Patents by Inventor Ken Blier

Ken Blier 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: 7722610
    Abstract: A multiple coil staple is provided which includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The backspan includes one or more pockets configured to induce coiling of the legs of the staple. A multiple coil staple applier is also provided which includes a pusher having a distal face defining a staple engagement surface and one or more staple deforming pockets. Each staple deforming pocket is configured to induce coiling of the legs of a staple. The multiple coil staple and staple applier facilitate joining of tissues having wider ranges of thicknesses using a single size staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Richard D. Gresham, Ken Blier, Paul Merten, Joseph Sapiente, Henry E. Holsten, Russell Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20090318957
    Abstract: A staple having an expandable backspan and a pair of spaced legs is described. The expandable backspan is configured to expand or deform to accommodate tissues of varying thicknesses. In one embodiment, the backspan is non-linear and defines a recess. In another embodiment, the backspan includes a deformable pad or spacer. The amount of deformation of the backspan is proportional to the thickness of the tissue, i.e., the greater the thickness of tissue, the greater the deformation of the backspan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Ken Blier, Ahmad Robert Hadba, Russell Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20060291981
    Abstract: A staple having an expandable backspan and a pair of spaced legs is described. The expandable backspan is configured to expand or deform to accommodate tissues of varying thicknesses. In one embodiment, the backspan is non-linear and defines a recess. In another embodiment, the backspan includes a deformable pad or spacer. The amount of deformation of the backspan is proportional to the thickness of the tissue, i.e., the greater the thickness of tissue, the greater the deformation of the backspan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Viola, Ken Blier, Ahmad Hadba, Russell Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20060278679
    Abstract: A multiple coil staple is provided which includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The backspan includes one or more pockets configured to induce coiling of the legs of the staple. A multiple coil staple applier is also provided which includes a pusher having a distal face defining a staple engagement surface and one or more staple deforming pockets. Each staple deforming pocket is configured to induce coiling of the legs of a staple. The multiple coil staple and staple applier facilitate joining of tissues having wider ranges of thicknesses using a single size staple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Viola, Richard Gresham, Ken Blier, Paul Merten, Joseph Sapiente, Henry Holsten, Russell Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20060282084
    Abstract: A medical fastener for securing tissue and creating hemostatis thereon is disclosed. The fastener includes a shaft having a proximal and distal ends and a head disposed at a proximal end and a tip disposed at a distal end. The tip is configured to penetrate the tissue and to form a mushroomed tip or a modified B-formation tip to secure the fastener to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Ken Blier, Frank Viola, Robert Beetel, Russell Heinrich, Michael Soltz