Patents Issued in December 29, 2020
  • Patent number: 10874368
    Abstract: An animal carrying bed includes a tubular unit, an electrical connector and an end cover unit. The electrical connector is arranged on one end of the tubular unit, and the end cover unit is arranged at another end thereof. The end cover unit is formed of an intake channel and a discharge channel therein and separated from each other. The end cover unit is formed of an intake opening inside the tubular unit and connected to the intake channel. The end cover unit is formed of a plurality of discharge openings inside the tubular unit and connected to the discharge channel. The intake channel and the discharge channel are connected to the electrical connector via guide tubes respectively, and the guide tubes are installed inside the tubular unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Da Tsai, Chih-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 10874369
    Abstract: Apparatus having an x-ray source and a DR detector configured to travel cooperatively around a radiographic imaging axis. An imaging volume defines a spatial region to be imaged by the x-ray source and the DR detector. Radiopaque fiducials are selectively positioned in the imaging volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Lalena
  • Patent number: 10874370
    Abstract: A light pulse is emitted from a light source for illuminating a medium. Energy level data of the light pulse is measured before the light pulse enters the medium. An image sensor captures an image that includes an interference pattern generated by an exit signal of the light pulse exiting the medium interfering with a reference wavefront. Normalized intensity data is generated by normalizing intensity data exit signal data by the energy level data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Open Water Internet Inc.
    Inventors: Caitlin Regan, Sarmishtha Satpathy, Edgar Emilio Morales Delgado, Craig Newswanger
  • Patent number: 10874371
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a device D includes at least one radiation source and a detector, the radiation source and the detector being installed on at least one moving support, comprising at least the following elements: at least one first sensor positioned close to the radiation source and at least one second sensor positioned close to the detector, the two first and second sensors being configured to estimate through calculation a position Ps of the source and a position Pd of the detector, and a sensor for sensing the angular position of the moving support, a synchronization module configured to synchronously trigger the measurements of the sensors, a module for pre-processing the measurements of the sensors, the processing module comprising an input receiving an operating model M of the device and a data merging algorithm taking into account at least the two measurements of the sensors and the model M in order to estimate an accurate position value for the source Ps and for the detector Pd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Sébastien Gorges, Guillaume Bernard
  • Patent number: 10874372
    Abstract: This application disclosures a method for calibrating filament current data of an X-ray tube. The method includes obtaining a first value of tube current to be calibrated and a value of filament current to be calibrated, the tube current to be calibrated and the filament current to be calibrated corresponding to a first calibration point; performing an emission operation based on the first value of the tube current to be calibrated and the value of the filament current to be calibrated; determining an actual value of the tube current during the emission operation; determining a difference between the actual value of the tube current and the first value of the tube current to be calibrated; and calibrating, based on the difference, the first calibration point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hua Li, Jiawen Zhou, Yifeng Jiang, Tao He, Yong Yang
  • Patent number: 10874373
    Abstract: A system for presenting multiple parallel slices comprises a display for displaying ultrasound data comprising 3D Doppler data over time. A user interface defines a proximal plane and a distal plane within the ultrasound data that are parallel to one another. The proximal and distal planes define a region of interest (ROI). A signal processor automatically extracts at least two slices based on the ultrasound data within the ROI. The at least two slices are parallel with respect to each other and are displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kjell Kristoffersen, Sevald Berg
  • Patent number: 10874374
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus of an embodiment includes storage circuitry and setting-condition determining circuitry. The storage circuitry stores information about at least one of a position of a region of interest in a breast, a size of the region of interest, and a size of the breast, the information acquired based on an X-ray image of a breast of a subject. The setting-condition determining circuitry acquires a setting condition in ultrasonographic diagnosis for the breast based on the information about at least one of the position of the region of interest, the size of the region of interest, and the size of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei Mori, Atsuko Sugiyama, Mariko Shibata, Yoshimasa Kobayashi, Toshie Maruyama, Koichi Terai, Natsuki Sato
  • Patent number: 10874375
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic device including an ultrasound probe including a plurality of ultrasound transducers transmitting ultrasound waves to an object and receiving ultrasound waves reflected from the specimen to output an ultrasound detection signal, a region-of-interest setting unit setting a region of interest within the specimen, and a variation measuring unit measuring a sonic variation or an attenuation variation of ultrasound waves in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kimito Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 10874376
    Abstract: An endobronchial probe includes a deflector having a bore extending therethrough at an angle to its long axis for passage of a tool. The probe includes a location sensor and an ultrasound imager. A push-pull anchoring system comprises a plurality of guides and wires that can extend beyond the guides and retract within the guides. When extended the wires diverge from the long axis sufficiently to engage a bronchus. The probe includes a balloon disposed on the distal segment contralateral to bore that when inflated urges the mouth of the bore into contact with the bronchial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Reuben Waldstreicher, William Sanford Krimsky, Yitzhack Schwartz, Avi Shalgi, Meir Bar-Tal, Matityahu Amit, Gal Hayam, Refael Itah, Robert D. Ainsworth
  • Patent number: 10874377
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for providing combined ultrasound, electrocardiography, and auscultation data are provided. One such system includes an ultrasound sensor, an electrocardiogram (EKG) sensor, an auscultation sensor, and a computing device. The computing device includes memory and a processor, and the processor receives signals from the ultrasound sensor, the EKG sensor, and the auscultation sensor. Artificial intelligence techniques may be employed for automatically analyzing the data obtained from the ultrasound sensor, the EKG sensor, and the auscultation sensor and producing a clinically-relevant determination based on a combined analysis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: EchoNous, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Pagoulatos, Ramachandra Pailoor, Greg Nieminen, Terry Doherty, Ron Broad, Shelby Brunke
  • Patent number: 10874378
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a wireless probe, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and a method of controlling the wireless probe and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The wireless probe may include a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless probe, and a controller that controls configuration information of the wireless probe to be backed up or restored based on a change in an operational state of the wireless probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Park, Sun-Mo Yang, Gil-Ju Jin
  • Patent number: 10874379
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to a sample retrieval device and to system including such a device in combination with biopsy needle. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of using the sample retrieval device in combination with the biopsy needle to retrieve a biopsy sample from a patient and to prepare the sample for examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Clancy, Patrick Dennis, Fionan Keady
  • Patent number: 10874380
    Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a housing, an outer tube having a distal portion configured for transcervical insertion into a uterus, an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube lumen, a vacuum generation chamber disposed within the housing, a movable piston slidably disposed in the vacuum generation chamber, a collection chamber, a manual actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the piston, and proximal and distal one-way valves. The outer tube has an outer tube lumen, a tissue in-take opening proximate a distal end thereof, and a proximal end coupled to the housing. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen extending from an open inner tube distal end to an open inner tube proximal end, the open inner tube distal end comprising a cutting edge configured to sever intrauterine tissue extending through the tissue in-take opening in the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy H. Sullivan, Jessica Tina Schenck, George Charles Michaels
  • Patent number: 10874381
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting one or more tissue specimens includes a tissue specimen collector having a cannula receiving opening, a vacuum opening, and an interior. The vacuum opening is on a first axis, and the cannula receiving opening is on a second axis. A removable tissue specimen retaining member is positioned within the interior of the tissue specimen collector. The removable tissue specimen retaining member has a plurality of openings that are interposed between the first axis of the vacuum opening and the second axis of the cannula receiving opening. The removable tissue specimen retaining member is movable along the second axis. An elongated tissue cutting member extends through the cannula receiving opening of the tissue specimen collector to position a proximal end of the elongated cutting member in the interior above the plurality of openings of the removable tissue specimen retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SenoRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Quick, Martin V. Shabaz, Frank R. Louw, Paul Lubock, Jason H. Safabash
  • Patent number: 10874382
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a motorized surgical instrument including an elongated shaft, a wrist member and a pair of working members with at least one working member moveable relative to other working member between open and closed position, is presented. The elongate shaft includes towards its proximal end a carriage plate that enables independent and controlled motion of the surgical instrument employing plurality of actuators securely held therein. Further, disclosed is a surgical instrument enabling easy and quick replacement of working members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SS INNOVATIONS CHINA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sudhir Srivastava
  • Patent number: 10874383
    Abstract: An applicator for dispensing a liquid, the applicator including: a body, a holder for holding a supply of liquid to be dispensed, a nozzle mounted on the body for dispensing the liquid, an elongate priming chamber within the body for receiving liquid from the holder, an elongate delivery chamber within the body for receiving liquid from the priming chamber, a piston assembly having a piston located in the delivery chamber and being moveable in a first direction to draw liquid from the priming chamber into the delivery chamber and in a second opposite direction for passing liquid from the delivery chamber to the nozzle, a drive arrangement capable of effecting incremental movement of the piston in the second direction for metered dispense of the liquid, and a first actuator for operating the drive arrangement for effecting the incremental movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Mark Parish, Nithinkrishnan Gopalakrishnan, Guy Stephen Miller
  • Patent number: 10874384
