Patents by Inventor Robert C. Smith

Robert C. Smith 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: 9402611
    Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, a portal sleeve, and a seal. The portal housing defines a central housing axis and a central housing channel. The portal sleeve extends from the portal housing and is dimensioned to pass through tissue to provide access to underlying tissue via a longitudinal opening. The central housing channel of the portal housing and the longitudinal opening of the portal sleeve define a passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object. The seal has inner surfaces defining a seal passage for establishing a general sealed relation about the surgical object. The seal passage is radially offset with respect to the central housing axis. The seal is adapted to rotate about the central housing axis to vary positioning of the seal passage to substantially maintain the substantial sealed relation upon manipulation of the surgical object within the portal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9402532
    Abstract: An optical obturator for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly. The obturator may include an obturator housing at a proximal end of the obturator and may configured to be grasped by a user. The obturator housing may define an opening for receiving an endoscope, the obturator housing including an endoscope retention mechanism adapted for securing and stabilizing an endoscope inserted therethrough. The obturator housing may also include at least one attachment mechanism for enabling selective attachment and detachment of the obturator housing to the cannula assembly. The obturator may also include an obturator shaft integrally formed with the obturator housing. The obturator shaft may define a hollow interior configured to receive the endoscope inserted through the opening. A penetrating member is disposed at the distal end of the obturator shaft. The obturator may be formed as a single component, preferably from transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert C. Smith, Gennady Kleyman
  • Patent number: 9386980
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a housing, a rod, a ferrule assembly, and a needle. The housing defines a guide lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The rod is engaged with the housing and extends distally therefrom. The ferrule assembly is disposed at a distal end of the rod and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. The ferrule is adapted to retain of a portion of a suture therein. The needle is configured for translation through the guide lumen defined within the housing. A distal end of the needle is configured to engage the ferrule within the ferrule assembly for removal of the ferrule from the ferrule assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160197640
    Abstract: A system and a method for driving an electrical motor with a drive unit including a wireless transceiver. A user may wirelessly couple a user input device with the transceiver, and use a drive application to, optionally, update configuration information including drive control parameters, update application logic residing in the drive unit, and/or upload performance parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Greg A. Emshwiller, Richard J. Halsey, Christopher J. Hawkins, Douglas C. Lynn, Robert C. Smith, Ross E. Waite, James H. Spreen
  • Publication number: 20160182623
    Abstract: In a computer system having multiple servers, services are coordinated among nodes as a result of each node tracking the node state of each other node (such as the services it currently performs) and performing coordinator functions (such as controlling which servers provide which services) only if it determines itself to be a coordinator node and only if all nodes are in agreement as to the node state of every node. Each node communicates, to each of the other nodes, its node state, a coordinator node identifier indicating which node it has determined to be the coordinator node, and a global state of all nodes it determines based on the node states and coordinator nodes of all the nodes. A node performs coordinator functions only if it is a coordinator node and only if all nodes have the same global state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: APRIVA, LLC
    Inventors: JOHN D. WAYCOTT, STEVEN STRUBLIC, JAMES H. MORRIS, II, ROBERT C. SMITH, WILLIAM SWORTWOOD
  • Patent number: 9357910
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity adapts to tissue tracts of different widths. The surgical instrument includes a proximal member, a distal member, and a sleeve extending between the proximal member and the distal member and defining a longitudinal passage therein. The proximal member includes an inflatable member that selectively adjusts the radial dimension of the proximal member. A ring member may be separately insertable by a user during a surgical procedure into the space directly adjacent to the radially-inner surface of the inflatable member, so as to selectively provide rigidity to the proximal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160128727
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical obturator that facilitates the visualization of tissue therethrough during use. The optical obturator disclosed herein includes a housing that is disposed at a proximal end thereof, an elongate member that extends distally from the housing, a distal end formed of a substantially opaque material with one or more openings formed therein, and a shield member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9320541
    Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating tissue includes an obturator having an obturator housing and an obturator member extending from the obturator housing and having a penetrating member adapted to penetrate tissue. The penetrating member defines an outer wall with an irregular surface dimensioned to facilitate passage through tissue. The obturator may further include a stylet at least partially disposed within the obturator member. The stylet and the obturator member are adapted for relative longitudinal movement between a first relative position corresponding to an unarmed condition of the penetrating member and a second relative position corresponding to an armed condition of the penetrating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160106458
    Abstract: An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9314233
