Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Widenhouse

Christopher W. Widenhouse 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: 20190290267
    Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first fibrous, woven material and a second fibrous, woven material. The first fibrous, woven material comprises a density which is different than the density of the second fibrous, woven material. The tissue thickness compensator is configured to expand upon contact with a fluid in order to apply a compressive force to tissue captured within staples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, John L. Stammen, Mark H. Ransick, Stephanie A. Mutchler, Gary W. Knight, Michael S. Cropper, Sean P. Conlon, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20190269403
    Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 10349939
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Turner, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10172618
    Abstract: A surgical stapler end effector comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. The polymer has glass transition temperature (Tg) at or below 0° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Publication number: 20180344352
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings, and a member such as a sleeve is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. The sleeve can support the insert with respect to the retractor such that the insert and sleeve can be removed together with the retractor remaining in the incision. A method of using the insert is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Patent number: 10136891
    Abstract: A surgical stapler end effector comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. The polymer comprises a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Charles J. Scheib, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Turner
  • Patent number: 10123798
    Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, John L. Stammen, Mark H. Ransick, Stephanie A. Mutchler, Gary W. Knight, Michael S. Cropper, Sean P. Conlon, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20180317901
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing coupled to a retractor. The housing can be have one or more movable sealing ports for receiving surgical instruments. Each movable sealing port can include one or more sealing elements therein for sealing the port and/or forming a seal around a surgical instrument disposed therethrough. Each movable sealing port can be rotatable relative to the housing and each sealing element can be rotatable relative to the housing along a predetermined orbital path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180280055
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Patent number: 10039542
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing coupled to a retractor. The housing can be have one or more movable sealing ports for receiving surgical instruments. Each movable sealing port can include one or more sealing elements therein for sealing the port and/or forming a seal around a surgical instrument disposed therethrough. Each movable sealing port can be rotatable relative to the housing and each sealing element can be rotatable relative to the housing along a predetermined orbital path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10016215
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Patent number: 9884456
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for changing the spring rate of an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer having a first spring rate, wherein the implantable layer is at least partially comprised of a material having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the implantable layer to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, deforming the implantable layer to change the first spring rate to a second spring rate, wherein the second spring rate is different than the first spring rate, allowing the implantable layer to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Emily A. Schellin, Michael J. Vendely, Lauren S. Weaner, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Donald L. Reynolds, II, Michael J. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Trevor J. Barton
  • Patent number: 9833242
    Abstract: A two-part tissue thickness compensator assembly can include a first tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to an anvil of a surgical stapler, a second tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to a staple cartridge of the surgical stapler, and a hinge connecting the first tissue thickness compensator to the second tissue thickness compensator. The first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include additional engagement features, such as a raised ridge that engages a slot in the anvil and/or the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include an encasement that contains a suitable biologic agent. An end effector assembly may be provided for attachment to a surgical instrument that includes, for example, a staple cartridge, an anvil, a first tissue thickness compensator positioned on the anvil, and a second tissue thickness compensator positioned on the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Katherine J. Schmid, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Gregory W. Johnson, John L. Stammen, Gary W. Knight, Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Stephanie A. Mutchler, Timothy S. Bedard
  • Publication number: 20170215919
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings, and a member such as a sleeve is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. The sleeve can support the insert with respect to the retractor such that the insert and sleeve can be removed together with the retractor remaining in the incision. A method of using the insert is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Patent number: 9687272
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Publication number: 20170119433
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Publication number: 20170049444
    Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include an inner portion, an outer portion positioned at least partially around the inner portion, and a plurality of passages formed through the outer portion toward the inner portion. The implantable layer can be porous. An implantable layer can include an outer portion including a plurality of fibers. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical stapler is also disclosed. The method can include forming at least one passage through an outer surface toward an inner portion of the implantable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Emily A. Schellin, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Trevor J. Barton, Michael J. Miller, Michael J. Vendely, Lauren S. Weaner, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Mark S. Zeiner, Christian T. Hansen, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20170049448
    Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include a piece of lyophilized foam and a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in the piece of lyophilized foam. The implantable layer can further include a plurality of pores defined in piece of lyophilized foam, and a plurality of pockets, wherein a pocket at least partially surrounds a fiber. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical staple is also disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a mold comprising a cavity, placing a plurality of fibers in the cavity of the mold, dispensing a solution into the cavity around the fibers, and lyophilizing the solution in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, Michael J. Miller, Mark D. Timmer, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Trevor J. Barton, Emily A. Schellin, Michael J. Vendely, Lauren S. Weaner, Courtney Jason Sikes
  • Publication number: 20160317184
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings, and a member such as a sleeve is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. The sleeve can support the insert with respect to the retractor such that the insert and sleeve can be removed together with the retractor remaining in the incision. A method of using the insert is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Publication number: 20160278771
    Abstract: A surgical stapler end effector comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. The polymer has an inherent viscosity at or below 3.0 dL/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Christopher W. Widenhouse