    Abstract: A sealant is provided for sealing a puncture through tissue that includes an elongate first section including a proximal end, a distal end, and a cross-section sized for delivery into a puncture through tissue, and a second section fused to and extending from the distal end of the first section. The first section may be formed from a freeze-dried hydrogel that expands when exposed to physiological fluid within a puncture. The second section may be formed from a solid mass of non-freeze-dried, non-crosslinked hydrogel precursors, the precursors remaining in an unreactive state until exposed to an aqueous physiological, whereupon the precursors undergo in-situ crosslinking with one another to provide an adhesive layer bonded to the first section. Apparatus and methods for delivering the sealant into a puncture through tissue are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: AccessClosure, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy H. Uchida, Anthony P. Spizuoco, Kevin To, Florencia Lim, Scott R. Sershen
  • Patent number: 10874385
    Abstract: The surgical retractors and methods disclosed herein are designed to retract tissues in an ergonomic and anatomically correct manner by matching tissue curvatures in order to minimize tissue damage and reduce incision sizes. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor may include a first blade with proximal and distal ends, and a second blade with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first blade may be pivotally coupled to the distal end of the second blade. The surgical retractor may also include a ratcheting mechanism that is configured to maintain a selected distance between the proximal end of the first blade and the proximal end of the second blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: INMOTUS MEDICAL LLC
    Inventors: Adam D. Perler, James A. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 10874386
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus of the present disclosure includes a wound retractor having a specimen bag attached thereto. Kits of the present disclosure include the surgical apparatus and a vacuum tube. In embodiments, the vacuum tube may be introduced into a lumen of the wound retractor. A vacuum source is attached to a proximal end portion of the vacuum tube to draw a vacuum through the vacuum tube, which in turn draws a tissue specimen into the lumen of the vacuum tube through an opening in the distal end portion of the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube, possessing the tissue specimen therein, may then be removed from the wound retractor. Methods for using the surgical apparatus and/or kits of the present disclosure are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski
  • Patent number: 10874387
    Abstract: A surgical retractor system having a frame and a plurality of arms connected thereto is disclosed. At least one arm is moveable relative to the frame and the relative movement is constrained to a direction along the longitudinal axis of the arm. At least one retractor blade is removably connected to each of the plurality of arms. The blade is fixably rotatable about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Karpowicz, Andrew Iott
  • Patent number: 10874388
    Abstract: Anchor delivery systems and methods for repairing a valve inside a body, such as an atrioventricular valve, may include an anchor delivery device including a sheath for at least partially retaining an anchor in a collapsed form. The anchor delivery device may be configured to deliver the anchor to the atrioventricular valve. The anchor and an adjacent anchor may be connectable to each other in an expanded form, to link a series of anchors implanted at least partially around the atrioventricular valve. In some embodiments, the anchors may be connectable by a connecting member, such as a pledget, or a material disposable on a bulb of the anchor. In other embodiments, a bulb of the anchor and a bulb of the adjacent anchor may be configured to be directly interlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Rohl, Katherine L. Baldwin, James K. Cawthra, Jr., Dennis B. Werner, William C. Stoffregen, Daniel Shuey, Leo H. Ihlberg, Richard C. Daly, Joseph A. Dearani
  • Patent number: 10874389
    Abstract: A surgical staple insertion system for compressing bone fragments includes a staple and an insertion tool. The staple has first and second legs and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first and second legs. In a relaxed configuration, the bridge is curved such that a central region of the bridge is directed away from the first and second legs, and free ends of the first and second legs are positioned closer to one another than are portions of the first and second legs connected to the bridge. The bridge includes engagement portions at each of its first and second end sections that extend away from each other. The insertion tool includes an end defining a cavity configured to receive the engagement portions at the end sections of the bridge to retain the bridge in a deformed configuration with the first and second legs retained parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Biedermann, Timo Biedermann, Achim Zipse, Gael Dreher
  • Patent number: 10874390
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hand held powered surgical devices, loading unit detection assemblies, surgical adapters and/or adapter assemblies for use between and for interconnecting the powered surgical device or handle assembly and an end effector for clamping, cutting, stapling and/or sealing tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, John Beardsley, Russell Pribanic, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10874391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10874392
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed. The surgical device includes: a jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; and an articulating assembly removably coupled to the proximal end of the jaw assembly, the articulating including a distal joint member, a proximal joint member, and a pivot pin fixedly coupled to the distal joint member and rotatably coupled to the proximal joint member, wherein the jaw assembly and the distal joint member define a first longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the jaw assembly and a distal end of the distal joint member, and the proximal joint member defines a second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul A. Scirica, Justin Williams, Kevin Robert Slisz
  • Patent number: 10874393
