Patents by Inventor Derek A. Affonce

Derek A. Affonce 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).

  • Patent number: 11957343
    Abstract: Surgical fasteners for use with articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head, and a through bore extending through the shaft from a proximal surface of the head to a distal end of the shaft. A fastener carrier of a surgical instrument may be slidably received in the through bore, and the through bore may be sized and shaped to have two or fewer contact points with the fastener carrier when the fastener carrier is in a fully articulated configuration. In another embodiment, a fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head and including a distal tip, a sloped surface sloping toward the distal tip, and a through bore passing through the head, shaft, and sloped surface. The sloped surface may terminate at two shoulders located on opposing sides of the through bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci
  • Patent number: 11944289
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Publication number: 20230225818
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Patent number: 11690693
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Patent number: 11642189
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Publication number: 20220338864
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Patent number: 11419603
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Patent number: 11191604
    Abstract: A surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. The fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. The surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Publication number: 20210369265
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Patent number: 11134928
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Patent number: 11103234
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Publication number: 20210228304
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Publication number: 20210161528
    Abstract: Surgical fasteners for use with articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head, and a through bore extending through the shaft from a proximal surface of the head to a distal end of the shaft. A fastener carrier of a surgical instrument may be slidably received in the through bore, and the through bore may be sized and shaped to have two or fewer contact points with the fastener carrier when the fastener carrier is in a fully articulated configuration. In another embodiment, a fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head and including a distal tip, a sloped surface sloping toward the distal tip, and a through bore passing through the head, shaft, and sloped surface. The sloped surface may terminate at two shoulders located on opposing sides of the through bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci
  • Patent number: 11007030
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Patent number: 10932776
    Abstract: Surgical fasteners for use with articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head, and a through bore extending through the shaft from a proximal surface of the head to a distal end of the shaft. A fastener carrier of a surgical instrument may be slidably received in the through bore, and the through bore may be sized and shaped to have two or fewer contact points with the fastener carrier when the fastener carrier is in a fully articulated configuration. In another embodiment, a fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head and including a distal tip, a sloped surface sloping toward the distal tip, and a through bore passing through the head, shaft, and sloped surface. The sloped surface may terminate at two shoulders located on opposing sides of the through bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci
  • Publication number: 20200367882
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Patent number: 10779813
    Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Felix, Derek J. Leatzow, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Kevin J. Ranucci, Tomas Matusaitis, Alan Bachman
  • Publication number: 20200015816
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Publication number: 20200015922
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Derek Affonce, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Publication number: 20200015809
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso