Patents by Inventor Michael D. Cronin

Michael D. Cronin 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: 8641641
    Abstract: A tissue harvesting and processing apparatus comprises a body and a distally extending needle. The needle includes an aperture configured to receive tissue. A tissue cutting member is movable relative to the needle to sever a specimen from tissue protruding through the aperture. A tissue processor is operable to mince tissue severed by the tissue cutting member. The minced tissue may be mixed with a medical fluid component contained in a reservoir. The medical fluid mixture may be expelled through an applier tip coupled with the body. The tissue processor may comprise a mincing die such that tissue specimens are minced upon being extruded through the mincing die. The tissue processor may comprise a blade that cooperates with a sliding press. The tissue processor may comprise auger blade sections that cooperate with inwardly extending pins. A mixing piston may mix the minced tissue with the medical fluid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Patrick D. Dugan, Shelby L. Cook Kornbluth, Donna L. Korvick, Rebecca J. Mollere, Jerome R. Morgan, Shailendra K. Parihar, John B. Schulte, Richard W. Timm
  • Patent number: 8491526
    Abstract: A surgical device comprises a housing, a bioprocessing module, an end effector, and a pumping device. The bioprocessing module comprises media reservoirs, fluid conduits in communication with the reservoirs, and a port through which media is expelled. The end effector is configured for insertion into a lumen and delivering a tissue repair composition into that lumen. The end effector has at least one fluid conduit extending therethrough and at least one orifice in communication with the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit in the first end effector is in fluid communication with the port on the bioprocessing module. The pumping device is operable to urge a tissue repair composition comprising at least a portion of the contents of the media reservoirs through the fluid conduit of the first end effector such that the tissue repair composition is expelled from the at least one orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Patrick D. Dugan, Rebecca J. Mollere, John B. Schulte, David A. Witt, Joseph P. Schowalter, Eugene L. Timperman, Prasanna Malaviya, Shailendra K. Parihar, Shelby L. Cook Kornbluth, Richard W. Timm, Donna L. Korvick, James A. Woodard, Jr., Peter K. Shires, Barbara L. Mattson, Matthew C. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8465515
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing surgical procedures using tissue retractors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to use a retractor to capture a large or small amount of tissue in a fabric and to move the fabric to relocate the tissue to one or more convenient locations during the procedure. The flexible nature of the fabric can allow the fabric to be moveable between an open position, in which the fabric can support tissue, and a closed position, in which the fabric can be folded, rolled, or otherwise compressed in size and fit through a port, such as a trocar or an incision in a tissue wall. Furthermore, the position of the fabric and thus the tissue held in the fabric can be adjusted and readjusted by pushing or pulling one or more grasping elements coupled to the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Drew, Michael D. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8464925
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a reservoir configured to hold a tissue treatment composition. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. The reservoir may be provided in a handle portion of the surgical stapler, and a fluid conduit may be used to communicate the tissue treatment composition from the reservoir. An end effector lumen may selectively communicate with the fluid conduit. The lumen may also be in communication with openings to further communicate the tissue treatment composition to tissue or to a scaffold material positioned adjacent to tissue. A reservoir may alternatively be provided in one of the clamping members. A knife member may pierce a housing defining the reservoir, and a resilient member may then urge a tissue treatment composition from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne Hull, Wells D. Haberstich, Steven G. Hall, John A. Hibner, Julia J. Hwang, Yolanda F. Carter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8308755
    Abstract: A retractor for use in laparoscopic procedures includes an upper retractor ring, a lower retractor ring, and a retractor sheath extending between the upper retractor ring and the lower retractor ring to form a tubular passageway through which instruments or a medical practitioner's hands may pass during a medical procedure. The retractor sheath includes an elliptical passageway extending between lower retractor ring and the upper retractor ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Anthony T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8147405
    Abstract: A surgical access device includes a wound protector and an instrument seal. The instrument seal comprises a plurality of resilient membranes each having a plurality of parallel slits. The membranes are stacked relative one another to create a tortuous path preventing insufflatory gases from escaping through the instrument seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chris Cicenas, Michael D. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20110306842
    Abstract: A laparoscopic seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal with an access opening. The seal cap also includes a manifold connection for attachment of a functional apparatus. The seal assembly further includes a retractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Robert P. Gill, Daniel W. Drew, Frank L. Lyman, Michael D. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20110282242
    Abstract: A tissue harvesting and processing apparatus comprises a body and a distally extending needle. The needle includes an aperture configured to receive tissue. A tissue cutting member is movable relative to the needle to sever a specimen from tissue protruding through the aperture. A tissue processor is operable to mince tissue severed by the tissue cutting member. The minced tissue may be mixed with a medical fluid component contained in a reservoir. The medical fluid mixture may be expelled through an applier tip coupled with the body. The tissue processor may comprise a mincing die such that tissue specimens are minced upon being extruded through the mincing die. The tissue processor may comprise a blade that cooperates with a sliding press. The tissue processor may comprise auger blade sections that cooperate with inwardly extending pins. A mixing piston may mix the minced tissue with the medical fluid component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Patrick D. Dugan, Shelby L. Cook Kornbluth, Donna L. Korvick, Rebecca J. Mollere, Jerome R. Morgan, Shailendra K. Parihar, John B. Schulte, Richard W. Timm
  • Publication number: 20110282381
    Abstract: A surgical device comprises a housing, a bioprocessing module, an end effector, and a pumping device. The bioprocessing module comprises media reservoirs, fluid conduits in communication with the reservoirs, and a port through which media is expelled. The end effector is configured for insertion into a lumen and delivering a tissue repair composition into that lumen. The end effector has at least one fluid conduit extending therethrough and at least one orifice in communication with the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit in the first end effector is in fluid communication with the port on the bioprocessing module. The pumping device is operable to urge a tissue repair composition comprising at least a portion of the contents of the media reservoirs through the fluid conduit of the first end effector such that the tissue repair composition is expelled from the at least one orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Patrick D. Dugan, Rebecca J. Mollere, John B. Schulte, David A. Witt, Joseph P. Schowalter, Eugene L. Timperman, Prasanna Malaviya, Shailendra K. Parihar, Shelby L. Cook Kornbluth, Richard W. Timm, Donna L. Korvick, James A. Woodard, JR., Peter K. Shires, Barbara L. Mattson, Matthew C. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20110282446
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a knife member. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. A tissue treatment member is positionable between the first and second tissue clamping members. The tissue treatment member comprises a rupturable pouch or baffle that is configured to receive a medical fluid including at least one tissue cell. The tissue treatment member may have a spiral shape, an annular disc shape, or an elongate sleeve shape. The tissue treatment member may also include outwardly extending tabs. The tissue treatment member may also include an injection port. In use, the staples and/or the knife pierce the tissue treatment member to release at least a portion of the medical fluid held by the tissue treatment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Stuart K. Morgan, Gary B. McAlister, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, Stephen J. Balek, Joseph P. Schowalter, David A. Witt, Prasanna Malaviya, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20110278346
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a reservoir configured to hold a tissue treatment composition. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. The reservoir may be provided in a handle portion of the surgical stapler, and a fluid conduit may be used to communicate the tissue treatment composition from the reservoir. An end effector lumen may selectively communicate with the fluid conduit. The lumen may also be in communication with openings to further communicate the tissue treatment composition to tissue or to a scaffold material positioned adjacent to tissue. A reservoir may alternatively be provided in one of the clamping members. A knife member may pierce a housing defining the reservoir, and a resilient member may then urge a tissue treatment composition from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Joanne Hull, Wells D. Haberstich, Steven G. Hall, John A. Hibner, Julia J. Hwang, Yolanda F. Carter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20110282354
    Abstract: A fistula cleaning and repairing device comprises a device for cleaning a fistula and a device for repairing a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning a fistula comprise a rotary device with ah head configured to debride a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise an abrasive catheter. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise a plurality of abrasive beads. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable stent. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable mesh. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise a swab configured to deliver a medical fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Joanne Hull, Wells D. Haberstich, James A. Woodard, JR., Peter K. Shires, Barbara L. Mattson
  • Patent number: 8002786
    Abstract: A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Mark J. Reese, Michael D. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20110087159
    Abstract: A trocar assembly including a sleeve assembly having a cannula connected to a housing and an obturator assembly including a handle connected to an obturator, wherein the obturator assembly is receivable in the sleeve assembly to define a gripping portion that includes the housing and the handle, the gripping portion having an axial length and a maximum width, and wherein a ratio of the axial length to the maximum width ranges from about 2.5 to about 3.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Haresh Patil, Michael D. Cronin, Michael S. Cropper, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Daniel H. Duke, Gregory W. Johnson, Carl J. Shurtleff, Andrew T. Beckman, Wells Daniel Haberstich
  • Publication number: 20100312063
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. In one embodiment, a surgical access device can include a hollow tubular member and a modular seal member. The modular seal member can be configured to radially span a lumen of the tubular member and can be removably and replaceably matable to a portion of the tubular member. The access device can also include a plurality of access ports, each of which can be configured to mate with the modular seal member at a respective desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Kyle P. Moore, Daniel H. Duke, Daniel J. Mumaw, Katherine J. Schmid, Michael S. Cropper, Jeffrey D. Messerly, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Michael D. Cronin, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Gregory W. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 7819800
    Abstract: A laparoscopic device assembly provides a tubular diaphragm twist seal that responds to a slight rotation of an actuating ring in a first direction by coupling a motor spring power assisted rotation of a bottom circumference of the twist seal achieves a pneumatic seal in an adjustable access channel defined by the state of the twist seal for maintaining an insufflated body cavity for a hand assisted laparoscopic surgical procedure. A slight rotation of the actuating ring in an opposite second direction releases compression spring energy and energy in the twisted state of the twist seal so that an upper circumference of the twist seal is allowed to open the adjustable access channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Paul T. Franer, Michael D. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20100087758
    Abstract: A laminated ultrasonic waveguide and a method of fabrication thereof which comprises stamping at least two pieces of sheet stock to form stamped parts of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. The stamped parts are then laminated together to form a laminated ultrasonic waveguide for transferring ultrasonic acoustic energy along a longitudinal axis of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. In several disclosed embodiments, the laminated ultrasonic waveguide is part of an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an active tip end-effector which is placed in contact with tissue of a patient to couple ultrasonic energy transferred along the laminated ultrasonic waveguide to the tissue. The stamped pieces of sheet stock can also be stamped to form one or more channels extending along the length of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. The laminated ultrasonic waveguide can also define a connector at a proximal end thereof to transfer ultrasonic energy into the laminated ultrasonic waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Jean M. Beaupre, Michael D. Cronin
  • Patent number: 7530986
    Abstract: A laminated ultrasonic waveguide and a method of fabrication thereof including stamping at least two pieces of sheet stock to form stamped parts of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. The stamped parts are then laminated together to form a laminated ultrasonic waveguide for transferring ultrasonic acoustic energy along a longitudinal axis of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. The laminated ultrasonic waveguide may be part of an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an active tip end-effector, which is placed in contact with tissue of a patient to couple ultrasonic energy transferred along the laminated ultrasonic waveguide to the tissue. The stamped pieces of sheet stock can also be stamped to form one or more channels extending along the length of the laminated ultrasonic waveguide. The laminated ultrasonic waveguide can also define a connector at a proximal end thereof to transfer ultrasonic energy into the laminated ultrasonic waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean M. Beaupré, Michael D. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20090118587
    Abstract: A laparoscopic seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal with an access opening. The seal cap also includes a manifold connection for attachment of a functional apparatus. The seal assembly further includes a retractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Robert P. Gill, Daniel W. Drew, Frank L. Lyman, Michael D. Cronin
  • Patent number: D629006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Fletcher, Michael D. Cronin, Dane T. Storrusten, Omar Acosta