Charles E Ray

US Patent:

43288138, May 11, 1982

Filed:

Oct 20, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/199014

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Wayzata MN

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 104

US Classification:

128791

Abstract:

A system for anchoring a brain lead within a cranial burr hole while closing that hole. A socket is provided with an aperture defining a lead passage and is engageable with the cranial burr hole to secure the socket to the cranium with the lead passage aperture in general alignment with the burr hole. A plug is configured to cooperate with the socket lead passage aperture for mutual engagement of a lead within the aperture while closing that aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the socket includes a split grommet portion formed of a flexible material that is biased to maintain the grommet split open. The socket aperture has a neck portion of reduced size with the plug being configured to engage that neck portion and resist removal of the plug from the socket aperture. The socket is also provided with a flange surrounding the grommet portion with holes in the flange being engageable by a tool to facilitate closure of the grommet split for insertion of the socket in a cranial burr hole.

US Patent:

47722878, Sep 20, 1988

Filed:

Aug 20, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/087424

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Deephaven MN
Terry P. Corbin - Golden Valley MN

Assignee:

CeDaR Surgical, Inc. - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 124

US Classification:

623 17

Abstract:

By implanting two prosthetic disc capsules side-by-side into a damaged disc of a human spine, both height and motion, including front-to-back bending, can be maintained. The prosthetic disc capsules have an outer layer of strong, inert fibers intermingled with a bioresorbable material which attracts tissue ingrowth, a bladder enveloped by the layer, and a thixotropic gel filling the bladder. The prosthetic disc capsules can be surgically implanted by (1) jacking apart the vertebrae adjacent a damaged disc, (2) forming a substantially sagital bore in the damaged disc near each of its lateral edges, and (3) inserting one of the capsules axially into each bore.

US Patent:

46626190, May 5, 1987

Filed:

Apr 18, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/853667

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Wayzata MN
Richard G. Steller - Deephaven MN

Assignee:

Charles D. Ray, Ltd. - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

A61G 1300

US Classification:

269328

Abstract:

For operations in the prone sitting position, the novel kneeling attachment has a lower-leg platform from which one or a pair of posts project downwardly to rest against the floor to support the lower portion of the patient's body while his or her upper body is moved up or down relative to the buttocks by vertically moving the operating table. After thus adjusting the attitude of the patient's backbone, the lower-leg platform is locked, and the operating table can be moved to whatever height is most comfortable to the surgeon. The lower-leg platform of the kneeling attachment includes cushioning which is formed with two longitudinal channels that conform to the lower legs of a patient. A spacing between the lower-leg platform and the foot of the operating table leaves the kneecaps substantially unsupported, so that the patient's weight primarily rests on the tibial plateaus. The kneeling attachment may include a buttocks support which comprises a U-shaped yoke, the crosspiece of which carries a seat pad and the arms of which carry elongated, generally cylindrical cushions.

US Patent:

46102434, Sep 9, 1986

Filed:

May 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/731025

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Deephaven MN

Assignee:

Charles D. Ray, Ltd. - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

A61B 100

US Classification:

128 20

Abstract:

A Taylor-type force-fulcrum retractor has a broad malleable band which is readily shaped by hand to fit any situation and yet holds that shape against forces that may be applied to pull the muscles away from the center of an incision. The force-fulcrum retractor is particularly useful in spinal surgery and may have a claw-like spike or spikes which penetrate the surface of a bone within the incision to establish an extraordinarily secure fulcrum.

US Patent:

56499450, Jul 22, 1997

Filed:

Oct 17, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/324143

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Golden Valley MN
Eugene A. Dickhudt - New Brighton MN

Assignee:

RayMedica, Inc. - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

A61B 1732

US Classification:

606167

Abstract:

A spinal anulus cutter for cutting a multisided flap in an encapsulating ligament, such as an anulus of a human intervertebral disc, to provide access to an interior space or material surrounded by the ligament. The spinal anulus cutter is characterized by a knife blade comprised of a plurality of walls which are connected together to define a closed side and an open side. Further, a cutting edge is formed at the forward edge of the walls which is configured to cut the multisided flap in the ligament when an axial force is transmitted to the knife blade in a direction towards the cutting edge. The flap will conform in shape and size to the form of the knife blade, whereby the open side of the knife blade will not cut the ligamentary tissue.

US Patent:

42768829, Jul 7, 1981

Filed:

May 18, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/040285

Inventors:

Eugene A. Dickhudt - St. Paul MN
Charles D. Ray - Long Lake MN

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 104

US Classification:

128419P

Abstract:

An anchor for a body stimulation lead. A first body member is provided with an aperture while a second body member has a post extending from a surface thereof into the first body member aperture. At least the proximal portion of the post is slightly larger than the aperture to establish a press fit therein. Grooves are provided within one of the body members and are adapted to accept a body stimulation lead of known generally circular cross section. In a preferred embodiment, the groove opening is no greater than the lead diameter and the groove depth is at least as great as the lead radius. Suture cooperating elements are provided to facilitate securement of the anchor to body tissue.

US Patent:

47261218, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Mar 9, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/023381

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Wayzata MN
Matthew L. Meyer - Edina MN

Assignee:

Cedar Development Corp. - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

G01B 500

US Classification:

33143R

Abstract:

A caliper that can be operated with one hand to provide accurate direct readings of dimensions within a surgical incision has a fixed jaw at the end of a shaft and a movable jaw at the end of a tube slidably mounted on the shaft. The slidable tube is normally locked in position, but by pressing a button, the user can release the lock, whereupon a coil spring biases the tube and its jaw toward the fixed jaw until their relative movement is stopped by the object being measured. The user then reads the distance between the jaws by the position of a protuberance on the slidable tube relative to a scale etched in the handle.

US Patent:

48008753, Jan 31, 1989

Filed:

Aug 20, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/087423

Inventors:

Charles D. Ray - Deephaven MN

Assignee:

Cedar Surgical, Inc. - Minnetonka MN

International Classification:

A61F 504
B67C 1102

US Classification:

128 92V

Abstract:

Particulate bone is more easily and quickly guided into position for impaction into the site of a fusion mass by using a surgical funnel provided by an elongated, thin, flat base and a pair of thin, upstanding walls which extend along the elongated edges of the base to provide a chute. While the outlet of the funnel rests against the recipient site, particulate bond is incrementally pushed from the chute and tamped to build a fushion mass. By doing so, the particulate bone is much less likely to become contaminated by soft tissues. Preferably the reservoir provided by the upstanding walls is large enough to hold sufficient particulate bond to complete one side of a usual fusion mass so that the funnel can be left in position during that part of the surgical procedure. The funnel can be a single piece of metal or plastic.