    Abstract: A loading unit removably loadable into a surgical instrument positioned within a body of a patient having an elongated member, first and second jaws at a distal portion and a firing mechanism movable within the elongated member to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. The loading unit is insertable into a proximal opening of the instrument and through a lumen in the shaft of the instrument while the instrument is positioned in the body of the patient. The first and second jaws extend distally of the shaft of the instrument and the loading unit is actuable by the instrument. A surgical instrument to receive the loading unit and a method for reloading the instrument are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: RevMedia, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Robert Satti, III, Thomas G. Wenchell, Jr., Jeffrey M. Ott
  • Patent number: 10874394
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a planetary gear train, and a bidirectional ratchet mechanism; the input sun gear of the planetary gear train engages the output shaft of the motor; an output carrier of the planetary gear train engages an executing mechanism of the surgical instrument through a transmission mechanism; the bidirectional ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet, a bidirectional pawl assembly, and a selector; the ratchet is in rigid connection with an annular gear of the planetary gear train; the bidirectional pawl assembly includes a bidirectional pawl; the selector selectively drives a first end or a second end of the bidirectional pawl to bias the ratchet, so as to prevent corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the motor drives the planetary gear train, and allow corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the transmission mechanism drives the planetary gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Reach Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Beaupré, Jiaquan Dong
  • Patent number: 10874395
    Abstract: A closure device of the present invention includes two closure elements, and two sheet materials for integrally disposing the two closure elements. Each of the closure elements includes a base portion, a drawstring portion integrally extending from the base portion, and an adjustment portion including an engaged portion having a shape engageable with the drawstring portion. The base portion of one closure element of the two closure elements and the adjustment portion of the other closure element of the two closure elements are integrally disposed on one of the sheet materials, and the adjustment portion of one closure element and the base portion of the other closure element are disposed integrally on the other of the sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Mikio Nezu
  • Patent number: 10874396
    Abstract: A stapling instrument for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises an interface including a plurality of rotary members, a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis by a first rotary member, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, an articulation cable, a coupling member, and a firing cable. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The articulation cable operably connects to a second rotary member and is operable to pull the articulation cable and articulate the end effector. The coupling member is movable through a first stroke to move the second jaw toward the first jaw and movable through a second stroke to fire the staples. The firing cable operably connects to a third rotary member and is operable to drive the coupling member through the first stroke and the second stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10874397
    Abstract: Magnetic anastomosis devices constructed from magnetic segments coupled together with members that help the devices spontaneously transform from a linear delivery configuration to a polygonal deployment configuration. When two devices are joined together over tissue(s), the compressive force causes the tissue(s) to necrose and form an anastomosis. By altering the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the magnetic segments in the devices, the magnetic interaction between paired devices can be altered. This property gives surgeons flexibility in choosing how much attractive force the devices will experience during a procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: G.I. Windows, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Beisel, Marvin Ryou, Christopher Thompson
  • Patent number: 10874398
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes two arms and a latching lever. An end effector includes two jaws. A firing assembly includes an actuating beam, a proximal body, and two levers. The actuating beam is slidable relative to the handle assembly and the end effector. The proximal body is coupled to the actuating beam and is housed within either the first arm or the second arm. The first lever is configured to move between a first laterally extending position and a first non-obtrusive position. The first lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the first laterally extending position. The second lever is configured to move between a second laterally extending position and a second non-obtrusive position. The second lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the second laterally extending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Michael J. Stokes, Jason Jones, Matthew S. Corbin, Carol J. Wynn
  • Patent number: 10874399
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a visual indicator mechanism that provides a clinician with greater visualization of the movement of an anvil assembly in relation to a cartridge assembly after the anvil and cartridge assemblies have been approximated to within a firing zone. The visual indicator mechanism improves visualization of the different degrees of approximation within the firing zone by providing an indicator cover having spaced slots that allow indicia formed on an indicator member to sequentially appear within the spaced slots to identify the different degrees of approximation within the firing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Xiliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10874400
    Abstract: A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Todd A. Berg, William J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10874401
