Patents by Inventor Frank J. Viola

Frank J. Viola 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).

  • Gastric restrictor assembly and method of use
    Patent number: 8790290
    Abstract: A gastric restrictor assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing defining a throughbore and having a base portion, a waist portion and head portion. The assembly also includes a pin holder including a plurality of pins extending therefrom. The pin holder is configured for being lockingly received within the housing. The plurality of pins extends across the waist portion when the pin holder is received within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • RELEASE TOOL FOR AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140203062
    Abstract: A release tool is provided for an end effector with a pair of jaw members and a drive beam assembly configured for axial movement through the pair of jaw members. The release tool includes an elongate body member, a gripping assembly, and a release bar. The gripping assembly is secured to the elongate body member and is configured to secure the elongate body member to the end effector. The release bar is supported by the elongate body member and is axially movable relative to elongate body member. The release bar is configured to engage a beam of the drive beam assembly to retract the beam to a proximal position when the beam is disposed in a position distal of the proximal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Tissue vitality comparator with light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle
    Patent number: 8758224
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a tissue vitality comparator is provided to view images of tissue relative to the surgical instrument and compare the images with predetermined reference images. The surgical instrument includes a pair of jaws for capturing tissue and one or more light sources 14 illuminating the captured tissue. The surgical instrument additionally includes a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle having a first end for viewing the tissue between the jaws and a second end on a handle portion of the surgical instrument for observing the tissue. A tissue comparison chart having a plurality of reference images is provided on the handle of the surgical instrument for comparison with the image observed through the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Surgical fasteners coated with wound treatment materials
    Patent number: 8758404
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fasteners and more particularly to surgical fasteners coated with wound treatment materials. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical fastener for use in combination with a surgical fastener applying apparatus is provided. The surgical fastener includes a pair of legs; a crown interconnecting the pair of legs; and a wound treatment material coating at least a portion of the legs and crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Materials Delivery System for Stapling Device
    Publication number: 20140166729
    Abstract: There is disclosed a materials delivery system for use with a surgical stapling instrument having at least one jaw including a knife slot. The materials delivery system includes a series of treatment material receiving pockets positioned adjacent the knife slot such that a portion of each pocket is open to the knife slot. A source of treatment material is positioned within the pockets such that passage of the knife blade adjacent to the pockets repeatedly coats the knife blade with the treatment material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Surgical Stapler
    Publication number: 20140158746
    Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dominick L. Mastri, Frank J. Viola, Thomas W. Alesi, JR., Robert J. Geiste, Jon Wilson
  • Flexible Endoluminal Surgical Instrument
    Publication number: 20140151436
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, the first elongated member and the second elongated member being operatively connected and configured to rotate in opposite directions to substantially limit counter torque. The first and second elongated members are flexible shafts. The surgical instrument can be configured to apply fasteners to a tissue portion. This embodiment of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, an anvil, said anvil and cartridge being relatively movable between spaced and approximated positions, and a sled disposed in the cartridge. The sled includes a cam member. The cam member is designed to drive the fasteners through tissue and toward the anvil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Surgical stapler
    Patent number: 8740035
    Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dominick L. Mastri, Frank J. Viola, Thomas W. Alesi, Jr., Robert J. Geiste, Jon Wilson
  • Surgical Stapler Having an Articulation Mechanism
    Publication number: 20140131421
    Abstract: An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument includes a shaft, a first member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation shaft, a second member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shaft, and a flexible shaft having proximal and distal portions. The flexible member is operatively coupled to the first and second members. Upon rotation of the articulation shaft, at least one of the first and the second members moves longitudinally with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated to each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other. This longitudinal motion causes the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • METHODS OF USING WOUND TREATMENT INFUSED SUTURES
    Publication number: 20140121686
    Abstract: A surgical suture needle assembly includes an elongate tube defining a lumen through at least a portion of a length thereof; and a wound treatment material contained within the lumen of the suture structure. Methods of using the surgical suture needle assembly in anastomotic procedures and the like are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Methods of using wound treatment infused sutures
    Patent number: 8709026
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical suture needle assembly is provided including an elongate tube defining a lumen through at least a portion of a length thereof; and a wound treatment material contained within the lumen of the suture structure. The present disclosure further provides for methods of using the surgical suture needle assembly in anastomotic procedures and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS INCLUDING SENSING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20140110454
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph P. Orban, Randolph F. Lehn
  • STRUCTURE CONTAINING WOUND TREATMENT MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20140097225
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an anvil assembly for a circular stapling apparatus, is disclosed. The anvil assembly includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon; a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a connection member of the circular stapling apparatus; an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, the anvil plate defining a plurality of staple forming pockets therein; and a wound treatment material disposed in each staple forming pocket of the anvil plate. The wound treatment material is at least one of an adhesive, a sealant, a hemostat and a medicament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDEN LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Annular adhesive structure
    Patent number: 8684250
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, David N. Fowler, Frank J. Viola, Christopher J. Criscuolo, Danyel J. Tarinelli-Racenet, Robert Capella, Kevin Sniffin, Ahmad Robert Hadba
  • Magnetic compression anastomosis device
    Patent number: 8685046
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining organ wall portions of first and second hollow organs, including first and second connectors, wherein the first and second connectors are magnetically attracted to one another. A device for delivering and deploying the first and second connectors to portions of the first and second hollow organs can be provided, wherein the device is configured and dimensioned to axially align the first and second connectors for performing circular anastomosis of the first and second hollow organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Materials delivery system for stapling device
    Patent number: 8678263
    Abstract: There is disclosed a materials delivery system for use with a surgical stapling instrument having at least one jaw including a knife slot. The materials delivery system includes a series of treatment material receiving pockets positioned adjacent the knife slot such that a portion of each pocket is open to the knife slot. A source of treatment material is positioned within the pockets such that passage of the knife blade adjacent to the pockets repeatedly coats the knife blade with the treatment material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Surgical Stapling Instruments Including A Cartridge Having Multiple Staple Sizes
    Publication number: 20140069983
    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 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan
  • Flexible endoluminal surgical instrument
    Patent number: 8662371
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, the first elongated member and the second elongated member being operatively connected and configured to rotate in opposite directions to substantially limit counter torque. The first and second elongated members are flexible shafts. The surgical instrument can be configured to apply fasteners to a tissue portion. This embodiment of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, an anvil, said anvil and cartridge being relatively movable between spaced and approximated positions, and a sled disposed in the cartridge. The sled includes a cam member. The cam member is designed to drive the fasteners through tissue and toward the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • System and method for rigidizing flexible medical implements
    Patent number: 8663096
    Abstract: A flexible steerable device comprising a plurality of interconnected segments configured to pivot relative to each other, each of the plurality of segments having a cavity disposed therein. The device also includes a flexible tube disposed within the cavities of the plurality of segments. The flexible tube includes at least one rigidizing chamber having fusible material disposed therein, wherein upon varying temperature of the fusible material, the fusible material shifts between a first state in which the flexible steerable device is flexible and a second state in which the flexible steerable device is rigidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola
  • Surgical Stapling Instruments including a Cartridge Having Multiple Staples Sizes
    Publication number: 20140054354
    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 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Henry E. Holsten, Frank J. Viola, Clifford L. Emmons, John W. Beardsley, Russell Heinrich, Nicola Cullinan