Taurus Tetraconcepts, Inc.

Apollo Camera, L.l.c.

Origin Medsystems, Inc.

Eclipse Surgical Technologies, Inc.

Other

Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Fmc Corporation

Heartport, Inc.

Logitech, Inc.

The Burke Company

Advanced Warming Systems, Inc.

Solid State Timer, Ltd.

Robert L Lathrop, Jr

Richard Dean Phipps

Donald R Reichel

John I Shipp

Rick E Emerson

Rick J Kaufmann

Charles T Groswith, Iii

Robert J Hayes

John F Stewart

Albert K Chin

Richard L Mueller

Bruce J Richardson

Stuart D Harman

Loren D Stirling

George Crothall

David C Forster

James M Sklenar

Frederick H Moll

James E Wiley

Hanson S Gifford, Iii

Michi E Garrison

Daniel C Rosenman

William S Peters

Brian S Donlon

Philip A Torbet

Wiley Alan Kittrell

Gerald R Anderson

Sean Christopher Daniel

David N McVicar

Ronald K Lion

Jack A Holt

Peter G LaHaye

Carlos Marchis

James B Mullin

The clip applier of the current invention solves the problems of prior art tools by incorporating a pre-clamp mechanism, the function of which is to pre-clamp the vessel to be ligated to a dimension such that the center leg of the spring of the ligation clip need be lifted only slightly. In this manner the spring clip can be slid over the smaller pre-clamped dimension. This insures that the clip spring material will remain within its elastic limit while allowing the tool to maintain a low profile for use in endoscopic surgery, even on large diameter vessels.

Surgical ligation clip and method for use thereof

Improved methods and devices related to laser-assisted transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), and more particularly, to improved methods and devices for creating branched TMR channels through myocardium in which a single opening is made in an epicardial surface with a plurality of channel branches, having predetermined geometries extending into and through myocardium, depending therefrom. A method of creating branched TMR channels comprises piercing an epicardial surface mechanically or with laser energy, directing laser energy through the opening in a first predetermined angular orientation with respect to the epicardial surface to create a first channel and delivering laser energy in a second predetermined angular orientation to create a second branch. A plurality of branches can thus be created in a single channel structure. A guide block device allows an opening to be made in an epicardial surface mechanically or with laser energy and provides a structure for directing laser energy into myocardium in a plurality of channels depending from the opening. Rotating guide devices and finger held devices with rotating head means include a hand held device with an elongated wand-like handle portion, a rotating head portion and a hollow guide needle means. Preferred embodiments further comprise a laser delivery means advancing mechanism and guide needle rotating means.

Contiguous, branched transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) channel,

Method of ligating a vessel or duct

The invention provides devices and methods for suture placement while performing less invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides for the placement of sutures within the heart or a great vessel that is accessed from outside the closed chest. According to one exemplary method, the patient's heart valve is accessed through an intercostal port in the patient's chest. At least one needle having a suture is then directed into the annulus while visualizing through the port placement of the needle into the annulus. The needle is then passed through the annulus.

Endoscopic suturing devices and methods

Low profile tool for applying spring action ligation clips

Automated diagnostic assay machine

A surgical ligation clip is preformed from a continuous piece of metal wire to assume a shape having a reduced cross-sectional area. A clamping arm of the clip is alternately moveable from a clamped to an unclamped position above a vessel support member. A tension coil joins the vessel support member to the clamping arm and provides the hemostatic clamping force from the clip to the targeted blood vessel.

Method of applying a surgical ligation clip

The invention provides an apparatus and method for manipulating parts of the body in surgical procedures, particularly useful for peritoneal distension in laparoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a positionable support structure having an extendible horizontal arm rotatably mounted to an extendible vertical post, the post having a clamp at its lower end for mounting to a surgical table. An end segment at the distal end of the horizontal arm has a mount for mounting end-of-arm tooling, for example, peritoneal distension instruments. Locking mechanisms are disposed in the horizontal arm, vertical post and end segment to lock the support structure in a desired position. A motor is disposed within the vertical post for power-assisted extension and retraction of the vertical post. Preferably, the locking mechanisms and motor are controllable using switches mounted on the end segment. The method comprises providing a support structure as described mounted to a surgical table, positioning the distal end of the horizontal arm over a patient on the table, activating locking mechanisms in the horizontal arm and vertical post to lock the support structure in position, attaching peritoneal distension instruments to the distal end of the horizontal arm, and vertically extending the vertical post while the horizontal arm remains locked relative to the post, thereby distending the peritoneum of the patient.

