With Means For Cutting, Scarifying, Or Vibrating (e.g., Ultrasonic, Etc.) Tissue Patents (Class 604/22)
  • Patent number: 11071557
    Abstract: In some examples, a medical device includes a flexible elongate member configured for navigation through vasculature of a patient to a target treatment site. A distal portion of the elongate member including a first balloon portion that is inflatable to an expanded state, a second balloon portion that is inflatable to an expanded state, and a cavitation generator. When the balloon portions are in their expanded states within the vasculature, a cavity is defined between the elongate member and the target treatment site and exterior to the first and second balloon portions. The cavitation generator is configured to deliver energy to a fluid within the cavity to cause the fluid to undergo cavitation to generate a pressure pulse wave within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Lawinger, Cassandra Morris
  • Patent number: 11071577
    Abstract: A method of treating abnormal tissue within a patient includes positioning a delivery cannula within the patient, the delivery cannula having a first electrode disposed on its distal end; introducing an ablation probe through the cannula and out an open distal end thereof, so that a second ablation electrode carried on the ablation probe contacts abnormal tissue within the patient; conveying ablation energy between the first and second ablation electrodes to ablate the abnormal tissue; and introducing a separate medical element, whether a device or a therapeutic agent, through the cannula before or after the ablation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Paul DiCarlo, Steve M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11065023
    Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A ceramic cutting member includes both a cutting window having sharp edges and one or more flutes with cutting burrs circumferentially spaced-apart from the cutting window. An electrode may be placed between a pair of flutes and opposite to the cutting window. A motor drive is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated sleeve to rotate the ceramic cutting member cut bone with the flute(s) and soft tissue with the cutting window. The electrode provides cautery or radiofrequency ablation of tissue when the sleeve and ceramic cutting member are not being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Jeff Norton, Jan Echeverry, Steffan Benamou
  • Patent number: 11058435
    Abstract: A surgical device incorporating a powered rotary cutting tool having a protective distal foot plate which protects against injuring non-target tissue enabling the rapid and safe removal of specifically-targeted bone, cartilage, and soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TAUTOG, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene T. King, John M. R. Fitzgerald, Greg Unmann, Peter J. Esser
  • Patent number: 11058578
    Abstract: A system and method for provided a phacoemulsification surgery handpiece including a convertible sleeve for phacoemulsification surgery and irrigation/aspiration procedures. In a retracted state, the sleeve is in a desired relationship with the exposed portion of a phaco tip of the handpiece to support normal phacoemulsification surgery. In an extended state, the sleeve features a distally placed aspiration hole located forward from the distal end of a phaco tip to allow typical irrigation/aspiration procedures. A distal tip segment of the hand piece is overmolded by polyimide materials having a split feature to allow egress of a phaco tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Harkirat S. Jandu, Mark W. Ross
  • Patent number: 11058481
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an energy conveying structure for delivering RF and/or microwave energy to an electrosurgical instrument, where the energy conveying structure is incorporated into an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device (e.g. endoscope, laparoscope or the like). The insertion tube is a flexible conduit that is introduced into a patient's body during an invasive procedure, and can include an instrument channel and an optical channel. The energy conveying structure may be a layered coaxial structure that formed a liner that fits within the scoping device, e.g. within an instrument channel. Alternatively, the energy conveying structure may be a coaxial structure integrally formed as part of the flexible conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White, George Christian Ullrich, David Edward Webb, Shaun Preston, Steven Morris
  • Patent number: 11039845
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating endovascular disease. Vibrational energy is delivered to change compliance and increase permeability at the treatment area. To improve clinical outcomes, one or more therapeutic drugs may be delivered to the treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIOPROLIFIC INC.
    Inventor: Michael P Wallace
  • Patent number: 11033290
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tissue removal device. The tissue removal device may include a distal portion. The distal portion may include an outer distal portion including a tissue removal tool, and an inner distal portion positioned within the outer distal portion and having a closed distal end, a lumen, and at least one side port, wherein the lumen is configured to receive a medical device, and the inner distal portion is movable relative to the outer distal portion and the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC
    Inventor: Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11020140
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic transmission waveguide extending from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transmission waveguide. The ultrasonic blade includes a base and a curved body extending distally from the base. The curved body includes a tissue-treating surface extending on a first side of the curved body and a curved edge extending on a second side of the curved body opposite the first side. The curved edge has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a first direction, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Amy L. Marcotte, John A. Weed, III
  • Patent number: 11020270
    Abstract: A vitrectomy instrument and a system including the same are disclosed herein. The vitrectomy instrument includes a handpiece having an outer tube and an inner tube coaxially disposed in the outer tube, the inner tube being slidably displaceable relative to the outer tube; a cutting power generator operatively coupled to the inner tube, the cutting power generator configured to reciprocably drive the inner tube for shearing tissue and/or vitreous; and an ultrasonic generator operatively coupled to the inner tube, the ultrasonic generator configured to vibrate the inner tube for vibratory fragmentation and/or cutting of the tissue and/or the vitreous. The vitrectomy system may include the vitrectomy instrument together with a support sleeve for supporting the vitrectomy instrument to provide increased rigidity to the needle of the vitrectomy instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Gholam A. Peyman
  • Patent number: 11000880
    Abstract: A device for transmitting mechanical waves, including a mechanical waveguide having an elongated shape and extending between a proximal end and a distal end for propagating the mechanical waves coupled at the proximal end up to the distal end, and a radiopaque marker secured to the mechanical waveguide adjacent to the distal end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Les Solutions Medicales Soundbite Inc.
    Inventors: Louis-Philippe Riel, Steven Dion, Martin Brouillette, Wayne Cornish, Manuel Charlebois-Menard
  • Patent number: 11000306
    Abstract: A surgical tool that has a pair of transmissions coupled to one another to effect driving of a cutting tool in both an oscillating manner and a reciprocating manner. The transmissions are driven by a motor coupled to one of the transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Peter L. Bono
  • Patent number: 10994076
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a drainage device includes an inner lumen configured for draining fluid from a target site and one or more outer lumens for transmitting dilution fluid to the inner lumen. According to one embodiment, the drainage device includes one or more eyelets and/or a distal opening through which the fluid from the target site enters the inner lumen. In one or more embodiments, the dilution fluid is transmitted to the inner lumen through one or more ports that may output the dilution fluid directly into the inner lumen or into the eyelet. According to one embodiment, as the fluid from the target site flows through the drainage device, the dilution fluid reduces clotting processes such that formation of blockages within the inner lumen is prevented or at least reduced. In some embodiments, the dilution fluid is substituted with, or provided in addition to, pharmaceutical solutions or other infusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CIRCULATECH, LLC
    Inventors: Jake Tyler Pardell-Pistiner, Stephen McClain, Rachel Malvagomes, Kathleen Ana Gonzalez, Carson Daniel Schaff, Amirah Suleiman, Nicholas Paul Bello, Sara Budar, David Bradshaw Pearlstone
  • Patent number: 10993839
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically pulsing different aspiration levels to an ocular probe are disclosed. The probe may be a phacoemulsification probe. A first aspiration level, supplied by a first pump, may be applied to the probe simultaneously with ultrasonic energy. A second aspiration level, supplied by a second pump, may be automatically switched from the first aspiration level, and applied to the probe in a pulsed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Raney, Michael Claus, James Gerg, Wayne S. Wong, David A. King, James W. Staggs, Fred Lee
  • Patent number: 10993743
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of a subject comprises heating a skin surface, abrading native skin tissue of a subject using a microdermabrasion device, wherein using the microdermabrasion device comprises moving the microdermabrasion device relative to the skin surface while simultaneously delivering at least one treatment fluid to the skin surface being treated and cooling the abraded skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: EDGE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Roger Ignon, Ed F. Nicolas, Scott R. Mallett
