Gregory A Townsend

US Patent:

20060089569, Apr 27, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/973317

Inventors:

Thomas Soukup - Plymouth MN, US
Gregory Townsend - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

A61M 25/00

US Classification:

600585000

Abstract:

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures are disclosed. An articulator in accordance with one exemplary embodiment comprises a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire. The third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire and the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire. A distal portion of the second wire is fixed to a distal portion of the second wire and a distal portion of the third wire is fixed to a distal portion of the first wire.

US Patent:

20060184105, Aug 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/058685

Inventors:

Gregory Townsend - Plymouth MN, US
Thomas Soukup - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

A61M 31/00

US Classification:

604093010, 604158000, 606108000

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for introducing diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents and devices within a mammalian body are disclosed. One disclosed apparatus comprises a sheath having a proximate end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween. An articulator is disposed in the lumen of the sheath. A distal portion of the sheath is detachably attached to a distal portion of the articulator at a joint. A separator capable of severing the joint is also provided. One disclosed method comprises the step of providing a device comprising a sheath disposed about an articulator with a distal portion of the sheath being fixed to the articulator at a joint. The device is inserted into a lumen of a body. The joint is severed and the articulator is withdrawn from the sheath.

US Patent:

20070135733, Jun 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/298548

Inventors:

Thomas Soukup - Maple Grove MN, US
Gregory Townsend - Plymouth MN, US
Mark Pederson - Minneapolis MN, US
William Kuester - Blaine MN, US

International Classification:

A61M 25/00
A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600585000, 604095040

Abstract:

The invention includes an assembly having a handle for articulating an articulator in an ergonomically improved manner. The handle can be adapted to articulate a distal portion of the articulator when squeezed. The handle can have at least one accessible attachment mechanism useful for reattachably attaching the articulator and the handle during a medical procedure. The invention also includes methods of making and using such a handle.