DR. EARL COURTNEY DOWNEY, MD
Radiology in Salt Lake City, UT

8080004, Dec 20, 2011

Oct 26, 2005

11/259936

Earl Downey - Salt Lake City UT, US
Stephen B. Carter - Poway CA, US
Kenneth A. Gross - Northridge CA, US
Darrin I. Schmuckle - San Marcos CA, US

A61B 17/00

606 1, 606167, 606205, 606210

A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, the laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: (a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a handle grip; (b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by a finger and supported by the handle, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a gearing assembly operable to displace the actuator shaft with a mechanical advantage upon actuation of a trigger by the surgeon; (c) a locking mechanism configured to lock the actuating mechanism in one of a plurality of positions, the locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position; and (d) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuator shaft, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon via the handle and the actuating mechanism to perform a surgical function.

2009029, Dec 3, 2009

Apr 27, 2009

12/430777

Earl C. Downey - Salt Lake City UT, US
Stephen B. Carter - Poway CA, US
Kenneth A. Gross - Northridge CA, US
Darrin I. Schmuckle - Vista CA, US

A61B 1/00

600118, 600131

A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, comprising: a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by the surgeon and supported within the interior portion of the handle; c) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuating mechanism, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon; and d) means for accessing the interior portion of the handle to expose an inner side of the wall structure and at least a portion of each of the working mechanisms for cleaning, sterilization and maintenance purposes.

2006019, Aug 24, 2006

Mar 24, 2004

10/551363

Earl Downey - Salt Lake City UT, US

A61B 17/28

606205000

A surgical device with an ergonomic handle and, an elongated tubular portion extending from the ergonomic handle to a functional end . The elongated tubular portion has a longitudinal axis , and a finger actuator is positioned substantially in line with this axis. Furthermore, the surgical device may also include a rod functionally disposed within the tubular portion along the longitudinal axis . The rod may be coupled proximally to the finger actuator and distally to the functional end , such that bidirectional pressure applied by the user's finger to the finger actuator along the longitudinal axis manipulates the functional end in a bidirectional manner in response to or in a common direction to the bidirectional pressure. The surgical device may further comprise a ratcheting mechanism to lock the finger actuator in a fixed position, thus locking the functional end in a fixed position. Additionally, the functional end may be free to rotate around the longitudinal axis , and the elongated tubular portion may be detachable from the ergonomic handle