Patents by Inventor Brian A. Rockrohr

Brian A. Rockrohr 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: 20160303743
    Abstract: An end effector for use and connection to a robot arm of a robotic surgical system, wherein the end effector is controlled and/or articulated by at least one cable extending from a respective motor of a control device of the robot surgical system, is provided. The end effector includes a wrist assembly, and a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a cam pulley rotatably supported on at least one support plate of the jaw assembly, wherein the cam pulley is operatively connected to a proximal end of each of the jaws of the jaw assembly such that rotation of the cam pulley results in one of an opening and closing of the jaw assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20160256157
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a channel assembly and overlying a clip carrier having a clip counter plate slidably supported in the channel assembly, wherein the clip counter plate is configured and adapted to display a change in status of the clip applier upon actuation of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski
  • Patent number: 9414830
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly is presented including an expandable sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a first pair of wings and a second pair of wings outwardly extending away from the sleeve, the second pair of wings detachably connected to a distal end of the first pair of wings. The surgical access assembly also includes a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a tubular member configured to be inserted through the expandable sleeve. The surgical access assembly further includes an adhesive member attached to an end point of each of the pair of second wings, the adhesive member of each of the pair of second wings facilitating attachment of the surgical access assembly to a skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Brian Rockrohr, Christopher Switalski, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 9364216
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a channel assembly and overlying a clip carrier having a clip counter plate slidably supported in the channel assembly, wherein the clip counter plate is configured and adapted to display a change in status of the clip applier upon actuation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski
  • Publication number: 20150351771
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20150351772
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Brian Rockrohr, Brian Creston, Ernest Addi, Christopher M. Meehan, Thomas Zammataro
  • Patent number: 9113892
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20150223834
    Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object and an access housing mountable to the access member. The access housing includes a diaphragm mounted thereto. The diaphragm is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the access housing. The diaphragm defines at least one internal pocket and has a seal assembly disposed within the internal pocket. The seal assembly has an interface seal member adapted for establishing a fluid tight seal about the surgical object. The seal assembly is adapted for selective movement within the pocket about multiple axes in response to manipulation of the surgical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Paul D. Richard, Gene A. Stellon, Sally Carter, Brian Rockrohr, Elias Hartoumbekis
  • Patent number: 9078694
    Abstract: An instrument cleaning apparatus facilitates the cleaning of a scope utilized during a surgical procedure. The instrument cleaning apparatus includes a base portion and a fluid retention portion. The base portion includes a substantially tubular wall having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough. The fluid retention portion is in mechanical cooperation with the base portion and is adapted to retain a cleaning fluid therein. The fluid retention portion may be contacted by the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Elias Hartoumbekis, Brian Rockrohr, Gregory Fischvogt
  • Patent number: 9033928
    Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object and an access housing mountable to the access member. The access housing includes a diaphragm mounted thereto. The diaphragm is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the access housing. The diaphragm defines at least one internal pocket and has a seal assembly disposed within the internal pocket. The seal assembly has an interface seal member adapted for establishing a fluid tight seal about the surgical object. The seal assembly is adapted for selective movement within the pocket about multiple axes in response to manipulation of the surgical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul D. Richard, Gene A. Stellon, Sally Carter, Brian Rockrohr, Elias Hartoumbekis
  • Publication number: 20150126935
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a cannula assembly and an obturator assembly for penetrating tissue is disclosed. A cover of the cannula assembly is mounted to a cannula housing and has a cover aperture therethrough. The cover has a trailing end face defining a predetermined geometrical configuration, at least a portion of the trailing end face is obliquely arranged relative to a longitudinal axis and terminates in, and leads toward the cover aperture to facilitate guiding of the surgical object through the cover aperture. The obturator assembly includes an obturator housing and an obturator member. The obturator housing has a housing base defining a leading end face, which defines a predetermined geometrical configuration corresponding to the predetermined geometrical configuration of the trailing end face of the cover to mate therewith upon assembly of the obturator assembly with the cannula assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Bettuchi, Robert C. Smith, Michael Davis, Brian Rockrohr, Gregory Fischvogt
  • Publication number: 20150066057