  • Patent number: 10987125
    Abstract: A system and method for cutting tissue within a synovial cavity, which includes a cannula and a blade assembly. The cannula can define an internal lumen and a cutting port for accessing the internal lumen. The blade assembly can include a blade and a blade shall extending from the blade. The blade can be inserted into the internal lumen of the cannula through an access port of the cannula such that the blade is proximate the cutting port. The blade shaft can be operated to move the blade within the internal lumen relative to the cutting port between a retracted position and a deployed position. The blade can be received within the internal lumen in the retracted position and positioned, at least partially, within the cutting port in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Denham
  • Patent number: 10987246
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical device includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end. A cannula is attached to the housing distal end and has a distal tip with at least one port in communication with a lumen extending through the cannula and in communication with an aspiration path in the housing. A vibration source is held within the housing for vibrating the distal tip of the cannula for assisting in vitreous and other tissue removal from a patient's eye. The vibration source creates a peak velocity of the distal tip equal to or less than a potential maximum flow velocity of water through the at least one port for a pressure differential between an intraocular pressure of the eye and a pressure within the cannula lumen that is less than the intraocular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian D. McCary, Toh Seng Goh, James Taylor Perkins
  • Patent number: 10987122
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a treatment portion that has a through-hole or concave portions. The through-hole extends from a first outer surface to a second outer surface facing in an opposite direction to that of the first outer surface. The concave portions include a first concave portion on the first outer surface, and a second concave portion on the second outer surface. The treatment portion includes a blade formed along an edge of an opening of the through-hole or the first concave portion. An outer relay surface extends from the blade to the second outer surface and faces away from a center axis of the through-hole or the concave portions. A distance from the center axis to the blade is greater than or equal to a distance from the center axis to the outer relay surface at a position between the blade and the second outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Fujisaki, Takamitsu Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Araki, Hideto Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 10980865
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to improved skin quality, health and appearance using a new delivery method and certain bioactive compositions and formulations. The system incorporates microneedle delivery technology with unique compositions and formulations. Such development allows for the pursuit of personalized medicine, or treatment delivery that can expand to remote controlled environment, immediate compounding and ultimate personalization with a state of the art longitudinal data predictive analytics. Certain formulations described herein are unique, combinatory and synergistic. Secured by high-tech proprietary system, there are unlimited potentials using AQT technology including but not limited to 3-D printing of a biodegradable micro chips that can be delivered via injection, AQT or any other possible route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: AQUAVIT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sobin Chang, David J. Goldberg, David Shafer
  • Patent number: 10980669
    Abstract: A water jet instrument may be used for manually performing surgery. The water jet instrument may be manually controlled or controlled by a system with a robotic control. The water jet apparatus defines a jet cutting area that is based at least in part on a flow rate meter and a feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery B. Alvarez, David Mintz
  • Patent number: 10980267
    Abstract: A nano solid liquid H2O concentrate and method, the concentrate containing molecules of H2O each encapsulating a composite nano particle including selected nutrient particles of nano scale, the composite particles each having a size generally within a range of 12 and 16 nanometers, a bond between the composite particles and respective interior and/or exterior layers of the H2O molecule being stabilized and sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Edward Voloshin
  • Patent number: 10973534
    Abstract: A cartilage repair technique employs a cutter-tissue trap combination device to harvest cartilage tissue from a low-weight-bearing site of a subject. Cut tissue is aspirated though a lumen (1101) of a tissue cutter (1100). The lumen includes an outer shaft (1106) having a first distal window and an inner shaft having a second distal window. Edges of the first distal window and the second distal window cooperate to provide a cutting action there-between upon rotation of the inner shaft within the outer shaft. A tissue trap (1400) coupled to the tissue cutter is configured to collect tissue shavings of a desired size to efficiently deliver the collected shavings to a repair site during surgery. The tissue trap includes a filter (1502) in a housing configured between a removable inflow chamber (1404) and a removable outflow chamber (1406).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Lily Jeng
  • Patent number: 10966833
    Abstract: An intracranial prosthesis comprised of a flat body having an interior ultrasound-compatible window and means about the outer portion capable of engaging a plurality of diagnostic instruments and/or intracranial delivery systems so that a practicing medical professional can monitor certain parameters of a patient or deliver therapeutic agents to the patient while using an ultrasound-monitoring device to image the patient's brain. The prosthesis is designed to allow for the continuous, uninterrupted, simultaneous monitoring of a number of parameters of a patient's brain at the patient's bedside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Prakash Sampath, Francesco Dimeco
  • Patent number: 10966775
    Abstract: A medical device for treating and analyzing tissue includes a plasma applicator having a housing. The housing includes a substantially tubular shape and defines a lumen therethrough. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source configured to supply ionizable media thereto. The applicator also includes one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The electrodes are adapted to couple to a power source configured to energize the electrodes to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume for treating tissue. The device also includes an effluent-collection attachment coupled to the plasma applicator. The effluent-collection attachment is configured to collect a portion of a plasma effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Kyle R. Rick, Christopher A. Valentine, Mika N. Sinanan
  • Patent number: 10966743
    Abstract: A cutting assembly for a surgical instrument. The cutting assembly comprises a tube assembly having an inner tube adapted to be rotated by a drive assembly, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube. An aperture within each of the inner and outer tubes may define a cutting window adapted to be applied to a surgical site of a patient. A grip is coupled to the tube assembly and configured to be engaged by a hand of a user. A manually movable member for rotating the outer tube may be provided and rotated with an index finger or a thumb of the hand while the grip is engaged by a web of the hand. A web portion of the grip may be engaged by the web of the hand without being engaged by a palm of the hand. Methods of gripping a cutting assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Cushen, Damian Michael Curtin
  • Patent number: 10959750
    Abstract: A device for removing obstructive material from a patient may include an elongate rotational member having a distal end and a proximal end, an internal irrigation catheter at least partially surrounding the rotational member, and an aspiration catheter at least partially surrounding the rotational member and the irrigation catheter. The distal portion of the rotational member is configured to change compliance of the obstructive material and facilitate obstructive material aspiration outside the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIOPROLIFIC INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10960178
    Abstract: An actuated telescoping system for navigation within a vascular lumen and thrombectomy of a thrombus. The system includes a tubular catheter member having an open distal end defining a catheter lumen, a vacuum source, a rotational drive system, a flexible shaft having a channel coupled to the rotational drive system for rotational movement in response thereto, and an optional guidewire selectively inserted at least partially within the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft is at least partially disposed within the tubular catheter member configured for uncoupled rotational and translational motion therein and to optionally define a corkscrew motion in response to rotational driving force by the drive system that results in formation of hydrodynamic vortices within the catheter lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Luis Emilio Savastano, Jeffrey Stephen Plott, Yang Liu, Yihao Zheng, Albert Jau-Min Shih
  • Patent number: 10959749
    Abstract: A medical device for removing a stenosis of a living body lumen includes a drive shaft configured to be driven by an operation at a proximal side thereof and including a treatment member disposed at a distal side thereof, a housing configured to accommodate the proximal side of the drive shaft therein, and a holding member configured to suppress unnecessary movement of the drive shaft. A proximal end of the holding member is fixed to the housing, and an inner surface of the holding member and an outer surface of the drive shaft are slidable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonori Hatta, Junichi Kobayashi, Taiga Nakano
  • Patent number: 10952760
    Abstract: A device for removing a clot from a blood vessel. The device can have a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The device can have a shaft. An outer expandable body can be included that is radially expandable from a first radially expanded state to a second radially expanded state in the deployed configuration. An inner body can be included, wherein the outer expandable body and the inner body are fixedly coupled to a distal region of the shaft, the outer expandable body radially surrounding at least a portion of the inner body in the second radially expanded state. A capture net can be coupled to a distal portion of the inner body and including a proximal mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NEURAVI LIMITED
