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).
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Publication number: 20240096627Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
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Publication number: 20210298744Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Patent number: 11033262Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Patent number: 10383622Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: ENDOEVOLUTION, LLCInventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Patent number: 10307155Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: ENDOEVOLUTION, LLCInventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Publication number: 20180153541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Patent number: 9986997Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: EndoEvolution, LLCInventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Publication number: 20180116655Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Publication number: 20180085115Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Publication number: 20180085114Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. MacArthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Patent number: 8881682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Open Ocean Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
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Patent number: 8469973Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: EndoEvolution, LLCInventors: John C. Meade, Douglas M. Macarthur, Stephen M. Blinn, Christopher Saulnier, Brian R. Edwards, Gerald I. Brecher
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Publication number: 20110126447Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2007Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: OPEN OCEAN SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
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Patent number: 7748349Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Open Ocean Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Rick Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey
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Publication number: 20080110408Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Jon Thorvardarson, Luke Aymar, Prasad Bodhani, Edwin Elrick, Richard M. Grant, Thomas Mathieson, Christopher Saulnier, Andrew Storey