Patents by Inventor Nicholas G. Molitor

Nicholas G. Molitor 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: 8236012
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Molitor, Dario Vitali, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Thomas W. Huitema, Kevin A. Larson, Richard P. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8075571
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Vitali, Nicholas G. Molitor, Thomas W. Huitema, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Brian D. Bertke, Kevin A. Larson, Robert P. Fuchs, Mark A. Davison
  • Patent number: 8066167
    Abstract: Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of anvil locking systems designed to selectively prevent the anvil from moving axially relative to the stapling head of the stapling instrument. One embodiment employs an elongated gear rack that is selectively engagable with locking gears to prevent axial motion of the elongated gear rack and an adjustment shaft used to axially position the anvil. Other embodiments employ a gear assembly that cooperates with the elongated gear rack. A locking member is movably supported by a handle assembly that houses the gear assembly and elongated gear rack. The locking member is configured for selective meshing engagement with the gear assembly to ultimately prevent axial movement of the gear rack and adjustment shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Measamer, Mark Tsonton, Nicholas G. Molitor, Barry T. Jamison, Scott B. Killinger, Randall S. Koplin, Wai N. Chin
  • Patent number: 7918377
    Abstract: Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of feedback systems designed to provide at least one mode of feedback to the surgeon when the anvil has been attached to the device and/or when the anvil has been attached to the device and oriented in a firing position. Various types of feedback indicators are disclosed such as illumination devices, sound generating devices and vibration generation devices. In various embodiments, the feedback indicator comprises at least one illumination device mounted on the anvil which indicates that the anvil has been properly attached to the instrument and which can also serve to illuminate the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Measamer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Richard P. Fuchs, Nicholas G. Molitor, Bennie Thompson, Mark Tsonton
  • Publication number: 20100237132
    Abstract: Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of anvil locking systems designed to selectively prevent the anvil from moving axially relative to the stapling head of the stapling instrument. One embodiment employs an elongated gear rack that is selectively engagable with locking gears to prevent axial motion of the elongated gear rack and an adjustment shaft used to axially position the anvil. Other embodiments employ a gear assembly that cooperates with the elongated gear rack. A locking member is movably supported by a handle assembly that houses the gear assembly and elongated gear rack. The locking member is configured for selective meshing engagement with the gear assembly to ultimately prevent axial movement of the gear rack and adjustment shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Measamer, Mark Tsonton, Nicholas G. Molitor, Barry T. Jamison, Scott B. Killinger, Randall S. Koplin, Wai N. Chin
  • Publication number: 20100096435
    Abstract: Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of feedback systems designed to provide at least one mode of feedback to the surgeon when the anvil has been attached to the device and/or when the anvil has been attached to the device and oriented in a firing position. Various types of feedback indicators are disclosed such as illumination devices, sound generating devices and vibration generating devices. In various embodiments, the feedback indicator comprises at least one illumination device mounted on the anvil which indicates that the anvil has been properly attached to the instrument and which can also serve to illuminate the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Fuchs, Nicholas G. Molitor, Bennie Thompson, John P. Measamer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Mark Tsonlon