THIERRY G VANCAILLIE
Medical Practice in San Antonio, TX

5395354, Mar 7, 1995

Aug 19, 1993

8/109121

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

A61M 100

604317

A malleable vaginal speculum is manually shaped to dilate the inner contour of a vagina sufficiently to allow manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the vagina. The malleable vaginal speculum may optionally be coupled a funnel, apron and splash shield to function as a fluid collector for use during endoscopic surgery. A portion of the splash shield is placed under the patient while the remainder extends to a perforated portion of the funnel wall. Fluid draining into the funnel through its mouth and through the perforated wall is collected in a container, where its volume is measured. By measuring the volume of irrigation fluid dispensed during the surgery and subtracting the measured fluid volume collected, an estimate of the amount of irrigation fluid absorbed by the patient during the surgery is obtained.

5846219, Dec 8, 1998

Apr 26, 1996

8/638366

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

A61M 100

604 35

A variable backflow suction-hydraulic curet for mobilizing and evacuating tissue in a patient requiring such tissue removal. The variable backflow suction-hydraulic curet combines three modes of action to effect tissue removal while minimizing damage to underlying or adjacent tissue. The three modes of action are tissue mobilization through mechanical contact, through a variable pressurized fluid stream, and through suction-induced scavenging of mobilized tissue. Suction-induced scavenging of mobilized tissue occurs when a partial vacuum is applied to mobilized tissue through a suction tube within the curet. Movement of fluid and tissue particulates through the suction tube is enhanced by a variable pressurized fluid backflow through the suction tube which tends to further fluidize particulates and to increase the velocity of evacuation fluid flow. Variable features of the curet fluid flows are responsive to curet positioning and to vacuum applied to the suction tube vacuum port.

5486173, Jan 23, 1996

Dec 8, 1993

8/164107

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

A61B 1739

606 45

A self-guiding electrode and cutting tip for use in electrical tissue resection. Self-guiding forces are those applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an electrode, or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. Forces sufficient to compensate in part for errors in cutting tip placement are produced by tissue pressure acting on tissue skids and keels. Tissue skids are intended to slide along tissue surfaces, maintaining structures to which they are coupled at a substantially fixed spacing from the surface. Tissue keels are intended to slide between tissue planes, whether they are naturally occurring or a result of a surgical incision. Lateral deviations from a straight incision made in a plane substantially perpendicular to a tissue surface tend to be resisted by forces on a tissue keel affixed in a leading or following relationship with respect to a cutting loop. Deviations in depth tend to be reduced by maintaining substantially uniform tissue pressure on a tissue skid sliding on the surface. Rotational self-alignment and otherwise enhanced self-guiding characteristics may be achieved through employment of tissue skids and/or tissue keels in conjunction with one or more spring-centered joints placed in series with electrode conductors.

5095917, Mar 17, 1992

Jan 19, 1990

7/447882

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

A61F 606

128831

A method and apparatus for sterilization of females using a transuterine technique. The method of the present invention provides an irreversible method of sterilization which involves destruction of the mucosa followed by insertion of a biodegradable plug. The mucosal destruction provokes an inflammatory reaction and the plug serves as a substrate to guide the healing process toward occlusion instead of recanalization.

5522805, Jun 4, 1996

Jun 7, 1995

8/484877

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX
Robert K. Mitchiner - Longmont CO
David W. Newton - Boulder CO

Aquintel, Inc. - Mountain View CA

A61M 500

604246

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorbed by a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The monitor comprises means for weighing fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, means are provided for weighing fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, and the surgical drapes. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, computing means maintain totals of fluid administered and fluid collected even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied. Optional verticality compensation means and anti-rotation devices are included.

5788694, Aug 4, 1998

Jan 16, 1996

8/585989

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

A61B 1739

606 45

An electrode having at least one self-guiding surface (a tissue skid) for use in electrical tissue resection. Self-guiding forces are applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrode, and/or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. Forces sufficient to compensate in part for errors in cutting tip placement are produced by tissue pressure acting on one or more convex tissue skids. Optional tissue cutting tips for the electrode are configured to enhance heat transfer from the cutting tip by external fluid flow around the cutting tip, to improve heat transfer within the cutting tip through use of heat transfer fluids and/or heat-conducting solids, and/or to cool the cutting tip by expansion of a compressed cooling fluid through an orifice within a hollow portion of the cutting tip.

5956130, Sep 21, 1999

Jul 9, 1997

8/890364

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX
Robert K. Mitchiner - Longmont CO
David W. Newton - Boulder CO

Aquintel Corporation - Mountain View CA

G01N 3348

356 39

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorption rate and tissue loss rate in a patient during a surgical procedure. The monitor estimates fluid source flow rates and waste fluid flow rates based on weight changes per unit time or direct reading fluid flow rate meters. Tissue loss flow rates are estimated based on tissue concentration measurable in waste irrigation fluid using an optical comparator, and are used to correct waste fluid flow rates. Correct waste fluid flow rates are used in turn to obtain estimated fluid absorption rates.

5709670, Jan 20, 1998

May 13, 1996

8/645349

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX
Robert K. Mitchiner - Longmont CO
David W. Newton - Boulder CO

Aquintel, Inc. - Mountain View CA

A61M 500

604246

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorption rate and tissue loss rate in a patient during a surgical procedure. The monitor estimates fluid source flow rates and waste fluid flow rates based on weight changes per unit time or direct reading fluid flow rate meters. Tissue loss flow rates are estimated based on tissue concentration measurable in waste irrigation fluid using an optical comparator, and are used to correct waste fluid flow rates. Correct waste fluid flow rates are used in turn to obtain estimated fluid absorption rates.

5492537, Feb 20, 1996

May 3, 1994

8/237350

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX

Aquintel, Inc. - Longmont CO

A61M 500

604246

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorbed by a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The monitor weighs fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, the surgical drapes, and the floor is weighed. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by automatically subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, totals of fluid administered and fluid collected are computed and maintained even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied.

5709221, Jan 20, 1998

Dec 19, 1996

8/770015

Thierry G. Vancaillie - San Antonio TX
Robert K. Mitchiner - Longmont CO

Aquintel, Inc. - Mountain View CA

A61B 1900

128849

A disposable surgical drape comprising a folding funnel, folding frame means, and splash shield functions as a fluid collector for use during surgery. A portion of the splash shield is placed under the patient while the remainder extends over the operating table end to direct fluid flow to a folding funnel which is shaped and positioned as desired with folding frame means. Fluid draining into the funnel is collected for measurement. Folding frame means impart a substantially frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal shape to the funnel in use and employ one or more hinged struts to help maintain the funnel mouth substantially open and horizontal.