Thomas C Howell

US Patent:

6387106, May 14, 2002

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/578626

Inventors:

Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
Douglas S. Sutton - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D. - Portola Valley CA

International Classification:

A61B 1708

US Classification:

606151, 606207

Abstract:

Opposable surgical clamp members having opposable resilient pads with wedge-shaped and cylindrical protrusions extending from the surfaces of the pads and the use of such members for occluding vessels and other tubular body structures are described. The protrusions are arranged such that when the members are moved toward one another, the protrusions of one pad interdigitate with the protrusions of the other pad. Upon engagement with a vessel, portions of the vessel are forced into the interdigital spaces providing for improved gripping of the vessel. The protrusions also resist lateral or transverse movement of a clamped vessel relative to the pads. The existence of through holes under the pad surface alters the relative resiliency of the pad, allowing for an overall pad resiliency that minimizes trauma to a clamped vessel while allowing the local resiliency of the protrusions themselves to be of a hardness to avoid excessive deflection and retain the desired shape and gripping ability.

US Patent:

6387112, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jun 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/594291

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
David Willis - Palo Alto CA
Terrence Buelna - San Francisco CA
Todd Pelman - San Francisco CA
Phillip Pesta - Saratoga CA

Assignee:

Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

A61B 1704

US Classification:

606207

Abstract:

A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity or channel to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with a flexible attachment member engageable in the elongate cavity or channel of the jaw. The pad can include a tab, draw cord, pull string or pull strap to draw the pad into place on the jaw.

US Patent:

6405733, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/613686

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA 94028
David B. Willis - Palo Alto CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Peter M. Wilson - Foster City CA
M. Elizabeth Bush - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128899, 606116, 600434

Abstract:

This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision without penetrating that volume. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Polar and tangential deployment configurations as well as a locator element that may be cold-formed by a die in the distal portion of the deployment tube into a permanent arcuate shape is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6461368, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810866

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Joshua S. Whittemore - Mountain View CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

A61B 1704

US Classification:

606151, 264243, 300 20, 300 21

Abstract:

Surgical clamps, tissue retractors and surgical stabilizers are disclosed having gripping surfaces from which extend resilient filaments. The distal ends of some of the resilient filaments abut against engaged vessels, tissues or organs to restrict movement of the vessels, tissue or organs relative to the gripping surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the resilient filaments are arranged in rows and oriented at particular angles relative to the gripping surfaces. Methods of applying resilient filaments to pads for attachment to a surgical clamp, tissue retractor or surgical stabilizer are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6471709, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Nov 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/449006

Inventors:

Natalie V. Fawzi - Belmont CA
D. Laksen Sirimanne - Palo Alto CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Douglas S. Sutton - Pacifica CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Vivant Medical, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

A61B 1724

US Classification:

606114, 600562

Abstract:

This is a device for percutaneous tissue sampling or excision. In particular, it uses an expandable ring cutter which produces an accurately located, discrete tissue mass that is removable through a comparatively much smaller access member. The tissue mass is easily reconstructed to its original form and orientation once taken from the body for further study.

US Patent:

6564806, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Feb 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/507361

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA 94028
David B. Willis - Palo Alto CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128899, 606116, 600434

Abstract:

This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision without penetrating that volume. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Polar and tangential deployment configurations as well as a locator element that may be cold-formed by a die in the distal portion of the deployment tube into a permanent arcuate shape is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6530942, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Jul 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/911587

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
David Willis - Palo Alto CA
Terrence Buelna - San Francisco CA
Todd Pelman - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

A61B 1744

US Classification:

606207

Abstract:

A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The pad can include a tab or draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

US Patent:

6540764, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Jan 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/229409

Inventors:

Maciej J. Kieturakis - San Carlos CA
Kenneth H. Mollenauer - Los Gatos CA
Jan M. Echeverry - San Jose CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA
James E. Jervis - Atherton CA
Helmut Kayan - Redwood City CA
Janine C. Robinson - Half Moon Bay CA

Assignee:

General Surgical Innovations, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606190, 606151, 606213, 600207, 128898

Abstract:

An expansible tunneling apparatus and assosiated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure such as a hernia repair. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation. After the balloon has been advanced to the desired location in the body it is inflated through a balloon inflation lumen to cause the balloon to dissect tissue and create an operating space.