Quotables
"To place a man in a multi-stage rocket and project him into the controlling gravitational field of the moon where the passengers can make scientific observations, perhaps land alive, and then return to earth--all that constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules Verne. I am bold enough to say that such a man-made voyage will never occur regardless of all future advances."
Lee deForest, American radio pioneer ; 1957
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7988623 | Apparatus and methods for shielding body structures during surgery An apparatus for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures which is configured for insertion into the internal passage of a support structure, and includes an elongated body portion with a distal tip portion configured to cover the body structure without... | 08/02/2011 |
| 7959564 | Pedicle seeker and retractor, and methods of use To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a surgical implant during arthrodesis, a pedicle seeker and retractor are provided. The pedicle seeker includes a distal end that approximates the size, shape and length of a surgical implant and is... | 06/14/2011 |
| 7862505 | Method and apparatus for combined dissection and retraction A method and apparatus for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue and thereafter holding open an anatomic space for the performance of a surgical procedure. The method includes steps of making an incision in a body, introducing a deflated b... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7846092 | Surgical retractor with impactor A surgical retractor comprising a retractor body having a site portion and a handle portion, and an impactor body on the retractor body. The impactor body is positioned and configured for use in impacting the site portion in the surgical site. An impaction axis of t... | 12/07/2010 |
| 7736305 | Adjustable height access device for treating the spine of a patient A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient is provided. The device includes an elongate body and a sleeve. The elongate body has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a distal portion. The inner surface defines a passage that extends thr... | 06/15/2010 |
| 7407483 | Minimally invasive surgical access device A minimally invasive surgical access device that allows access to a pathology being treated while significantly reducing the risk of damaging anatomical structures proximate the pathology. The access device includes a base portion having a central bore extending the... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7399272 | Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement A device for providing suction to tissue is disclosed. A method of suctioning tissue is also disclosed. ... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7396328 | Surgical retractor with attachment A retractor configured for anchorage to the acetabular area of the hip bone via a bendable pin, such that the bent pin retains the retractor in a selected position. The retractor includes a site anchor portion, with a spacer portion extending upward from a leading e... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7390298 | Expandable surgical retractor for internal body spaces approached with minimally invasive incisions or through existing orifices An expandable surgical retractor for use in minimal incision surgery is disclosed. The retractor consists of a fiber optic central rod surrounded by flexible wires designed to create an open space for visualization and surgical work within an illuminated surgical fi... | 06/24/2008 |
| 7366561 | Robotic trajectory guide A surgical alignment device is shown that is controlled remotely through the use of an actuator, where the actuator in turn controls at least one local adjustment device. The alignment device is suited for neurosurgery, although it is not exclusively limited to neur... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7361181 | Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses are provided. An incision tool for creating an incision having a controlled length in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. A delivery device for inserting a hollow annular connector into an incisi... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7338441 | Superelastic/shape memory tissue stabilizers and surgical instruments A surgical instrument is used for temporary use in a medical procedure in a mammalian body. The surgical instrument is configured to be changed between two shapes upon application of one or both of heating and cooling. The instrument includes a first member, a secon... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7338434 | Method and system for organ positioning and stabilization This invention provides a heart positioning device, method and system for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart. The heart positioning device may include a suction head and a shaft with a means for remotely changing th... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7339341 | Surgical camera robot The present invention is a miniature camera robot which can be placed entirely within an open space such as an abdominal cavity. The instant camera robot has pan and tilt capabilities, an adjustable focus camera, and a support component for supporting the robot body... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7326177 | Tissue stabilizer having an articulating lift element Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field, such as during a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The devices include tissue stabilizers which enga... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7322978 | Bone anchors for use in attaching soft tissue to a bone Improved bone anchors are disclosed for anchoring one or more sutures attached to soft tissue to a bone. The bone anchor has an anchor body that extends between a distal and a proximal end. A bore is formed axially in the anchor body and opens at the proximal end. O... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324919 | Apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine An apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, includes: at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine, the measurement data being dependent on rotation of the shaft; an... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7322935 | Endoscopic retractor An endoscopic retractor includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end with a push rod extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the push rod is provided with a threaded portion. A rotatable handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube and threadably... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7320666 | Fulcrum wedge clamp A surgical joint includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises ... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7316685 | Distraction instrument for use in anterior cervical fixation surgery An intervertebral distraction tool has a clamshell head with upper and lower halves, each having a curvate outer surface and a flat inner surface. The distal side of the head is hinged so that the head opens and closes from the proximal side of the head. The hinge i... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7311664 | Apparatus for temporarily engaging body tissue An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7309312 | Apparatus for retaining otherwise hand-held retractors and method of use A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise hand-held retractor in a retracting position within a surgical wound. The retractor retaining device includes a clamp that is attachable to a retractor support that is positioned about the wound. A retaining plate is... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7294103 | Retractor with inflatable blades A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or traum... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7243419 | Spark plug boot removal tool The present invention involves a spark plug boot removal tool having a handle portion, an extension portion, and a grasping portion. The handle portion includes a spring-loaded trigger. The grasping portion includes a fixed grasping member and a rotatable grasping m... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7235049 | Surgical retractor and method of positioning an artery during surgery The present invention relates to a surgical retractor that immobilizes tissue at a surgical site. A preferred embodiment of the retractor is used during minimally invasive direct coronary bypass procedures to arrest movement of the grafting site while the heart cont... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7235064 | Method and apparatus for anchoring laparoscopic instruments A balloon anchor provides for the anchoring of a surgical instrument, such as conventional trocar sheath, within a puncture opening formed by a trocar. When used on a trocar sheath, the anchor is secured to the smooth outer surface of the sheath for extension throug... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7226409 | Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disk mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted p... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7223272 | Endoscopic clip applier with hermaphroditic jaws mounted on non-collinear axes A clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for ope... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7211099 | Medical instrument The invention relates to a medical instrument, comprising a shaft, the proximal end of which has a handle, with at least two grip pieces and the distal end of which has a tool, with at least two jaw pieces, whereby at least one jaw piece of the tool may be adjusted ... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7204840 | Deep organ access device and method Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7201716 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7200519 | Analysis system for analyzing the condition of a machine A system for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft and a machine body with a measuring point includes a client part communicating with a supplier part computer via a communications network. The client part includes a sensor attachable at the m... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7195592 | Surgical retractor apparatus for use with a surgical port An improved surgical retraction apparatus (and corresponding method of operation) includes a plurality of rigid retraction members disposed about a central axis that move radially with respect to the central axis between a closed state and an open state. In the clos... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7189201 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue within a patient's body cavity. In one embodiment, the tissue immobil... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7189231 | Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for making precise incisions in body vessels Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by ap... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7182731 | Support arm for cardiac surgery A support arm assembly for assisting in the performance of cardiac surgery has an articulated arm movable axially of a support base and rotatable relative to the support base. A distal end of the articulated arm receives a contact member and the contact member is mo... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7179224 | Organ manipulator and positioner and methods of using the same Devices and methods are provided for manipulating and supporting an organ. The subject devices are characterized by having an inflatable annular member having a central opening and an organ contacting surface, a vacuum distribution element configured to create a dif... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7172554 | Retractor instrumentation for total hip arthroplasty, and methods of using same The present invention is directed to retractor instrumentation for total hip arthroplasty, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a first pin coupled to the body, and a second pin coupled to said body, wherein at leas... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7167814 | Analysis system for analyzing the condition of a machine An apparatus for analyzing the condition of a machine, comprising: at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine; data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data;... | 01/23/2007 |
| 7160308 | Surgery equipment holding device A surgery equipment holding device comprises a holder for holding surgical equipment, a bar connected to the holder, a brake which operatively engages the bar for stopping movement of the bar, and a pair of switches for switching being an active state and an inactiv... | 01/09/2007 |
