George D Hermann

US Patent:

6338725, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Sep 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/158777

Inventors:

George D. Hermann - Los Gatos CA
Kirsten Freislinger - Menlo Park CA
Steven W. Kim - Cupertino CA
Jay A. Lenker - Laguna Beach CA
Michael A. Evans - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Medtronic AVE, Inc. - Santa Rosa CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604 9504, 604 9601, 60416401, 60416701, 604523, 604537, 604912

Abstract:

A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.

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:

6447529, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/873930

Inventors:

Thomas J. Fogarty - Portola Valley CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Jan M. Echeverry - San Jose CA
Kenneth H. Mollenauer - Los Gatos CA

Assignee:

General Surgical Innovations, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606190, 606192, 600207, 60410307

Abstract:

The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle.

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:

6577702, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Jul 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620730

Inventors:

Gail Lebovic - Palo Alto CA
George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
David Willis - Palo Alto CA
Thomas A. Howell - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

BioLucent, Inc. - Aliso Viejo CA

International Classification:

A61B 604

US Classification:

378 37, 378 68, 378208

Abstract:

According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patients breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.

US Patent:

6596010, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Aug 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/385125

Inventors:

George D. Hermann - Portola Valley CA
Fred H. Co - Santa Clara CA
Douglas S. Sutton - Pacifica CA

Assignee:

General Surgical Innovations, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

606192, 606190

Abstract:

Balloon loaded dissection devices with elongate balloons and a pushing member are disclosed for creating a tunnel alongside an elongate vessel in the body. The devices may utilize an elongate balloon of any suitable length which may be formed of an elastic or non-elastic material. The balloon may be of double walled construction and may be provided with a central lumen which may receive a guide rod, scope or other surgical instrument. The device may have a support tube secured to the inner wall of the balloon to provide columnar support for the apparatus. In a further aspect, the support tube may have a spoon-shaped shroud attached to a distal end of the support tube. The support tube receives the guide rod, to scope or other surgical instrument and may have a stop member to translate pushing force applied to the guide rod or scope to pushing force on the apparatus. By using the guide rod or scope as a pushing member the apparatus may be advanced alongside the vessel it is desired to dissect free from attached tissue. A balloon cover which may be elastic or resilient is provided to surround the balloon and facilitate compression of the balloon after it is deflated.