Patent US6620129B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6620129B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enlargeable multifunctional devices
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 2001-09-05
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Granted: 2003-09-16
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Expires: 2021-09-05
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to multifunctional devices for performing suction, irrigation, and manipulation at an internal site in a subject, and more particularly to enlargeable multifunctional devices for performing such functions while avoiding obstruction during conventional and endoscopic surgery. The present invention eliminates many of the problems associated with malleable tissue obstruction during surgery by providing the ability to deploy and retract a guard (e.g. enlargeable section) to create an area free of tissue interference.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Stecker
- 👤 Philip P. Stecker
- 👤 Barbara L. Stecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61M1/85; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61B2218/008; A61B90/00; A61B90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A multifunctional device configured for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, comprising; a) a tube comprising; i) a plurality of openings defining an enlargeable section in said tube, wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said tube, and ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said enlargeable section, and wherein said distal tip is attached to said enlargeable section; and wherein said tube configured such that fluid transmitted through said tube contacts both the inner surface of said enlargeable section and the inner surface of said distal tip; and b) an inner utility member, wherein said inner utility member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said inner utility member is disposed inside said tube such that there is a gap between said inner utility member and said tube along the entire inner surface of said tube, and c) a tissue manipulation tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said tissue manipulation tip is attached to said distal end of said inner utility member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multifunctional device configured for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, comprising; a) a tube comprising; i) a plurality of openings defining an enlargeable section in said tube, wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said tube, and ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said enlargeable section, and wherein said distal tip is attached to said enlargeable section; and wherein said tube configured such that fluid transmitted through said tube contacts both the inner surface of said enlargeable section and the inner surface of said distal tip; and b) an inner utility member, wherein said inner utility member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said inner utility member is disposed inside said tube such that there is a gap between said inner utility member and said tube along the entire inner surface of said tube, and c) a tissue manipulation tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said tissue manipulation tip is attached to said distal end of said inner utility member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of openings is a longitudinal opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one function is selected from suctioning, irrigation, and tissue manipulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said tube comprises plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said enlargeable section is enclosed by media.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment device, wherein at least a portion of said adjustment device is within said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said tissue manipulation tip is selected from the group consisting of a cautery tip, a scalpel tip, a scissors tip, a scraping tip, and a stitching tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said tube is between 4 mm and 10 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein enlargeable section has passive spring action configured to move said enlargeable section to said enlarged position unless constrained.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
202 words
A multifunctional device configured for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, comprising; a) a tube comprising i) a plurality of openings defining an enlargeable section in said tube, wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said tube, and ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said enlargeable section, and wherein said distal tip is attached to said enlargeable section; and wherein said tube is configured such that fluid transmitted through said the contacts both the inner surface of said enlargeable section and the inner surface of said distal tip; and b) a sleeve member enclosing at least a portion of said tube, said sleeve member being moveable between: i) a first position along said tube that fully encloses said enlargeable section such that said enlargeable section can only be in said non-enlarged position when said sleeve member is in said first position, and ii) a second position along said tube that at most partially encloses said enlargeable section such that said enlargeable section is in said enlarged position when said sleeve member is in said second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
A multifunctional device configured for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, comprising; a) a tube comprising i) a plurality of openings defining an enlargeable section in said tube, wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said tube, and ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said enlargeable section, and wherein said distal tip is attached to said enlargeable section; and wherein said tube is configured such that fluid transmitted through said the contacts both the inner surface of said enlargeable section and the inner surface of said distal tip; and b) a sleeve member enclosing at least a portion of said tube, said sleeve member being moveable between: i) a first position along said tube that fully encloses said enlargeable section such that said enlargeable section can only be in said non-enlarged position when said sleeve member is in said first position, and ii) a second position along said tube that at most partially encloses said enlargeable section such that said enlargeable section is in said enlarged position when said sleeve member is in said second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of said enlargeable section is enclosed by media.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said at least one function is selected from suctioning, irrigation, and tissue manipulation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said enlargeable section has passive spring action configured to move said enlargeable section to said enlarged position unless constrained.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said tube comprises plastic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein the diameter of said tube is between 4 mm and 10 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-15 | 2007-03-17 | 2007-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-15 | 2011-03-17 | 2011-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-15 | 2015-03-17 | 2015-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |