Cardiovascular Technologies, Inc.

Other

Biopath Automation, LLC

Medtronic, Inc.

Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.

George A Keller

Paul A Spence

Warren P Williamson, Iv

Thomas J Ward

Cecil R Robinson

Dominic P DiNovo

Mark S Ortiz

Harry Leonard Green, Ii

Douglas P Allen

Rebeccah P Quam

Warren P Williamson

Dominic P Dinovo

Jonathan E Turner

Ernest D Vanhoose

Matthew J Huddleston

Kenneth E Hughes

George T Christakis

Jonathan Eric Turner

Warren Williamson, Iv

E Dale VanHoose

William P Williamson, Iv

Keith A Kuisick

Ernest D VanHoose

An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples

Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed. Using the teaching of the present disclosure, a surgeon can customize a fastener to the particular surgery or even to the particular portion of surgery being performed during the surgery.

Extremely long wire fasteners for use in minimally invasive surgery and means and methods for handling those fasteners

Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field, such as during a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The devices include tissue stabilizers which engage and provide stabilization to a targeted area of tissue and further have the ability to engage and manipulate some portion of tissue within or adjacent the targeted area to improve the surgical presentation of that portion of tissue. The tissue stabilizer typically has one or more stabilizer feet which have a first foot portion configured to provide stabilization to the targeted tissue and a second foot portion moveable relative to the first foot portion for manipulating a portion of tissue to improve the surgical presentation.

Tissue stabilizer having an articulating lift element

Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed. Using the teaching of the present disclosure, a surgeon can customize a fastener to the particular surgery or even to the particular portion of surgery being performed during the surgery.

Wire fasteners for use in minimally invasive surgery and means and

A heart valve can be replaced using minimally invasive methods which include a sutureless sewing cuff that and a fastener delivery tool that holds the cuff against the patient's tissue while delivering fasteners, two at a time to attach the cuff to the tissue from the inside out. The tool stores a plurality of fasteners. Drawstrings are operated from outside the patient's body and cinch the sewing cuff to the valve body. The cuff is releasably mounted on the tool and the tool holds the cuff against tissue and drives the fastener through the cuff and the tissue before folding over the legs of the fastener whereby secure securement between the cuff and the tissue is assured. At least two rows of staggered fasteners are formed whereby fasteners are located continuously throughout the entire circumference of the cuff. A minimally invasive surgical method is disclosed, and a method and tool are disclosed for repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms in a minimally invasive manner.

Means and method of replacing a heart valve in a minimally invasive

Wire fasteners for use in minimally invasive surgery and apparatus and

A tool apparatus wherein an elongate longitudinally aligned handle includes a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted coaxially spaced from the handle forwardly thereof. The rollers include deburring or cutting edges to remove roughness and smooth edge surfaces of brittle material such as metals, rigid polymerics, and the like. Modifications of the invention includes a first roller biased against a second roller utilizing a hinged lever arm pair mounting one roller relative to the other roller. Further modifications include conically tapered rollers each including an axis parallel relative to one another wherein a removable conical abrasive sheaths are securably mounted utilizing adhesive and the like onto a respective conical roller.

Edge finishing tool

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

George A Keller