Patents by Inventor Kenneth Blier

Kenneth Blier 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: 20230364406
    Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for connecting a tube set to a trocar that includes a multi-lumen trocar having a housing that has a connector extending outwardly from the housing, the connector having a plurality of coaxial flow passages defined therein by a plurality of concentric annular walls, a multi-lumen tube set including a plurality of tubes arranged in a parallel relationship, a coupling including a generally cylindrical body having a first end portion adapted and configured to selectively mate with the coaxial flow passages of the connector of the trocar and a second end portion adapted and configured for attachment to the parallel tubes of the tube set, and a latch assembly operatively associated with the cylindrical body of the coupling for selectively engaging the connector of the trocar housing when the coupling mates with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Dominick Mastri, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 11806498
    Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for connecting a tube set to a trocar that includes a multi-lumen trocar having a housing that has a connector extending outwardly from the housing, the connector having a plurality of coaxial flow passages defined therein by a plurality of concentric annular walls, a multi-lumen tube set including a plurality of tubes arranged in a parallel relationship, a coupling including a generally cylindrical body having a first end portion adapted and configured to selectively mate with the coaxial flow passages of the connector of the trocar and a second end portion adapted and configured for attachment to the parallel tubes of the tube set, and a latch assembly operatively associated with the cylindrical body of the coupling for selectively engaging the connector of the trocar housing when the coupling mates with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 11771465
    Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in robotic surgery is disclosed that includes a robotic cannula having a housing with an open end and a tubular portion extending distally from the housing, the tubular portion being dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, an adapter assembly configured for engagement within the open end of the cannula housing and including a tubular body with a passage supporting a primary seal dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, and an insert tube dimensioned to extend through the passage of the body portion of the adapter assembly and the tubular portion of the robotic cannula, the insert tube including a head portion with a passage supporting a secondary seal dimensioned to accommodate a surgical instrument having an 8 mm diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Augelli, Dominick Mastri, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20230190320
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Jeff Shasho, Alan Bachman, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20230149640
    Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Yue-Sing Tang, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns, Kurt Azarbarzin, Dominick Mastri
  • Patent number: 11576695
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Virtual Incision Corporation
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Jeff Shasho, Alan Bachman, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20220062567
    Abstract: A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Dominick Mastri, Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns
  • Patent number: 11202870
    Abstract: A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns
  • Publication number: 20210330954
    Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for connecting a tube set to a trocar that includes a multi-lumen trocar having a housing that has a connector extending outwardly from the housing, the connector having a plurality of coaxial flow passages defined therein by a plurality of concentric annular walls, a multi-lumen tube set including a plurality of tubes arranged in a parallel relationship, a coupling including a generally cylindrical body having a first end portion adapted and configured to selectively mate with the coaxial flow passages of the connector of the trocar and a second end portion adapted and configured for attachment to the parallel tubes of the tube set, and a latch assembly operatively associated with the cylindrical body of the coupling for selectively engaging the connector of the trocar housing when the coupling mates with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20210275222
    Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in robotic surgery is disclosed that includes a robotic cannula having a housing with an open end and a tubular portion extending distally from the housing, the tubular portion being dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, an adapter assembly configured for engagement within the open end of the cannula housing and including a tubular body with a passage supporting a primary seal dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, and an insert tube dimensioned to extend through the passage of the body portion of the adapter assembly and the tubular portion of the robotic cannula, the insert tube including a head portion with a passage supporting a secondary seal dimensioned to accommodate a surgical instrument having an 8 mm diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Augelli, Dominick Mastri, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 11065430
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a new and useful coupling system for connecting a tube set to a trocar. More particularly, the system includes a trocar connector having no more than two coaxial flow passages formed therein including an inner flow passage and an outer flow passage. The inner flow passage is defined by an inner annular wall and the outer flow passage is defined between the inner annular wall and an outer annular wall. A dual lumen tube set is included with a first tube having a first diameter and a second tube having a second diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first tube. The system further includes a coupling including a generally cylindrical body having a first end portion configured to mate with the two coaxial flow passages of the trocar connector and a second end portion configured for attachment to the two tubes of the dual lumen tube set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 11039857
    Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in robotic surgery is disclosed that includes a robotic cannula having a housing with an open end and a tubular portion extending distally from the housing, the tubular portion being dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, an adapter assembly configured for engagement within the open end of the cannula housing and including a tubular body with a passage supporting a primary seal dimensioned to accommodate passage of a surgical instrument having a 12 mm diameter, and an insert tube dimensioned to extend through the passage of the body portion of the adapter assembly and the tubular portion of the robotic cannula, the insert tube including a head portion with a passage supporting a secondary seal dimensioned to accommodate a surgical instrument having an 8 mm diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Augelli, Dominick Mastri, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 10960150
    Abstract: A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns
  • Patent number: 10960197
    Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for connecting a tube set to a trocar that includes a multi-lumen trocar having a housing that has a connector extending outwardly from the housing, the connector having a plurality of coaxial flow passages defined therein by a plurality of concentric annular walls, a multi-lumen tube set including a plurality of tubes arranged in a parallel relationship, a coupling including a generally cylindrical body having a first end portion adapted and configured to selectively mate with the coaxial flow passages of the connector of the trocar and a second end portion adapted and configured for attachment to the parallel tubes of the tube set, and a latch assembly operatively associated with the cylindrical body of the coupling for selectively engaging the connector of the trocar housing when the coupling mates with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Dominick Mastri, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20200238025
    Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Yue-Sing Tang, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns, Kurt Azarbarzin, Dominick Mastri
  • Publication number: 20190328415
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Jeffery Shasho, Alan Bachman, Kenneth Blier
  • Patent number: 10342561
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Jeff Shasho, Alan Bachman, Kenneth Blier
  • Publication number: 20190117328
    Abstract: The current invention combines use of existing package themoforming, either wet, dry or injection molding to create a base tray for the medical device or products. This base is made from plant based material such as Bamboo, Bagasse, Tapioca and or other sustainable plant based materials. The inside and or the inside and outside of the Base tray is then coated with a film that is either plant based or petroleum based. This film coating creates a functional microbial barrier preventing bacterial from moving through from the outside of the base tray to the inside of the base tray where the sterile medical device or surgical product is housed, The base tray (bottom) can then be used with a either paper or Tyvek or other materials lidding (top) that will be sealed to the base tray for the purposes product sterilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: NewGen Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Chase, Kenneth Blier, Peter Szyperski
  • Publication number: 20190001079
    Abstract: A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns
  • Publication number: 20180369511
    Abstract: A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Michael J. Augelli, Kenneth Blier, Ralph Stearns