Kenneth Michael Adams

US Patent:

6656195, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/950607

Inventors:

Gary Peters - Jacksonville FL
Kenneth Adams - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606159

Abstract:

A flexible inner tubular member for being rotated in an outer tubular member of a rotary tissue cutting instrument includes an elongate inner tube having a rotatably driveable proximal end, a distal end having a cutting member exposed from the outer tubular member to cut anatomical tissue and a flexible region allowing the inner tubular member to rotate within the outer tubular member while conforming to the shape of the outer member. The flexible region is defined by a helical cut in the inner tube defining a plurality of integrally, unitarily connected tube segments angularly movable relative to one another and a spiral wrap disposed over the helical cut.

US Patent:

6979332, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Nov 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/700856

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 45, 47170, 47 49

Abstract:

A surgical micro-resecting instrument including an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member, a hub assembly, and an electrical insulator. The outer tubular member is formed of an electrically conductive material and defines a proximal section, a distal section, and a lumen. The distal section forms an axial passage distal a cutting window, both of which are fluidly connected to the lumen. The inner tubular member is disposed within the lumen and defines a distal portion that forms a cutting tip. The hub assembly maintains the inner and outer tubular members. The electrical insulator covers a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly. In this regard, at least the cutting window is not covered by the electrical insulator for cauterizing contacted tissue via the energy. The axial passage facilitates continuous aspiration.

US Patent:

7131975, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Sep 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/244062

Inventors:

Kenneth Adams - Jacksonville FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61F 2/38

US Classification:

606101, 606104, 81489, 72457, 72479

Abstract:

A straightening tool is disclosed for straightening angled tissue cutting instruments including an outer member having a proximal length portion and a pre-formed bend connecting the proximal length portion with a distal length portion extending from the bend at an angle to a distal end, and a flexible inner member movably disposed in the outer member to cut anatomical tissue. The straightening tool comprises a handle and a positioning block extending from the handle coaxial with the straightening tool. The positioning block has a longitudinal bore for receiving the distal length portion therethrough to position the distal end within a cavity of the positioning block and the bend within a longitudinal slot of the positioning block with the proximal length portion extending externally through an opening of the slot. The bore confines the distal length portion against radial movement and serves as a fulcrum about which the proximal length portion is manually pivotable into abutment with a floor of the slot extending from the bore at an angle in a direction opposite the slot opening. Upon release of the manual pivoting force, the proximal length portion springs back somewhat in the direction of the original bend to obtain a longitudinally straightened outer member.

US Patent:

7276073, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

May 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/429723

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 17/32
B21D 5/04

US Classification:

606167, 72310, 72319, 140106, 140147

Abstract:

A straightening tool for straightening an elongate angled member of an angled tissue cutting instrument in which the elongate angled member has a proximal length portion and an initial bend connecting the proximal length portion to a distal length portion extending from the bend to a distal end. The straightening tool comprises a positioning block attached to a handle, an unbending channel in the positioning block configured to effect straightening of the elongate angled member and a guide template corresponding to the unbending channel. The guide template comprises a guide slot having a longitudinal profile corresponding to the longitudinal profile of a forward aspect of the elongate angled member extending from the distal end proximally of the bend. A method of straightening an elongate angled member of an angled tissue cutting instrument involves matching the longitudinal profile of a forward aspect of the elongate angled member to a guide template of a straightening tool, inserting the forward aspect into an unbending channel of the straightening tool corresponding to the guide template, straightening the elongate angled member using the unbending channel and withdrawing the straightened elongate member from the unbending channel.

US Patent:

7276074, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Jan 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/760352

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US
Miro Mitusina - Ruskin FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 17/32

US Classification:

606170

Abstract:

An angled tissue cutting instrument includes an outer member having an elongate body with a bend and a forward end, and a distal tip rotatably mounted on the forward end. The distal tip and body are rotatable relative to one another about a central longitudinal axis of the tip to variably position a cutting window of the tip in a selected directional position about the axis. Relative rotation between the distal tip and the body about the axis is prevented to lock the cutting window in a selected directional position when the outer member is maintained in a longitudinally extended position by an inner member of the instrument disposed within the outer member. An indexing tool for the angled tissue cutting instrument has a socket for receiving the distal tip to effect rotational indexing. A method of variably positioning a cutting window of an angled tissue cutting instrument involves rotationally indexing a distal tip of an outer member of the instrument and maintaining the distal tip in a selected rotationally indexed position.

US Patent:

7338495, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689627

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 17/32

US Classification:

606 79, 606180

Abstract:

An angled tissue cutting instrument comprises an angled outer tubular member rotatably receiving a flexible inner tubular member. The inner member has a flexible region in correspondence with an angle of the outer member. The flexible region comprises a helically cut length portion of an elongate tubular body of the inner member and a continuous solid flexible surface secured to an outer surface of the body along the helically cut length portion. A method of fabricating a flexible inner tubular member involves forming a helical cut through the solid wall of a length portion of a tubular body and securing a continuous solid flexible surface to the outer surface of the body along the helically cut length portion to form a flexible region.

US Patent:

7455679, Nov 25, 2008

Filed:

Feb 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/781852

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US
Gary Peters - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

A61B 17/22

US Classification:

606170

Abstract:

A surgical elongate blade assembly with an interchangeable inner member such that the interchangeable inner member can be removed from a tubular outer member and inserted into another tubular outer member having a different configuration during a surgical procedure. The outer members and inner members can be provided as a kit. In one embodiment the outer member has a distal end and a tubular wall with the inner diameter of the tubular wall being greater than the inner diameter of the distal end.

US Patent:

7488322, Feb 10, 2009

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776835

Inventors:

William Charles Brunnett - Jacksonville FL, US
Dana A. Oliver - Jacksonville FL, US
Cecil O. Lewis - Jacksonville FL, US
Kenneth M. Adams - Jacksonville FL, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 17/32

US Classification:

606 79

Abstract:

A surgical cutting instrument including an outer tube, inner wire assembly, cutting tip, coupling chuck, and housing. The outer tube includes a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The inner wire assembly is received within the lumen. Preferably, the outer tube and inner wire assembly form a longitudinally curved segment. The cutting tip is connected to a distal section of the inner wire assembly. The coupling chuck is secured to a proximal section of the inner wire assembly. The housing maintains the outer tube and the coupling chuck. A rotating journal bearing, preferably a rotating-hydrodynamic bearing, is established between the inner wire assembly and the inner surface of the outer tube, allowing nominal rotational speeds of 80,000 RPM. Preferred embodiments of the surgical cutting instrument enhance surgeon visibility, minimize heat build-up, and provide improved stiffness and thermal protection.

Author:

Kenneth M. Adams

ISBN #:

0195035453

Author:

Kenneth M. Adams

ISBN #:

0195138082

Author:

Kenneth M. Adams

ISBN #:

0205278477

Author:

Kenneth M. Adams

ISBN #:

0743291387

Author:

Kenneth Alexander Adams

ISBN #:

0455222282

Author:

Kenneth Adams

ISBN #:

0195105400

Author:

Kenneth Adams

ISBN #:

0195105419

Author:

Kenneth Adams

ISBN #:

0300045336