John L Ashley

US Patent:

6379350, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/412878

Inventors:

Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
Bruno Strul - Portola Valley CA
Daren L. Stewart - Belmont CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA
Ramiro L. Reyes - Union City CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 41, 606 48, 606 49, 606 50

Abstract:

An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area. The electrosurgical aspiration instrument also permits both functions to be performed at different times, with the advantage of not requiring instruments to be switched on during the treatment procedure or removed from the treatment site.

US Patent:

6461357, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/340065

Inventors:

Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
Gary S. Fanton - Portola Valley CA
John A. Ashley - San Francisco CA
J. Remberto Carranza - Daly City CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 45, 606 48

Abstract:

An electrosurgical probe is provided to vaporize, cut, coagulate or remove tissue from a body structure. A method of surgically treating a mammal includes providing a surgical instrument including a length of shaft and an active electrode having a curved current density edge with at least one convex surface; and ablating a tissue surface with said surgical instrument.

US Patent:

6517568, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Nov 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/706244

Inventors:

Hugh J. Sharkey - Redwood City CA
Joel Saal - Portola Valley CA
Jeffrey Saal - Portola Valley CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607 96, 607101

Abstract:

A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70Â C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheters distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the functional element is positioned at a selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter.

US Patent:

6547810, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Nov 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/707627

Inventors:

Hugh R. Sharkey - Woodside CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA
Joel Saal - Portola Valley CA
Jeffrey A. Saal - Portola Valley CA
Le Trong Le - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607 96, 607 99, 607113, 607116, 606 27, 128898

Abstract:

A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70Â C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheters distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the functional element is positioned at a selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter.

US Patent:

6638276, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Jun 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876827

Inventors:

Hugh Sharkey - Menlo Park CA
Andy Uchida - Mountain View CA
Huy Phan - San Jose CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

606 41, 607113, 607117, 600373

Abstract:

An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal sheath sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the sheath being predisposed to adopting a bent configuration when extended from the introducer; a probe adapted to be extended from a distal end of the sheath, the bent section of the sheath causing the probe to adopt a same bent configuration; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

6645204, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jun 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876832

Inventors:

Hugh Sharkey - Menlo Park CA
Andy Uchida - Mountain View CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1800

US Classification:

606 41, 128898, 606 14, 606 33

Abstract:

An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

6726685, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876833

Inventors:

Kevin To - Campbell CA
Le T. Le - San Jose CA
Andy Uchida - Mountain View CA
Hugh Sharkey - Menlo Park CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H61B 1818

US Classification:

606 50, 606 14, 606 33

Abstract:

An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a probe capable of being extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, the probe forming a loop when extended from the distal end of the introducer, the loop having first and second proximal ends external to the introducer which are brought together adjacent the introducer distal end to form the loop by the proximal ends being either attached to or entering the distal end of the introducer; and a proximal handle for externally causing the probe to be extended from the distal end of the introducer and externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

US Patent:

6733496, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876832

Inventors:

Hugh Sharkey - Menlo Park CA
Andy Uchida - Mountain View CA
John Ashley - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Oratec Interventions, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61B 1800

US Classification:

606 41, 128898, 606 14, 606 33

Abstract:

An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.