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed, including an access member, a tissue engaging member, a sleeve extending from a portion of the membrane, and a fastening member to couple the access member and the sleeve. The access member includes proximal and distal ends, at least one lumen disposed therethrough, and defines a longitudinal axis. The tissue engaging member includes a membrane having proximal and distal ends with opposing openings, and a passage therethrough for receiving the access member. A length of the tissue engaging member may be selectively adjustable by a user so as to provide a retraction force. The sleeve extends proximally from a portion of the membrane. The sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end with opposing openings, the distal end of the sleeve defined by a portion of the membrane. A fastening member couples the access member and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9301778
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis and a dilating member disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The dilating member has a first longitudinal arc segment and a second longitudinal arc segment in diametrical opposed relation to the first longitudinal arc segment. The first and second longitudinal arc segments define respective first and second radii of curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first and second radii of curvature decrease from proximal to distal to define a generally tapered configuration of the dilating member. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature at predefined longitudinal positions of the dilating member such that the first longitudinal arc segment extends distally beyond the second longitudinal segment to define a penetrating tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160074065
    Abstract: A system for accessing underlying tissue includes an elongated access sheath defining a longitudinal axis and a penetrating tip releasably mounted to the access sheath and dimensioned for facilitating passage through tissue. The penetrating tip is removable through the access sheath. The penetrating tip may include a transparent region adapted to permit passage of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9247957
    Abstract: A surgical penetrating system includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula has an outer wall arranged about a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal opening. At least one substantially linear penetrating member is mounted with respect to the outer wall of the cannula and extends in a general longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. The penetrating member is adapted to facilitate passage of the cannula through tissue. Another embodiment of the surgical penetrating system includes a cannula having a longitudinal bore and a penetrating member at least partially and slidably mounted within the longitudinal bore of the cannula. The penetrating member has at least one leg and is axially movable between non-deployed and deployed positions. Moreover, the penetrating member can be mounted for movement relative to the leading end of the cannula and within the longitudinal bore of the cannula between a non-deployed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9226770
    Abstract: An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9226774
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical obturator that facilitates the visualization of tissue therethrough during use. The optical obturator disclosed herein includes a housing that is disposed at a proximal end thereof, an elongate member that extends distally from the housing, a distal end formed of a substantially opaque material with one or more openings formed therein, and a shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150351795
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port and a seal anchor. The access port includes a proximal ring, an intermediate ring, a distal ring, and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. In particular, the proximal, intermediate and distal rings are concentrically arranged with the passage of the sleeve, and the sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port, and defines a lumen therethrough. At least one of the proximal, intermediate, and distal rings is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9149178
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port and a seal anchor. The access port includes first and second rings and a sleeve extending between the first and second rings. In particular, the sleeve includes an inner surface having an attaching member. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port. The seal anchor includes a base portion configured to detachably engage the attaching member of the access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9144422
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port, a seal anchor and a sealing adapter. The access port includes proximal and distal rings and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. The sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port. The sealing adapter includes proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith. The proximal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage a least a portion of the distal ring of the access port in a sealing relation therewith, wherein the sealing adapter is transitionable between a first state in which the sealing adapter has a first diameter and a second state in which the sealing adapter has a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9113952
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port and a seal anchor. The access port includes a proximal ring, an intermediate ring, a distal ring, and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. In particular, the proximal, intermediate and distal rings are concentrically arranged with the passage of the sleeve, and the sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port, and defines a lumen therethrough. At least one of the proximal, intermediate, and distal rings is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9113953
    Abstract: An obturator assembly for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and defining a longitudinal axis, a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the obturator shaft and an obturator shield mounted about the obturator shaft and having a distal shield nose. The obturator shield is adapted for longitudinal movement between an extended position where the penetration member is substantially enclosed within the shield nose and a retracted position where the penetrating member is at least partially exposed from the shield nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith