Patents by Inventor Durrell Tidwell
Durrell Tidwell 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).
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Patent number: 10856885Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20190150942Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Christopher M. BOYKIN, Durrell Tidwell
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Patent number: 10182826Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20170086856Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Christopher M. BOYKIN, Durrell Tidwell
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Patent number: 9603603Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John Xinghai Wang, Hung Van Bach, Donna J. Burnette, Walter Raymond Blackwell, Weiguo Chen, S. Shane Dexter, Vikram August Garadi, Kevin L. Haney, Joseph William Lopez, R. Mitchell Sherry, Paul Cihak, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20150128402Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: John Xinghai WANG, Hung Van BACH, Donna J. BURNETTE, Walter Raymond BLACKWELL, Weiguo CHEN, S. Shane DEXTER, Vikram August GARADI, Kevin L. HANEY, Joseph William LOPEZ, R. Mitchell SHERRY, Paul CIHAK, Durrell TIDWELL
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Patent number: 8936597Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John Xinghai Wang, Hung Van Bach, Donna J. Burnette, Walter Raymond Blackwell, Weiguo Chen, S. Shane Dexter, Vikram August Garadi, Kevin L. Haney, Joseph William Lopez, R. Mitchell Sherry, Paul Cihak, Durrell Tidwell
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Patent number: 8852221Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Patent number: 8556922Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument is powered by a pressurized fluid and includes a rotatable shaft connected to a dissection tool. The instrument includes a housing member comprising a one-piece base. A rotor housing chamber is defined by the base, and the rotatable shaft is located in the rotor housing chamber. A first bearing housing is defined by the base, located adjacent the rotor housing chamber, and houses a first bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A second bearing housing is defined by the base, located on an opposite side of the rotor housing chamber from the first bearing housing, and houses a second bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A passage is defined by the base and operable to direct a pressurized fluid through the base to the rotor housing chamber in order to rotate the rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Durrell Tidwell, Jonathan Morris, Gabriel A. Johnston
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Patent number: 8523868Abstract: A hand-held surgical cutting instrument for cutting bone material with a surgical micro-saw blade has a plurality of openings formed therein. The surgical cutting instrument includes a hand-graspable body for manipulating the cutting instrument and a blade coupling mechanism attached to the body and being configured to attach to the surgical micro-saw blade. The blade coupling mechanism includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface. The first blade-contacting surface has at least one first protrusion extending therefrom and is configured to engage a first opening in the surgical saw blade. The blade coupling mechanism includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second blade-contacting surface having at least one second protrusion extending therefrom and configured to engage a second opening in the surgical saw blade.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20130204256Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John Xinghai Wang, Hung Van Bach, Donna J. Burnette, Walter Raymond Blackwell, Weiguo Chen, S. Shane Dexter, Vikram August Garadi, Kevin L. Haney, Joseph William Lopez, R. Mitchell Sherry, Paul Cihak, Durrell Tidwell
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Patent number: 8281898Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: S. Shane Dexter, Larry Dale Estes, Gabriel Johnston, Durrell Tidwell, Bret R. Hauser, Lauren DeVita
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Publication number: 20100314200Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: S. Shane Dexter, Larry Dale Estes, Gabriel Johnston, Durrell Tidwell, Bret Hauser
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Publication number: 20090312779Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20090312761Abstract: A hand-held surgical cutting instrument for cutting bone material with a surgical micro-saw blade has a plurality of openings formed therein. The surgical cutting instrument includes a hand-graspable body for manipulating the cutting instrument and a blade coupling mechanism attached to the body and being configured to attach to the surgical micro-saw blade. The blade coupling mechanism includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface. The first blade-contacting surface has at least one first protrusion extending therefrom and is configured to engage a first opening in the surgical saw blade. The blade coupling mechanism includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second blade-contacting surface having at least one second protrusion extending therefrom and configured to engage a second opening in the surgical saw blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20080208229Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument is powered by a pressurized fluid and includes a rotatable shaft connected to a dissection tool. The instrument includes a housing member comprising a one-piece base. A rotor housing chamber is defined by the base, and the rotatable shaft is located in the rotor housing chamber. A first bearing housing is defined by the base, located adjacent the rotor housing chamber, and houses a first bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A second bearing housing is defined by the base, located on an opposite side of the rotor housing chamber from the first bearing housing, and houses a second bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A passage is defined by the base and operable to direct a pressurized fluid through the base to the rotor housing chamber in order to rotate the rotatable shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Durrell Tidwell, Jonathan Morris, Gabriel A. Johnston
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Publication number: 20060089623Abstract: A surgical instrument and a method according to which a vane is disposed in a rotor housing and is rotated by the impingement of air on the vane to drive a shaft to which a surgical tool is attached. The housing is fabricated of a relatively hard material to reduce the wear on it when compared to other materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Durrell Tidwell, David Goodrich, Brian Barber, Jason Franz
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Publication number: 20060046856Abstract: A surgical instrument and a method of lubricating same according to which a vane is disposed in a chamber defined between a shaft and a lubricant-impregnated housing. When air is introduced into the chamber it impinges against the vane and rotates the shaft, and the lubricant weeps onto the inner wall of the housing to lubricate the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Durrell Tidwell
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Publication number: 20050203487Abstract: A lubrication system for a pneumatically powered instrument is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: September 15, 2005Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Simmons, John Henderson, Durrell Tidwell, Cameron McPherson