Gheorghe B Mihalca from 21187 Sand Dollar Trl, Lewes, DE 19958, age 73, Phone: 5088731784

Us Patents

Hermetic Bonding
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US Patent:

20080086033, Apr 10, 2008
Filed:

Oct 5, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/539160
Inventors:

Gheorghe Mihalca - North Chelmsford MA, US
Assignee:

SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. - Memphis TN
International Classification:

A61B 1/06
US Classification:

600160
Abstract:

A device includes a first member including a first material, an optical window, and a second member including a second material dissimilar to the first material, wherein the second member is bonded to the optical window and explosion welded to the first member. An implementation of the device includes an autoclavable medical device including an aluminum body, a stainless steel bridge explosion welded to the body, and a sapphire window bonded to the bridge. A method of manufacturing the device is also disclosed.

Surgical Handpiece For Endoscopic Resection
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US Patent:

20110245599, Oct 6, 2011
Filed:

Sep 30, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/894828
Inventors:

Paul Robert Duhamel - Groton MA, US
Gheorghe Mihalca - North Chelmsford MA, US
Yuri E. Kazakevich - Newton MA, US
Paul C. Young - North Andover MA, US
Assignee:

Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Andover MA
International Classification:

A61M 1/00
A61B 1/018
US Classification:

600104, 604319
Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a surgical handpiece including an insert removably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the insert is configured to allow aspiration of fluid and tissue through the insert during a surgical procedure. Other surgical handpieces and a method for the removal of tissue during an endoscopic procedure are also disclosed.

Endoscope With Focusing Mechanism
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US Patent:

55757570, Nov 19, 1996
Filed:

Oct 9, 1992
Appl. No.:

7/958688
Inventors:

John E. Kennedy - Lowell MA
Paul V. Lucey - Sandown NH
Yury E. Kazakevich - Methuen MA
Gheorghe Mihalca - Chelmsford MA
Gary D. Henley - Yukon OK
Clifford A. Dowdy - Piedmont OK
Assignee:

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy Inc. - Andover MA
International Classification:

A61B 100
US Classification:

600167
Abstract:

An endoscope includes a focusing mechanism having a focus control element at a proximal end of the endoscope and a mechanical coupling connecting the focus control element to an image transmitting device (e. g. , an electro-optical sensor or one or more optical fibres) mounted at a distal end of an elongated insertion section of the endoscope. Rotation of the focus control element moves the image transmitting device with respect to a lens assembly of the endoscope to focus the image received by the lens assembly. The focus control element may be disengaged from the mechanical coupling by pulling it axially along the length of the insertion section whereby the focusing mechanism may be easily disassembled.

Endoscopic Instrumentation With Working Channel
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US Patent:

61296619, Oct 10, 2000
Filed:

Apr 9, 1998
Appl. No.:

9/057952
Inventors:

Mark Iafrati - Potomac MD
Gheorghe Mihalca - North Chelmsford MA
Assignee:

Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Memphis TN
International Classification:

A61B 1012
US Classification:

600121
Abstract:

An endoscope includes a housing having a working channel extending therethrough; an elongated insertion section mounted to the housing and having a distal end to be attached on the housing so as to cover a portion of the elongated insertion section. The sheath creates and maintains a working space at the surgical site.

Through-Wall Catheter Steering And Positioning
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US Patent:

59065796, May 25, 1999
Filed:

Aug 14, 1997
Appl. No.:

8/907824
Inventors:

Thomas J. Vander Salm - Worcester MA
A. Alan Conlan - Worcester MA
Yuri E. Kazakevich - Andover MA
Steven W. Ek - Bolton MA
Gheorghe Mihalca - Chelmsford MA
Assignee:

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Inc. - Andover MA
University of Massachusetts - Worcester MA
International Classification:

A61B 100
US Classification:

600424
Abstract:

A method of positioning a catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter. The catheter is inserted in a passage and sensed through the luminal wall to correctly determine its position. As applied to prevent hemorrhage during surgery the method involves inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted sensing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the already-positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. In one aspect, a flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned at the tip or in the vicinity of the balloon. The light is divergent and is emitted at one or more points to provide beacons that are readily detected through the walls of a blood vessel and permit a direct determination of the exact location of the balloon within the vessel. Rather than a flow-directed balloon catheter, a drug-delivery or other catheter may be used.

Intravascular Catheter And Method Of Controlling Hemorrhage During Minimally Invasive Surgery
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US Patent:

59041471, May 18, 1999
Filed:

Aug 16, 1996
Appl. No.:

8/696572
Inventors:

A. Alan Conlan - Worcester MA
Yuri E. Kazakevich - Andover MA
Steven W. Ek - Bolton MA
Gheorghe Mihalca - Chelmsford MA
Assignee:

University of Massachusetts - Worcester MA
Smith& Nephew Endoscopy, Inc. - Andover MA
International Classification:

A61B19/00
US Classification:

128899
Abstract:

A catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter, is positioned to prevent hemorrhage during surgery by inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted viewing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the previously positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. A flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned in the vicinity of the balloon. The light is emitted transversely, and preferably omnidirectionally at one or more points with a sufficient brightness to provide beacons that are readily detected through the walls of a blood vessel and permit a direct determination of the exact location of the balloon within the vessel. Rather than a flow-directed balloon catheter, a drug-delivery or other catheter may be used. In that case the light emitting regions are located at or adjacent to one or more drug delivery ports or other active areas in the catheter.

Stereoscopic Imaging By Alternately Blocking Light
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US Patent:

59646969, Oct 12, 1999
Filed:

Oct 24, 1996
Appl. No.:

8/740206
Inventors:

Gheorghe Mihalca - Chelmsford MA
Yuri E. Kazakevich - Andover MA
Assignee:

Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Memphis TN
International Classification:

A61B 104
US Classification:

600166
Abstract:

A stereoscopic imaging device is described that attaches to an instrument, such as an endoscope or a borescope, which is characterized by an exit pupil in the vicinity of its proximal region. The imaging device includes a dual aperture plate and an optical switch that are disposed within a housing that attaches to the proximal region of the instrument. The dual aperture plate defines right and left, spaced-apart apertures respectively disposed at symmetric locations substantially in the plane of the exit pupil of the instrument. The optical switch alternately blocks light received from the instrument and passing through the right and left optical channels so that a stereoscopic view can be generated.