Michael O Drews

US Patent:

6706048, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/969989

Inventors:

George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Jose de la Pena - Lomas Virreyes, MX
Roger de la Torre - Wentzville MO
Thomas Howell - Palo Alto CA
Roger Khouri - Key Biscayne FL
David Willis - Palo Alto CA
Michael Drews - Sacramento CA

Assignee:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA

International Classification:

A61B 1710

US Classification:

606139

Abstract:

Tissue approximation devices for the minimally invasive approximation of muscle or fascia, such as approximation of the rectus muscles in the abdomen (abdominoplasty), or hernia repair and other such applications using minimally invasive methods to access and perform the procedures thereby reducing or eliminating visible scars.

US Patent:

6939365, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Mar 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/379311

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Sacramento CA, US
Neil Holmgren - Alameda CA, US
D. Bruce Modesitt - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Arbor Surgical Technologies, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

A61B017/06

US Classification:

606227, 606228, 623 21

Abstract:

A fixturing assembly is provided that includes a needle and a fixturing device. The needle includes a first sharpened end and a second end including a can. The fixturing device includes an elongate filament having first and second ends, and an enlarged fixturing device on the first end of the filament. The second end of the filament is held by the can by frictional resistance, the second end of the filament being removable from the can when a tensile force is applied between the needle and the second end of the filament that exceeds the frictional resistance. For example, the can may include a coil, corrugations, or a roughened inner surface to removably hold the end of the fixturing device.

US Patent:

7481821, Jan 27, 2009

Filed:

Nov 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/293139

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Sacramento CA, US
D. Bruce Modesitt - San Carlos CA, US
Neil Holmgren - Alameda CA, US
David B. Willis - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

606194, 604107

Abstract:

Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7981153, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Mar 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/080009

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Sacramento CA, US
Neil Holmgren - Alameda CA, US
D. Bruce Modesitt - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Fridley MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 238, 623 126, 623 211, 623910

Abstract:

A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

US Patent:

8021421, Sep 20, 2011

Filed:

Aug 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/646639

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Sacramento CA, US
Ernest Lane - Huntington Beach CA, US
Neil Holmgren - Chicago IL, US
Federico Guiterrez - Pacifica CA, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 238, 623 241

Abstract:

A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.

US Patent:

8025695, Sep 27, 2011

Filed:

Jan 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/355429

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Sacramento CA, US
Neil Holmgren - Alameda CA, US
D. Bruce Modesitt - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 238, 623 214, 623 218

Abstract:

A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.

US Patent:

8147504, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

May 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/115543

Inventors:

Takashi Harry Ino - San Jose CA, US
Michael J. Drews - Palo Alto CA, US
Donnell W. Gurskis - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 17/10
B25C 5/04
B25C 5/08

US Classification:

606143, 606142, 2271751, 227 82

Abstract:

A fastener delivery tool includes a belt including pairs of features for releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state defining a loop. The tool includes a loading chamber for receiving a fastener from the belt, a retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber, an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber, a handle including an actuator, and a tongue and pusher member coupled to the actuator. Activation of the actuator advances the tongue to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a U-shaped constrained state, and advances the pusher member to direct the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track.

US Patent:

8226664, Jul 24, 2012

Filed:

Mar 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/403605

Inventors:

Michael J. Drews - Palo Alto CA, US
Dennis Westerling - Sunnyvale CA, US
Timothy J. Kirkley - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Restoration Robotics, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/50

US Classification:

606133

Abstract:

Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.