Patents by Inventor Dean Bruewer

Dean Bruewer 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).

  • Medical device actuators
    Patent number: 8419766
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible actuator, and methods for manufacturing and using a flexible actuator, for transmitting high loads from a user to an end effector. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible actuator can extend from a handle of a medical device to an end effector located on a distal end of the device. The actuator can include a head formed on a terminal end thereof with at least one planar surface that is approximately coplanar with an outer surface of the flexible actuator. In use, the actuator can be coupled to a medical device having an end effector located on a distal end thereof. Tension applied to the actuator can be effective to actuate the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Bruewer, Jose L. Francese, Carlos M. Rivera, Jeffrey David Messerly
  • End effector and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 7998167
    Abstract: An end effector for use in an endoscopic device including a cup, and a hinge extension formed separately from the cup and connected to the cup. The hinge extension has a pivot for pivotally connecting the end effector to an identical second end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Weizman, Douglas J. Turner, Richard F. Schwemberger, Stephen W. Evans, Dean Bruewer, Gina M. Szweda
  • MEDICAL DEVICE ACTUATORS
    Publication number: 20100088877
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible actuator, and methods for manufacturing and using a flexible actuator, for transmitting high loads from a user to an end effector. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible actuator can extend from a handle of a medical device to an end effector located on a distal end of the device. The actuator can include a head formed on a terminal end thereof with at least one planar surface that is approximately coplanar with an outer surface of the flexible actuator. In use, the actuator can be coupled to a medical device having an end effector located on a distal end thereof. Tension applied to the actuator can be effective to actuate the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Bruewer, Jose L. Francese, Carlos M. Rivera, Jeffrey David Messerly
  • MEDICAL DEVICE ACTUATORS
    Publication number: 20080097520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible actuator, and methods for manufacturing and using a flexible actuator, for transmitting high loads from a user to an end effector. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible actuator can extend from a handle of a medical device to an end effector located on a distal end of the device. The actuator can include a head formed on a terminal end thereof with at least one planar surface that is approximately coplanar with an outer surface of the flexible actuator. In use, the actuator can be coupled to a medical device having an end effector located on a distal end thereof. Tension applied to the actuator can be effective to actuate the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Bruewer, Jose L. Francese, Carlos M. Rivera, Jeffrey David Messerly
  • End effector and method of manufacture
    Publication number: 20070244514
    Abstract: An end effector for use in an endoscopic device including a cup, and a hinge extension formed separately from the cup and connected to the cup. The hinge extension has a pivot for pivotally connecting the end effector to an identical second end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick Weizman, Douglas Turner, Richard Schwemberger, Stephen Evans, Dean Bruewer, Gina Szweda