Patents by Inventor Darrel Powell
Darrel Powell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7608086Abstract: An anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet (ring) attachment between tissue lumens facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation by including features that facilitate actuation from a stressed, generally cylindrical shape. Economical manufacturer is achieved by weaving open ended strands into a generally cylindrical stent shape that is imparted with a Shape Memory Effect (SME) to actuate to a hollow rivet (ring) shape. Alternatively or in addition to SME inherent in the woven strands, an actuating force may be received from a helical spring element incorporated into the ring. Self-actuating ring devices are enhanced by forming woven strands into petals that diverge from opposing petals such that the strands encounter less friction when actuating. Each of these features alone or in combination enhance clinical use of anastomotic ring devices, such as a bariatric gastric bypass procedure.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Don A. Tanaka, Mark S. Ortiz, Darrel Powell
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Publication number: 20080078802Abstract: A staple having a crown and first and second deformable members extending from the crown. In at least one embodiment, the staple further includes a base connecting the first and second deformable members where the base is not entirely co-planar with the first and second deformable members. In these embodiments, the crown can be overmolded onto, or attached to, the base and provide a larger and/or more stable tissue-contacting surface for supporting the tissue captured by the staple. As a result, the possibility of the staple being pulled through the tissue and/or the tissue tearing within or around the staple is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, Darrel Powell
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Publication number: 20060052824Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in tissue. The implant can include an electrical insulator, such as in the form of a film, coating, or surface layer, for reducing the conductivity of the implant. The surgical implant can include a electrical insulator for reducing the conductivity of the implant. By way of example, the surgical implant can be in the form of a staple, and insulator can be in the form of an anodized surface layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: Mark Ransick, Samardh Onukuri, Thomas Huitema, Michael Murray, Darrel Powell
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Publication number: 20060052825Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in the tissue of a patient. The surgical implant can include a electrical insulator for reducing the conductivity of the implant. The surgical implant can be in the form of a staple, and insulator can be in the form of an anodized surface layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: Mark Ransick, Michael Murray, Darrel Powell
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Publication number: 20050070934Abstract: An anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet (ring) attachment between tissue lumens facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation by including features that facilitate actuation from a stressed, generally cylindrical shape. Economical manufacturer is achieved by weaving open ended strands into a generally cylindrical stent shape that is imparted with a Shape Memory Effect (SME) to actuate to a hollow rivet (ring) shape. Alternatively or in addition to SME inherent in the woven strands, an actuating force may be received from a helical spring element incorporated into the ring. Self-actuating ring devices are enhanced by forming woven strands into petals that diverge from opposing petals such that the strands encounter less friction when actuating. Each of these features alone or in combination enhance clinical use of anastomotic ring devices, such as a bariatric gastric bypass procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Don Tanaka, Mark Ortiz, Darrel Powell
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Patent number: 5776112Abstract: A safety-shielded trocar having an obturator with a linear cutting edge surface defining a base width substantially less than the diameter of the safety shield is disclosed. When the trocar is inserted through tissue, the tissue dilates from the width of the linear incision to accommodate the size of the safety shield of the trocar, thus making it possible to provide an access opening greater than the incisional width made by the linear cutting edge surface of the obturator. In a preferred embodiment, the safety shield has a shield tip region which is asymmetric to facilitate the dilation of the tissue as the trocar is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Randy R. Stephens, Steven G. Yapp, Salvatore Privitera, Richard F. Schwemberger, Darrel Powell
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Patent number: 5709671Abstract: A safety-shielded trocar having an obturator with a linear cutting edge surface defining a base width substantially less than the diameter of the safety shield is disclosed. When the trocar is inserted through tissue, the tissue dilates from the width of the linear incision to accommodate the size of the safety shield of the trocar, thus making it possible to provide an access opening greater than the incisional width made by the linear cutting edge surface of the obturator. In a preferred embodiment, the safety shield has a shield tip region which is asymmetric to facilitate the dilation of the tissue as the trocar is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Randy R. Stephens, Steven G. Yapp, Salvatore Privitera, Richard F. Schwemberger, Darrel Powell
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Patent number: 5609604Abstract: A trocar having an obturator with an obturator housing, a piercing tip and a rigid stem is disclosed. The piercing tip has a cutting edge surface and first and second spaced-apart legs generally parallel to each other extending away from the cutting edge surface. The stem is attached to the obturator housing at a first end of the obturator, and the legs of the piercing tip straddle the stem at an opposite end of the obturator. The straddling of the legs about the stem of the obturator fixes the piercing tip to the stem. The attachment of the piercing tip to the stem provides a secure attachment. The trocar is easy to manufacture and assemble, and the component parts can be readily disassembled. The piercing tip attachment is especially advantageous when the piercing tip is configured generally as a razor blade.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Schwemberger, Darrel Powell, Randy R. Stephens, Salvatore Privitera
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Patent number: 5485947Abstract: A stapler mechanism is described which contains a stapling assembly, and anvil assembly, firing means and knife means. These means are activated by a firing trigger. The anvil assembly is closed upon the stapling assembly by means of a closure trigger. The firing trigger is inoperable until the closure trigger has been activated. Another mechanism in the stapler is capable of locking the closure trigger after use so it does not spring open inadvertently before use of the firing trigger. Additionally, the stapler mechanism allows forward motion of both triggers and also is capable of allowing reverse motion of the closure trigger to open the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Todd Olson, Dan Meiser, Gary Steed, Eric Huffman, Matthew Otten, Ronald VanOverloop, Darrel Powell, Thomas Knodell, Edward Rhad, Ralph Chen, Robert Cook
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Patent number: 5332142Abstract: A stapler mechanism is described which contains a stapling assembly, and anvil assembly, firing means and knife means. These means are activated by a firing trigger. The anvil assembly is closed upon the stapling assembly by means of a closure trigger. The firing trigger is inoperable until the closure trigger has been activated. Another mechanism in the stapler is capable of locking the closure trigger after use so it does not spring open inadvertently before actuation of the firing trigger. Additionally, the stapler mechanism allows forward motion of both triggers and also is capable of allowing reverse motion of the closure trigger to open the mechanism. Furthermore, the stapler mechanism contains means for obstructing the flow of insufflation gasses or bodily fluid from the surgical site through the instrument during endoscopic surgery.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Robinson, Todd Olson, Dan Meiser, Gary Steed, Eric Huffman, Matthew Otten, Ronald VanOverloop, Darrel Powell, Thomas Knodell, Edward Rhad, Ralph Chen, Robert Cook
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Patent number: 5307976Abstract: A stapler mechanism is described which contains a stapling assembly, and anvil assembly, firing means and knife means. These means are activated by a firing trigger. The anvil assembly is closed upon the stapling assembly by means of a closure trigger. The firing trigger is inoperable until the closure trigger has been activated. Another mechanism in the stapler is capable of locking the closure trigger after use so it does not spring open inadvertently before use of the firing trigger. Additionally, the stapler mechanism allows forward motion of both triggers and also is capable of allowing reverse motion of the closure trigger to open the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Todd Olson, Dan Meiser, Gary Steed, Eric Huffman, Matthew Otten, Ronald VanOverloop, Darrel Powell, Thomas Knodell, Edward Rhad, Ralph Chen, Robert Cook