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).
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Patent number: 5549617Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence are provided. The apparatus include an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the operative length of the suture, an articulating apparatus for applying the anchoring device during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Keith Ratcliff, Salvatore Castro, Scott E. Manzo
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Patent number: 5509596Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of an advancing mechanism and a retaining mechanism which is actuable to urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance from each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Keith Ratcliff, Lisa W. Heaton, Frank J. Viola
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Patent number: 5507754Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence is provided. The invention includes an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the length of the suture, an apparatus for applying the anchoring device, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced. The method involves securing a first anchor to a first structure, such as the vaginal wall, securing a second anchor to a second structure, such as Cooper's ligament, and drawing the suture relative to the cinching member to approximate the first and second anchors, and thereby move the first structure and the second structure into juxtaposition so as to approximate them.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1993Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Keith Ratcliff, Salvatore Castro, Scott E. Manzo
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Patent number: 5482197Abstract: A self contained gas powered 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 cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith L. Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer
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Patent number: 5476206Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1994Date of Patent: December 19, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Daniel E. Alesi, Keith Ratcliff, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5456401Abstract: A self contained gas powered 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 cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith L. Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer
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Patent number: 5431322Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes an anvil member and a surgical fastener cartridge member mounted to the distal end of an elongated endoscopic portion. A tubular collar of the endoscopic portion moves distally to engage the anvil member and bias the anvil member and the cartridge member into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and the cartridge member. A self contained pneumatic system is disposed in the surgical apparatus and is actuable to eject and/or form the surgical fasteners in the clamped body tissue. The apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing firing of the instrument after it has been fired a predetermined number of times. A counter for displaying the number of times the apparatus has been fired may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1993Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Keith Ratcliff, Jeffrey J. Blewett, Randolph F. Lehn, Charles R. Sherts, Graham W. Bryan, Salvatore Castro, Gary S. Kappel
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Patent number: 5425745Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Daniel E. Alesi, Keith Ratcliff, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5413268Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Daniel E. Alesi, Keith Ratcliff, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5392979Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1993Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Keith Ratcliff
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Patent number: 5383881Abstract: A safety device is provided for use with endoscopic instrumentation, particularly and endoscopic clip applier. The device includes a collar which is adapted to be disposed on the elongated shaft of the endoscopic instrument. A release means is provided as part of the trocar guide sleeve which is adapted to contact the collar and release it from engagement with the elongated shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1993Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Wayne P. Young, Richard A. McGarry, Lisa W. Heaton, Keith Ratcliff
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Patent number: 5358506Abstract: Approximating apparatus for surgical jaw structure is provided which effects substantially parallel approximation of first and second surgical jaw structure to permit substantially parallel working interaction therebetween. The approximating apparatus includes camming structure for engaging at least one movable jaw of the surgical jaw structure to bias that jaw toward or away from a second jaw structure in a substantially parallel manner. A tissue stop may be provided to more easily guide and protect tissue captured by the jaw structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Jeffrey J. Blewett, Keith Ratcliff, Frank J. Viola, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5336232Abstract: Approximating apparatus for surgical jaw structure is provided which effects substantially parallel approximation of first and second surgical jaw structure to permit substantially parallel working interaction therebetween. The approximating apparatus includes camming structure for engaging at least one movable jaw of the surgical jaw structure to bias that jaw toward or away from a second jaw structure in a substantially parallel manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Jeffrey J. Blewett, Keith Ratcliff, Frank J. Viola, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5326013Abstract: A self contained gas powered 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 cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1992Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Keith L. Milliman, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Mitchell J. Palmer
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Patent number: 5318221Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Daniel E. Alesi, Keith Ratcliff, Charles R. Sherts
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Patent number: 5285944Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1990Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Keith Ratcliff
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Patent number: 5158222Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1991Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: United States Surgical Corp.Inventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff, Henry Bolanos
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Patent number: 5119983Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1987Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Keith Ratcliff
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Patent number: 5100420Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips through an endoscopic tube includes an endoscopic portion housing a jaw blade, a pusher bar for feeding clips one at a time to the jaws, a channel bar for camming the jaw blades into closed position, and an array of surgical clips. The body of the apparatus comprises a frame housing an actuating mechanism and a transmission mechanism for transferrring movement to the pusher bar and channel. The endoscopic portion is rotatable relative to the frame. In one embodiment the apparatus is single disposable unit. In an alternative embodiment the endoscopic portion is detachable and disposable whereas the non-endoscopic body portion is reusable.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1989Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Wayne P. Young, Richard A. McGarry, Lisa W. Heaton, Keith Ratcliff
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Patent number: 5084057Abstract: A disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips to body tissue in endoscopic surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and an endoscopic section permanently connected to the handle and capable of storing surgical clips in preparation for clipping arteries or other body tissue. The apparatus includes means for advancing each clip sequentially to a pair of distal jaws and means for closing the jaws about the clip. When the jaws are closed, the clip advancing means is simultaneously positioned to advance the next clip. When all clips are spent the apparatus becomes automatically locked against further advancement of the clip advancing means as well as further closing of the clip closing jaws. The present apparatus also makes it possible to partially close a clip without interfering with the sequential movement of the clip advancing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1990Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: United States Surgical CorporationInventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Wayne P. Young, Richard A. McGarry, Lisa W. Heaton, Keith Ratcliff