Michael C Castro

US Patent:

53124200, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Oct 9, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/959301

Inventors:

Kenneth E. Toso - Portchester NY
Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1706

US Classification:

606138

Abstract:

A surgical apparatus for removing fasteners from the body includes a pair of fastener removing members which are configured and dimensioned to contact the legs of a fastener to be removed. The legs are then forced apart so as to caused the fastener legs to deform to a configuration suitable for removable from the body.

US Patent:

57557322, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Feb 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/799753

Inventors:

David T. Green - Westport CT
Salvatore Castro - Seymour CT
Carlo A. Mililli - Huntington CT
Keith Ratcliff - Sandy Hook CT
Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1732

US Classification:

606170

Abstract:

The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.

US Patent:

54703387, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Oct 8, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/134144

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Whitfield - New Haven CT
Ian M. Scott - Ridgefield CT
Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606144

Abstract:

A novel surgical instrument for applying sutures through body tissue including an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, at least one needle carrier member operatively mounted in the distal end portion and movable between at least a retracted position and a deployed position, a needle releasably retained in the at least one needle carrier member, a predetermined length of suture material having one end affixed to the needle, and a suture material tensioning member disposed within the elongated body for maintaining the suture material in tension during movement of the at least one needle carrier member from the retracted position to the deployed position the suture material. The instrument may also include a retaining mechanism adapted to retain the at least one needle carrier in the partially deployed position, and a needle skewing mechanism operatively associated with an actuator member to change the alignment thereof relative to the retaining member. A deployment indicator may be provided to indicate to an operator of the instrument When the at least one needle carrier member is in the second position.

US Patent:

56204582, Apr 15, 1997

Filed:

Mar 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/213963

Inventors:

David T. Green - Westport CT
Salvatore Castro - Seymour CT
Carlo A. Mililli - Huntington CT
Keith Ratcliff - Sandy Hook CT
Michael Castro - Seymour CT

Assignee:

United States Surgical Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606198

Abstract:

The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.