    Inventors: Eamon Brady, Michael Gilvarry, Mahmood K Razavi, David Vale, Patrick Griffin, Brendan Casey, Jason McNamara
  • Patent number: 10952763
    Abstract: A catheter device for crossing occlusions includes an elongate catheter shaft, a rotatable tip configured to rotate relative to the elongate catheter shaft, a drive shaft, and an OCT imaging sensor. The rotatable tip includes a housing coupled with the elongate catheter shaft and cutting wedges extendable from the housing. The drive shaft has a central lumen extending therethrough and extends within the elongate catheter shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the wedges and is configured to rotate the rotatable tip. The OCT sensor includes an optical fiber coupled with the rotatable tip and configured to rotate therewith. The elongate catheter shaft is configured to move axially over the drive shaft to extend and retract the wedges from the housing while maintaining a fixed position of the imaging sensor relative to the cutting wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Avinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Newhauser, Theodore W. Ketai, Peter H. Smith, Myra L. Fabro
  • Patent number: 10946118
    Abstract: A plasma coating device for treating a wound comprises a plasma chamber having: one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. An aerosol delivery system is operable to introduce a bioresorbable material as an aerosol into the plasma, to produce a coating on the wound surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TheraDep Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe O'Keeffe, Peter Dobbyn, John Gerard O'Donoghue, Liam O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10945754
    Abstract: An ultrasound device includes: an ultrasound generator; an ultrasound probe; and a distal end treatment portion capable of forming a bone hole when pressed against a bone. The distal end treatment portion includes a base portion, and a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes projections and a valley portion between adjacent projections. Each projection is formed of at least one excision surface that is inclined from a base of the projection to a distal top of the projection. The excision surface is capable of finely crushing the bone. The valley portion includes a valley peak at a distal-most meeting point of adjacent projections such that a surface of the valley extending distally from a point at which the valley meets an outer surface of the base portion to the valley peak is inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Fujisaki, Takamitsu Sakamoto, Michio Takayama, Hideto Yoshimine, Ken Yokoyama, Ryo Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 10946153
    Abstract: A cleaning catheter includes an inflatable element and an input module, which includes an inflation chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inflatable element. A flow regulator defines a suction port coupleable in fluid communication with a suction source. A mechanical suction-control button is configured to assume at least first and second spatial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TELEFLEX LIFE SCIENCES PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Oron Zachar
  • Patent number: 10945758
    Abstract: A macerating and aspiration tool for removing blood masses from the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Rebound Therapeutics Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Davis, Ross Tsukashima, Jeffrey J. Valko, Todd D. McIntyre, Michael R. Henson
  • Patent number: 10939934
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissue removal and more particularly to methods and devices for use in medical applications involving selective tissue removal. One exemplary method includes the steps of providing a tissue cutting instrument capable of distinguishing between target tissue to be removed and non-target tissue, urging the instrument against the target tissue and the non-target tissue, and allowing the instrument to cut the target tissue while automatically avoiding cutting of non-target tissue. Various tools for carrying out this method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Lockard, Uri Frodis, Adam L. Cohen, Richard T. Chen, Gregory P. Schmitz, Eric C. Miller, Ming Ting Wu, Arun S. Veeramani, Juan Diego Perea
  • Patent number: 10932948
    Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle includes a hub for connection to an ultrasonic handpiece. An elongated shaft is formed with the hub and extends from the hub. A distal end of the shaft breaks-up tissue when the distal end is caused to be vibrated by the handpiece. At least a distal portion of the shaft is formed of a material that has properties providing advantages compared to a metal needle. Example properties include a substantially lower density, a substantially higher electrical resistivity, a substantially lower thermal conductivity, a substantially lower mechanical lateral stiffness, a substantially higher efficiency of converting electrical energy powering the handpiece into motion of the distal end, a substantially lower acoustical impedance, a substantially higher Poisson's ratio, and a substantially higher mechanical gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ala Moradian, Brian D. McCary, Toh Seng Goh, Matthew J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 10932867
    Abstract: A surgical instrument (203) includes a reusable instrument portion (204) and a disposable tip assembly (205). The disposable tip assembly (205) includes an end effector assembly (206) that in turn includes an end effector. The disposable tip assembly (205) also includes a locking tip cover (410) that locks the disposable tip assembly (205) to a lock interface element (448B) of a tip interface (245) of the reusable instrument portion (204). To facilitate mounting the disposable tip assembly (205) on the tip interface (245) of the reusable instrument portion (204), the disposable tip assembly (205) includes a first quick connect/disconnect element (409) and the tip interface (245) includes a second quick connect/disconnect element (447). The second quick connect/disconnect element (447) is coupled to a tendon (452). The tendon (452) is also coupled to an actuator assembly that provides forces that push and pull (push/pull) the tendon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Park
  • Patent number: 10920767
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods including a lubricating solution bath for a pump integrated into an ophthalmic surgical hand piece are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic pump system includes a housing defining a cavity. The system includes a rotating element positioned within the cavity of the housing. The system includes a flexible tubular structure positioned within the housing adjacent to the rotating element such that rotation of the rotation element urges a fluid through the flexible tubular structure. The system includes a lubricating solution positioned within the cavity around the rotating element and at least a portion of the flexible tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: John Morgan Bourne, Glenn Robert Sussman, John Richard Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10918268
    Abstract: An insert tube and an endoscope using the same are provided. The insert tube comprises a catheter. The catheter comprises a distal section, a bending section and a extend section, and the distal section. The bending section and the extend section are integrally formed through a metal material. A plurality of a first line groove and a plurality of second line groove are formed and arranged in staggered relation on two corresponding sides of the bending section along the central axis direction of the catheter, respectively. At least one the second line groove is arranged between the first line grooves. The first line groove and the second line groove have a first arc length and a second arc length, respectively. A length of the first arc length is greater than a length of the second arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: OPCOM INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Yu Ting
  • Patent number: 10918405
    Abstract: A surgical instrument has at least one tool unit including at least one first tool element, at least one second tool element, and at least one coupling element that is connected to the second tool element, the at least one coupling element and the second tool element being supported in such a way that they are together displaceable relative to the first tool element along at least one displacement axis, and has an actuation, which includes at least one actuation element that is coupled with the coupling element in at least one first position of the coupling element relative to the second tool element, wherein for the purpose of releasing the actuation element, the coupling element is transferred from the first position into at least one second position relative to the second tool element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Rominger, Karl-Heinz Haunschild, Jochen Schmidberger
  • Patent number: 10918409
    Abstract: A morcellator include a housing, a knife, and a first auger. The housing defies a longitudinal axis and has an inner wall that defines a passage along the longitudinal axis. The knife is disposed about an inner wall of the housing and is secured to a distal portion of the housing. The knife extends distally from the distal portion of the housing. The first auger is disposed within the housing and has a first auger shaft and a first auger blade. The first auger shaft extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The first auger is configured to rotate relative to the housing such that the first auger blade moves tissue proximally through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Scott J. Prior, Danial P. Ferreira, Henry E. Holsten, Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 10905458
    Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operatively connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. A tissue-removing head of the tissue-removing element defines an annular cutting blade. In some embodiments, angularly spaced cutting teeth form the cutting blade. Inner shearing members extend radially inward from the cutting blade. As the tissue-removing element rotates in the cutting direction and advances axially through a body lumen, the annular cutting edge separates the tissue from the body lumen wall. Leading surfaces of the inner shearing members shear the separated tissue radially inwardly. In some embodiments, the tissue-removing element is an integrally formed, one-piece body made by removing material from a blank to form the cutting blade and inner shearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ethan Andrew Guggenheimer, Victoria Schuman, Virgil Koski, Benjamin Robert Fruland, Lucas Schneider
  • Patent number: 10905403
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder includes a rotatable manifold, and has a plurality of chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively align each of the chambers with the cutter lumen. A controller in communication with the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the manifold to a presentation position to present a collected tissue sample within a chamber to a user (e.g., at an angular position approximately 90 degrees from the cutter lumen). The controller is further configured to rotate the manifold align the next, empty chamber with the cutter lumen in response to a user input instructing the biopsy device to obtain another tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor W. V. Speeg, Gavin M. Monson, John A. Hibner, Andrew P. Nock, Shailendra K. Parihar
  • Patent number: 10905457
    Abstract: A medical device and a treatment method are disclosed for cutting substances inside a body lumen. The medical device includes a rotatable tubular drive shaft; an elongated tube extended through the drive shaft; a bearing placed at the proximal end of elongated tube; and a rotation transmitting member fixed on an outer surface of the elongated tube, wherein the rotation transmitting member is movable between a proximal end of the drive shaft and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taiga Nakano, Tomonori Hatta, Junichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10905459
    Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operably connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. The tissue-removing element is an integrally formed, one-piece body and has an annular tissue-removing head at the distal end of a tissue-removing element body. In some embodiments, primary tissue-removing components include an integrally formed cutting tooth and inner shearing member and are spaced angularly around the tissue-removing blade. Secondary tissue-removing components include cutting teeth and are interposed between the primary tissue-removing components around the tissue-removing blade. The tissue-removing element is made by removing material from a blank to form the primary and secondary tissue-removing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ethan Andrew Guggenheimer, Victoria Schuman, Lucas Schneider, Benjamin Robert Fruland
  • Patent number: 10893978
    Abstract: Systems and methods for driving the cutter of a vitrectomy handpiece using a substantially hermetically sealed system having a pneumatic pump for alternatively creating both positive pressure for pushing a first side of a diaphragm in the vitreous cutter and pulling negative pressure to pull the other side of the diagram, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad Sawicz
  • Patent number: 10874423
    Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object in a living body lumen. The medical device includes a rotatable elongate member, rotating member having a cutting portion cutting the object and disposed on the distal end side of the elongate member for rotating together with rotation of the elongate member; and a distal member having a guide portion disposed on the distal end side of the rotating member with a space left from the rotating member and a supporting portion which supports the guide portion and defines a dimension of the space in an axial direction of the elongate member. The guide portion is disposed at a position at which the guide portion overlaps with part of the cutting portion and exposes part of the cutting portion as viewed from the distal end side of the distal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuuichi Tada, Kousuke Nishio, Mizuho Hirao
  • Patent number: 10874552
    Abstract: Ocular lens cutting devices and methods for cutting and removing tissue such as lens fragments from an eye of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ocular lens cutting device includes an outer member and an inner member positioned within the outer member. The outer member and the inner member can each include at least one cutting edge. The at least one cutting edge of the outer member and the at least one cutting edge of the inner member can cooperate to form a cutting structure as the inner member moves with respect to the outer member. The ocular lens cutting device can also be connected to a vacuum source which can allow the ocular lens cutting device to grasp the tissue to be cut and remove the cut fragments from the surgical area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DOHENY EYE INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Trent Spencer Wells, Matthew T. McCormick, Ralph Kerns, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 10874554
    Abstract: A probe tip assembly includes an optical fiber for channeling light energy and a straightening tube circumscribing at least a portion of the optical fiber. The straightening tube includes a first metallic material and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The tip assembly also includes a guiding member circumscribing the optical fiber and the straightening tube. The guiding member includes a second metallic material and a curvable portion configurable between a pre-formed curved state defining a radius of curvature and a straightened state. The guiding member also includes a plurality of notches, wherein, as the straightening tube is retracted from the first position to the second position, the guiding member transitions from its straightened state to its pre-formed curved state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: XRV-IP, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Easley, Matt LaConte
  • 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