Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Fritz
Joseph A. Fritz 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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Publication number: 20250049445Abstract: A coupling interface for a surgical tool includes a shank of an interchangeable tool accessory forming a proximal engaging portion including a receiving groove. A receiving coupler receives the shank and includes a first socket portion and a second socket portion. The socket portions form a receiving profile extending about a rotational engagement axis of a drive head. A locking collar is interposed between the socket portions and a release actuator is in connection with the locking collar. The release actuator includes ramp surface that radially varies about the engagement axis along a ramp angle. A rotation of the release actuator about the engagement axis angularly repositions the ramp surface and displaces the locking collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: Arthrex, IncInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Joseph A. Fritz, Sebastian Deckers, Austin Traurig
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Publication number: 20240237992Abstract: A blade-mounting apparatus for a surgical tool includes an attachment head including a mounting channel with a plurality of opposing sides and a base. Opposing slots are formed in each of the opposing sides and aligned across the mounting channel forming a blade-receiving opening extending therebetween and aligned with a receiving axis. A locking detent is disposed within the mounting channel and has an engagement surface including a plurality of protrusions with a first protrusion proximal to the receiving opening and a second protrusion distal to the receiving opening. The second protrusion is elongated transverse to the receiving axis and tapered from the engagement surface to a distal extent.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: July 18, 2024Applicant: Arthrex, IncInventors: Giuseppe Lombardo, Joseph A. Fritz, Andrew P. Muser
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Patent number: 10792051Abstract: An orthopedic drilling system having a collection chamber positioned between a drill guide and a drill bit proximately to the flute of the drill bit to evacuate debris and swarf from a drilling site. The drill bit may be cannulated to define a throughbore in communication with an irrigation inlet. The drill guide can reciprocate into and out of a hub and be connection to a suction source. The flute of the drill bit may have a first outer diameter that is larger than a second outer diameter of an intermediate portion of the drill bit positioned proximately to the flute to define the chamber between the drill bit and the drill guide. Alternatively, the drill guide may have a first inner diameter positioned about the flute of the drill bit and a second, larger inner diameter proximate to the flute to define the collection chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Conmed CorporationInventors: Adam J. Kohler, Andrew Kam, Philip Lahey, James Hutter, Joseph A. Fritz
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Publication number: 20180360475Abstract: An orthopedic drilling system having a collection chamber positioned between a drill guide and a drill bit proximately to the flute of the drill bit to evacuate debris and swarf from a drilling site. The drill bit may be cannulated to define a throughbore in communication with an irrigation inlet. The drill guide can reciprocate into and out of a hub and be connection to a suction source. The flute of the drill bit may have a first outer diameter that is larger than a second outer diameter of an intermediate portion of the drill bit positioned proximately to the flute to define the chamber between the drill bit and the drill guide. Alternatively, the drill guide may have a first inner diameter positioned about the flute of the drill bit and a second, larger inner diameter proximate to the flute to define the collection chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: Conmed CorporationInventors: Adam J. Kohler, Andrew Kam, Philip Lahey, James Hutter, Joseph A. Fritz
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Publication number: 20160163005Abstract: Systems and methods of providing renewable natural gas rights and acquiring the renewable natural gas rights are disclosed. More particularly, disclosed are systems and methods for managing natural gas, biogas, renewable natural gas credits, and other rights associated with purchasing, selling, and/or delivering natural gas to customers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Joseph Fritz-Mauer, Clayton Thomas Bedwell
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Patent number: 8177796Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member, a needle, and a capture feature actuable to grip and retain the suture after the suture has been passed through a tissue body. An actuation mechanism can both move the needle between retracted and extended positions, and move the capture feature between open and closed configurations, via a single actuation. The capture feature may be a trap door which is axially translatable relative to the first jaw member to overlap a portion of the first jaw member and trap a portion of the suture between the trap door and the overlapped portion. The first jaw member may be movable relative to a second jaw member to grasp a tissue body. The instrument can grasp a tissue body, pass the suture through the tissue, capture and retain the suture without being repositioned relative to the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Ephraim Akyuz, Andrew R. Fauth, Joseph A. Fritz, Jason Glad, Daniel Justin, Douglas M. Lorang, Matthew C. Summitt, M. Mary Sinnott, Daniel J. Triplett
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Publication number: 20100241142Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member, a needle, and a capture feature actuable to grip and retain the suture after the suture has been passed through a tissue body. An actuation mechanism can both move the needle between retracted and extended positions, and move the capture feature between open and closed configurations, via a single actuation. The capture feature may be a trap door which is axially translatable relative to the first jaw member to overlap a portion of the first jaw member and trap a portion of the suture between the trap door and the overlapped portion. The first jaw member may be movable relative to a second jaw member to grasp a tissue body. The instrument can grasp a tissue body, pass the suture through the tissue, capture and retain the suture without being repositioned relative to the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: LINVATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Ephraim Akyuz, Andrew R. Fauth, Joseph A. Fritz, Jason Glad, Daniel Justin, Douglas M. Lorang, Matthew C. Summitt, M. Mary Sinnott, Daniel J. Triplett
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Patent number: 7273359Abstract: A peristaltic pump tubing system for use with a peristaltic pump roller assembly in a surgical procedure. The system comprises a uniquely shaped disposable cassette for retaining tubing to be used during the procedure and a uniquely shaped cassette receiving station situated adjacent the roller assembly. The cassette comprises a frame for holding the tube in a loop shape for engagement with the peristaltic rollers. The frame supports a one-sided pressure transducer to indicate the pressure within the tube. The cassette receiving station includes a sensor for engaging the one-sided pressure transducer and is situated adjacent the rollers of the peristaltic pump on the pump housing. A retaining bracket cooperates with the inherent resiliency of the tubing loop to hold the tubing in place against the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: David D. Blight, Eric N. Stubkjaer, Joseph A. Fritz
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Patent number: 7121924Abstract: An attachable abrasive article comprises an abrasive member having an attachment device affixed thereto. The attachment device comprises a fastener having a flange thereon. Thermoplastic material is disposed between the flange and the abrasive article. The disclosure also concerns methods of making and using attachable abrasive articles.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter Joseph Fritz, Richard Louis Fry
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Publication number: 20050095155Abstract: A peristaltic pump tubing system for use with a positive displacement pump such as a peristaltic pump roller assembly in a surgical procedure. The system comprises a uniquely shaped disposable tubing cassette for retaining the tubing to be used during the surgical procedure and a uniquely shaped cassette receiving station situated adjacent the peristaltic pump roller assembly. The cassette comprises an open backed frame for holding a flexible tube in a loop shape for engagement with the peristaltic rollers. The frame supports a one-sided pressure transducer to indicate the pressure within the flexible tube. The cassette receiving station includes a sensor for engaging the one-sided pressure transducer and is situated adjacent the rollers of the peristaltic pump on the pump housing. A retaining bracket cooperates with the inherent resiliency of the tubing loop to hold the cassette tubing in place against the rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2003Publication date: May 5, 2005Inventors: David Blight, Eric Stubkjaer, Joseph Fritz
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Patent number: 6134552Abstract: A system and method is described for the efficient management and storage of documents in a multi-user environment by implementing a three-tiered content model for storage and a context resolution mechanism for retrieval. Source objects may logically reference target objects where the target objects dynamically exist in different versions. In particular, the content model contains three classes in a collection wherein each subsequent class inherits the properties of the previous class. The classes comprise logical objects, physical objects, and components. All physical objects that belong to the same logical object are context specific variants, such as different versions of each other. Physical objects in a collection can be related by different criteria, as well as by user-defined relations. The system provides for versioning of objects, such as variations based on content, format, language, etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: SAP AktiengesellschaftInventors: Franz-Joseph Fritz, Norbert Schroeder