John P Shanahan

US Patent:

6604003, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Sep 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/948409

Inventors:

Raymond Fredricks - Nashua NH
John Shanahan - Medford MA

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Shaffhausen

International Classification:

A61F 712

US Classification:

607 99, 607101, 606 27, 606 29

Abstract:

A system and method for approaching the intervertebral disc through a percutaneous insertion from the back of a patient for thermal or electromagnetic treatment of an intervertebral disc, includes an elongated probe member having a guidable region adjacent its distal end with an undulating groove defined in its outer surface. The undulating groove is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one radial direction of movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the thermal probe. Preferably, the guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves, whereby adjacent undulating grooves are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The undulating grooves each define a sinusoidal configuration which may be arranged about an undulating axis extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis. The guidable region also includes a longitudinally extending backbone which resists bending of the guidable region in a radial direction of movement. The apparatus may also include a cannula to facilitate introduction of the thermal probe into the intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

6980862, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

May 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/439881

Inventors:

Raymond Fredricks - Nashua NH, US
John Shanahan - Medford MA, US

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61F007/12
A61F002/00

US Classification:

607 99, 607101, 606 27, 606 29

Abstract:

A system and method for approaching the intervertebral disc through a percutaneous insertion from the back of a patient for thermal or electromagnetic treatment of an intervertebral disc, includes an elongated probe member having a guidable region adjacent its distal end with an undulating groove defined in its outer surface. The undulating groove is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one radial direction of movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the thermal probe. Preferably, the guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves, whereby adjacent undulating grooves are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The undulating grooves each define a sinusoidal configuration which may be arranged about an undulating axis extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis. The guidable region also includes a longitudinally extending backbone which resists bending of the guidable region in a radial direction of movement. The apparatus may also include a cannula to facilitate introduction of the thermal probe into the intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

7702397, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Nov 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/266569

Inventors:

Raymond Fredricks - Nashua NH, US
John Shanahan - Medford MA, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG - Neuhausen am Rheinfall

International Classification:

A61F 7/12

US Classification:

607 99, 607101, 606 27, 606 29

Abstract:

A system and method for approaching the intervertebral disc through a percutaneous insertion from the back of a patient for thermal or electromagnetic treatment of an intervertebral disc, includes an elongated probe member having a guidable region adjacent its distal end with an undulating groove defined in its outer surface. The undulating groove is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one radial direction of movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the thermal probe. Preferably, the guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves, whereby adjacent undulating grooves are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The undulating grooves each define a sinusoidal configuration which may be arranged about an undulating axis extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis. The guidable region also includes a longitudinally extending backbone which resists bending of the guidable region in a radial direction of movement. The apparatus may also include a cannula to facilitate introduction of the thermal probe into the intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

20100274243, Oct 28, 2010

Filed:

Apr 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/754046

Inventors:

Raymond Fredricks - Nashua NH, US
John Shanahan - Medford MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 41

Abstract:

An elongated probe member is disclosed. The elongated probe member comprises proximal and distal ends, an outer wall, and a guidable region. The elongated probe member includes an internal lumen and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The guidable region is adjacent the distal end of the elongated probe member. The guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves.

US Patent:

20210386445, Dec 16, 2021

Filed:

Jun 9, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/343157

Inventors:

John H. Burban - St. Paul MN, US
Peter Joseph Catalano - Newton MA, US
John W. Shanahan - White Bear Lake MN, US
Michael R. Spearman - The Woodlands TX, US
Craig J. Cuta - Stillwater MN, US
Keith A. Roberts - Dellwood MN, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/24
A61M 1/00

Abstract:

A method and means effectively evacuates smoke plumes, vapors, aerosol release, mists, tissue and small particles produced from an operative nasal cavity and any other gas- or air-borne materials provided in or produced in the surgical environment. To this end, an evacuator tube is placed in the contralateral (suction) nasal cavity surrounded by a sealing member which blocks the space between the evacuator tube and nares and/or nasal vestibule.