximated position. At least one of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and at least one of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue. The interior electrodes are disposed interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area, while the exterior electrodes are disposed exteriorly. As a result, upon conduction of energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes is boiled before boiling of tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Craig A. Keller, Guillaume Lessard, Richard M. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 10278769
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans
  • Patent number: 10278770
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable base component including a handle and an electrically activatable modular component removably coupled to the base component. The modular component includes an end effector operable from the handle to treat tissue. The end effector is responsive to manipulation of the handle. A first energy storage component is disposed onboard the base component and is electrically coupled to a source of electricity. A second energy storage component is disposed onboard the modular component and is electrically insulated from the first energy storage component. The second energy storage component is arranged such that a current may be selectively induced in the modular component by delivery of electrical energy to the first energy storage component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10278771
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical power and an electrosurgical device coupled to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical device includes a transformer and one or more active electrodes coupled thereto, wherein the transformer is adapted to step down the voltage of the power supplied by the electrosurgical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10278772
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Darion R. Peterson, Sean T. Dycus, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10278773
    Abstract: A spindle assembly of a surgical instrument includes a body and a cutter pin. The body has at least one wall forming first and second channels therein. The cutter pin is disposed within the second channel and operably coupled to a knife rod extending therethrough and is operatively coupled at its distal end to a knife. When the knife rod is moved between a retracted position and a deployed position, the spindle assembly is moved between a first and a second position along the shaft. The cutter pin is configured to deform and exit the body when the knife is deployed and disposed in a trapped condition and in response to an applied force, thereby decoupling the knife from the spindle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: John R. Twomey
  • Patent number: 10278774
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is provided including an expandable support member having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The first portion is adapted to have a smaller expansion index than the second portion. A therapeutic or diagnostic instrument is supported, at least in part, by the expandable support member first portion. In another embodiment, the support member is adapted for non-uniform expansion of the first and second portions. There are also described methods of forming therapeutic devices. There are also described methods of providing therapy to tissue in a body by positioning a device in proximity to tissue in a body selected to receive therapy. Next, the expandable support member second portion is expanded until the instrument is at a therapeutic position relative to the tissue in a body selected to receive therapy. Thereafter, therapy or diagnosis is provided to the selected tissue using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Wallace, Robert Garabedian, David S. Utley, Brent C. Gerberding, John de Csepel
  • Patent number: 10278775
    Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongated catheter body, a control handle, and a hollow tip electrode having a radially-symmetrical shell defining a cavity surrounding a center inner location from which light is emitted to pass through a plurality of openings formed in the shell for interaction with tissue and/or fluid, such as blood, outside of and in contact with the shell. Light interacting with tissue is reflected back into the cavity for collection whereas light interacting with fluid, such as blood, is absorbed. By analyzing the light collected in the cavity, a determination is made as to a ratio of light reflected by tissue versus light absorbed by fluid for indicating the amount of contact between the tip electrode and tissue. Alternatively, fluorescence may similarly be employed (light is emitted at one wavelength and detected at one or more different wavelengths) since tissue and blood have different fluorescence properties at various wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: John H. Ashton, Jeffrey L. Clark, George Kamin, Joseph Keyes
  • Patent number: 10278776
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for treatment of tissue in a body lumen with an electrode deployment device. Embodiments typically include a device with a plurality of electrodes having a pre-selected electrode density arranged on the surface of a support. The support may comprise a non-distensible electrode backing that is spirally furled about an axis and coupled to an expansion member such as an inflatable elastic balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon is inflated to selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while maintaining the electrode density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Roger A. Stern, Jerome Jackson, Vincent N. Sullivan, George H. Smith, Roy D. Corbitt, Jennifer A. Hodor, Carson J. Shellengberger
  • Patent number: 10278777
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a surgical step or surgical procedure with visual guidance using an optical head mounted display are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Philipp K. Lang
  • Patent number: 10278778
    Abstract: A system and method for providing image guidance for placement of one or more medical devices at a target location. The system can determine one or more intersections between a medical device and an image region based at least in part on first emplacement data and second emplacement data. Using the determined intersections, the system can cause one or more displays to display perspective views of image guidance cues, including an intersection ghost in a virtual 3D space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: InnerOptic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei State, Brian Heaney, Luv Kohli, Kurtis Keller, Caroline Green
  • Patent number: 10278779
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for generating exciter signals, for example, to activate a remotely located tag. The systems, devices, assemblies, and methods find use in a variety of application including medical applications for the locating of a tag in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ELUCENT MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Eric N. Rudie, Kassandra Klinkhammer, Jason Hiltner, Dave Costello, Stan Kluge, Lev Koyrakh, Sean Morgan, Daniel W. van der Weide
  • Patent number: 10278780
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system is disclosed. The robotic system comprises a drive assembly and a control unit. The drive assembly is configured to provide rotary output motions to a rotatable member supported by the drive assembly. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, an elongate shaft assembly, an instrument mounting portion, and a closure system. The effector comprises a closable jaw. The elongate shaft assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end comprising a gear segment. The instrument mounting portion comprises a transmission assembly including a rotational gear assembly. The closure system comprises a first portion engaged with the closable jaw to close the closable jaw at a first speed and a second portion engageable with the closable jaw to close the closable jaw at a slower speed than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10278781
    Abstract: A system and method for tool exchange during surgery for cooperatively controlled robots comprises a tool holder for receiving a surgical tool adapted to be held by a robot and a surgeon, a tool holding element for constraining downward motion of the tool while allowing low force removal of the surgical tool from the holder, a first sensor for detecting if the surgical tool is docked within the tool holder, and a selector for automatically selecting different movements or actions of the tool holder to be performed based upon information detected by the first sensor. The system and method of the present invention provides an advantage to an often slow moving cooperative robot, by increasing the speed by which the tool holder may move in the direction away from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: The John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Russell H. Taylor, Marcin Arkadiusz Balicki, James Tahara Handa
  • Patent number: 10278782
    Abstract: Described herein is a teleoperational medical system for performing a medical procedure in a surgical field. The teleoperational system comprises an eye tracking unit and a control unit. The eye tracking unit includes an image display configured to display to a user an image of the surgical field, at least one eye tracker configured to measure data about a gaze point of the user, and a processor configured to process the data to determine a viewing location in the displayed image at which the gaze point of the user is directed. The control unit is configured to control at least one function of the teleoperational medical system based upon the determined viewing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Jarc, Henry C. Lin, Jonathan Michael Sorger
  • Patent number: 10278783
    Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, William C. Nowlin, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David S. Mintz
  • Patent number: 10278784
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism. The proximal control mechanism has an opening through which a resilient latch arm can be inserted to engage a locking surface of a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The resilient latch arm is contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. A release channel extends from an outer periphery of the proximal control mechanism to the resilient latch arm entrance opening. The release channel provides a passage through which a release tool can be inserted to engage the resilient latch arm and provides a fulcrum for the release tool where the release channel is joined to the outer periphery of the proximal control mechanism. The surgical instrument can be released by prying the resilient latch arm away from the locking surface of the fixed latch structure with the release tool used as a lever on the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Dachs, II
  • Patent number: 10278785
    Abstract: A process of making a diverging-light fiber optics illumination delivery system includes providing a micro-post comprising a glass-ceramic light-scattering element that includes at least one of a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an immiscible glass, a porous glass, opal glass, amorphous glass, an aerated glass, and a nanostructured glass; and fusion-splicing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by pulling an arc between electrodes across a gap formed by the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post; maintaining the arc for a time sufficiently long to make facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post one of malleable and molten; and pushing and thereby fusing together the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post. Some embodiments can include fusing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by applying a laser beam to heat up at least one of the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
  • Patent number: 10278786
    Abstract: Surgical retractors and methods thereof for retracting body tissue in a therapeutic procedure. The surgical retractor may include retractor blades have openings or channels configured to receive bone pins while maintaining accessibility and visibility of the operative window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Friedrich, Mark Weiman, Matthew Bechtel, Varun Ponmudi, Daniel Wolfe, Hilliary Adams, John Matthews
  • Patent number: 10278787
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is at least partially visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system of a medical navigation system and a tracking system of the medical navigation system. The apparatus includes a rigid member, a plurality of identifiable features attached to the rigid member and visible by the tracking system, a distinct identifiable portion visible by the 3D scanner system, and a connector mechanism attached to the rigid member to connect the apparatus to a location. The apparatus is in a field of view of the 3D scanner system and the tracking system within a timeframe of the 3D scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Gal Sela, Dorothy Lui, Kirusha Srimohanarajah, Thanh Vinh Vuong
