Patents by Inventor John W. Helander

John W. Helander 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: 11986179
    Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald I. Brecher, John C. Meade, John Aho, Roger Baske, James H. Bleck, John F Carlson, Thomas Eagan, Michael J. Helander, James W. Murray, Ashley Perkins, Wayne A. Shakal, Jonathan Towle
  • Patent number: 5603451
    Abstract: A thermostat for use within a building consisting of a wall-mounted unit and a remote unit movably attached thereto by means of a removable, flexible connecting cable. The remote unit is composed of a separate base portion and a separate movable portion. The base portion is provided with means for attaching the base portion to the back of a room furnishing and the movable portion can removably attach to either the wall-mounted unit when the connecting cable is removed or to the base portion when the connecting cable is reattached. The base portion is provided with "U" shaped sides which form a track for movably receiving the movable portion when the movable portion is disengaged from the wall-mounted unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: John W. Helander
    Inventors: John W. Helander, David Baumann, Chean F. Fong, Mark Szewczul