Patents by Inventor Kenneth Cappola

Kenneth Cappola 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).

  • Publication number: 20190015099
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Ernie Aranyi
  • Patent number: 10130367
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Frank Maffei, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 10085749
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Ernie Aranyi
  • Patent number: 9844371
    Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Kenneth Cappola
  • Publication number: 20170238930
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Publication number: 20160249929
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including a tool assembly is provided. The tool assembly includes a chip assembly, a staple cartridge body, a support plate, and a jaw member. The chip assembly includes a first projection facilitating alignment and connection with a connector assembly of the jaw. The chip assembly further includes a second projection received in a recess in the staple cartridge body. The connector assembly and chip assembly include an electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Lee Ann Olson, Frank Maffei
  • Publication number: 20160249928
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Frank Maffei, Lee Ann Olson
  • Publication number: 20160249921
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Ernie Aranyi
  • Publication number: 20150245834
    Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 8573460
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 8413868
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Publication number: 20120271284
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 8235274
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Publication number: 20120031946
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 8061576
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Publication number: 20100094091
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 7624902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth Cappola, Frank C. Maffei
  • Publication number: 20090057370
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth Cappola, Frank C. Maffei