  • Patent number: 10278788
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method are provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a cable, and an identifying circuit. An end-effector is coupled to the housing for treating tissue. The cable extends from the housing and is configured to couple the surgical instrument to a generator. The identifying circuit includes a plurality of capacitive elements disposed on the surgical instrument. The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 10278789
    Abstract: A bone foundation guide system has a bone foundation guide including a body that is contoured to reversibly affix to a bone segment of a dental implant surgical site. The body is further contoured to guide the cutting of a portion of the bone segment from a dental implant surgical site and alternatively support a dental implant surgical guide. The body is further contoured to support a bone foundation guide prosthesis as an alternative to the dental implant surgical guide. The bone foundation guide prosthesis combines with the body to accommodate the bone segment portion as placed through the body prior to the bone segment portion being removed from the dental implant site through the use of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL DENTEX, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Llop, Armand C. Jusuf, Ryan A. Spanke
  • Patent number: 10278790
    Abstract: A receiving sleeve receives surgical instruments. A holding device for storing and cleaning surgical instruments includes at least one receiving sleeve. A surgical instrument set includes a holding device and/or receiving sleeve. The receiving sleeve and the holding device have a light construction which allows the maximum flow of fluid to instruments held in the receiving sleeve or holding device. The receiving sleeve includes a cylindrical hollow body with a plurality of peripherally spaced inner clamping arms which have punctiform or linear engagement sections that are adjusted to come into contact with an inserted tool in a force-fit or form-fit manner for holding the tool within the receiving sleeve at a radial distance to the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Gerold Zieris, Dieter Weisshaupt, Serkan Bellikli
  • Patent number: 10278791
    Abstract: A retainer cooperating with a plurality of teeth and configured to stabilize the plurality of teeth, the retainer including at least one elongated arc which is shaped overall adapted to a natural curvature of a lower jaw or an upper jaw, wherein the at least one elongated arc is locally adapted individually to a surface contour of respective abutting teeth, wherein the retainer is machined from a sheet metal plate and includes two mutually parallel surfaces, wherein the sheet metal plate is made from a nickel titanium alloy, preferably a nitinol, wherein the retainer contacts a tooth surface in an installed condition of the retainer, wherein a machined surface of the retainer faces the tooth surface in the installed condition of the retainer, and wherein an upper side or a lower side of the retainer corresponds to an original surface plane of the sheet metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: RETAINTECHNOLOGY UG
    Inventor: Hildegard Brigitte Schumacher
  • Patent number: 10278792
    Abstract: An accessory allows for straight archwires to be converted to looped archwires. The accessory has an archwire receiving channel which is defined between a first elongated coupling member and a second elongated coupling member. The archwire receiving channel is used for crimping the accessory to an existing archwire. An elastically deformable bridge, connected between the first elongated coupling member and the second elongated coupling member, imparts retraction or protraction once activated. The elastically deformable bridge is formed from one or more segments. Curved segments and linear segments are possible, which can be combined to form various shapes, for example omega loops and mushroom shapes. The first coupling member and the second coupling member have an angled lower portion and upper portion to facilitate engagement with existing archwires. Anchoring notches can also be used in conjunction with elastic bands for enhanced orthodontic corrections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Suzanne Wool
  • Patent number: 10278793
    Abstract: A tray for use in bonding orthodontic appliances to selected teeth of a patient is disclosed. The tray includes an outer shell having wall sections extending over facial, lingual, and occlusal surfaces of the selected teeth to form a channel including tooth cavities having a configuration matching and arranged for receiving the selected teeth. A matrix is bonded to the inner surface of the outer shell and is contoured to complement the facial or lingual surface of the teeth. A stabilization member extends from the outer shell and includes an inside surface contoured to complement at least a portion of the facial surface of a tooth located adjacent the selected teeth. Orthodontic appliances are detachably connected to the matrix, wherein each appliance includes a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Roberto J. Carrillo Gonzalez, Roberto Carrillo Fuentevilla
  • Patent number: 10278794
    Abstract: A method for making an orthodontic bracket comprising: receiving, by a processor of a computer system, a three-dimensional digital model of an orthodontic bracket; determining, by the processor, a compensation factor to be applied when manufacturing the orthodontic bracket using the laser-based system, the determining the compensation factor including: aligning the three-dimensional digital model of the orthodontic bracket in a three-dimensional space with a predetermined position; determining a deviation of a position of a model groove base from a desired position of the model groove base, the compensation factor being based on the deviation and relating to an amount of material to be used during the manufacturing of the orthodontic bracket; causing the laser-based system to apply the compensation factor for manufacturing the orthodontic bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: 3D MED AG
    Inventor: Islam Khasanovich Raslambekov