Biopath Automation, LLC

Tendon Technology, Ltd.

Cardiovascular Technologies, Inc.

Origin Medsystems, Inc.

Vining Industries, Inc.

Guild Associates, Inc.

Monaco Coach Corporation

Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc.

Ortheon Medical L.l.c.

Medtronic, Inc.

Maquet Cardiovascular LLC

Holiday Rambler Corporation

Floshield, Inc.

Thomas J Ward

Warren P Williamson, Iv

Paul A Spence

Craig B Berky

Matthew J Huddleston

Cecil R Robinson

George T Christakis

Stephen P Whitlatch

George A Keller

Douglas P Allen

Kenneth E Hughes

Carl R Coleman

Dominic P DiNovo

Lawrence M Lubbers

Diana W Juratovac

Joseph E Young

Jeremy David Jarrett

Wayne Lyle Poll

Rainer B Teufel

Anthony J DiBiagio

Adam Landis

Caroline M Crisafulli

Mark Goldin

Gordon G Hastings

Todd C Krenelka

E Dale VanHoose

Mark S Ortiz

Jonathan L Podmore

Michael Francis Wei

Thomas A Kramer

John W Davis

Andrew F Knight

David J Fink

Geoffrey H Willis

Brian Schumacher

William J Christy

Peter L Callas

Paul R Burger

Timothy J McCoy

William J Post

Mary R Holt

Marty J Warnecke

Delbert Ted Leimbach

Bradley D Blackwood

Rebeccah P Quam

Nickola Symone Lewis

Terence Lee Murphy

Perry DeFazio

Dominic P Dinovo

Jonathan E Turner

Ernest D Vanhoose

Jonathan Eric Turner

Warren Williamson, Iv

Salvatore T DiNovo

Warren P Williamson Iv

Keith A Kuisick

Joel C Preston

Stephen Whitlach

Ernest D VanHoose

Matthrew J Huddleston

Warren N Williamson

Warren P Iv Williamson

A view optimizing assembly for use with a laparoscope includes an elongate cylindrical body configured to hold a laparoscope therein and a deflector assembly attached to the elongate cylindrical body. The elongate cylindrical body includes a plurality of channels in a wall thereof, and the plurality of channels are configured to allow a flow of fluid or gas therethrough. The deflector assembly is configured to circumferentially enclose a distal end of the laparoscope and extend beyond the distal end of the laparoscope. The deflector assembly includes a plurality of passageways within a wall thereof, and each passageway is aligned with a different channel of the elongate cylindrical body so as to direct the flow of gas or fluid exiting the channels across a lens of the laparoscope in a plurality of different flow paths.

Device for maintaining visualization with surgical scopes

A method of staging a tissue sample cassette, including a cassette body and a lid, from an upper position in a frame used during a tissue embedding process to a lower position in the frame. The method comprises coupling the cassette with the frame such that the cassette is in the upper position and positively stopped at the upper position by first structure on a wall of the frame. The cassette is moved relative to the frame to the lower position by selectively engaging the cassette with a staging mechanism. An external force is applied to the cassette with the staging mechanism in a direction to move the cassette from the upper position toward the lower position. The cassette is retained in the lower position using second structure on the wall of the frame, such that the cassette is exposed for embedding the cassette in an embedding medium and subsequently slicing the tissue sample embedded in the embedding medium.

Method of staging a tissue sample cassette

The present application discloses several embodiments of a devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to deliver at least one fluid to the objective lens of the laparoscope to clean and/or defog the objective lens of the laparoscope without the need to remove the laparoscope from the surgical field. In additional embodiments, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to create leakage or venting of gas from the body cavity so as to ensure continuous gas flow from an insufflator.

A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

Cassette for handling and holding tissue samples during processing, embedding and microtome procedures, and methods therefor

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.

Tissue cassette for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples

An apparatus for anchoring in soft tissue generally includes an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of soft tissue and a first helical anchor configured for insertion within the interior of the soft tissue. The first helical anchor extends along a lengthwise axis of rotation and includes a proximal coil extending around the axis and a distal coil portion ending in a distal tip. The proximal coil defines an outer diameter adjacent to the distal coil portion, and the distal tip is positioned radially outward of the outer diameter. A drive member is coupled with the first helical anchor such that the drive member may be used to rotate the first helical anchor into the soft tissue.

Soft tissue anchor and methods and apparatus for securing soft tissue

The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the 'V' to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.

Cassette and embedding assembly for handling and holding tissue samples during processing, embedding and microtome procedures, staging devices therefor, and methods therefor

Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

Apparatus and methods for tendon or ligament repair

Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples

Cassette and embedding assembly for handling and holding tissue samples during processing, embedding and microtome procedures, staging devices therefore, and methods therefor

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

Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor structures connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon-to-bone repair apparatus and methods are also disclosed employing similar concepts. Tendon retrieval devices include helical members for rotating into a tendon end and subsequently moving the tendon to an appropriate operating position.

Apparatus and methods for securing tendons or ligaments to bone

Sheath tip for maintaining surgical scope visualization

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Thomas J Ward