Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5433725?dq=5,867,764
Timestamp: 2016-05-02 04:30:34
Document Index: 423229587

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 246', 'art 246', 'arts 246', 'art 246', 'art 246', 'art 287', 'art 288', 'art 287', 'art 287', 'art 287', 'art 287', 'art 288', 'art 287', 'art 288', 'art 287']

Patent US5433725 - Hand-held surgical device and tools for use therewith, assembly and method - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsHand-held endoscopy assembly for use in performing a medical procedure comprising a hand-held endoscopy device having a bore extending therethrough. A surgical tool is removably mounted in the bore and is retained in a fixed longitudinal position within the device while permitting rotation of the tool...http://www.google.com/patents/US5433725?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5433725 - Hand-held surgical device and tools for use therewith, assembly and methodAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5433725 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/806,666Publication dateJul 18, 1995Filing dateDec 13, 1991Priority dateDec 13, 1991Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2084751A1, DE69227173D1, DE69227173T2, EP0546767A2, EP0546767A3, EP0546767B1, US5601601, US5868785Publication number07806666, 806666, US 5433725 A, US 5433725A, US-A-5433725, US5433725 A, US5433725AInventorsJeffrey J. Christian, Robert D. Berkowitz, Michael Hogendijk, Jeffrey E. HolmesOriginal AssigneeUnisurge, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Referenced by (48), Classifications (31), Legal Events (8) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetHand-held surgical device and tools for use therewith, assembly and method
2. In a hand-held surgical assembly for use in performing a laparoscopic medical procedure, a handle assembly having distal and proximal extremities and having a bore extending therethrough from the distal extremity to the proximal extremity, a tool rotatably and removably mounted in said bore of said handle assembly and having a portion thereof extending out of the proximal extremity of the handle assembly permitting said portion of the tool to be grasped by the hand to aid in inserting the tool into the bore of the handle assembly from the proximal extremity and removal of the tool from the handle assembly from the proximal extremity, cooperative means carried by the handle assembly and the tool for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal in said bore between the device and the tool, rotatable means mounted on the handle assembly and engageable by the hand and engaging the tool for rotating the tool, an adapter, means removably and rotatably securing said adapter to said tool whereby said tool can be rotated in the handle assembly while said adapter remains stationary, said tool having a bore therein in communication with the bore in the handle assembly, said adapter having a bore therein in communication with the bore in said tool and means carried by said tool and said adapter for establishing a fluid-tight connection between the bore in said tool and the bore in said adapter.
3. An assembly as in claim 2 together with means for supplying a liquid to said bore in said adapter and a vacuum to said bore in said adapter.
4. A hand-held surgical handle assembly for use with a removable tool in a laparoscopic medical procedure comprising a housing having a proximal extremity, handle means mounted on said housing and adapted to be grasped by the human hand, an actuator tube assembly slidably mounted in said housing for limited slidable movement in said housing and having a bore extending therethrough accessible from the proximal extremity of the housing for receiving the removable tool from the proximal extremity, a barrel carried by said housing and having a bore extending therethrough with the bore being in alignment with the bore in the actuator tube assembly, means carried by the handle means adapted to be engaged by the hand for causing axial movement of the actuator tube assembly with respect to the housing of the handle assembly and valve means mounted in the bore of the actuator tube assembly and adapted to receive said removable tool and to engage said actuator tube assembly for substantially inhibiting the flow of fluid through said bore of the actuator tube assembly.
5. A device as in claim 4 together with coupling means for coupling said barrel to said actuator tube assembly and permitting axial movement of the actuator tube assembly with respect to the barrel.
6. A device as in claim 4 together with means mounted on the housing for rotating the actuator tube assembly.
7. In a hand-held surgical handle assembly for use in a medical procedure, a housing, handle means mounted on said housing and adapted to be grasped by the human hand, an actuator tube assembly slidably mounted in said housing for limited slidable movement in said housing and having a bore extending therethrough, a barrel carried by said housing and having a bore extending therethrough with the bore in the barrel being in alignment with the bore in the actuator tube assembly, means carried by the handle adapted to be engaged by the human hand for causing axial movement of the actuator tube assembly with respect to the housing, valve means mounted in the bore of the actuator tube assembly for substantially inhibiting the flow of fluid through said bore of the actuator tube assembly and coupling means for coupling said barrel to said actuator tube assembly permitting axial movement of actuator tube assembly with respect to the barrel, said coupling means being in the form of a trombone-like connection.
