Patents by Inventor Frank Viola

Frank 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).

  • Publication number: 20140367449
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 8870759
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank Viola, James M. Power
  • Patent number: 8844792
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 8827134
    Abstract: A surgical stapler having a remote motorized staple head is provided and generally includes a handle having a control button and a highly flexible cable extending distally from the handle. A housing incorporating a staple assembly is affixed to a distal end of the flexible cable. The housing may incorporate articulating structure to position the staple assembly relative to the remainder of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank Viola, John W. Beardsley, Teddy R. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20140236132
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration. A first support of the external frame is movable with respect to the second support to thereby move the internal platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 8747424
    Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Eric J. Taylor, Peter Hathaway, Frank Viola, Kenneth W. Horton
  • Patent number: 8747309
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration. A first support of the external frame is movable with respect to the second support to thereby move the internal platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20140155919
    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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20140135654
    Abstract: A wire guide system is provided for use during a endoscopic surgical procedures. The wire guide system includes a cylindrical shaft having a hollow chamber along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft, a flange fit disposed around the cylindrical shaft and a seal disposed around the cylindrical shaft and abutting the flange. The system may also include an anchor affixed to the cylindrical shaft and having an aperture from which at least one of a sensor, a light, a camera, tissue and/or organs may be suspended therefrom and at least one cable extending from one end of the cylindrical shaft to another end of the cylindrical shaft through the hollow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James M. Power, Frank Viola, Russell Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8679152
    Abstract: A surgical mesh maker applicator for applying an in situ forming material to subdermal tissue is disclosed and includes a handle and an outer tube extending from the handle. The outer tube defines a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal slot along a distal portion of the outer tube. An inner tube containing a pattern extends at least partially through the outer tube. A rotational mechanism rotates the inner tube with respect to the longitudinal axis to dispense the in situ forming material into a patterned structure for strengthening the subdermal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20140051934
    Abstract: An access port assembly is provided including an access port having a proximal end and a distal end and a stabilizing anchor mechanically connected to the access port for stabilizing the access port within a tissue incision. An outer circumferential rim of the access port is configured and dimensioned to define a plurality of openings to facilitate concurrent introduction of a plurality of instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yong Ma, Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20140018614
    Abstract: A scaffold assembly includes an instrument pod and a plurality of actuable movers. The instrument pod may include one or more instruments operably coupled thereto. The instrument pod is inserted through a tissue tract into the body cavity. Each actuatable mover includes an insertion member extending therefrom for insertion within tissue. Each mover has one or more lines removably attachable to the instrument pod that are configured to move the instrument pod between different positions relative to each mover upon the actuation of one or more of the movers to move the instrument pod within the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Russell S. Heinrich, Frank Viola, Eric Alexander Stanley
  • Publication number: 20130306703
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Karl H. Ehrenfels, David Ivanko, Randolph F. Lehn, Roberto Pedros, Csaba L. Rethy, Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 8586865
    Abstract: A wire guide system is provided for use during a endoscopic surgical procedures. The wire guide system includes a cylindrical shaft having a hollow chamber along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft, a flange fit disposed around the cylindrical shaft and a seal disposed around the cylindrical shaft and abutting the flange. The system may also include an anchor affixed to the cylindrical shaft and having an aperture from which at least one of a sensor, a light, a camera, tissue and/or organs may be suspended therefrom and at least one cable extending from one end of the cylindrical shaft to another end of the cylindrical shaft through the hollow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James M. Power, Frank Viola, Russell Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8551078
    Abstract: A scaffold assembly includes an instrument pod and a plurality of actuable movers. The instrument pod may include one or more instruments operably coupled thereto. The instrument pod is inserted through a tissue tract into the body cavity. Each actuatable mover includes an insertion member extending therefrom therefrom for insertion within tissue. Each mover has one or more lines removably attachable to the instrument pod that are configured to move the instrument pod between different positions relative to each mover upon the actuation of one or more of the movers to move the instrument pod within the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Russell S. Heinrich, Frank Viola, Eric Alexander Stanley
  • Publication number: 20130245677
    Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus includes a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end that extends along a longitudinal axis, and a surgical tape. The sleeve includes an inner wall defining an internal longitudinal passageway dimensioned for permitting passage of a surgical object therethrough and an outer wall configured for positioning against tissue. The inner and outer walls define at least a partial annular space therebetween, the annular space being in fluid communication with an opening in the outer wall. The surgical tape includes a body portion retained within the annular space of the sleeve and a leading tab extendable through the opening in the outer wall of the sleeve. The surgical tape has a first surface and a second surface, each of the first and second surfaces having at least one of tissue reactive functional groups and self-reactive functional groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Timothy Sargeant, Arpan Desai, Joshua Stopek, Atu Agawu, Saumya Banerjee, Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20130245680
    Abstract: A surgical tape applicator includes a dispenser housing, a protective liner, and a surgical tape. The dispenser housing has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a passageway therethrough. The protective liner is disposed within the passageway of the housing. The surgical tape is at least partially disposed within the dispenser housing and protected by the protective liner. The surgical tape has a first surface and a second surface each having at least one tissue reactive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Timothy Sargeant, Frank Viola, Kevin Condrin
  • Patent number: 8505801
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Karl H. Ehrenfels, David Ivanko, Randolph F. Lehn, Roberto Pedros, Csaba L. Rethy, Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 8444549
    Abstract: An endoscopic device including mechanisms to facilitate insertion of the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensing assembly configured for determining the position of the distal end of the device relative to a lumen. The device may further including a steering mechanism configured to direct the distal end of the device. A controller may be operably connected to the sensing assembly and the steering mechanism. The controller may be incorporated into the endoscopic device. Alternately, the controller may be positioned remote of the endoscopic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank Viola, Eric Taylor
  • Patent number: 8386010
    Abstract: A tissue monitoring system includes an introducer having an inflatable section and a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon. The electrodes are alternatively connected to an electrode contact system which includes at least one signal line and at least one measurement line for taking readings about a circumferential segment of tissue encompassed by the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert Beetel, Frank Viola