Patents by Inventor Christopher Saulnier

Christopher Saulnier 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: 20240096627
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
  • Publication number: 20210298744
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Patent number: 11033262
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Patent number: 10383622
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ENDOEVOLUTION, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Patent number: 10307155
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ENDOEVOLUTION, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Publication number: 20180153541
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Patent number: 9986997
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: EndoEvolution, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Publication number: 20180116655
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Publication number: 20180085115
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Publication number: 20180085114
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Patent number: 8881682
    Abstract: A submersible rotatable cage for fish farming comprises a central axle, a buoyant structure positioned about the central axle, and a netting attached to the buoyant structure. An actuator can be placed in operable communication with at least part of the buoyant structure to facilitate rotation of the buoyant structure about the central axle while the cage is in a submerged position. The cage can form part of a system, which includes a net cleaning apparatus, a tethering mechanism and sweep net, that forms the basis for underwater fish farming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Open Ocean Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
  • Patent number: 8469973
    Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: EndoEvolution, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. Macarthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
  • Publication number: 20110126447
    Abstract: A submersible rotatable cage for fish farming comprises a central axle, a buoyant structure positioned about the central axle, and a netting attached to the buoyant structure. An actuator can be placed in operable communication with at least part of the buoyant structure to facilitate rotation of the buoyant structure about the central axle while the cage is in a submerged position. The cage can form part of a system, which includes a net cleaning apparatus, a tethering mechanism and sweep net, that forms the basis for underwater fish farming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: OPEN OCEAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
  • Patent number: 7748349
    Abstract: A submersible rotatable cage for fish farming comprises a central axle, a buoyant structure positioned about the central, a netting attached to the buoyant structure and an actuator in operable communication with at least part of the buoyant structure and adapted to facilitate rotation of the buoyant structure about the central axle while the cage is in a submerged position. The cage can form part of a system, which includes a net cleaning apparatus, a tethering mechanism and sweep net, that can be used for nearly complete underwater fish farming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Open Ocean Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
  • Publication number: 20080110408
    Abstract: A submersible rotatable cage for fish farming comprises a central axle, a buoyant structure positioned about the central, a netting attached to the buoyant structure and an actuator in operable communication with at least part of the buoyant structure and adapted to facilitate rotation of the buoyant structure about the central axle while the cage is in a submerged position. The cage can form part of a system, which includes a net cleaning apparatus, a tethering mechanism and sweep net, that can be used for nearly complete underwater fish farming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Richard M. Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey