Patents by Inventor Rebecca Ann Wilkins
Rebecca Ann Wilkins 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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Publication number: 20220202407Abstract: A tissue splayer (76) is described which includes an index finger portion (4) and a middle finger portion (5). The tissue splayer also includes a first pivot joint (80) coupling the index finger portion (4) to the middle finger portion (5) to permit the middle finger portion (5) to rotate relative to the index finger portion (4) about a first pivot axis (81). The tissue splayer (76) also includes a first splay mechanism (88) configured to permit rotation of the middle finger portion (5) away from the index finger portion (4) about the first pivot axis, and to resist rotation of the middle finger portion (5) towards the index finger portion (4) about the first pivot axis (81).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Amit Agrawal, Stuart Kay, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Daniel Peterson Godfrey, Christopher Paul Wickham French
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Patent number: 10420541Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes first and second portions. The first portion is biased into locking engagement with the second portion such that a first engagement structure is in locking engagement with a second engagement structure. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer member and is operatively associated with the outer member. The first portion is movable to overcome the bias to move the first and second engagement structures to a disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion to adjust the tension on the flexible member to retract tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott
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Publication number: 20180368477Abstract: An inhaler device, such as a personal vaporizer or an electronic smoking article, for generating vapour (V) for inhalation includes a body portion for generating the vapour for inhalation; and a mouthpiece provided on the body portion for insertion into the mouth of a user and including at least one channel for conveying the vapour to the user. The mouthpiece is configured for movement relative to the body portion, especially translational movement and/or rotational movement, between a first position and a second position in order to switch the device between a deactivated state and an activated state, respectively. A corresponding method of operating an inhaler device, such as an electronic cigarette is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: JT International S.A.Inventors: Andrew John Ede, Russell Graham Farn, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Alexander Laurence Anderton
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Patent number: 10022741Abstract: An apparatus includes a selectively actuated fluid system having a plurality of selected fluid reservoirs, for example replaceable cartridge-type fluid reservoirs. A first subset of the reservoirs can be selectively actuated to dispense an individual fluid from the selected reservoir. A second subset of the reservoirs can be simultaneously actuated to dispense two or more fluids in mixed form.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: NSE Products, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Gregory Fuller, Oliver Brian Godbold, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Henry Charles Innes, Carl Gordon Hewett, Iain Ansell
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Patent number: 9629657Abstract: A surgical access assembly for accessing a cavity of a patient includes a proximal frame member, a distal frame member, and a membrane between the proximal and distal frame members. The proximal frame member is positionable adjacent an external surface of tissue and has first and second frame portions movable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition to expand an opening defined therethrough. The membrane defines a loop disposed about at least a portion of the proximal frame member at a proximal end thereof and is engaged to the distal frame member at a distal end thereof. The membrane is transitionable between a crumpled condition and an extended condition upon transitioning of the proximal frame member between the contracted condition and the expanded condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland
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Patent number: 9597114Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Trevor Beckett, Cormac O'Prey, Daniel Brady, Wai Ting Chan, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Christopher John Silk
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Publication number: 20160052007Abstract: An apparatus includes a selectively actuated fluid system having a plurality of selected fluid reservoirs, for example replaceable cartridge-type fluid reservoirs. A first subset of the reservoirs can be selectively actuated to dispense an individual fluid from the selected reservoir. A second subset of the reservoirs can be simultaneously actuated to dispense two or more fluids in mixed form.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Kevin Gregory Fuller, Oliver Brian Godbold, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Henry Charles Innes, Carl Gordon Hewett, Iain Ansell
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Patent number: 9247955Abstract: A surgical access port for accessing a cavity of a patient having an outer frame including first and second frame portions, wherein at least one of the frame portions is movable with respect to the other frame portion. The outer frame has a first length greater than the first width, wherein movement of at least one of the frame portions away from the other frame portion increases the outer frame to a third length greater than the first length. An inner member has a second length and a second width, the second length being substantially transverse to the first length of the outer frame and the second width being substantially transverse to the first width of the outer frame. A flexible member extends between the outer frame and inner member and is movable by movement of at least one of the frame portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Charlotte Adele Clark, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Cormac O'Prey, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Daniel Leonard Fuller
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Patent number: 9168031Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas John Hector Copeland, Cormac O'Prey, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Stephen Brown, Christopher John Silk, Trevor Beckett
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Publication number: 20150250468Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes first and second portions. The first portion is biased into locking engagement with the second portion such that a first engagement structure is in locking engagement with a second engagement structure. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer member and is operatively associated with the outer member. The first portion is movable to overcome the bias to move the first and second engagement structures to a disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion to adjust the tension on the flexible member to retract tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott
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Patent number: 9039610Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes first and second portions. The first portion is biased into locking engagement with the second portion such that a first engagement structure is in locking engagement with a second engagement structure. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer member and is operatively associated with the outer member. The first portion is movable to overcome the bias to move the first and second engagement structures to a disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion to adjust the tension on the flexible member to retract tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott
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Publication number: 20150126816Abstract: A surgical access assembly for accessing a cavity of a patient includes a proximal frame member, a distal frame member, and a membrane between the proximal and distal frame members. The proximal frame member is positionable adjacent an external surface of tissue and has first and second frame portions movable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition to expand an opening defined therethrough. The membrane defines a loop disposed about at least a portion of the proximal frame member at a proximal end thereof and is engaged to the distal frame member at a distal end thereof. The membrane is transitionable between a crumpled condition and an extended condition upon transitioning of the proximal frame member between the contracted condition and the expanded condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland
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Publication number: 20150094541Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Trevor Beckett, Cormac O'Prey, Daniel Brady, Wai Ting Chan, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Christopher John Silk
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Patent number: 8961408Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion and a locking portion. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer frame and is spreadable by actuation of the outer frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Trevor Beckett, Cormac O'Prey, Daniel Brady, Wai Ting Chan, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Christopher John Silk
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Patent number: 8961409Abstract: A surgical access assembly for accessing a cavity of a patient includes a proximal frame member, a distal frame member, and a membrane between the proximal and distal frame members. The proximal frame member is positionable adjacent an external surface of tissue and has first and second frame portions movable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition to expand an opening defined therethrough. The membrane defines a loop disposed about at least a portion of the proximal frame member at a proximal end thereof and is engaged to the distal frame member at a distal end thereof. The membrane is transitionable between a crumpled condition and an extended condition upon transitioning of the proximal frame member between the contracted condition and the expanded condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland
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Publication number: 20150005584Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Trevor Beckett, Cormac O'Prey, Daniel Brady, Wai Ting Chan, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Christopher John Silk
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Patent number: 8864658Abstract: A method of accessing an internal portion of a patient including the steps of providing an access assembly including an outer frame, an inner member and a flexible member, inserting the inner member through an opening in tissue into a body of a patient with the flexible member extending proximally through the opening in tissue, moving at least a first portion or second portion of the outer member to a select unlocked spread position to enlarge the opening in tissue and the passageway through the flexible member, and subsequently moving the locking member to move the first and second engagement structures into a locking position to lock the first portion in the select spread position.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Thomas John Hector Copeland, Trevor Beckett, Cormac O'Prey, Daniel Brady, Wai Ting Chan, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Christopher John Silk
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Publication number: 20140058207Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas John Hector Copeland, Cormac O'Prey, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Stephen Brown, Christopher John Silk, Trevor Beckett
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Patent number: 8597180Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer member positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein to receive a surgical instrument. The outer member has a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion. The assembly also includes an inner member positionable within a patient and a flexible member extending between the inner member and outer member, wherein movement of one of the first and second portions of the outer member adjusts tension on the flexible member to retract tissue. A locking mechanism locks the outer member in a plurality of select expanded positions. The locking mechanism includes first engagement structure on the first portion engageable with the second portion and a slidable member movable to a locking position to retain the first and second portions in the select expanded position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas John Hector Copeland, Cormac O'Prey, Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Daniel Leonard Fuller, Stephen Brown, Christopher John Silk, Trevor Beckett
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Publication number: 20120296170Abstract: A surgical access assembly for positioning within an opening in tissue including an outer frame positionable outside a patient and defining an opening therein dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The outer frame includes first and second portions. The first portion is biased into locking engagement with the second portion such that a first engagement structure is in locking engagement with a second engagement structure. An inner member is positionable within a patient and a flexible member extends between the inner member and outer member and is operatively associated with the outer member. The first portion is movable to overcome the bias to move the first and second engagement structures to a disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position at least one of the first and second portions is movable with respect to the other portion to adjust the tension on the flexible member to retract tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventors: Rebecca Ann Wilkins, Cormac O'Prey, Valerie Anne Scott