Gene W Kammerer

US Patent:

6605097, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Oct 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/691359

Inventors:

Jorn Lehe - D22415 Hamburg, DE
Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ 08818

International Classification:

A61B 1704

US Classification:

606148, 606224, 606227

Abstract:

A surgical instrument for introducing a support strand into the body to treat female urinary incontinence has an elongated, curved shaft with a distal end insertable into the body. The shaft has a lumen therein extending at least a portion of the length of the shaft through which the support strand may pass in an axial direction. The shaft has a slot on an exterior surface thereof communicating with the lumen allowing the support strand to be laterally passed between the lumen to a position outside the shaft. A pointed element, is removably positionable on the distal end of the shaft for facilitating the insertion of the shaft through the body and is connectable at one end to the support strand. The pointed element may either be swaged directly to the strand or be in the form of an elongated needle with an eye to which the strand is removably attached. In an associated method, the shaft sequentially delivers the pointed element through the body twice, forming a loop around the urethra to relieve incontinence.

US Patent:

6607545, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/749077

Inventors:

Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ
Dorothy Dion - West Orange NJ
Martin Nohilly - Hoboken NJ

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

606193

Abstract:

A surgical balloon for insertion into a body cavity with a major chamber having a first volume and an annexed minor chamber communicating therewith and having a second volume less than the first volume has a continuous outer wall which defines the exterior surface of the balloon on a first side and the interior hollow of the balloon on a second side. The wall is formed from a stretchable elastic material permitting the interior hollow of the balloon to accommodate a variable volume of fluid ranging from a minimum deflated volume associated with a relaxed state of the wall to a maximum inflated volume associated with a stretched state of the wall. The wall has selected areas of varying expansibility attributable to varying wall thickness, heat or chemical treatment. The wall provides the balloon with an inflated shape within the cavity approximating the interior shape of the body cavity, including a first portion approximating the major chamber and a second portion approximating the minor chamber. As applied to balloons for insertion into the uterus for endometrial ablation therapy, the balloon has a pair of projections for inserting into the uterine cornua.

US Patent:

6932759, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Oct 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/285281

Inventors:

Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US
Brian Luscombe - Branchburg NJ, US
Hans-Jochen Hoepffner - 25355 Barmstedt, DE
Susanne Landgrebe - 23867 Sulfeld, DE
Ulf Ulmsten - Dandervd, SE
Jorn Lehe - The Hague, NL
Laura Angelini - Rome, IT

International Classification:

A61F002/00
A61B017/34

US Classification:

600 30, 606185

Abstract:

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a tape, or mesh, for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle. In an alternate embodiment, the second curved needle is an anesthesia needle and the method includes anesthetizing the needle pathway through a patient's body to facilitate the passage of the first needle and mesh therethrough.

US Patent:

7112210, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Apr 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/404576

Inventors:

Ulf Ulmsten - Danderyd, SE
Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17/08
A61F 2/00

US Classification:

606151, 600 29, 600 37

Abstract:

The invention relates to a surgical instrument and a method for treating female urinary incontinence. A tape or mesh is permanently implanted into the body as a support for the urethra. In one embodiment, portions of the tape comprise tissue growth factors and adhesive bonding means for attaching portions of the tape to the pubic bone. In a further embodiment, portions of the tape comprise attachment means for fastening portions of the tape to fascia within the pelvic cavity. In both embodiments the tape is implanted with a single incision through the vaginal wall.

US Patent:

7121997, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/873571

Inventors:

Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US
Hans-Jochen Hoepffner - Belle Mead NJ, US
Susanne Landgrebe - Sulfeld, DE
Brian Luscombe - Branchburg NJ, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ
Ethicon G.m.b.H.

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 30, 128DIG 25, 600 37, 606119, 606148

Abstract:

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a mesh for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle.

US Patent:

7131943, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Feb 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/359406

Inventors:

Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 30, 600 37

Abstract:

A mesh, a surgical kit including a mesh, and a method for using the same to restore a prolapsed organ within a patient's pelvic cavity are provided. The surgical kit includes a mesh for supporting the organ including a support sheet portion to be positioned beneath the organ, and first and second front attachment strips extending from a proximal region of the mesh and first and second rear attachment strips extending form a distal region of the mesh. The kit also includes a first guide needle for penetrating tissue to create a passageway through which the attachment strips can be pulled, and coupling means for coupling the ends of the mesh to the attachment strips.

US Patent:

7226407, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Jul 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/191572

Inventors:

Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US
Hans-Jochen Hoepffner - Belle Mead NJ, US
Susanne Landgrebe - Sulfeld, DE
Brian Luscombe - Branchburg NJ, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61F 2/00

US Classification:

600 30, 600 37

Abstract:

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a mesh for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle.

US Patent:

7452368, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Sep 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/941238

Inventors:

Jessica Liberatore - Marlboro NJ, US
Mark Howansky - Union City NJ, US
Gene W. Kammerer - East Brunswick NJ, US
James J. Rudnick - Mahwah NJ, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61D 1/00

US Classification:

606220, 606143, 206339

Abstract:

A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves. The system also includes a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel. When the shuttle and loaded fastener are received within the cartridge channel, the connector of the surgical fastener abuts the first projection to thereby limit movement of the fastener toward a distal end of the cartridge.