Patents by Inventor Frank J. Viola

Frank J. Viola 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).

  • Publication number: 20230320730
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 11701118
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 11523826
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 11413041
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Publication number: 20220192666
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Publication number: 20220142644
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 11291443
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros, Michael A. Soltz, Robert DeSantis, Henry E. Holsten, Russell Heinrich, Michael Ingmanson, Philip Irka, David M. McCuen, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 11202630
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Publication number: 20210145439
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 10959729
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Karl H. Ehrenfels, David Ivanko, Randolph Lehn, Roberto Pedros, Csaba L. Rethy, Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 10881404
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 10835243
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple anvil and a staple cartridge having a working surface, one or more rows of individual staple slots formed in the working surface, a knife track formed along a length of the working surface, and a plurality of surgical staples individually disposed within the individual staple slots. The apparatus further includes an actuation sled having a knife and being configured and adapted to movably position the knife axially within the knife track. The apparatus also includes a wound closure material applicator assembly having a needle secured to the knife to dispense a quantity of wound closure material along a length of the knife track as the actuation sled and knife are moved therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Publication number: 20200352569
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros, Michael A. Soltz, Robert DeSantis, Henry E. Holsten, Russell Heinrich, Michael Ingmanson, Philip Irka, David M. McCuen, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 10813636
    Abstract: An assembly for joining tissue portions is provided and includes an anvil assembly and a body portion juxtaposed with respect to one another along a shaft and arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another; and an applicator disposed between the body portion and anvil assembly and configured for retaining a wound treatment material therein. The applicator has channels arranged for dispensing the wound treatment material therefrom onto an interface between the tissue portions. A method of joining the tissue portions is also provided and includes the steps of dispensing the wound treatment material from the applicator so as to distribute wound treatment material onto an interface between a first tissue portion and a second tissue portion; and approximating the anvil assembly and the body portion to one another so that the first and second tissue portions are in contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Christopher J. Criscuolo, David Fowler, Michael J. Bettuchi, Danyel (Tarinelli) Racenet, Robert Capella, Kevin Sniffin, Ahmad Hadba
  • Publication number: 20200289119
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros, Michael A. Soltz, Robert J. DeSantis, Henry E. Holsten, Russell Heinrich, Michael Ingmanson, Philip Irka, David M. McCuen, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 10463419
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes a surgical instrument, a power supply, and an accessory. The surgical instrument has a first induction device positioned therein. The power supply is electrically coupled to the first induction device. The accessory is selectively operably couplable to the surgical instrument. The accessory includes a second induction device that is inductively coupled with the first induction device when the accessory is operably coupled to the surgical instrument such that the power supply provides power to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Publication number: 20190298339
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Publication number: 20190261987
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros, Michael A. Soltz, Robert DeSantis, Henry E. Holsten, Russell Heinrich, Michael Ingmanson, Philip Irka, David M. McCuen, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 10342539
    Abstract: There is disclosed a materials delivery system for use with a surgical stapling instrument having at least one jaw including a knife slot. The materials delivery system includes a series of treatment material receiving pockets positioned adjacent the knife slot such that a portion of each pocket is open to the knife slot. A source of treatment material is positioned within the pockets such that passage of the knife blade adjacent to the pockets repeatedly coats the knife blade with the treatment material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 10342531
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan