Patents by Inventor Thomas Huitema

Thomas Huitema 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: 8523882
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Jr., Richard Fuchs, Nicholas Molitor
  • Patent number: 8038686
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Mark Davison, Robert Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7740641
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Huitema
  • Patent number: 7731724
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Brian Bertke, Dario Vitali, Robert Koch, Jr., Nicholas Molitor
  • Patent number: 7686820
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080027466
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor, Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Brian Bertke, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs, Mark Davison
  • Publication number: 20080027465
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor, Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Brian Bertke, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs, Mark Davison
  • Publication number: 20080015615
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Molitor, Dario Vitali, Robert Koch, Thomas Huitema, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20080004639
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Brian Bertke, Robert Koch, Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor
  • Patent number: 7297149
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor, Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Jr., Brian Bertke, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7288098
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Brian Bertke, Robert Koch, Jr., Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor
  • Patent number: 7261724
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Molitor, Dario Vitali, Robert Koch, Jr., Thomas Huitema, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20070016184
    Abstract: One medical-treatment electrode assembly includes a medical-treatment flexible electrode supported on the outer surface of a sidewall of a flexible tube which is insertable into a patient. Another assembly includes two electrodes supported on the outer surface of a flexible tube, wherein a video camera of a flexible endoscope inserted into the tube can view patient tissue between the two electrodes. An additional assembly includes apparatus for moving patient tissue into a sidewall opening of a tube which supports a medical-treatment electrode to tighten patient tissue outside the tube against the medical-treatment electrode. A method for medical treatment includes moving patient tissue into a sidewall opening of a tube which supports a medical-treatment electrode to tighten patient tissue outside the tube into substantially full contact with the medical-treatment electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Cropper, Patrick Weizman, Paul Franer, David Yates, David Norvell, Thomas Huitema
  • Publication number: 20060235440
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch
  • Publication number: 20060235439
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Molitor, Dario Vitali, Robert Koch, Thomas Huitema, Kevin Larson, Richard Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20060235468
    Abstract: A clip is provided that can be used for ligating tissue, such as vessels, other tubular ducts, and the like. The clip has opposed first and second leg members having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of each leg member is connected by an apex having a notch formed therein. Moreover, each leg member has an inner tissue-contacting surface and an outer compression-receiving surface, both of which include features to provide a more secure ligation of the vessel or duct. A method for ligating vessels is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, David Smith
  • Publication number: 20060235443
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Mark Davison, Robert Koch
  • Publication number: 20060235444
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Robert Koch, Richard Fuchs, Nicholas Molitor
  • Publication number: 20060235441
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Brian Bertke, Dario Vitali, Robert Koch, Nicholas Molitor
  • Publication number: 20060235438
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Huitema, Brian Bertke, Robert Koch, Dario Vitali, Nicholas Molitor