Imagyn Medical, Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

Allergan, Inc.

Other

Sonicstar International, Ltd.

Imagen Medical, Inc.

Steven R Bacich

Guy R Lowery

Tuoc Tan Nguyen

Albert C Ting

Gary M Woker

Hien V Nguyen

Robert James Siegel

Henry Nita

F Richard Christ

Eugene A DeCastro

Timothy R Willis

Stanley L Van Gent

John P Greelis

Keith Tholin

Jeffrey C Day

Dean K Pettit

Geoffrey Bond

Russell Pflueger

Otmar Bauer

David P Schickling

Manouchehr Miraki

Louis Seiler, Jr

Fred R Tietge

Robert Skribiski

John Patrick Greelis

Robert L Wilcox

David M Ciulei

Girma A Kebede

Pflueger, Russell

Ronald J Jabba

Robert J Elicker

Klaus Diedrich

Intraocular lenses and related assemblies and intraocular attachment methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an intraocular lens assembly comprises a helical-shaped coil fastener to affix an intraocular lens to an iris to correct for astigmatism, presbyopia, and/or myopia or hyperopia. The helical-shaped coil fastener comprises a head and a helical wire extending from a bottom surface of the head and comprising a pointed tip opposite the head. The helical-shaped coil fastener is configured to be affixed to the iris by rotatable penetration of the iris, and thus can be removed from the iris by reverse rotation of the helical-shaped coil fastener. The helical-shaped coil fastener has a low volume, large surface area, low cross-sectional area of penetration, and an oblique angle of penetration. Thus, the helical-shaped coil fastener is easy to apply, easy to remove, minimizes tissue damage, maximizes stability, and minimizes penetration force.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) and related assemblies and intraocular attachment methods

A laparoscopic introducer and method of use comprise a laparoscopic channel and a guide channel for a secondary instrument. Upon initial insertion of the introducer, the guide channel closely conforms to the body of the introducer so as to only negligibly increase the cross-sectional profile thereof. Following insertion, the guide channel can be distended by means of a dilator. Thus, the guide channel allows a secondary instrument to be inserted into the body to perform laparoscopic procedures wherein the instrument is inserted and utilized along the same longitudinal axis as the laparoscope. Thus, the number of laparoscopic ports are reduced and visual distortions associated with triangulation are avoided. The guide channel is constructed from an extremely thin, but very strong and noncompliant membrane which may also be reinforced by means of a force distribution mechanism. The guide channel may also be provided with guide rails or other tracking mechanisms to ensure accurate and secure advancement of the dilator or secondary instrument. The method of construction of the introducer and an apparatus and method for dilation are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for performing laparoscopy

A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having a distal end and an elongated flexible guidewire having proximal and distal ends. The guidewire includes a rounded enlargement between the ends of the guidewire. The guidewire is mounted on the catheter body for movement longitudinally relative to the catheter body between a first position in which the rounded enlargement is adjacent the distal end of the catheter body and a second position in which the rounded enlargement is located distally of the position the rounded enlargement occupies in the first position.

Catheter with guidewire and rounded enlargement and method

A surgical access device comprises an introducer with a main endoscopic channel and an auxiliary or secondary instrument channel. The introducer exhibits an extremely narrow cross-sectional profile in order to minimize the size of the portal or other entry point necessary to gain access into the patient's body, thereby minimizing pain and discomfort to the patient and allowing a wide variety of endoscopic procedures to be performed on an out-patient basis. The narrow profile of the introducer is maintained upon introduction by a guide channel which can be stored in a first position so as to closely conform to the profile of the introducer. The guide channel is provided with a set in order to maintain its stored position upon introduction; however, post introductively, the set in the guide channel can be readily released in order to deploy the guide channel and allow insertion of a secondary surgical instrument. The guide channel can be provided with rails or other tracks in order to ensure accurate movement of the instrument to the desired distal location. The guide channel is constructed from a thin but extremely strong and noncompliant membrane material. The present invention also comprises a method of construction and use of the surgical access device.

Surgical access device and method of constructing same

A surgical access device and method are provided for endoscopic surgeries comprising biopsies or other surgical cutting procedures. The device generally comprises a substantially rigid first channel associated with a first port and a second channel associated with a second port of a proximal housing. The first or main channel extends to a curved distal end of the device, and the second channel is connected to a guide channel extending tangential to the main channel. The guide channel comprises substantially noncompliant material and has a pre-insertion position such that a cross-section of an inserted portion of the device is substantially the same as a cross-section of the main channel. A preferred method of the present invention includes the use of an open-loop device formed at a distal tip of an introducer and an aspiration tube during the location, excision and removal of one or more tissue specimens.

Method and apparatus for performing biopsy

A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member. The method comprises advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage. The endoscope is provided in the lumen of the catheter with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter and being at a location for viewing the interior passage. The method includes relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member and viewing at least a portion of such zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope.

Catheter and endoscope system with distal protruding ball tip and method

An everting catheter system comprising an elongated outer tubular body having an outer body lumen and an opening leading from the outer body lumen, an elongated inner tubular body movable longitudinally in the outer body lumen and having an inner body lumen and an everting element coupled to the outer body and the inner body so that with movement of the inner body longitudinally in the outer body lumen the everting element can be everted and inverted. The system also includes an elongated instrument, such as a transfer catheter, movable longitudinally in the inner body lumen relative to the inner body. A coupling releasably couples the instrument to the outer body in a substantially fixed longitudinal position with respect to the outer body.

Everting catheter system and method of utilizing the same

An ultrasonic angioplasty device comprising an elongate ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end attachable to an ultrasound generating device and a bulbous distal head or probe formed on the distal end thereof for effecting ablative treatment of an occluding lesion. The ultrasound transmission member may be formed of one or more superelastic metal alloys such as NiTi (50 at. % Ni). A guidewire lumen may be formed in the distal head or probe to permit passage of a guidewire therethrough. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be curved or bent. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be tapered or narrowed. One or more surface disruptions may be formed on the distal head or probe to improve treatment efficacy. An increased hardness coating or outer skin may be formed on the ultrasound transmission member. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into an angioscopic device.

Ultrasonic angioplasty device having surface disruptions

A method of depositing reproductive material into the reproductive tract of a female comprising inserting an elongated transfer catheter into the reproductive tract of a female. The transfer catheter includes an elongated catheter body having an elongated passage extending through the catheter body and terminating in a distal opening at a distal end of the catheter body. The distal opening opens both axially and laterally of the catheter body. The method also includes introducing the reproductive biological material through the passage and the distal opening of the catheter body into the reproductive tract.

Catheter and method for depositing reproductive material into the

Ultrasonic angioplasty device incorporating an ultrasound transmission

A catheter for fallopian tube access comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal region, a distal end and an elongated passage extending from the proximal region to the distal end. The elongated passage terminates in a distal opening at the distal end. The catheter body has an enlarged distal body portion and the distal opening is on the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a deflecting surface in the elongated passage adjacent the distal opening for directing a member or fluid passed through the elongated passage out of the distal opening along a path having a component which extends laterally of the catheter body.

Catheter with angled ball tip for fallopian tube access and method

An everting catheter system which includes an elongated outer catheter having an outer catheter lumen and an opening, an elongated inner catheter movable in the outer catheter lumen and having the inner catheter lumen adapted to receive an elongated instrument and an everting element coupled to the outer catheter and the inner catheter. With movement of the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen, the everting element can be everted through the opening of the outer catheter. A controller is coupled to the inner catheter for moving the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen and for moving the instrument in the inner catheter lumen.

Controller for manipulation of instruments within a catheter

A catheter comprising an elongated, flexible catheter body having a distal end portion which is curved in an unstressed condition. The catheter body has a through lumen and a mandrel lumen. A mandrel is provided in the mandrel lumen, and the mandrel has a distal end portion configured to at least partially straighten the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body. The mandrel is movable between an extended position in which the mandrel at least partially straightens the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body and a retracted position in which the catheter body is more curved than in the extended position of the mandrel.

Catheter with internal mandrel and method

A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.

Method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube

A method of tubal recanalization comprising advancing an everting catheter adapted for dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient. The everting catheter includes an endoscope lumen and the endoscope is within the endoscope lumen. The everting element is everted to a location within the stenosis and is then expanded to reduce the stenosis. When the tubal passage has been opened sufficiently, the everting element is retracted. The site of the stenosis is viewed using the endoscope and such viewing may be carried out prior to expansion of the everting element to locate the site as well as after the everting element has been retracted.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

Steven R Bacich