Joseph L Mark

US Patent:

54032768, Apr 4, 1995

Filed:

Feb 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/018045

Inventors:

Alan M. Schechter - Long Beach CA
Joseph L. Mark - Indianapolis IN
Frederick R. Stave - St. Joseph MI

Assignee:

Danek Medical, Inc. - Memphis TN

International Classification:

A61B 1720

US Classification:

604 22

Abstract:

An apparatus for minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cut-ting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue. Controllable valves and pressure transducers allow the operator to set and maintain the aspiration vacuum and irrigation pressure at optimum levels.

US Patent:

56698763, Sep 23, 1997

Filed:

Oct 6, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/319126

Inventors:

Alan M. Schechter - Long Beach CA
Joseph L. Mark - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Danek Medical, Inc. - Memphis TN

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604 50

Abstract:

A method and apparatus minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cutting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue. Controllable valves and pressure transducers allow the operator to set and maintain the aspiration vacuum and irrigation pressure at optimum levels.

US Patent:

56858400, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/486350

Inventors:

Alan M. Schechter - Long Beach CA
Frederick R. Stave - St. Joseph MI
Joseph L. Mark - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Danek Medical, Inc. - Memphis TN

International Classification:

A61B 1720

US Classification:

604 22

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cutting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue. Controllable valves and pressure transducers allow the operator to set and maintain the aspiration vacuum and irrigation pressure at optimum levels.

US Patent:

56433042, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/483385

Inventors:

Alan M. Schechter - Long Beach CA
Joseph P. Mark - Indianapolis IN
Frederick R. Stave - St. Joseph MI
Roger White - Memphis TN

Assignee:

Danek Medical, Inc. - Memphis TN

International Classification:

A61B 1732

US Classification:

606171

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cutting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue. Controllable valves and pressure transducers allow the operator to set and maintain the aspiration vacuum and irrigation pressure at optimum levels.