    Abstract: Detachment of a medical device from a delivery assembly can utilize features of electrolytic detachment and features of mechanical detachment. Detachment zones can facilitate mechanical retention of the medical device as well as electrolytic corrosion of portions of the delivery assembly to allow mechanical release of the medical device. Such a delivery system, can include an implant comprising a hub, the hub defining an aperture having an aperture cross-sectional dimension; and a delivery wire comprising (i) a core member extending through the aperture and (ii) a stopper positioned distal to the aperture, the stopper having a first cross-sectional dimension larger than the aperture cross-sectional dimension, and the stopper being electrolytically corrodible to reduce the first cross-sectional dimension to a second cross-sectional dimension smaller than the aperture cross-sectional dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Madhur Kadam
  • Patent number: 10874402
    Abstract: An occlusive medical device system may include a microcatheter, an elongate shaft, an occlusive medical device, wherein a release wire is configured to releasably attach the medical device to the distal end of the shaft at a release mechanism, and an RF generator. In a first electrical state current is not flowing and in a second electrical state current is flowing to the medical device. The shaft is slidable between a first position wherein the medical device is disposed within the microcatheter, a second position wherein at least a portion of the medical device is disposed outside of the microcatheter and the release mechanism is disposed within the microcatheter, and a third position wherein the release mechanism is disposed outside of the microcatheter. The medical device system is configured to be in the second electrical state when the elongate shaft is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Cao, Kent David Harrison, Timothy A. Ostroot, Matthew Ryan DeWitt
  • Patent number: 10874403
    Abstract: A semi-automatic medical continuous-firing clip applier includes a grip and a forceps rod, one end of the forceps rod is connected to the grip, and the other end of the forceps rod is connected to an upper jaw and a lower jaw; the upper jaw and the lower jaw are connected to a trigger, where the forceps rod is internally provided with a biological clip cartridge; the upper jaw and the lower jaw are provided with biological clip positioning grooves; the forceps rod is further internally provided with a transmission mechanism respectively in coordination with the biological clip cartridge and a biological clip propelling apparatus. The biological clip propelling apparatus is configured to drive a biological clip in the biological clip cartridge to enter the positioning grooves in the upper and lower jaws, and then the trigger is tightly held to close the biological clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: JIANGSU HAIZE MEDICAL SCIENTIFIC, DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianmin Qian, Yun Sun, Hailong Ju
  • Patent number: 10874404
    Abstract: Customized patient-specific instruments configured to be selectively attached at predetermined locations of a patient's bone are disclosed. The customized patient-specific instruments may include a polymeric body including a bone-facing surface having a customized patient-specific negative contour shaped to match and receive a corresponding positive contour of the patient's bone at the predetermined location. The customized patient-specific instruments also include a metallic coating that defines one or more cutting slots. A method of performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Langhorn, Daniel D. Fritzinger
  • Patent number: 10874405
    Abstract: A reference jig comprises a base adapted to be secured to a distal end of a bone. An adjustment mechanism has a bracket, one or more rotational joints operatively mounting the bracket to the base, whereby the bracket is rotatable in two or more rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base, and one or more translational joints. A landmark alignment unit is operatively connectable to the bracket by the at least one translational joint, the landmark alignment unit having a bone alignment component configured to be aligned with at least one bone landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ORTHOSOFT ULC
    Inventors: Catherine Leveille, Benoit Pelletier, Bruno Falardeau, Karine Duval
  • Patent number: 10874406
    Abstract: A handheld surgical instrument comprising an energy storage element, wherein the energy storage element is a spring coupled to the impacting mechanism, an impacting mechanism has a tip configured to impact a bone, wherein the tip includes a tapered point, a power transmission mechanism is configured to transmit energy from the energy storage element to the impacting mechanism, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a semi-flexible metal wire guided by a hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft includes a distal end, the semi-flexible metal wire is includes a bend toward the distal end, a trigger mechanism is configured to release energy from the energy storage element, wherein the bend includes an angle between 14 degrees and 46 degrees, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a manual lever which, when actuated, simultaneously retracts the tip and charges the energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MFr Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Jacob Laughlin, Jason L. Koh, Daniel M. Fisher, Brian Philip Beaubien, Joseph Jude Saladino
  • Patent number: 10874407
    Abstract: An instrument can comprise an instrument body, a cross-pin, and a ring. The instrument body can be configured to be partially inserted into an intramedullary canal of a bone having a bone resection. The cross-pin can extend through the instrument body, and the ring can be movably coupled to the cross-pin and positionable on the bone resection. The ring can be configured to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the cross-pin such that an angle of the ring relative to the instrument body approximates a surface angle of the bone resection relative to the instrument body. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hopkins
  • Patent number: 10874408
    Abstract: A system for creating a patient-specific jig model for patellar resurfacing surgery comprises a patellar implant positioning module for obtaining a planned position of a patellar implant on a model of the patella, the model being anatomically patient-specific. A patella resurfacing calculator module calculates a position and/or orientation of a resurfacing plane and attachment bore in the patella as a function of the planned position of the patellar implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 10874409
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for increasing the open cross-section of a vascular fistula that is obstructed by thrombus. Using a catheter having an imaging element and a thrombus disrupting element, the thrombus can be disrupted and removed, and the fistula evaluated with the imaging element. The imaging element is preferably an ultrasound imaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley S. Matsubara, John Unser
  • Patent number: 10874410
    Abstract: An aspiration catheter can be used to capture and retrieve vascular debris from blood vessels. The aspiration catheter can include a distal segment having ports positioned along its longitudinal length and about its circumference. The distal segment can capture thrombus at least partially on an exterior of the distal segment when aspiration is applied through the ports, and retrieve the thrombus when the elongate member is retracted proximally. The distal segment can be modified from a non-collapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration when aspiration is applied through the ports. The distal segment can have projections arranged along and around its circumference. The projections can be configured to slide distally through a thrombus within a blood vessel and to pull the thrombus when the elongate member is retracted proximally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank Scarpine, Rick Williams, Francis Bernard, Maria de Jesus Sanson
  • Patent number: 10874411
    Abstract: Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the thrombectomy system. The system can include a catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel, an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, and an interventional element configured to be delivered through a lumen of the catheter. The electrode and the interventional element are each configured to be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Hoai (Kevin) Nguyen, Gaurav Girdhar, Andy Huynh
  • Patent number: 10874412
    Abstract: A surgical instrument apparatus includes an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end and a bore extending through the tubular body; an actuator link extending through and configured to move longitudinally within the bore, the actuator link including a first end connected to a first actuator at the proximal end of the tubular body and a second end terminating in a coupler, wherein the first end of the first actuator causes the actuator link to selectively move between an extended state and a retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TITAN MEDICAL INC.
    Inventor: Kent F. Beck
  • Patent number: 10874413
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating autologous monocuspid and bicuspid valves can include a catheter having a single expandable element or a double expandable element. Once the leaflets of the valve are created, various techniques can be used to fix the leaflets to the vessel wall or to each other, including clips, tissue anchors, adhesives, and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: InterVene, Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher T. Wilson, Mariel Fabro, Zachary J. Malchano
  • Patent number: 10874414
    Abstract: A device for releasing soft tissue includes a distractor and blade assembly. The distractor may include a guide channel positioned along an edge of the distractor and the blade assembly fits into the guide channel and is configured to slide within the channel of the distractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTREMITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John R Pepper, John Early, Ryan Schlotterback, Michael Coon
  • Patent number: 10874415
    Abstract: Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable, coated or conditioned tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated body; and a cutting unit having a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion, the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion being moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongated body to capture a blood vessel between the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion, and being rotatable relative to one another circumferentially about the tip to cut the captured blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Saphena Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Orphanos, Michael Glennon
  • Patent number: 10874416
    Abstract: An extended blade of a surgical cutting instrument is provided. The blade may comprise a distal cutting end, a distal non-cutting end, and an intermediate portion that extends coaxially from the distal cutting end to the distal non-cutting end. The distal cutting end may be located outside of a housing of the instrument; the distal non-cutting end may be located at a posterior end of a suction portion inside the housing; and the intermediate portion may extend coaxially from the distal cutting portion, completely through a chamber portion of the housing, and to the suction portion to the distal cutting end. This configuration allows for biological material to be cut and aspirated completely through the disposable blade and housing to a suction source, avoiding contamination and improving instrument sterilization for surgeries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yehuda Algawi, Assaf Govari, Ilya Sitnitsky
  • Patent number: 10874417
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device including an elongate waveguide having a longitudinal axis an a distal end, and a blade extending away from the distal end of the waveguide, the blade including a curved portion that includes first and second opposed faces extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the blade. Each of the first and second faces has a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and a length that extends orthogonal to the width. A pair of hook portions are located on opposite sides of the blade. A method of fabricating an ultrasonic surgical device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: REACH SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Jean Beaupre