Cynthia A Toth

US Patent:

6436035, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Sep 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/657129

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC
Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 106

US Classification:

600249, 362572, 606 11

Abstract:

A hand-held surgical light assembly is provided with a light source, and a handpiece which is adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user. The handpiece has a light guide with a proximal end optically connected to the light source, and a distal end which projects outwardly from said handpiece so as to direct light guided thereby onto a field of view determined by manipulation of the handpiece by the user. The handpiece includes a switch assembly which is operatively coupled to the light source to allow user selection between at least two different light intensities (e. g. , essentially on/off) discharged by said light guide onto the field of view. In preferred forms, the switch assembly includes an electrically conductive inner base member and an electrically conductive outer tubular elastomeric member concentrically positioned in surrounding, but spaced relationship, with the inner base member. When contact between the inner base member and the outer elastomeric member is made, switch circuitry changes the visible light intensity of the visible light generated by the light source, e. g. , by either directly modulating the current to the lamp itself, or by providing an electrically operable shutter assembly which masks the light generated by the light source.

US Patent:

6478681, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721775

Inventors:

Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC
Robert Machemer - Durham NC
Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

F16D 2701

US Classification:

464 29, 74 22 R

Abstract:

Magnetic couplings impart simultaneous reciprocal rotary and longitudinal motions or oscillations to a work element. In preferred embodiments, the magnetic couplings include a drive shaft, an output shaft coaxially aligned with the drive shaft relative to a central axis, and drive and driven magnet assemblies connected operatively to the drive and output shafts, respectively. The drive and driven magnet assemblies include permanent magnets arranged to translate continuous rotation of the drive shaft into simultaneous rotary and longitudinal movements of the driven magnet assembly relative to the drive axis. A resilient support member exhibiting torsional and longitudinal resiliency (e. g. , an annular elastomeric disc) is most preferably operatively connected to the output shaft to allow for such simultaneous rotary and longitudinal movements thereof.

US Patent:

6482198, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/837555

Inventors:

Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Cynthia A. Toth - Chapel Hill NC
Brian C. Dodge - Hillsborough NC
Brooks W. McCuen - Durham NC
Glenn J. Jaffe - Durham NC
Eric A. Postal - Raleigh NC
Sharon Fekrat - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606 1, 606210, 81489

Abstract:

Hand-held instruments have an actuator assembly which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial force about the entirety of the instrument circumference (i. e. , is omni-actuatable). Most preferably, the actuator assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart generally L-shaped actuator levers defining respective arcuate bearing surfaces along exterior edge regions thereof, and a retaining ring which circumferentially bounds the actuator levers around the exterior edge regions thereof. The retaining ring most preferably defines an interior stationary arcuate guide surface in conformable mated relationship to the bearing surfaces of said actuator levers. Radial force applied to the proximally extending arm sections of said levers thereby responsively causes the bearing surfaces thereof to be slideably moved along the guide surface of said retaining ring so as to translate such radial force into longitudinal movements of an elongate actuation pin between retracted and extended positions thereof. By providing a tool which operatively coacts with the actuation pin, a surgeon may actuate the tool as needed by applying radial force at any point about the circumference of the actuator assembly.

US Patent:

6491670, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/542985

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC
Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC
Eric A. Postel - Durham NC
Brooks W. McCuen - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61M 500

US Classification:

604264

Abstract:

Surgical instruments, especially for opthalmological surgical procedures, have a smooth, bulbous arcuate tip that surrounds the distal end of a lumen. The tip may be translucent and flexible. Most preferably, the tip is formed of a compliant, yet self-supporting, material, such as medical grade transparent silicone elastomer. The bulbous arcuate tip may take various geometric forms, for example, generally spherical, ellipsoid or the like. The bulbous arcuate tip may be symmetrical about the elongate axis of the instrument or may be asymmetrical (i. e. , angularly disposed) relative to such longitudinal axis. The surgical instruments of this invention are most preferably made by first adhering a length of compliant tubing (e. g. , silicone) onto a distal end of a rigid tube (e. g. , a section of a stainless steel needle).

US Patent:

6517560, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721774

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC
Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC
Robert Machemer - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 1714

US Classification:

606171, 606180, 74 24, 464 29

Abstract:

Hand-held surgical instruments include magnetic couplings which impart simultaneous reciprocal rotary and longitudinal motions or oscillations to a distally located workpiece. In preferred embodiments, the magnetic couplings include a drive shaft, an output shaft coaxially aligned with the drive shaft relative to a central axis, and drive and driven magnet assemblies connected operatively to the drive and output shafts, respectively. The drive and driven magnet assemblies include permanent magnets arranged to translate continuous rotation of the drive shaft into simultaneous rotary and longitudinal movements of the driven magnet assembly relative to the drive axis. A resilient support member exhibiting torsional and longitudinal resiliency (e. g. , an annular elastomeric disc) is most preferably operatively connected to the output shaft to allow for such simultaneous rotary and longitudinal movements thereof.

US Patent:

6540390, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Apr 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/123150

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC
Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61C 300

US Classification:

362552, 362109

Abstract:

A hand-held surgical light assembly is provided with a light source, and a handpiece which is adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user. The handpiece has a light guide with a proximal end optically connected to the light source, and a distal end which projects outwardly from said handpiece so as to direct light guided thereby onto a field of view determined by manipulation of the handpiece by the user. The handpiece includes a switch assembly which is operatively coupled to the light source to allow user selection between at least two different light intensities (e. g. , essentially on/off) discharged by said light guide onto the field of view. In preferred forms, the switch assembly includes an electrically conductive inner base member and an electrically conductive outer tubular elastomeric member concentrically positioned in surrounding, but spaced relationship, with the inner base member. When contact between the inner base member and the outer elastomeric member is made, switch circuitry changes the visible light intensity of the visible light generated by the light source, e. g. , by either directly modulating the current to the lamp itself, or by providing an electrically operable shutter assembly which masks the light generated by the light source.

US Patent:

6616683, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/563420

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Durham NC
Ronald F. Overaker - Durham NC
Brian C. Dodge - Durham NC
Brooks W. McCuen - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

B21K 500

US Classification:

606207, 606205, 606206, 606210, 76119

Abstract:

Miniature surgical forceps are formed from a one-piece tubular member by opposed longitudinal channels machined in a distal end thereof so as to establish a radially opposed pair of unitary forceps jaws. Most preferably, the opposed channels are formed in the distal end of the rigid tubular member by means of electron discharge machining (EDM) techniques. The resulting opposed cross-sectionally arcuate jaw sections may be bent and/or further shaped to achieve the desired final jaw configuration. The inner surfaces of the forceps jaws thereby established may have a filler material deposited in such a manner so as to change the overall shape and/or geometric configuration of the jaws and thereby engineer them to a specific surgical purpose.

US Patent:

7593559, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Nov 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/600913

Inventors:

Cynthia A. Toth - Chapel Hill NC, US
Marcin Stopa - Poznan, PL
Bradley A. Bower - Hillsborough NC, US

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382128, 128922, 378 4, 351200

Abstract:

A method/system preserves annotations of different pathological conditions or changes that are recognized on cross-sections within a three dimensional volume of a patient's eye so that the annotations are maintained in a visible state in an en face projection produced with a SVP technique. it is thus possible to coregister the annotated conditions or changes with other types of two dimensional en face images such as images from other ophthalmic devices (e. g. , angiography device, microperimetry device, autofluorescence device, fundal photography device. ). The annotations are also maintained in a visible state in the coregistered image.