George Emmett Morrison

US Patent:

6478791, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Dec 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/470906

Inventors:

Garry L. Carter - Pleasanton CA
David C. Densow - Livermore CA
John P. Claude - San Carlos CA
Paul L. Do - San Jose CA
George A. Morrison - Foster City CA

Assignee:

SURX, Inc. - Livermore CA

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606 1, 606139

Abstract:

Improved devices, methods, and systems for the surgical treatment of urinary incontinence generally enhance the support provided by the natural tissues of the pelvic floor without directly applying compressive pressure against the urethra. The invention provides probes for forming plications in the endopelvic fascia that are displaced laterally on either side of the midline. These probes can impose a predetermined level of trauma to the plicated tissues so as to promote the formation of adhesions. Adhesions can maintain the enhanced support provided by the plication after reabsorption of a temporary fastener (such as a reasborbable suture, staple, or the like). The plicating probe draws the tissue inward to provide a uniform plication within a predetermined size range.

US Patent:

6751507, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Jul 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/901796

Inventors:

George A. Morrison - Foster City CA
Garry L. Carter - Pleasanton CA
Timothy G. Dietz - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Solarant Medical, Inc. - Livermore CA

International Classification:

A61F 200

US Classification:

607101, 607 98, 606 41

Abstract:

Methods, devices, and systems for treating the support structures of the body, particularly for incontinence, take advantage of two mechanisms to enhance the support provided by the fascia, ligaments and tendons: first, the invention increases a modulus of elasticity of these tissues, and particularly of the fascial tissues. The increase in modulus can be effected by directing sufficient energy to the fascial tissue so as to promote the formation of scar tissue. The second mechanism attaches tissue planes together, often by directing energy to an interface between adjacent fascial tissues.

US Patent:

7189232, Mar 13, 2007

Filed:

May 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/433272

Inventors:

John A. Scholl - Danville CA, US
Duane W. Marion - Santa Clara CA, US
George A. Morrison - Redwood City CA, US
Jeffrey A. Smith - Petaluma CA, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 47, 606 45

Abstract:

An electrosurgical electrode assembly having a cutting device including a catheter with a proximal and distal end, and an electrode carried on the distal end of the catheter. A controller is connected to the cutting device. A data acquisition system is connected to the controller and is capable of monitoring voltage and current output. A microprocessor may also be connected to the data acquisition system for processing voltage and current data from the data acquisition system. A generator is also connected to the data acquisition system. The controller initiates movement of the electrode upon arc initiation at the electrode. Methods of using the devices herein are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7317949, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Apr 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/828027

Inventors:

George A. Morrison - Foster City CA, US
Garry L. Carter - Pleasanton CA, US
Timothy G. Dietz - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

AMS Research Corporation - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

607101, 607 98, 606 34

Abstract:

Methods, devices, and systems for treating the support structures of the body, particularly for incontinence, take advantage of two mechanisms to enhance the support provided by the fascia, ligaments and tendons: first, the invention increases a modulus of elasticity of these tissues, and particularly of the fascial tissues. The increase in modulus can be effected by directing sufficient energy to the fascial tissue so as to promote the formation of scar tissue. The second mechanism attaches tissue planes together, often by directing energy to an interface between adjacent fascial tissues.

US Patent:

7534242, May 19, 2009

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/374582

Inventors:

Eric L. Buehlmann - Redwood City CA, US
George A. Morrison - San Mateo CA, US
Robert J. Laird - Pinole CA, US

Assignee:

Artemis Medical, Inc. - Hayward CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18
A61B 10/00

US Classification:

606 41, 600564, 606 45

Abstract:

A tissue-separating catheter assembly comprises a rotatable shaft, having a distal shaft portion, and a tissue separator device extending along the shaft. The tissue separator device has a distal separator part at the distal shaft portion movable between a retracted state, towards the distal shaft portion, and an outwardly extending, operational state, away from the distal shaft portion. A pivot joint may be used to pivotally connect the distal separator end to the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion may comprise a distally-facing transition surface at a proximal end of the distal shaft portion. First and second energizable tissue separator elements may be used at the transition surface and the tip of the device, respectively.

US Patent:

7846159, Dec 7, 2010

Filed:

May 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/434632

Inventors:

George A. Morrison - San Mateo CA, US
Robert J. Laird - Pinole CA, US
Eric L. Buehlmann - Redwood City CA, US
Christine P. Ventura - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Artemis Medical, Inc. - Hayward CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 45, 606 41

Abstract:

A tissue-separating catheter assembly comprises a rotatable shaft, having a distal shaft portion, and a tissue separator device extending along the shaft. The tissue separator device has a distal separator part at the distal shaft portion movable between a retracted state, towards the distal shaft portion, and an outwardly extending, operational state, away from the distal shaft portion. A localization device is movable to a radially expanded state. An expandable tubular element is movable so that its outer end is generally axially aligned with the localization device so to capture a separated tissue section therebetween to aid removal of the separated tissue section from the patient.

US Patent:

8469955, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421168

Inventors:

Eric L. Buehlmann - Redwood City CA, US
George A. Morrison - San Mateo CA, US
Robert J. Laird - Pinole CA, US

Assignee:

Artemis Medical, Inc. - Hayward CA

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 45, 600564, 606 47

Abstract:

A tissue-separating catheter assembly comprises a rotatable shaft, having a distal shaft portion, and a tissue separator device extending along the shaft. The tissue separator device has a distal separator part at the distal shaft portion movable between a retracted state, towards the distal shaft portion, and an outwardly extending, operational state, away from the distal shaft portion. A pivot joint may be used to pivotally connect the distal separator end to the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion may comprise a distally-facing transition surface at a proximal end of the distal shaft portion. First and second energizable tissue separator elements may be used at the transition surface and the tip of the device, respectively.

US Patent:

20030083656, May 1, 2003

Filed:

Nov 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/045657

Inventors:

George Morrison - San Mateo CA, US
William Dubrul - Redwood City CA, US
Robert Laird - Pinole CA, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/045000

Abstract:

A tissue separator assembly includes a proximal end assembly, typically a handle, and a catheter assembly, including a shaft and a tissue separator movable between a retracted state and an outwardly extending, operational state. An energy source may be selectively coupled to the tissue separator element. The tissue separator element may be moved to the operational state and then automatically rotated to separate a tissue section from the surrounding tissue. A tissue holding element may be used to help secure a separated tissue section to the catheter assembly. A tubular braided element may be used to surround the tissue separator element and any separated tissue section.