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a clip pusher bar having a flexible tab and a camming plate configured to effectuate closure of the pair of jaws. The camming plate includes a lost motion portion and the flexible tab is configured to engage the lost motion portion during an initial movement of the clip pusher bar to cause the camming plate to move with the clip pusher bar. The flexible tab is configured to disengage from the lost motion portion during a subsequent movement of the clip pusher bar to allow the clip pusher bar to move relative to the camming plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski
  • Patent number: 8968188
    Abstract: An improved access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member including at least one section extending at least a portion of a length therein. The access assembly further includes a first ring including a plurality of first segments and secured at the proximal end of the tubular member and a second ring including a plurality of second segments and secured at the distal end of the tubular member. At least two segments of the first plurality of segments are independently expandable. At least two sections of the plurality of sections are independently expandable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20150038795
    Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object and an access housing mountable to the access member. The access housing includes a diaphragm mounted thereto. The diaphragm is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the access housing. The diaphragm defines at least one internal pocket and has a seal assembly disposed within the internal pocket. The seal assembly has an interface seal member adapted for establishing a fluid tight seal about the surgical object. The seal assembly is adapted for selective movement within the pocket about multiple axes in response to manipulation of the surgical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Paul D. Richard, Gene A. Stellon, Sally Carter, Brian Rockrohr, Elias Hartoumbekis
  • Publication number: 20140371537
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly is presented including an expandable sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a first pair of wings and a second pair of wings outwardly extending away from the sleeve, the second pair of wings detachably connected to a distal end of the first pair of wings. The surgical access assembly also includes a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a tubular member configured to be inserted through the expandable sleeve. The surgical access assembly further includes an adhesive member attached to an end point of each of the pair of second wings, the adhesive member of each of the pair of second wings facilitating attachment of the surgical access assembly to a skin surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Brian Rockrohr, Christopher Switalski, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 8888746
    Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object and an access housing mountable to the access member. The access housing includes a diaphragm mounted thereto. The diaphragm is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the access housing. The diaphragm defines at least one internal pocket and has a seal assembly disposed within the internal pocket. The seal assembly has an interface seal member adapted for establishing a fluid tight seal about the surgical object. The seal assembly is adapted for selective movement within the pocket about multiple axes in response to manipulation of the surgical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul D. Richard, Gene A. Stellon, Sally Carter, Brian Rockrohr, Elias Hartoumbekis
  • Publication number: 20140194903
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 8740925
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a cannula assembly and an obturator assembly for penetrating tissue is disclosed. A cover of the cannula assembly is mounted to a cannula housing and has a cover aperture therethrough. The cover has a trailing end face defining a predetermined geometrical configuration, at least a portion of the trailing end face is obliquely arranged relative to a longitudinal axis and terminates in, and leads toward the cover aperture to facilitate guiding of the surgical object through the cover aperture. The obturator assembly includes an obturator housing and an obturator member. The obturator housing has a housing base defining a leading end face, which defines a predetermined geometrical configuration corresponding to the predetermined geometrical configuration of the trailing end face of the cover to mate therewith upon assembly of the obturator assembly with the cannula assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Bettuchi, Robert C. Smith, Michael Davis, Brian Rockrohr, Gregory Fischvogt
  • Patent number: 8591470
    Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus for use during a minimally invasive procedure includes a housing and a portal member extending distally from the housing. The housing and portal member combination defines a longitudinal axis. The portal member is sized to be positioned within tissue and has an opening at the distal end. The apparatus also has a pliable seal and a plurality of concentrically arranged piston members, disposed within the housing. The pistons are engageable with the pliable seal and are adapted for moving relative to the housing to control the diameter of a passage through the inner portion of the seal in response to the insertion of a surgical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 8562520
    Abstract: A surgical access port assembly is provided including a cannula and an obturator insertable through the cannula. The cannula includes a housing having a hollow elongate tubular member extending distally from the housing. A duckbill valve is provided within the housing and includes an outer support rim and a pair of opposed multi-angle leaflets extending inwardly from the outer support rim. Each leaflet includes a lead in portion oriented at a first angle relative to the support rim and an entry portion extending from the lead in portion and oriented at a second angle relative to the support rim. The second angle is greater than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr