Patents by Inventor Joseph McWhinney

Joseph McWhinney 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: 5201752
    Abstract: A specialty surgical instrument for engaging, spreading and removing tissue surrounding an exposed cystic duct and artery in an endo cholecystectomy dissection procedure is provided by this invention. An ergonomically superior scissors action handle extends perpendicular to a cylindrical body for receiving the thumb and two fingers of a surgeon for better control in manipulating a coaxial rod inside the body to operate double action forceps jaws of special design for the dissection of the cystic duct and artery from liver bed tissue, with the feel of the surgeon as if the balance of the instrument and its jaws are an extension of the surgeon's fingers. The jaws have a shape and roughened exterior finish for frictionally engaging tissue in the vicinity of the cystic duct and adjacent artery and spreading it during the dissection procedure. The interior of the jaws are serrated and mated in mutual contact surfaces in closed position to frictionally grasp tissue and bladder for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Pod, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Brown, Joseph McWhinney