8. A device as in claim 7 wherein said trombone-type connection includes first and second tubes coaxially and slidably mounted on each other.
9. In a surgical tool for use with a hand-held endoscopy handle assembly, an inner elongate tubular member having a bore therein and having proximal and distal extremities, an outer elongate tubular member slidably mounted on the proximal extremity of the inner tubular member, a slider clip secured to the proximal extremity of the outer elongate tubular member, cap means secured to the proximal extremity of the inner tubular member and adapted to be secured to the endoscopy handle assembly for returning the tool locked onto the endoscopy handle assembly, yieldable spring means for yieldably urging the outer elongate tubular member distally of the inner tubular member, means carried by the slider clip adapted to be engaged by the endoscopy handle assembly and for causing relative movement between the outer sleeve and the inner elongate tubular member against the force of the yieldable spring means, a connecting rod mounted in the bore of the inner elongate tubular member, means securing said connecting rod to the outer tubular member whereby as the outer tubular member is slidably moved with respect to the inner tubular member, the connecting rod will be reciprocated, a surgical device mounted on the distal extremity of the inner tubular member and an actuation mechanism connected to the connecting rod and to the surgical device for causing operation of the surgical device.
10. A tool as in claim 9 wherein said slider clip includes at least two arms having protrusions thereon adapted to engage the endoscopy handle assembly, said arms having legs extending outwardly therefrom, said cap means including means for moving said legs to cause said protrusions to move out of engagement with the endoscopy handle assembly when the outer elongate tubular member is moved proximally of the inner elongate tubular member.
11. A tool as in claim 10 wherein said cap means is provided with at least two slots and wherein said legs extend through said slots and wherein said means engaging said legs are in the form of inclined ramps.
12. In a surgical tool for use with a handle assembly, an inner elongate tubular member having a bore therein and having proximal and distal extremities, and an outer elongate tubular member slidably mounted on the proximal extremity of the inner tubular member, connecting rod means disposed within the bore of the inner elongate tubular member and means connecting said connecting rod to said outer elongate tubular member whereby as relative movement occurs between said inner elongate tubular member and said outer elongate tubular member movement of said connecting rod occurs within said inner tubular member, a surgical device mounted on the distal extremity of said inner elongate tubular member and movable between first and second positions, and a toggle linkage connected to said surgical device and said connecting rod whereby as said connecting rod is operated said surgical device is moved between said first and second positions.
13. A tool as in claim 12 wherein said surgical device includes first and second parts pivotally mounted on the distal extremity of said inner elongate tubular member, each of said first and second parts having a lever arm, links pivotally connected to the lever arms of said first and second parts and pivotally connected to said connecting rod whereby as said connecting rod is moved distally of the elongate tubular member, the first and second parts are moved toward closed positions.
14. In a method for performing a medical procedure in a patient by the use of a hand-held endoscopy device having a bore extending therethrough and a plurality of surgical tools, introducing the endoscopy device into the patient, introducing one of the surgical tools through the bore in the endoscopy device and performing a medical operation in the patient, removing the tool, thereafter inserting a different tool through the bore in the endoscopy device and performing an additional medical procedure in the patient, removing the tool after the medical procedure has been completed and thereafter removing the hand-held endoscopy device from the patient.
More in particular, as shown in the drawings of FIGS. 1-9, the hand-held surgical device 31 consists of a housing 32 which is provided with an upper cylindrical portion 33 and a handle portion 34 in the form of a pistol grip adapted to be grasped and held by a single human hand. The housing 32 is preferably formed of a material which can repeatedly withstand autoclave sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization or gamma radiation sterilization. One material found to be particularly suitable for this purpose is a plastic identified as Ultem, manufactured by the General Electric Company. Such a material is capable of withstanding high temperatures and is very durable. The housing 32, utilizing such a plastic, is formed in two parts 32a and 32b (see FIG. 3) which are joined together along a parting line 36. A pair of spaced apart bosses 37 (see FIG. 4) are provided on each of the parts 32a and 32b so that the two parts 32a and 32b can be fastened together by suitable means such as screws 38 extending into the bosses and forming the two parts 32a and 32b into a unitary housing 32. An actuator tube assembly 41 is mounted in the upper cylindrical portion 33 for limited axial movement. The actuator tube assembly 41 is provided with a bore 42 which extends therethrough. The actuator tube assembly 41 consists of two tubes 43 and 44 in which tube 43 is formed of a suitable plastic such Ultem, hereinbefore identified, and the tube 44 is formed of a suitable metal such as stainless steel. The metal tube 44 has its proximal extremity fixed within the distal extremity of the plastic tube 43 so that the bore 42 is continuous and has the same diameter extending from the plastic tube 43 into the metal tube 44. The actuator tube assembly 41 is provided with proximal and distal extremities 46 and 47. These proximal and distal extremities 46 and 47 are axially guided within the housing by sidewise extending guide portions 48 and 49 (see FIG. 6) formed integral with the housing parts 32a and 32b having semicircular recesses 51 which are adapted to receive the proximal extremity 46 of the actuator tube assembly 41. Similarly, upper and lower guide portions 53 (see FIG. 4) formed integral with the parts 32a and 32b and having semicircular recesses 54 guide the distal extremity 47 of the actuator tube assembly 41.
Means is provided for rotating the actuator tube assembly 41 about its axis and consists of a thumbwheel or knob 56 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) which encircles the actuator tube assembly 41 and which extends through a slot 57 provided in the housing 32 so that the thumbwheel or knob 56 can be actuated by a finger of the hand while the hand is holding the pistol grip-shaped handle portion 34. The thumbwheel 56 is provided with spaced apart, axially extending raised portions 58 to facilitate frictional engagement by a finger of the wheel or knob 56. Cooperative mating means is provided between the thumbwheel 56 and the plastic tube 43 of the actuator tube assembly 41. The cooperative mating means consists of a pair of diametrically spaced apart axially extending keys 61 which are slidably mounted in the slots 62 extending diametrically outwardly from a bore 63 provided in the thumbwheel 56. The thumbwheel 56 is retained in a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the actuator tube assembly 41 by the guide portions 53 and wall portions 64 formed integral with the housing parts 32a and 32b, and having semicircular recesses 66 (see FIG. 4).
Means is provided for causing reciprocal movement of the actuator tube assembly 41 for a suitable distance, as for example 0.125", and consists of yoke-like lever arm 71 formed of a suitable plastic such as Ultem. The yoke-like member 71 is provided with a pair of pins 72 extending from opposite sides thereof that are pivotally mounted in recesses (see FIG. 7). As can be seen, the pins 72 are provided at the upper extremity of the lever arm formed by the member 71 to provide a substantial mechanical advantage, as for example a 4-to-1 mechanical advantage. The upper extremity of the yoke-like lever arm 71 is provided with a U-shaped or forked portion 76 having generally circular upper extremities 77 (see FIG. 4), which are disposed on opposite sides of the plastic tube 43 between circumferentially extending spaced apart flanges 78 and 79 provided centrally of the plastic tube 43 of the actuator tube assembly 41. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the upper circular extremities 77 fit relatively closely within the flanges 78 and 79. The lower extremity of the yoke-like lever member 71 is pivotally connected to a trigger bar 81 by pin-and-slot connections in which elongate slots 82 are provided on opposite sides of the yoke-like member 71 that receive the opposite extremities of a pin 83 mounted in the trigger bar 81. The trigger bar 81 is mounted within the housing 32 for movement in a direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of the actuator tube assembly 41. The trigger bar 81 travels between upper and lower wall portions 86 and 87 which are formed integral with the housing parts 32a and 32b (see FIG. 5). In addition, the trigger bar 81 is guided by upper and lower guide portions 88 and 89 also formed integral with the housing parts 32a and 32b and which extend inwardly and slidably seat in grooves 91 and 92 provided on opposite sides of the trigger bar 81.
The bore 42 is in axial alignment with the bore 122 provided in the barrel 121 and is adapted to receive tools of various types as hereinafter described. Cooperative means is provided for establishing a fluid-tight seal between the tool and the bore 32 and, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, consists of valve means in the form of a valve member of the type described in copending application Ser. No. 07/757,343 filed Sep. 10, 1991. This valve member 136 is seated within a cylindrical enlargement 137 provided at the proximal extremity 46 of the plastic tube 43. A cylindrical cap 138 is threaded onto the cylindrical enlargement 137 (see FIG. 8) to retain the valve member 136 in place. The cap 138 is provided with an annular shoulder 139 which engages the valve member 136 and holds it in place. The annular shoulder 139 is provided with serrations 140 on the proximal surface of the shoulder 139. The cap 138 is provided with a hole 141 which is in registration with the bore 42. The cap 138 is provided with a bore 142 in alignment with the hole 141. An annular recess 143 is provided within the bore 142.
