Patents by Inventor Jesse J. Kuhns

Jesse J. Kuhns 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).

  • Patent number: 9173546
    Abstract: A diagnostic device (10) for pathologies of tubular anatomical structures comprises a tubular elongated structure (12, 28) developing between a proximal end and a distal end and is adapted to be inserted in the tubular anatomical structure, means (22) for locally dilating the walls of the tubular anatomical structure being associated with the distal end of said elongated structure, said means for locally dilating being movable between a closed position for introducing the device and at least one open position for viewing and evaluating the pathology, and control means being associated with the proximal end of the elongated structure, said control means being operatively connected to said means for locally dilating, in order to move them between the closed position and the open position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kuhns, Michele D'Arcangelo, Federico Bilotti, Antonio Longo
  • Patent number: 8845661
    Abstract: An anastomotic device, particularly a positioning device (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (30) comprises a first component, or proximal component (26) and a second component, or distal component (28). The proximal and distal components are suitable to lock an elastic ring (52) in a deformed configuration therebetween. The proximal component (26) has a substantially cylindrical outer structure with a cavity (32) for receiving a proximal end (52a) of the elastic ring (52). The distal component (28) comprises a head (42) and a stem (44) developing along the longitudinal axis (30). The head (42) has a cone or truncated-cone shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Federico Bilotti, Roberto Tacchino
  • Patent number: 8540739
    Abstract: An anastomotic device (10) is suitable for approximating and keeping close to each other a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) intended to form an anastomosis. The anastomotic device (10) comprises an abutment portion (18) suitable for the abutment against a surface of the first tissue portion (12) and a locking portion (20) suitable for being placed opposite the abutment portion (18) with respect to the first and second tissue portion (12, 14). The locking portion (20) and the abutment portion (18) are mutually connectable through the first and second tissue portions approximated, to keep them connected. The anastomotic device (10) is suitable for being connected to a guide means comprising at least one guide wire (A, B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Federico Bilotti, Roberto Tacchino
  • Patent number: 8435231
    Abstract: A positioning device for deploying at least one locking portion (20) of an anastomotic device (10) for drawing together a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) to be connected by means of anastomosis is suitable for sliding along a guide means comprising at least one guide wire (A, B) and comprises an elongated structure (50). A head (52) of the positioning device is suitable to be interference-inserted on a distal end of the elongated structure (50). The head (52) comprises elastic tabs (54) extending from a proximal end of the head and at least one channel (56) suitable for receiving a guide wire. The head (52) comprises a distal end defining a thrust surface (58) for a locking portion (20) of the anastomotic device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Federico Bilotti, Roberto Tacchino
  • Patent number: 8353847
    Abstract: Traction means (14) for excising a tissue sample comprising a distal portion (14a), comprising at least one clip (20) suitable for being fixed to at least one portion (12) of tissue to be excised and a proximal portion (14b) suitable for being subjected to traction. Said at least one clip (20) is suitable for being connected to a distal end (22a) of a suture (22) to pull the tissue to be excised, said suture (22) extending between said distal end (22a) and a proximal end corresponding to the proximal portion of said traction means (14). Moreover, said at least one clip (20) is connected to a ring (24) formed at a distal end (24a) of said suture (22) to pull the tissue to be excised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Michele D'Arcangelo, Federico Bilotti, Brian James Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120179177
    Abstract: An equipment to approximate tissue portions, which are intended to form an anastomosis comprises a guide means suitable for passing through a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) to be connected by anastomosis. This equipment further comprises an anastomotic device (10) to approximate the first tissue portion (12) and the second tissue portion (14) to be connected by anastomosis. The guide means consists of at least two guide wires (A, B), suitable for passing through the tissue portions to be connected, to receive and drag at least said anastomotic device (10) to approximate the first tissue portion (12) and the second tissue portion (14) to be connected by anastomosis. The guide wires (A, B) are located side by side to each other and are suitable for forming a loop which passes through the tissue portions to be connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Tacchino, Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo
  • Patent number: 8187289
    Abstract: A device for drawing tissues together and creating an anastomosis comprises a main guide wire (66, 86) suitable to receive and draw anastomotic devices (10; 16; 24) in order to draw together portions (A; B) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis. The main guide wire (66, 86) is suitable to be shaped like an open ring crossing the portions (A, A?; B, B?) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis (66, 86), wherein the ends of the main guide wire (66, 86) are different and distinguishable from each other. The main guide wire (66, 86) has a tubular or hollow structure suitable to house at least one needle for a push or radiofrequency perforation of the tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Roberto Tacchino, Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Michael F. Clem
  • Patent number: 8006701
    Abstract: An anastomotic device, particularly a circular stapler (10), comprises a handle (12) and a stem (14). A channel suitable to receive a guide wire at least partially develops along the length of the stapler. The stem (14) is made of a flexible material, such as to facilitate reaching the site requiring anastomosis. The circular stapler (10) comprises an anvil (16) suitable to be introduced on the free end of the stem (14). The anvil (16) comprises a channel (22) suitable to receive a guide wire (66) and extending along the anvil, and a portion (20) suitable to act as a striker against the wall of one of the portions (A; B) of the tissues to be joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Roberto Tacchino, Jesse J. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7988619
    Abstract: A diagnostic device for pathologies of tubular anatomical structures comprises a tubular elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is suitable to be inserted in the tubular anatomical structure. The device includes a means for locally dilating the walls of the tubular anatomical structure that are associated with the distal end of said elongated structure. The means for locally dilating is movable between a closed position for introducing the device and at least one open position for viewing and evaluating the pathology. The device also has a control means on the proximal end of the elongated structure. The control means is operatively connected to the means for locally dilating, in order to move them between the closed position and the open position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Longo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Christopher J. Hess, William Bruce Weisenburgh, II
  • Publication number: 20110130775
    Abstract: A device for drawing tissues together and creating an anastomosis comprises a main guide wire (66, 86) suitable to receive and draw anastomotic devices (10; 16; 24) in order to draw together portions (A; B) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis. The main guide wire (66, 86) is suitable to be shaped like an open ring crossing the portions (A, A?; B, B?) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis (66, 86), wherein the ends of the main guide wire (66, 86) are different and distinguishable from each other. The main guide wire (66, 86) has a tubular or hollow structure suitable to house at least one needle for a push or radiofrequency perforation of the tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Roberto Tacchino, Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Michael F. Clem
  • Patent number: 7905893
    Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical fasteners. The delivery device includes a drive mechanism having distal and proximal ends. The drive mechanism has a moving member and a fixed opposing member, wherein the moving member is moveable proximally and distally with respect to the delivery device. The moving member has a sharpened distal end for piercing tissue. The device includes at least one surgical fastener located between the first and the second members. Each of the at least one surgical fasteners has a proximal end and a distal end. The device also has an actuator having at least two sequential positions. A first position for moving the moving member distally and piercing tissue, and a second position for moving the moving member proximally, thereby deploying the distal end of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kuhns, Robert L. Koch, Bennie Thompson, Rick P. Fuchs, David K. Norvelle
  • Patent number: 7810690
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a staple fastening assembly with a curved cartridge device and a curved anvil. The cartridge device has at least one curved open row of staples which are formed by a staple forming face of the anvil (12). The anvil can be moved relatively with respect to the cartridge device (10) the device further includes a handle in the proximal end region of the instrument and is operatively connected to the staple fastening assembly. A flexible backbone, preferably an endoscope, is arranged between the handle and the staple fastening assembly and guides force transmitters of the moving device and the staple driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Antonio Longo, Jesse J. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7803137
    Abstract: An intubation system is provided for use with an endoscope. The intubation system includes a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with the endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation system also includes a positioning device having a first coupling member on the distal end and an intubation device having a second coupling member on the proximal end. The intubation device and the positioning device each include a mating member that is adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope, whereby the first and second coupling members may be releasably attached together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stefanchik, James T. Spivey, Jesse J. Kuhns, Omar Vakharia, Rick D. Applegate
  • Patent number: 7785348
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided which may be used for suturing, including performing a totally transoral surgical procedure, such as a posterior gastropexy procedure. A suture lock and cut assembly is provided to lock and cut one or more sutures in one motion, which motion can be a non-curved, non rotational linear motion. The suture lock and cut assembly with one or more sutures threaded therethrough may be pushed through, for example, a patient's esophagus and into the stomach by the tip of an endoscope, or alternatively, sized to be fed through the working channel of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse J. Kuhns, Christopher Paul Swain, Charles Alexander Mosse, Omar J. Vakharia, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Patent number: 7780663
    Abstract: An electrosurgical stapling instrument includes an end effector capable of applying bipolar RF energy into tissue. The end effector has a first pole electrode and a second pole electrode for forming an RF contact circuit with tissue. At least one of the electrodes may have a dielectric coating thereon to create a RF circuit with tissue. The dielectric coating can cover one of the electrodes to create a capacitive coupling circuit with tissue, or can have at least one open passageway extending through the dielectric coating to enable tissue contact with the electrode and the passage of RF energy therethrough. The dielectric coating on the electrode can be masked to create passageways through the dielectric, or the dielectric coating can be locally removed with a variety of techniques to form passageways. The dielectric coating may provide a barrier to prevent shorting between the dielectrically coated electrode and a conductive fastener embedded within tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Phillip Q. Shuster, Kenneth V. Moran, Chester O. Baxter, III, David A. Witt, James R. Giordano, Jesse J. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7771396
    Abstract: An intubation device is provided for use with a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with an endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation device includes an elongated, flexible tube and a mating member attached to the tube and adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope. The intubation device further includes a tissue bolster disposed on the proximal portion of the tube and changeable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The tube is positionable inside the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient such that the proximal end of the tube is externalized through the gastric and abdominal walls of the patient, and wherein the tissue bolster is securable against the inner gastric wall when the tissue bolster is in the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stefanchik, James T. Spivey, Omar Vakharia, Jesse J. Kuhns, Rick D. Applegate
  • Publication number: 20100133320
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a staple fastening assembly (2) including a curved cartridge device (10) and a curved anvil (12). The cartridge device (10) comprises at least one curved open row of staples which are formed by a staple forming face of the anvil (12). The anvil (12) can be moved relatively with respect to the cartridge device (10). A handle (4) in the proximal end region of the instrument is operatively connected to the staple fastening assembly (2). A flexible backbone, preferably an endoscope (6), is arranged between the handle (4) and the staple fastening assembly (2) and guides force transmitters (8, 9) of the moving device and the staple driving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Federico Bilotti, Michele D'Arcangelo, Antonio Longo, Jesse J. Kuhns
  • Publication number: 20100069933
    Abstract: A positioning device for deploying at least one locking portion (20) of an anastomotic device (10) for drawing together a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) to be connected by means of anastomosis is suitable for sliding along a guide means comprising at least one guide wire (A, B) and comprises an elongated structure (50). A head (52) of the positioning device is suitable to be interference-inserted on a distal end of the elongated structure (50). The head (52) comprises elastic tabs (54) extending from a proximal end of the head and at least one channel (56) suitable for receiving a guide wire. The head (52) comprises a distal end defining a thrust surface (58) for a locking portion (20) of the anastomotic device (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Federico Bilotti, Roberto Tacchino
  • Publication number: 20100069932
    Abstract: An anastomotic device (10) is suitable for approximating and keeping close to each other a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) intended to form an anastomosis. The anastomotic device (10) comprises an abutment portion (18) suitable for the abutment against a surface of the first tissue portion (12) and a locking portion (20) suitable for being placed opposite the abutment portion (18) with respect to the first and second tissue portion (12, 14). The locking portion (20) and the abutment portion (18) are mutually connectable through the first and second tissue portions approximated, to keep them connected. The anastomotic device (10) is suitable for being connected to a guide means comprising at least one guide wire (A, B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Michele D'Arcangelo, Jesse J. Kuhns, Alessandro Pastorelli, Federico Bilotti, Roberto Tacchino
  • Publication number: 20100036198
    Abstract: A device for manipulating body tissue comprises a base structure and at least one tubular member having a proximal end and an orientable distal end that defines a seat for supporting a surgical instrument, in which the tubular member is connected to the base structure. An actuation mechanism is suitable for orientating the distal end of the tubular member to take it into certain operative configurations. The actuation mechanism is also connected to the base structure. Means are also foreseen for the connection of the base structure to a distal end portion of an insertion tube of an endoscope or laparoscope, so that the actuation mechanism and the tubular member are arranged outside the insertion tube. The tubular member interacts with the actuation mechanism so that a movement of an actuation portion of the tubular member with respect to the base structure leads to the orientation of the orientable end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Roberto Tacchino, Alessandro Pastorelli, Michele D'Arcangelo, Federico Bilotti, Jesse J. Kuhns