Patents by Inventor Nathan Stewart Cauldwell

Nathan Stewart Cauldwell 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: 10159471
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument including an actuation lockout system as well as its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a trigger and a driveshaft coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes the driveshaft to move from a first position to a second position, thereby resulting in deployment of a surgical fastener. An actuation lockout system restrains distal movement of the driveshaft until a force greater than or equal to a threshold force is applied to the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti
  • Publication number: 20180256167
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a power assist device, and its method of use for deploying surgical fasteners, is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a surgical fastener deployment system including a driveshaft. The driveshaft is actuatable between at least a first proximal position and a second distal position. A striker is movable relative to the driveshaft and an impact surface is associated with the driveshaft. The impact surface is constructed and arranged to be struck by the striker member to displace the driveshaft to the second distal position and deploy the surgical fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 10039547
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a power assist device, and its method of use for deploying surgical fasteners, is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a surgical fastener deployment system including a driveshaft. The driveshaft is actuatable between at least a first proximal position and a second distal position. A striker is movable relative to the driveshaft and an impact surface is associated with the driveshaft. The impact surface is constructed and arranged to be struck by the striker member to displace the driveshaft to the second distal position and deploy the surgical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20170215882
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument and its methods of use are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of a surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly distally extending from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion. An articulation control may be associated with the elongated shaft assembly. The articulation control may be movable between a first position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a first articulation position and a second position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a second articulation position. The surgical instrument may include a fastener deployment system with a locking member. The articulation control may block movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the first position. The articulation control may also permit movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 9649109
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument and its methods of use are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of a surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly distally extending from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion. An articulation control may be associated with the elongated shaft assembly. The articulation control may be movable between a first position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a first articulation position and a second position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a second articulation position. The surgical instrument may include a fastener deployment system with a locking member. The articulation control may block movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the first position. The articulation control may also permit movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20170020523
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: C.R. BARD, INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN J. RANUCCI, NATHAN STEWART CAULDWELL, AUGUSTUS FELIX
  • Publication number: 20170000481
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a power transmission including a trigger and a fastener driver operatively coupled to the trigger. Actuation of the trigger from a first configuration to a second configuration moves the fastener driver between at least a first position and a second position. Additionally, an actuation lockout system operatively associated with the power transmission is moveable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The actuation lockout system prevents movement of the fastener driver from the first position to the second position when the actuation lockout system is in the locked configuration. Actuation of the trigger from the first configuration towards the second configuration moves the actuation lockout system from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Kevin J. Ranucci
  • Publication number: 20160354081
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20160331462
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument including an actuation lockout system as well as its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a trigger and a driveshaft coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes the driveshaft to move from a first position to a second position, thereby resulting in deployment of a surgical fastener. An actuation lockout system restrains distal movement of the driveshaft until a force greater than or equal to a threshold force is applied to the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti
  • Patent number: 9474530
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20160249901
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 9427230
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20160228121
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a power assist device, and its method of use for deploying surgical fasteners, is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a surgical fastener deployment system including a driveshaft. The driveshaft is actuatable between at least a first proximal position and a second distal position. A striker is movable relative to the driveshaft and an impact surface is associated with the driveshaft. The impact surface is constructed and arranged to be struck by the striker member to displace the driveshaft to the second distal position and deploy the surgical fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 9364235
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a power assist device, and its method of use for deploying surgical fasteners, is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a surgical fastener deployment system including a driveshaft. The driveshaft is actuatable between at least a first proximal position and a second distal position. A striker is movable relative to the driveshaft and an impact surface is associated with the driveshaft. The impact surface is constructed and arranged to be struck by the striker member to displace the driveshaft to the second distal position and deploy the surgical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 9339271
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 9039721
    Abstract: An instrument for delivering a suture transfascially may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and at least one needle that is moveable to an extended position beyond the end of the shaft. A suture may be delivered transfascially with the instrument. The instrument may include a suture catch associated with each needle for retaining and releasing a suture segment. A shield may be provided to shield the sharp end of each needle when it is moved to the extended position. A method of delivering a transfascial suture may include inserting an instrument into an abdominal cavity and deploying, from within the abdominal cavity, each needle through a soft tissue repair patch and then through at least part of the abdominal wall. A suture or suture segment may be advanced across the fascia with the at least one needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Ziniti, Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, William F. Sincavage, Jr., Roger E. Darois
  • Publication number: 20140276964
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20140276965
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20140276966
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Publication number: 20140263544
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument and its methods of use are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of a surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly distally extending from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion. An articulation control may be associated with the elongated shaft assembly. The articulation control may be movable between a first position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a first articulation position and a second position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a second articulation position. The surgical instrument may include a fastener deployment system with a locking member. The articulation control may block movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the first position. The articulation control may also permit movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix