Patents by Inventor David N. Fowler

David N. Fowler 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: 20250120717
    Abstract: A powered or robotic surgical stapler includes a loading unit having an end effector with an anvil and staple cartridge. A drive shaft disposed in the loading unit is actuated by one or more motors. The drive shaft approximates the anvil and advances a knife and a sled to eject a plurality of staples from the cartridge. A position sensor and a torque or current draw sensor measure operation of the motor and a processor determines an initial peak in the torque or current. The processor then calculates a stop position from the drive shaft based on a motor position corresponding to the initial peak and actuates the drive shaft until it reaches the stop position, which occurs prior to the drive shaft reaching a mechanical limit of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, Matthew S. Eschbach
  • Patent number: 12016124
    Abstract: Surgical devices include adapter assemblies which electrically and mechanically interconnect handles of electromechanical surgical devices to surgical loading units. Electrical components of the surgical devices are coated with a multi-layer conformal coating which permits the devices to be sterilized in an autoclave without damaging the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David N. Fowler
  • Patent number: 11849936
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Publication number: 20210330341
    Abstract: Surgical devices include adapter assemblies which electrically and mechanically interconnect handles of electromechanical surgical devices to surgical loading units. Electrical components of the surgical devices are coated with a multi-layer conformal coating which permits the devices to be sterilized in an autoclave without damaging the electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: David N. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20210228208
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly for a surgical stapling device that includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staples positioned on opposite sides of a central knife slot and different size staples in each of the rows of staples. The tool assembly is adapted to provide a more pronounced B-shape to the distal-most staple in an inner row of staples to improve gripping of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: David N. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20210169468
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Patent number: 10945722
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Patent number: 10456139
    Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Christopher J. Criscuolo, John J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10413289
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Publication number: 20190105033
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Publication number: 20170333043
    Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Christopher J. Criscuolo, John J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9737304
    Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Christopher J. Criscuolo, John J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20170150962
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Thomas Wingardner, David N. Fowler, Brian J. Creston, Dmitri Menn, Paul D. Richard, Gene Stellon
  • Patent number: 9662106
    Abstract: A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ralph R. Corradi, David N. Fowler, Christopher J. Criscuolo, Earl Zergiebel, Michael Bettuchi, Frank J. Viola
  • Publication number: 20170112530
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member including leading portion, a trailing portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the leading and trailing portions. The leading portion of the seal anchor member is configured and adapted to ease insertion of the seal anchor member into the tissue tract. Subsequent to insertion of the seal anchor member, the leading portion of the seal anchor member is also configured and adapted to facilitate securing and/or anchoring of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, David Farascioni, Daniel Galel
  • Patent number: 9566054
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member including leading portion, a trailing portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the leading and trailing portions. The leading portion of the seal anchor member is configured and adapted to ease insertion of the seal anchor member into the tissue tract. Subsequent to insertion of the seal anchor member, the leading portion of the seal anchor member is also configured and adapted to facilitate securing and/or anchoring of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, David Farascioni, Daniel Galel
  • Publication number: 20160066971
    Abstract: A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ralph R. Corradi, David N. Fowler, Christopher J. Criscuolo, Earl Zergiebel, Michael Bettuchi, Frank J. Viola
  • Patent number: 9186138
    Abstract: A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ralph Robert Corradi, David N. Fowler, Christopher J. Criscuolo, Earl Zergiebel, Michael Bettuchi, Frank J. Viola
  • Publication number: 20150238192
    Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Christopher J. Criscuolo, John J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9028528
    Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Christopher J. Criscuolo, John J. Kennedy