Peritoneal distension robotic arm

An improved track ball which can be conveniently manipulated with a single hand is disclosed. The track ball protrudes through a circular opening in a housing, with the top edge of the housing having a rounded switch. The switch can thus be manipulated with the fingers while the palm or thumb of the hand is manipulating the track ball. The housing is mounted at an angle to the side of a computer keyboard, providing for easy access. The track ball housing can be rotated to any continuous angle through two angles of rotation by the user. A tetrahedron support arrangement holds the ball in place at any angle. The same housing can be used for either the right or left sides of a keyboard by simply switching the activating point on the switch. An encoder wheel is attached by a shaft to the ball and has a number of slots extending from its center to its edge. The slots are rectangular in shape, and do not have edges along radial lines as in the prior art encoder wheels.

Track ball mounted on keyboard

Hypothermia therapy apparatus comprises an inflatable blanket having a cavity therein, and a neck extending outwardly of the perimeter of the blanket body, the interior of the neck being in communication with the cavity. A nozzle is also provided, the forward portion of the nozzle being receivable in the outer end of the neck, and the rearward portion of the nozzle is connectable with a source of air. The nozzle includes an engagement mechanism for engaging at least a portion of the exterior surface of the neck. The engagement mechanism comprises a spring clip normally biased in the closed position and selectively openable to receive a portion of the neck thereunder. The forward portion of the nozzle is frusto-conical to facilitate insertion into the open end of the neck, and the neck is dimensioned to loosely engage the intermediate portion of the nozzle. A connector is provided for removably connecting an air hose to the rearward portion of the nozzle. The nozzle and the connector are rotatable relative to each other about their longitudinal axes, to prevent twisting of the blanket when the nozzle is attached to the neck.

Inflatable blanket and nozzle therefor

A binding apparatus having a base portion and a binding mechanism is disclosed which binds a stack of punched paper sheets with a plastic binding element having an elongated linear spine and integral spaced resilient curled fingers extending from the spine. The binding mechanism includes a fixed binding comb and a series of push fingers. The binding comb has a series of upstanding fixed spaced pickets having sufficient clearance between each other to allow the binding element curled fingers to be manually shifted laterally relative to the fixed pickets such that each of the curled fingers surrounds a portion of the push fingers. The binding mechanism also has a device for moving the push fingers outwardly from the pickets to uncurl the curled fingers so that a stack of punched paper sheets can be placed on the uncurled fingers.

Punched paper sheets binding apparatus

A paper punch and binding apparatus has two punch mechanisms, one for punching round holes in a paper sheets stack and one for punching rectangular holes in another paper sheets stack. A single lever or crank simultaneously operates and drives a series of round end punches to shear the round holes and a punch plate with integral rectangular punch elements shear rectangular holes. A four-bar linkage connects the lever to the punch plate and the series of the punches in a manner that both the plate and punches are driven in a vertical straight line and with a greater mechanical advantage at the start and over the first increments of the punching operation. In a preferred embodiment, a binding station is provided in an apparatus base portion particularly for binding with a Douvry-type plastic resilient loops binding element. The binding station has an operating knob which operates a simple gear interconnect train for uncurling the resilient loops and allowing the punched hole stack to be inserted thereon. In an additional embodiment two rows of large and smaller diameter punches are provided in one round punch mechanism with an apertured translatable bar for rendering inoperative one or the other of these rows of punches.

Paper sheets punching apparatus

Loose leaf paper punch

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Robert L Lathrop, Jr