Patents by Inventor Keith Ratcliff

Keith Ratcliff 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: 9173658
    Abstract: An anvil adapter for facilitating connection of a detachable anvil rod to a circular anastomosis instrument, comprising an anvil adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, the first end configured for releasable attachment to a circular anastomosis instrument, the second end having an interior surface portion defining a longitudinal bore for releasably engaging an end of an anvil rod, the interior surface portion of the second end being dimensioned to releasably engage the end of the anvil rod in locking arrangement therewith to connect second end of the anvil adapter to the anvil rod such that the detachable anvil rod is releasably connected in spaced relation to the circular anastomosis instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Tim Nolan, Ernie Aranyi, John Klinger, Keith Ratcliff, John Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 8968278
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electromechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electromechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth E. Toso, Peter W. J. Hinchliffe
  • Patent number: 8663203
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electro-mechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electro-mechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth E. Toso, Peter W. J. Hinchliffe
  • Publication number: 20130304086
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electromechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electromechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth E. Toso, Peter W.J. Hinchliffe
  • Patent number: 8512318
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electromechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electromechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth E. Toso, Peter W. J. Hinchliffe
  • Patent number: 8317809
    Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Tim Nolan, Ernie Aranyi, John Klinger, Keith Ratcliff, John Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 8206415
    Abstract: A vascular closure device used in closing openings in vessel walls while permitting post-operative flow through the vessel includes a housing, at least two tissue engaging members, and at least two jaw members. The tissue engaging members engage tissue portions on opposite sides of the vessel opening and move tissue to a desired, predetermined position. The jaw members are adapted, in an open position, for positioning about the tissue portions in the predetermined position, and in a closed position, to at least partially draw the tissue together to an at least partially approximated condition. An attachment member is associated with at least one of the jaw members and arranged to contact the tissue. In one embodiment, the attachment member is adapted for connection to an energy source whereby energy is transmitted through the attachment member to thermally fuse the tissue engaged by the jaw members to substantially close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Roberto Pedros, Keith Ratcliff, John C. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20110282360
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electromechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electromechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth E. Toso, Peter W.J. Hinchliffe
  • Publication number: 20110137325
    Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes, an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Tim Nolan, Ernie Aranwi, John Klinger, Keith Ratcliff, John Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 7901416
    Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Tim Nolan, Ernie Aranyi, John Klinger, Keith Ratcliff, John Charles Robertson
  • Patent number: 7891533
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David T Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliam, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Patent number: 7861907
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David T Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J Palmer, Graham W Bryan
  • Publication number: 20100268178
    Abstract: An improved surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue receiving space is enlarged by passing a grasper through a lumen of the dilator extractor to interact with a guide surface on the interior of dilator extractor to expand a dilator portion having a single leaf beyond the natural resiliency of the leaf. The tissue being extracted is then manipulated into the space with the grasper. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Wayne P. Young, Keith Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 7572266
    Abstract: A surgical ligation instrument and method for ligating a fluid carrying structure are provided. In one aspect, there is provided a surgical ligation instrument and method for deploying a spring clip over the fluid carrying structure without pre-clamping the fluid carrying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne P. Young, Keith Ratcliff, George R. Trutza
  • Patent number: 7543731
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20090065550
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20090065551
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Patent number: 7464848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20080265001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer, Graham W. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20080065112
    Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electromechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electromechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: H. TOVEY, Keith Ratcliff, Kenneth Toso, Peter Hinchliffe