The housing 32 is also provided with switching capabilities in the form of a switche 151 on the top of the housing 32 which serve electrocautery functions. Switch 151 has three positions, a "central or off" position, and two depressed or "on" positions on opposite sides of the central position. One side of switch 151 is for higher power for cutting and the other side of switch 151 is for lower power for coagulation. Control switches 153 and 154 are provided on opposite sides of the housing in general alignment with the switch 151 and also have three positions the same as switch 151. One side of control switch 153 can be utilized for controlling the introduction of fluids through the bore 42, as for example a saline or other irrigating solution which can be utilized for irrigating and cleansing the area of interest. The other side control switch 153 can be utilized to provide suction in the bore 42 to extract fluids, as for example saline solutions, which have been introduced for irrigation purposes as well as blood, bile, etc. The switch 154 can be utilized for controlling the same functions as switch 153. It can be seen that the switch 151 and the switch 153 have been positioned on the housing so that they can be readily depressed by the index finger on the right hand while the surgical device 31 is being held by the right hand. Similarly the switch 151 and switch 154 can be depressed by the index finger of the left hand when the surgical device 31 is being held by the left hand.
A locking and actuation mechanism 172 is mounted on the proximal extremity 169. This mechanism 172 consists of an outer sleeve 173 which is slidably mounted on the proximal extremity 169 of the inner tubular member 167. The proximal extremity of the sleeve 173 is fixed to a slider clip 174. The slider clip 174 is formed of a suitable material such as plastic and is provided with a serrated annulus 175 on its distal extremity adapted to engage the serrations 140 on the cap 138 of the hand held surgical device 31, the slider clip 174 is provided with a pair of arms 176 spaced 180� apart extending parallel to the axis of the sleeve 173. Additional arms 176 can be provided if a further distribution of linear forces is desirable. The arms 176 are substantially L-shaped and are provided with laterally extending legs 177 which extend into slots 178 provided in a cylindrical slider cap 179. The legs 177 are also provided with protrusions 180 which are rectangular in cross-section and extend outwardly so that they are adapted to seat in the annular recess 143 in the cap 138 as hereinafter described. The cylindrical slider cap 179 is provide with an inwardly and distally extending skirt 181 that is secured to the proximal extremity of the inner tubular member 167. Yieldable means in the form of a coil spring 182 is provided on the proximal extremity of the inner tubular member 167 and has one end engaging the skirt 181 and has the other end engaging the slider clip 174 (see FIG. 11).
Sealing means is provided in the proximal extremity of the slider cap 179 and consists of a valve member 216 of the type described in application Ser. No. 07/757,343, filed Sep. 10, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,498 which is clamped in place so that it is in generally axial alignment with the bore 168 of the inner tubular member 167. The valve member 216 is held in place by a cap 217 which threadedly engages a cylindrical extension 218 of the skirt 181 of the slider cap 179. A hole 219 is provided in the cap 217 which is in alignment with the valve member 216 and the bore 168. The valve member serves to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cap and the open end of the bore 168 provided in the inner tubular member 167.
The tool tip 246 is formed of parts 246a and 246b. Part 246a is semicircular in form as shown in FIG. 16 and is provided with cylindrical recesses 247 to accommodate the rod 201 to permit recipratory movement of the rod 201 therein. The two parts 246a and 246b are mounted in the distal extremity of the tubular member 267 by suitable means such as a crimp fit in the form of annular grooves 248 in the distal extremity of the inner tubular member 167 as shown particularly in FIG. 14. The inner surfaces of the annular grooves 248 frictionally engage the tool tip 246 to retain it in place. The distal extremity of the tool tip 246 is provided with a slot 251 in which the blades 238 and 242 are disposed and which are connected to the links 232 and 233 in the manner hereinbefore described. The part 246b is provided with a well 252 which receives the Allen head screw 243 which is threaded into the part 246a a shown in FIG. 17 to thereby permit pivotal movement of the blades 238 and 242 with respect to the screw 243.
Another tool 256 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 which has a proximal extremity which is substantially identical to the tool 166 hereinbefore described. The distal extremity is provided with an actuation mechanism 231 of the type utilized in the tool 166 in which L-shaped jaws 257 and 258 pivotally mounted on the screw 243 replace the L-shaped scissor blades 238 and 242. The jaws 257 and 258 are formed of a suitable material such as stainless steel and are provided with molded coverings 261 and 262 formed of a suitable material such as a hard durable polymeric material. These coverings 261 and 262 are provided with spaced apart serrations or teeth 263 extending transversely of the jaws 257 and 258. As shown in FIG. 19, the molded coverings 261 and 262 are formed to leave an elongate space 264 extending longitudinally of the jaw exposing the stainless steel jaws so that electrocautery functions can be performed as hereinafter explained. Similarly, a space 264 can be provided on the opposite side of the jaw also to serve electrocautery purposes.
In FIGS. 22, 23, 24, and 25 there is shown another tool 281. In this embodiment of the tool, the link member is in the form of a tubular sleeve 282 replacing the rod 201. The tubular sleeve 282 is slidably mounted within the inner tubular member 167 and has its proximal extremity secured to the pin 197 (see FIG. 23) so that as the pin 197 is moved longitudinally in the inner tubular member 167 the sleeve 282 will also be moved. A combination hook and scissor device 286 is mounted on the distal extremity of the inner tubular member 167. This hook and scissor device 286 consists of a fixed part 287 and a movable part 288. The fixed part 287 is provided with a knife edge 291 which is slightly offset upwardly as viewed in FIG. 24 from a line perpendicular to the axis of the inner tubular member 167. The knife edge 291 faces forwardly toward a notch 292 provided in the fixed part 287. The distal or forward extremity of the fixed part 287 is provided with a rounded distal extremity 293. The fixed part 287 is semi-circular in cross section as show in FIG. 25 and is fixed to the distal extremity of the inner tubular member 167 by suitable means such as solder (not shown). The movable part 288 is provided with a hook 296 on its distal extremity. The hook 296 is provided with a portion 296a which extends proximally into a cut out 297. The hook 296 is provided with a cutting edge 298 which extends perpendicular to the axis of the inner tubular member 167 which cooperates with the knife edge 291 provided on the fixed part 287. The movable part 288 is secured to the movable sleeve 282 and if desired can be formed integral herewith. A space 299 (see FIG. 23) is provided within the inner tubular member 167 to permit movement of the distal extremity of the sleeve 282 with respect to the proximal extremity of the fixed part 287. Placement of the tool 281 within the endoscopy device 31 causes the sleeve 282 to move to the left as viewed in FIG. 23 so as to move the cutting edge 298 across the knife edge 291 to the dotted-line position shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24.
Operation and use of the hand held surgical device and tools for use therewith, the assembly thereof and the method may now briefly be described as follows. Let it be assumed that the patient has been prepared and draped for performing a medical procedure, as for example a laparoscopy for removing a diseased gallbladder. The surgeon places a puncture in the abdomen with a small tool such as a Veres needle. Carbon dioxide is introduced into this puncture to cause a partial inflation of the abdomen to thereby create a cavity in the abdominal area. The Veres needle can then be removed, and a trocar can be introduced into the abdomen through the same puncture or in a position adjacent to the needle. The trocar can be of a conventional type or can be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,648. With the trocar in place, additional carbon dioxide is introduced into the abdomen to further inflate the abdomen to a pressure corresponding to approximately 15 mm of mercury. With the abdomen so inflated, an endoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity so that the interior of the abdominal cavity can be visualized on a video monitor. Thereafter, three additional trocars are positioned in the abdomen, one adjacent the patient's upper left-hand portion of the abdomen, another at the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen, and the third at the lower right-hand portion of the abdomen. These additional sites are used for introduction of various tools typically utilized during endoscopic surgery. For example, the four trocars thus far described would be utilized to remove a gallbladder. The surgeon, after the trocar is in place, takes the endoscopy device 31 of the present invention and grasps it by either his right hand or left hand by grasping the pistol grip-handle portion 34. The surgeon then positions the barrel 121 so that it can enter the trocar and be advanced into the abdomen while the interior of the abdomen is being visualized on the video monitor. The surgeon then selects the desired tool to be utilized with the endoscopy device 31. For example, the first tool the surgeon may select may be a grasper of the type shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. With the grasper 256 locked in place in the endoscopy device 31, the surgeon can manipulate the grasper 256 to manipulate the liver and/or the gallbladder by grabbing onto one of the organs and pulling on it or pushing on it so that the desired positions of the organs are achieved to permit the surgeon to perform the gallbladder removal procedure.
In the event that there is excessive bleeding or holes are cut into either the gallbladder or the liver, it may be necessary to couterize and cleanse the area in order to permit the surgeon to continue to visualize the operations being performed. This can be readily accomplished by introducing a saline solution by operating one of the switches 153 or 154 provided on the sides of the housing 32 of the endoscopy device. These switches can be operated by the fingers of the hand holding the tool. Thus, first, a saline solution can be introduced into the adapter assembly 316 through the energization of the solenoid 341 to cause fluid to pass into the bore 168 of inner tubular member 167 and through the bore 314. Similarly, suction can be applied to these same passages by energization of the solenoid 342 to cause the saline solution and other liquids in the cavity to be withdrawn from the patient. This can be readily accomplished because of the relatively large-diameter flow passages provided for introducing liquids such as saline solutions and removing liquids from the abdominal cavity.
After the gallbladder has been separated from the liver, it can be removed from the abdominal cavity through one of the puncture wounds which has been formed in the abdominal wall. Alternatively, the surgeon can utilize a retrieval device such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,555, which can be introduced through one of the punctures and the gallbladder and its contents placed into the sack. The sack can then be closed and the sack with its contents, namely the gallbladder, bile and stones, can then be pulled through the abdominal puncture or wound. After the gallbladder has been removed, the other trocars can be removed, as well as the endoscope. The abdomen is then deflated or desufflated. The puncture wounds in the abdomen are then closed with one or more sutures.
From the foregoing it can be seen that there has been provided and endoscopy device which makes it possible to utilize therewith a family of tools in a systems approach necessary for performing many different types of surgical procedures. The hand-held surgical device is constructed in a manner so that various tools can be utilized therewith and actuated in a common manner. Thus, additional application specific tools can be provided for use with the hand held surgical device for use in other body cavities such as the paracardium. Also the hand held surgical device has been constructed in such a manner that it can be sterilized and re-utilized. The tools, also, if desired, can be resterilized and re-utilized. However, they are formed in such a manner so that they can be made relatively inexpensively and disposed of after one use.
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KruegerLock cylinder mount for rotary actuatorDE19606194A1 *Feb 20, 1996Aug 21, 1997Sutter Hermann Select Med TechMedical suction and washing device, e.g. for suction of liquid from operation siteDE19606194C2 *Feb 20, 1996Mar 26, 1998Sutter Hermann Select Med TechMedizintechnische Vorrichtung f�r chirurgische Eingriffe* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification606/207, 600/104, 606/174, 600/564International ClassificationA61B17/00, A61M1/00, A61B1/00, A61B18/14, A61B10/00, A61B17/28, A61B17/32, A61M39/06, A61B17/34, A61B10/06Cooperative ClassificationA61B2017/00353, A61B2217/005, A61B2017/2939, A61B2017/2929, A61B2017/2919, A61B17/29, A61B17/2909, A61B2017/3445, A61B18/1482, A61M39/06, A61B2017/2946, A61B2217/007, A61B10/06, A61B2090/0817European ClassificationA61B17/29H, A61M39/06, A61B17/29Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 13, 1991ASAssignmentOwner name: UNISURGE, INC. A CORPORATION OF CAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:CHRISTIAN, JEFFREY J.;BERKOWITZ, ROBERT D.;HOGENDIJK, MICHAEL;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:005950/0312Effective date: 19911213Jun 17, 1996ASAssignmentOwner name: UNISURGE HOLDINGS, INC., GEORGIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNISURGE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:007991/0946Effective date: 19960118Feb 9, 1999REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedApr 15, 1999FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 15, 1999SULPSurcharge for late paymentAug 23, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: DESIGN STANDARDS CORPORATION, NEW HAMPSHIREFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNISURGE HOLDINGS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:010180/0768Effective date: 19990614Dec 19, 2002FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jan 16, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services