Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Blier

Kenneth M. 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: 8728120
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a biomechanical fastener is provided and includes a backspan defining an upper surface, a lower surface and a pair of side surfaces; at least a pair of legs depending from the backspan; and at least one contact pad extending from the lower surface to the upper surface of the backspan. At least one of the pair of legs contacts at least one of the contact pads upon a formation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: 8579938
    Abstract: A staple is provided having a backspan and a first and second legs extending distally from the backspan. Each of the first and second legs includes a bend dividing each leg into a traversing leg portion and a substantially linear clenching leg portion. A staple plate is positionable over the first and second legs between the backspan and the first and second clenching leg portions. An anvil assembly has first and second movable members which move toward to one another to engage outer surfaces of the first and second clenching leg portions. There is further disclosed a method of forming the staple through tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Russell Heinrich, Robert J. DeSantis, Richard D. Gresham, Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20130248579
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a biomechanical fastener is provided and includes a backspan defining an upper surface, a lower surface and a pair of side surfaces; at least a pair of legs depending from the backspan; and at least one contact pad extending from the lower surface to the upper surface of the backspan. At least one of the pair of legs contacts at least one of the contact pads upon a formation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: 8465520
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided and comprises a fastening device including a cartridge configured to retain a plurality of fasteners therein and an anvil configured to form the plurality of fasteners; a plurality of surgical fasteners loaded in the cartridge, at least one of the fasteners includes a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and at least one contact pad fabricated from an electrically conductive material on the backspan, wherein at least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the at least one contact pad upon a formation thereof; and an indicating circuit associated with the fasteners, the indicating circuit including an electrical conduit in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, wherein the indicating circuit includes an energy source and an indicator, wherein the indicator activates upon one of a proper and improper formation of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: 8343184
    Abstract: A surgical fastening system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of surgical fasteners, an energy source, and an indicating unit. Each surgical fastener includes a backspan, a pair of legs, and a contact pad. The backspan and pair of legs are at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material, and the contact pad has a portion formed from an electrically conductive material. The energy source is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners and generates a current, and the indicating unit is electrically connected to the contact pad of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. Upon contact of at least one of the pair of legs with the portion of the contact pad that is formed from an electrically conductive material, the indicating unit generates a signal indicating the formation of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: 8323314
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided and comprises a fastening device including a cartridge configured to retain a plurality of fasteners therein and an anvil configured to form the plurality of fasteners; a plurality of surgical fasteners loaded in the cartridge, at least one of the fasteners includes a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and at least one contact pad fabricated from an electrically conductive material on the backspan, wherein at least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the at least one contact pad upon a formation thereof; and an indicating circuit associated with the fasteners, the indicating circuit including an electrical conduit in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, wherein the indicating circuit includes an energy source and an indicator, wherein the indicator activates upon one of a proper and improper formation of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20120203274
    Abstract: A staple is provided having a backspan and a first and second legs extending distally from the backspan. Each of the first and second legs includes a bend dividing each leg into a traversing leg portion and a substantially linear clenching leg portion. A staple plate is positionable over the first and second legs between the backspan and the first and second clenching leg portions. An anvil assembly has first and second movable members which move toward to one another to engage outer surfaces of the first and second clenching leg portions. There is further disclosed a method of forming the staple through tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Russell Heinrich, Robert J. DeSantis, Richard D. Gresham, Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20120132693
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided and comprises a fastening device including a cartridge configured to retain a plurality of fasteners therein and an anvil configured to form the plurality of fasteners; a plurality of surgical fasteners loaded in the cartridge, at least one of the fasteners includes a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and at least one contact pad fabricated from an electrically conductive material on the backspan, wherein at least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the at least one contact pad upon a formation thereof; and an indicating circuit associated with the fasteners, the indicating circuit including an electrical conduit in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, wherein the indicating circuit includes an energy source and an indicator, wherein the indicator activates upon one of a proper and improper formation of the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20120043367
    Abstract: A surgical fastening system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of surgical fasteners, an energy source, and an indicating unit. Each surgical fastener includes a backspan, a pair of legs, and a contact pad. The backspan and pair of legs are at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material, and the contact pad has a portion formed from an electrically conductive material. The energy source is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners and generates a current, and the indicating unit is electrically connected to the contact pad of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. Upon contact of at least one of the pair of legs with the portion of the contact pad that is formed from an electrically conductive material, the indicating unit generates a signal indicating the formation of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20100023052
    Abstract: A staple having a backspan and a first and second leg extending distally from the backspan. Each of the first and second legs includes a bend zone dividing each leg into a traversing leg portion and a linear clenching leg portion. When formed through tissue, each of the clenching leg portions of the first and second legs are formed substantially parallel to the backspan. A staple assembly is also provided including a substantially box staple having a backspan and a first and a second leg extending distally from the backspan. The staple assembly includes a staple plate positionable over the first and second legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Russell Heinrich, Robert J. DeSantis, Richard D. Gresham, Kenneth M. Blier
  • Publication number: 20080312687
    Abstract: A surgical fastener having a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and a contact pad on the backspan. At least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the contact pad to provide an indication of formation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: D804053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NEWGEN SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert N Chase, Kenneth M Blier
  • Patent number: D853582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NEWGEN SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert N. Chase, Kenneth M. Blier, Peter Szyperski
  • Patent number: D884920
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: NEWGEN SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert N. Chase, Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: D895839
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: NEWGEN SURGICAL, INC
    Inventors: Robert N. Chase, Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: D896369
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: NewGen Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Chase, Kenneth M. Blier, Peter Szyperski
  • Patent number: D945638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NewGen Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N Chase, Kenneth M Blier