Patents by Inventor Keith Milliman
Keith 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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Patent number: 7861907Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: David T Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J Palmer, Graham W Bryan
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Publication number: 20100087841Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing having distal and proximal ends and a handle and a disposable loading unit removably mounted to the distal end of the housing. The housing includes upper and lower fastener support members having a passage defined therethrough configured to receive an end of the second blood vessel and configured to releasably support a plurality of substantially L-shaped surgical fasteners and a retractable anvil located at a distal end of the loading unit, the anvil being movable relative to the fastener support members in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform the surgical fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: Keith Milliman, Kevin Sniffen, David A. Nicholas, Scott E. Manzo, Peter Hinchliffe
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Patent number: 7635385Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends, a handle and a disposable loading unit removably mounted to the distal end of the housing. The loading unit includes upper and lower fastener support members having a passage defined therethrough for receiving an end of the second blood vessel and configured to releasably support a plurality of surgical fasteners. The loading unit also includes a retractable anvil located at a distal end of the loading unit, the anvil being movable relative to the fastener support member in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform the of surgical fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Inventors: Keith Milliman, Kevin Sniffen, David A. Nicholas, Scott E. Manzo, Peter Hinchliffe
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Patent number: 7543731Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Publication number: 20090065550Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Publication number: 20090065551Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Publication number: 20090036904Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends and an actuator disposed therebetween. The actuator includes a handle and a link assembly, the link assembly being movable through a firing stroke in response to movement of the handle. The instrument also includes a disposable loading unit releasably attached to the distal end of the housing in mechanical cooperation with the actuator. The disposable loading unit supports a plurality of surgical fasteners, which deform upon movement of the actuator and the link assembly through the firing stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Keith Milliman, Kevin Sniffen, Joseph P. Orban, III, Lisa W. Heaton
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Patent number: 7464848Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Publication number: 20080265001Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Patent number: 7438718Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends and an actuator disposed therebetween. The actuator includes a handle and a link assembly, the link assembly being movable through a firing stroke in response to movement of the handle. The instrument also includes a disposable loading unit releasably attached to the distal end of the housing in mechanical cooperation with the actuator. The disposable loading unit supports a plurality of surgical fasteners, which deform upon movement of the actuator and the link assembly through the firing stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith Milliman, Kevin Sniffen, Joseph P Orban, III, Lisa W. Heaton
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Publication number: 20080142566Abstract: This application is directed to a surgical stapling device 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 handle portion includes a rotatable approximation knob for approximating the anvil and shell assemblies and a firing trigger for actuating a firing mechanism for ejecting staples positioned within the shell assembly. The firing trigger forms one link of a two bar linkage provided to actuate the firing mechanism. The anvil assembly includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after firing of the device and unapproximating the anvil and shell assemblies. The head portion also includes a retractable trocar assembly which is slidably positioned within an anvil retainer and is automatically advanced and retracted upon attachment and detachment of the anvil assembly onto the anvil retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Richard D. Gresham, Scott E. Manzo, Ernest Aranyi, Robert J. Geiste, Bruce K. Jankowski, Keith Milliman
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Publication number: 20080054045Abstract: 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 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 stapling device includes a bulbous indicator which preferably extends above a top surface of the handle assembly of the device. The indicator includes indicia to identify to a surgeon that the device has been approximated and is in a fire-ready position. Preferably, the indicator includes a cover which is formed of a magnification material to prominently display the indicia. The anvil assembly of the stapling device preferably includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Keith Milliman, Bruce Jankowski, Douglas Cuny, Kevin Sniffin, Anthony Dato, Richard Gresham
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Publication number: 20080041916Abstract: 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: October 15, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Keith Milliman, Frank Viola, Joseph Orban, Randolph Lehn
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Publication number: 20080017692Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: David Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry Sienkiewicz, Mitchell Palmer, Graham Bryan
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Patent number: 7296724Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
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Publication number: 20070257082Abstract: 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: April 20, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventor: Keith Milliman
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Publication number: 20070213751Abstract: A transdermally actuated gastric banding assembly is provided which includes an adjustable gastric band, a drive assembly and a transmission assembly positioned between the driver assembly and the adjustable gastric band. The drive assembly includes an internal component configured to be mounted within the body of the patient and an external component configured to operate transdermally so as to affect movement of the internal component. At least one of the internal and external components includes a magnetized member. A proximal end of the transmission assembly is connected to the internal component. A distal end of the transmission assembly is connected to a movable portion of the adjustable gastric band. In one embodiment, the internal component is mounted for rotational movement. In a further embodiment, at least one of the internal component and external component includes a plurality of magnetized members situated asymmetrically about a circumference of the at least one internal and external component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2006Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Paul Scirica, Henry Holsten, Brian Creston, Frank Viola, Keith Milliman
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Publication number: 20070181632Abstract: An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The anvil assembly includes a cut ring assembly having a body and a cover. The cover has a first layer of material having a first hardness to allow penetration by a knife of a surgical stapler and at least one additional layer of material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness to minimize penetration of the cover by a knife of a surgical stapler.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventor: Keith Milliman
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Patent number: 7234624Abstract: This application is directed to a surgical stapling device 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 handle portion includes a rotatable approximation knob for approximating the anvil and shell assemblies and a firing trigger for actuating a firing mechanism for ejecting staples positioned within the shell assembly. The firing trigger forms one link of a two bar linkage provided to actuate the firing mechanism. The anvil assembly includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after firing of the device and unapproximating the anvil and shell assemblies. The head portion also includes a retractable trocar assembly which is slidably positioned within an anvil retainer and is automatically advanced and retracted upon attachment and detachment of the anvil assembly onto the anvil retainer.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Richard D. Gresham, Scott E. Manzo, Ernest Aranyi, Robert J. Geiste, Bruce K. Jankowski, Keith Milliman
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Patent number: 7204843Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends, a handle and a disposable loading unit removably mounted to the distal end of the housing. The loading unit includes upper and lower fastener support members having a passage defined therethrough for receiving an end of the second blood vessel and configured to releasably support a plurality of surgical fasteners. The loading unit also includes a retractable anvil located at a distal end of the loading unit, the anvil being movable relative to the fastener support member in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform the of surgical fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: Keith Milliman, Kevin Sniffen, David A. Nicolas, Scott E. Manzo, Peter Hinchliffe