Physcient, Inc.

Ab Sciex LLC

Other

Nekton Technologies, Inc.

3silk, Inc.

Hugh Charles Crenshaw

Charles Anthony Pell

Eric Torr Espenhahn

Ryan K Moody

Joshua Tanner Nevill

Daniel M Hartmann

Mehul F Patel

Charles A Buckner, Iii

Mathieu Kemp

Jason A Janet

William Karsh

Frank Anthony Montefusco

David W Wyrick

Pang-Jen Craig Kung

Kenneth I Pettigrew

Brian Herbert Warrington

Gregory A Votaw

Ryan Moody

A propulsor is described in which rotation of the frustum of a right circular cylinder generates thrust. Variants of this basic geometrical shape are also described that enable multiple means for propelling fluid past the propulsor.

Fluid propulsion system

A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue is disclosed. The differential dissecting instrument comprises a handle and an elongate member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the handle. The differential dissecting instrument comprises a differential dissecting member configured to be rotatably attached to the second end and further comprises at least one tissue engaging surface. The differential dissecting instrument comprises a mechanism configured to mechanically rotate the differential dissecting member around an axis of rotation, thereby causing the at least one tissue engaging surface to move in at least one direction against the complex tissue. The at least one tissue engaging surface is configured to selectively engage the complex tissue such that the at least one tissue engaging surface disrupts at least one soft tissue in the complex tissue, but does not disrupt firm tissue in the complex tissue.

Methods and devices for soft tissue dissection

Methods and devices for blunt dissection include a drive mechanism comprising an elongate rotary drive train having a first proximal end connected to a mounting base for attaching to a handle or a surgical robot and a second distal end. The drive mechanism comprises a differential dissecting member (DDM) configured to be rotatably attached to the second distal end. The drive mechanism further comprises a mechanism configured to mechanically rotate the DDM about a substantially transverse axis of member rotational oscillation, thereby causing at least one tissue engaging surface to move in at least one direction against complex tissue and selectively engage the complex tissue such that when the DDM is pressed into the complex tissue, the at least one tissue engaging surface moves across the complex tissue and disrupts at least one soft tissue in the complex tissue, but does not disrupt firm tissue in the complex tissue.

A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue comprising is disclosed. The differential dissecting instrument comprises a rotary drive train having a central, longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. The differential dissecting instrument also comprises at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel, wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel is rotatably associated with the distal end of the rotary drive train, has at least one axis of rotation substantially transverse to the central, longitudinal axis of the rotary drive train, and is rotated by the rotary drive train. The bluntwheel may comprise projections that are configured to differentially dissect a complex tissue when the differential dissecting instrument is in operation.

Instruments, devices, and related methods for soft tissue dissection

Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce tissue trauma when a physician retracts a patient's tissues for surgery. A device includes a tissue engager adapted to engage a patient's tissue, a control system adapted to control the tissue engager to deform the patient's tissue, and a sensor adapted to produce a first signal based on the deformation. The control system is further adapted to receive the first signal, perform a plurality of measurements based on the first signal over time; and compare a substantially instantaneous measurement of the first signal to a variance in the plurality of measurements over an interval of time preceding the instantaneous measurement, and detect a state of the patient's tissue based on the comparison.

Methods and devices to decrease tissue trauma during surgery

Surgical instrument handle

An instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue is disclosed, comprising a handle, a central longitudinal axis, and an elongate member, with a differential dissecting member (DDM) configured to be rotatably attached to a distal end. The DDM comprises at least one tissue engaging surface, a first torque-point disposed to a first side of an axis of rotation, and a mechanism configured to rotate the DDM around the axis of rotation, causing the tissue engaging surface to move in at least one direction against the complex tissue. The mechanism comprises at least one force-transmitting member attached to the first torque-point member and to a motive source configured to oscillate the DDM. The tissue engaging surface is configured to selectively engage the complex tissue such that it disrupts at least one soft tissue in the complex tissue, but does not disrupt firm tissue in the complex tissue.

Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce tissue trauma when a surgeon performs surgery by thoracoscopy. Methods and devices are disclosed for protecting tissues adjacent to an intercostal incision from trauma caused by impingement of instruments into an intercostal incision. In one part, these methods and devices include devices that have controls that stick up out of the incision, permitting adjustment by the surgeon. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for smaller devices that reside entirely under this skin and require no adjustment by the surgeon.

Rib-protecting devices for thoracoscopic surgery, and related methods

Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce tissue trauma when a physician retracts a patient's tissues for surgery. In one part, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling retraction force and pace. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for oscillating force when opening. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for detecting trauma during retraction. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for balancing forces on multiple retraction elements. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for reducing forces in multiple dimensions. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for engaging ribs. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed to compensate for deformation of a retractor under load. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed that combine these methods and devices. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling pressure inside inflatable devices used for deforming biological tissues.

Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce the tissue trauma that occurs when a physician retracts or otherwise deforms a patient's tissues for surgery or other medical procedures. In one part, methods and devices are disclosed for cooling the tissue around the incision. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed that elute drugs into the tissues of the tissue margin. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed to engage tissues during retraction to cushion, to sense tissue state, and to modulate tissue state.

Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce the tissue trauma that occurs when a physician retracts or otherwise deforms a patient's tissues for surgery or other medical procedures. In one part, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling the force and pace of retraction to reduce tissue trauma. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for applying an oscillating load when opening. In another part, pads that cool the tissue around the incision are disclosed. In another part, pads that elute drugs into the tissues of the tissue margin are disclosed. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed that self-align components of the retractor and engage hard tissues directly to avoid soft tissue damage. In another part, pads that engage tissues to cushion, to sense tissue state, and to modulate tissue state are disclosed.

Apparatus and Method for Handling Fluids at Nano-Scale Rates. A linear displacement pump produces non-pulsatile liquid flow rates as low as the nl/mm range. The pump includes a servo motor, a gear reduction, a lead screw, a linear stage, a barrel, and a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage. A microfluidic interconnect device can be coupled to the barrel. One or more of these pumps can be disposed in a thermally controlled pump assembly that includes a pump housing, a thermally conductive body disposed in the housing and including first and second opposing sides, and a temperature regulating element such as a thermoelectric device disposed in thermal contact with the thermally conductive body on a side thereof opposite to the barrel or barrels of the pumps.

Apparatus and method for handling fluids at nano-scale rates

According to one embodiment, apparatuses and methods are provided for connecting a light-guiding conduit to a microfluidic channel. First and second substrates with first surfaces can be provided, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second substrates form a microfluidic channel and a connection channel when the first surfaces are positioned together, and wherein the connection channel extends from an edge of the first surface of the first or second substrate to the microfluidic channel. The apparatus and method can also include bonding the first surfaces of the first and second substrates to form the microfluidic channel and the connection channel. A light-guiding conduit can be inserted into the connection channel such that the light-guiding conduit connects to the microfluidic channel and filling an area between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel for forming a liquid-tight seal between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Hugh Charles Crenshaw