Michael R Sims

US Patent:

7122040, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Jun 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171677

Inventors:

John Donald Hill - San Francisco CA, US
Geoff Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US
Richard C. Fortier - Concord MA, US
Denis LaBombard - Georgetown MA, US
Gary R. Whipple - Attleboro MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606144, 606145

Abstract:

A suture placement device includes a crook-shaped needle having a suture passage through which a suture thread passes; a suture opening in a tip portion of the needle, from which the suture thread exits the needle; and a bend in the needle including an open portion of the suture passage. The bend defines a suture capture zone in which the suture thread is separated from the needle. A shuttle includes a shuttle body and a shuttle hook. The shuttle hook is formed at a distal end of the shaft. The needle and the shuttle extend from the barrel, and the barrel includes a source of the suture thread and a rotating shaft or cable that causes the shuttle to traverse over the needle. A guide groove guides the shuttle over the needle. The shuttle hook engages the suture thread in the suture capture zone and draws the suture thread to the barrel.

US Patent:

7175659, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Nov 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/987976

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - San Francisco CA, US
Geoff Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US
Cameron Dale Hinman - Woodside CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 211, 623 238

Abstract:

An apparatus for automatically fixing sutures used in the surgical replacement of a heart valve, includes a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface. An annular lip is formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder. The apparatus further includes a second cylinder having second securing means formed on an interior surface of the second cylinder, such that the second securing means corresponds to and are adapted to fixedly engage the first securing means.

US Patent:

7591827, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Nov 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/715441

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - Tiburon CA, US
Geoffrey Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Andy H. Levine - Newton MA, US
Eric May - Norfolk MA, US
John Meade - Mendon MA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/11

US Classification:

606153, 606151, 606154

Abstract:

A coupler includes a saddle, a channel, a tissue clamp, and a flange. The channel has a first end of substantially elliptical cross-section connected to the saddle and a second end of substantially circular cross-section. The tissue clamp is positioned around the channel. The flange is formed adjacent to the second end of the channel. A conduit coupling device is formed by securing flanges of two couplers together with a clamping ring.

US Patent:

7670370, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Feb 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/674388

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - Tiburon CA, US
Geoff Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US
Cameron Dale Hinman - Woodside CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623 211

Abstract:

A method for automatically fixing sutures to secure a valve sleeve including an annular cuff and a replacement heart valve to an annulus formed in a patient's heart, includes the steps of removing an existing heart valve thereby forming an annulus in the patient's heart, and placing a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising first securing means formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder, in which the first cylinder includes a valve sleeve having an annular cuff, such that the annular cuff surrounds the exterior surface adjacent to the first end of the first cylinder. Moreover, the method includes creating a blood-tight seal between the cuff of the valve sleeve and the annulus, and securing the plurality of sutures between the first cylinder and the second cylinder.

US Patent:

7927343, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Nov 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/715826

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - Tiburon CA, US
Geoffrey Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
John Cvinar - Newton MA, US
Andy H. Levine - Newton MA, US
Eric May - Norfolk MA, US
John Meade - Mendon MA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/08

US Classification:

606153, 606151

Abstract:

A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.

US Patent:

20070135911, Jun 14, 2007

Filed:

Feb 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/674372

Inventors:

J. Hill - Tiburon CA, US
Geoff Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US
Cameron Hinman - Woodside CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/24

US Classification:

623002110, 606144000

Abstract:

An apparatus for automatically fixing sutures used in the surgical replacement of a heart valve, including a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface, and first means for securing fixing suture formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder. The apparatus also includes a second cylinder having second means for securing fixing suture formed on an interior surface of the second cylinder, such that the second means corresponds to and fixedly engages the first means for securing fixing suture, and the first means and the second means secure fixing sutures therebetween.

US Patent:

20120065475, Mar 15, 2012

Filed:

Apr 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/089133

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - San Francisco CA, US
Geoffrey Briggs - Los Altos CA, US
Michael Sims - Montara CA, US
John Cvinar - Winchester MA, US
Andy H. Levine - Newton MA, US
Eric May - Norfolk MA, US
John Meade - Mendon MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 1/32

US Classification:

600210

Abstract:

A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.

US Patent:

20150209046, Jul 30, 2015

Filed:

Sep 9, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/481809

Inventors:

J. Donald Hill - San Francisco CA, US
Geoffrey BRIGGS - Los Altos CA, US
Michael SIMS - Montara CA, US
John CVINAR - Winchester MA, US
Andy H. LEVINE - Newton MA, US
Eric MAY - Norfolk MA, US
John MEADE - Mendon MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/11
A61M 1/36
A61B 1/313
A61B 17/02
A61B 1/00

Abstract:

A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.