Frank T Watkins

55206093, May 28, 1996

May 18, 1993

8/062707

Frederic H. Moll - San Francisco CA
Albert K. Chin - Palo Alto CA
Diane E. Caramore - Menlo Park CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA

Origin Medsystems, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

A61B 1702

600204

A method and apparatus for mechanically lifting the abdominal wall away from underlying abdominal organs for laparoscopic surgery without insufflation. In the method an expansible device is inserted in the abdominal cavity through a small incision in a collapsed state and then expanded into engagement with an extensive area of the abdominal wall. Lifting force is then applied to the device for peritoneal retraction. The device takes the form of mechanical rods or arms and/or balloons. In the balloon embodiments lifting force may be applied externally of the abdominal cavity, or internally of the cavity by balloon inflation. Certain of the balloon embodiments are of an annular or U-shaped configuration and include a membrane for draping the internal organs and/or a centrally located balloon for lateral expansion. The balloons may be provided with an internal endoscope for viewing. The method also provides for laparoscopic gallbladder removal, either to the interior or exterior of the balloons.

50356950, Jul 30, 1991

Mar 9, 1990

7/491568

Jaroy Weber - Woodside CA
Terrance L. Kloeckl - San Francisco CA
Michael A. Kast - Palo Alto CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA

A61B 1739

606 42

An improved electrocautery method and instrument includes interlock features which enable the instrument to be safely operated under convenient manual controls including a slide element and control buttons and interlock switch positioned on the instrument.

49670611, Oct 30, 1990

Oct 10, 1989

7/418542

Jaroy Weber - Woodside CA
Terrance L. Kloeckl - San Francisco CA
Michael A. Kast - Palo Alto CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA
Anthony Chan - Los Altos CA

Sonne Medical, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

H05B 372

219438

Apparatus for warming a sterile liquid includes a basin with a heater assembly, a base surrounding the basin, and an electronic temperature controller. The shape of the basin bottom includes an plateau-like elevated central region and a depressed surrounding rim. The heater assembly is of a thin-film type, and provides relatively greater heating in the central region than in the outer region. Both the heater geometry and the shape of the basin bottom promote a natural and uniform convective flow of the liquid to promote mixing of the warmer and cooler portions of the liquid. The temperature controller allows the user to select the temperature that the liquid is to be warmed to, and provides visual and aural indications of liquid or basin temperatures which exceed reasonable pre-set limits. The controller also halts the flow of electrical current to the heater assembly when an overtemperature problem in the liquid or the basin is detected. A disposable cable connects the temperature controller to the basin.

52679705, Dec 7, 1993

Nov 1, 1991

7/786719

Albert K. Chin - Palo Alto CA
Charles Gresl - San Francisco CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA

Origin Medsystems, Inc. - San Carlos CA

A61M 2502

604175

A device for mounting a tubular sleeve for an obturator of a trocar to a patient's body includes a sleeve-holding part for attaching to the sleeve and a skin-fixation part for attaching to the patient's skin surface. The sleeve-holding part may be formed by an annular washer made of an elastic material which permits a user to move it longitudinally with respect to the sleeve so as to adjust their relative positions. The skin-fixation part may be a crossbar and a cord attached to the washer at one end and to the crossbar at the other. The cord is stapled to the patient's body for fixation.

58205551, Oct 13, 1998

Dec 27, 1996

8/774995

Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA
Richard L. Mueller - Byron CA
Tim J. Kovac - Los Gatos CA
Diane E. Caramore - Redwood City CA

A61B 1702

600204

A lifting device for laparoscopic procedures is provided with joints to enable an instrument carried by the device to be rotated to selectively adjust its pitch, roll and yaw. The adjustment provides a mechanism whereby the instrument may be connected to the arm in a variety of rotational orientations and accommodate different conditions to provide operating space within the body of a patient. Various mechanisms are provided to selectively lock the joints.

52812383, Jan 25, 1994

Mar 3, 1993

8/025912

Albert K. Chin - Palo Alto CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA

A61B 1700

606148

An improved endoscopic ligature provided with a loop support means for stabilizing the shape, position and orientation of a suture loop. The stabilized loop is impervious to surface tension forces created by body fluids and will not close on itself or stick to moist surfaces. When the loop is cinched closed it dislodges from the support. The loop support is made of a flexible material with shape memory and has an unstressed width greater than that of the trocar cannula. The loop support is collapsible to allow the instrument to be inserted and withdrawn through the cannula.

49191292, Apr 24, 1990

Nov 30, 1987

7/125652

Jaroy Weber - Woodside CA
Terrance L. Kloeckl - San Francisco CA
Michael A. Cast - Palo Alto CA
Frank T. Watkins - Menlo Park CA

Celebration Medical Products, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

A61B 1739

606 42

An improved electrocautery method and instrument is configured to accept attachable extension units for effectively extending the utility of the instrument into deep surgical sites. Interlock features enable the instrument to be safely configured to any desired length for use as a vacuum probe and as a self-cleanable electrocautery or electro-surgical instrument under convenient manual controls including a slide element and control buttons and interlock switch positioned on the instrument.