Patents by Inventor Thu Anh Le

Thu Anh Le 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: 9492170
    Abstract: A modular end effector delivers a therapeutic agent onto tissue that has been severed and/or stapled. The end effector is removably attached to a device. The device applies force to a piston of the end effector. The force causes a distal movement of a piston along a wall disposed within the end effector. The piston engages with agents stored on opposite sides of the wall, moving the agents distally to a mixture space. The agents are mixed in the mixture space and expelled through a tip. Staples may be embedded in or disposed below a foam block, which is disposed within a staple cartridge. Via an endoscopic stapling device, coated staples are driven through tissue while interacting with another agent on the device or the cartridge. The interaction forms a tissue restoring material that is applied onto the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Thu Anh Le, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Michael Setser, Bret W. Smith, Joseph Zavatsky, Kreena Modi
  • Publication number: 20130075447
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further receives a buttress material stored in one or both of the anvil or cartridge. The material is releasable onto severed tissue via a firing bar severing the buttress material in response to the longitudinal closing motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Craig S. Smith, Gregory B. Blair, Zhifan F. Huang, Douglas B. Hoffman, Kristi S. Geier, Bret W. Smith, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Brian W. Bear, Michael E. Setser, Thu Anh Le, James A. Woodard, JR., Kreena R. Modi, Joseph Zavatsky
  • Publication number: 20130037596
    Abstract: A modular end effector delivers a therapeutic agent onto tissue that has been severed and/or stapled. The end effector is removably attached to a device. The device applies force to a piston of the end effector. The force causes a distal movement of a piston along a wall disposed within the end effector. The piston engages with agents stored on opposite sides of the wall, moving the agents distally to a mixture space. The agents are mixed in the mixture space and expelled through a tip. Staples may be embedded in or disposed below a foam block, which is disposed within a staple cartridge. Via an endoscopic stapling device, coated staples are driven through tissue while interacting with another agent on the device or the cartridge. The interaction forms a tissue restoring material that is applied onto the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Thu Anh Le, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Michael Setser, Bret W. Smith, Joseph Zavatsky, Kreena Modi
  • Publication number: 20130041406
    Abstract: A medical fastener has a first, pre-deployment shape for loading into a surgical instrument, and a second, post-deployment shape for connecting tissue together, and includes a crown and a pair of legs, each leg substantially transversely extending from a respective end of the crown in the first, pre-deployment shape. A coating, such as a hemostatic agent, is applied to a fastener interior surface defined by interior surfaces of the crown and the pair of legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Thu Anh Le, Mark D. Overmyer, Michael Setser, James A. Woodard, JR.
  • Patent number: 7232455
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Publication number: 20040220617
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Publication number: 20040167576
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Patent number: 6726707
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Publication number: 20020087188
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Patent number: 6270518
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Patent number: 5961538
    Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Pedlick, Thu Anh Le, John DiGiovanni, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark J. Suseck
  • Patent number: 5894921
    Abstract: A package for a suture anchor and attached suture. The package has on a top side a suture channel covered by door members. The bottom side of the package has a suture anchor mounting chamber and channel as well as a needle park for surgical needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Thu Anh Le, Robert J. Cerwin
  • Patent number: RE36289
    Abstract: A suture anchor device having an anchor member with outwardly extending wing members and an actuating wedge member. The suture anchor device is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament is attached to the surface of the bone. The wing members are spread outwardly by the wedge member to lock the suture anchor device in the bone. The suture anchor has similar utility in soft tissue applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Thu Anh Le, Sung Sok Yi, William Zwaskis, Jack S. Pedlick, Brian H. Luscombe, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, John Di Giovanni, Keith A. Seritella, Mark G. Steckel, Steven F. Harwin