Patents by Inventor Keith L. Milliman
Keith L. Milliman 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: 20120031948Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion and an indicator. A firing trigger is movable between first and second positions. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The indicator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the anvil assembly towards its approximated position. The indicator is movable between the second position and a third position in response to firing of the instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LPInventor: Keith L. Milliman
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Patent number: 8109426Abstract: A surgical tilt anvil assembly including a rod and a head assembly including an anvil plate having staple deforming pockets. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the rod and pivotal in relation to the rod between a first tilted position, a non-tilted position and a second different tilted position. The head assembly passes from the first tilted position, through the non-tilted position to the second tilted position.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Publication number: 20120012641Abstract: An anvil assembly for use with a surgical fastener applying apparatus. The anvil assembly includes an anvil center rod and anvil head that is secured to the distal end portion of the anvil center rod. The anvil center rod and the anvil head include corresponding mating structures that are configured and dimensioned to facilitate connection of the anvil center rod and the anvil head such that relative movement between the anvil center rod and the anvil head is substantially inhibited. The anvil center rod and the anvil head include corresponding mating structures that are non-circular in configuration. A method of assembling a surgical anvil assembly is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Hessler
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Patent number: 8087563Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph P. Orban, III, Randolph F. Lehn
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Patent number: 8083118Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph P. Orban, III, Randolph F. Lehn
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Patent number: 8070033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph P. Orban, III, Randolph F. Lehn
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Publication number: 20110284617Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion, and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger. The body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher and an inner guide portion. The pusher includes at least one slot therein and is movable in relation to the anvil assembly between retracted and extended positions. The inner guide portion is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the pusher and includes a raised boss extending therefrom. The raised boss is configured to shroud the slot in the pusher when the pusher is in the retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventor: Keith L. Milliman
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Publication number: 20110233260Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph P. Orban, III, Randolph F. Lehn
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Patent number: 8011554Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion, and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger. The body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher and an inner guide portion. The pusher includes at least one slot therein and is movable in relation to the anvil assembly between retracted and extended positions. The inner guide portion is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the pusher and includes a raised boss extending therefrom. The raised boss is configured to shroud the slot in the pusher when the pusher is in the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, LPInventor: Keith L. Milliman
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Publication number: 20110168760Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Keith L. Milliman
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Patent number: 7975895Abstract: A surgical stapling device having an approximation mechanism for treating hollow tissue organs is provided. The stapling device includes a handle, a body portion extending distally from the handle, a distal head portion at a distal end of the body portion, and an approximation mechanism. The head portion includes an anvil assembly having an anvil head and an anvil shaft. The approximation mechanism includes a rotatable approximation knob, a first member, and a second member. The rotatable approximation knob is operably connected to the first member to effect movement the first member over a first distance. The second member is rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the anvil shaft of the anvil assembly to operably connect the anvil shaft to the first member such that movement of the first member over the first distance effects movement of the anvil shaft in relation to the first member over a second distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group L.P.Inventor: Keith L Milliman
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Patent number: 7942302Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The surgical stapling device includes a knife blade possessing a lubricious coating which enhances the ability of the knife to cut through tissue and minimizes the knife sticking to tissue or other components of the surgical stapling device.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Mark S. Roby, Keith L. Milliman, Anthony Dato, Douglas J. Cuny, Anthony Gaddy, John J. Kennedy, Nicholas Maiorino, Alan Byron Cabezas
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Publication number: 20110101065Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a self-righting anvil assembly is disclosed. The anvil assembly includes an anvil center rod and a pivotable anvil head. The surgical stapling device includes an anvil retainer assembly having a locking member in the form of a trocar for moving the anvil head from its tilted position to its operative position upon attachment of the anvil assembly to the stapling device. A cam member is provided to retain the locking member in a first or locked position and, thus, the anvil head in the operative position until after the stapling device has been fired. In another embodiment, a tiltable anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and a head assembly which is pivotally secured to the center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post, an anvil plate and a backup member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LPInventor: Keith L. MILLIMAN
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Publication number: 20110095070Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle assembly having a proximal end, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The shell assembly includes a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples. A flexible engagement structure attaches the staple guide to the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Nihir Patel, Guido Pedros, Stephen R. Paul, Keith L. Milliman, Ryan Williams, Michael J. Havrilko
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Patent number: 7926691Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, L.P.Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Keith L. Milliman
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Publication number: 20110042443Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher movable distally to advance staples from the shell assembly into contact with the anvil assembly. First and second alignment pins operatively associated with the pusher have distal ends positioned distally of the pusher, the alignment pins movable between a first non-engaged position spaced from the anvil assembly and a second position in engagement with the anvil assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Ryan Williams, Nihir Patel
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Publication number: 20100327041Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The anvil assembly of the stapling device may include an approximation mechanism having an anvil retainer including an elongated distal extension dimensioned to be telescopingly received within a longitudinal bore of an anvil center rod of the anvil assembly. The elongated distal extension is of a length to provide telescopic engagement with the anvil center rod without obstructing visualization of the surgical site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Gropu LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Russell Heinrich
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Patent number: 7857187Abstract: A surgical stapling device comprises a tiltable anvil assembly. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and a head assembly which is pivotally secured center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post, an anvil plate and a backup member. The backup member is movably positioned about the post from a first position preventing pivotal movement of the head assembly to a second position permitting pivotal movement of the head assembly. A retainer member is positioned between the backup member and the housing to prevent movement of the backup member from its first position to its second position until a predetermined force has been applied to the backup member.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventor: Keith L. Milliman
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Publication number: 20100282813Abstract: A surgical stapling device having an approximation mechanism for treating hollow tissue organs is provided. The stapling device includes a handle, a body portion extending distally from the handle, a distal head portion at a distal end of the body portion, and an approximation mechanism. The head portion includes an anvil assembly having an anvil head and an anvil shaft. The approximation mechanism includes a rotatable approximation knob, a first member, and a second member. The rotatable approximation knob is operably connected to the first member to effect movement the first member over a first distance. The second member is rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the anvil shaft of the anvil assembly to operably connect the anvil shaft to the first member such that movement of the first member over the first distance effects movement of the anvil shaft in relation to the first member over a second distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventor: Keith L. Milliman
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Patent number: 7802712Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The anvil assembly of the stapling device may include an approximation mechanism having an anvil retainer including an elongated distal extension dimensioned to be telescopingly received within a longitudinal bore of an anvil center rod of the anvil assembly. The elongated distal extension is of a length to provide telescopic engagement with the anvil center rod without obstructing visualization of the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Russell Heinrich