Patents by Inventor Clifford L. Emmons

Clifford L. Emmons 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).

  • Tool assembly for a surgical stapling device
    Patent number: 8408442
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising an anvil, a cartridge assembly, a dynamic clamping member, a clamp ring and a drive mechanism is disclosed. The cartridge assembly is configured to house a plurality of fasteners at least partially therein. The anvil and cartridge assembly are movable in relation to each other between open and approximated positions. The dynamic clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the cartridge assembly to eject fasteners therefrom. The dynamic clamping member engages the anvil and the cartridge assembly. The clamp ring is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position at least partially encircling proximal portions of the anvil and cartridge assembly for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the anvil and cartridge assembly from exceeding a predetermined distance. The drive mechanism includes a single actuator for driving both the clamp ring and the dynamic clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical Stapler with Universal Articulation and Tissue Pre-Clamp
    Publication number: 20120286022
    Abstract: A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Lee Ann Olson, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Ralph Stearns, David C. Racenet, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 8292146
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 8272552
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical Stapling Instruments including a Cartridge Having Multiple Staples Sizes
    Publication number: 20120168487
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Surgical Stapling Instruments Including A Cartridge Having Multiple Staple Sizes
    Publication number: 20120125972
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. HOLSTEN, Frank J. VIOLA, Clifford L. EMMONS
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staples sizes
    Patent number: 8157152
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 8123100
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons
  • SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING A CARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLE STAPLES SIZES
    Publication number: 20120043369
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 8113406
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staples sizes
    Patent number: 8113407
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich
  • Tool Assembly For A Surgical Stapling Device
    Publication number: 20120018326
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Tool Assembly For A Surgical Stapling Device
    Publication number: 20120012640
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 8070035
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Tool assembly for a surgical stapling device
    Patent number: 8061577
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Tool assembly for a surgical stapling device
    Patent number: 8033442
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Heathcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110079628
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David C. Racenet, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical Stapling Instruments including a Cartridge Having Multiple Staple Sizes
    Publication number: 20110042440
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 7837079
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons
  • Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
    Patent number: 7837081
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan