Patents by Inventor Paul Scirica

Paul Scirica 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: 10441282
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Paul Scirica
  • Publication number: 20190298358
    Abstract: A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Todd Demmy, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 10426480
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cut ring assembly including a backup member, an intermediate member and a cutting ring body. The intermediate member is formed of a thin, rigid material that is sandwiched between the backup member and the cutting ring body. The thin, rigid material is formed of a material having a hardness less than the hardness of the backup member and greater than the hardness of the cutting ring body. The present disclosure also relates to an anvil assembly including such a cut ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul A. Scirica, Steven Joyce, Justin Williams, Charles Kollar, Christopher Penna
  • Publication number: 20190290280
    Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A folded surgical buttress configured to overlie each of the tissue contacting surfaces of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured to retain the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. The surgical buttress having a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion, and middle longitudinal portion between the first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the middle longitudinal portion is folded and configured to fit within the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Stevenson, Paul Scirica
  • Patent number: 10413312
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Todd Demmy, Paul Scirica, Lee Ann Olson
  • Publication number: 20190274669
    Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function, the end effector including an input drive axle projecting therefrom; and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft; a proximal neck housing supported at a distal end of an outer tube; a distal neck housing pivotally connected to the proximal neck housing; a pivot pin interconnecting the proximal neck housing and the distal neck housing; and a gear train supported in the proximal neck housing, on the pivot pin, and in the distal neck housing. The gear train includes a proximal gear; an intermediate gear; a distal gear; and a pair of output gears, wherein each output gear defines a coupling socket each configured to selectively receive the drive axle of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Paul Scirica
  • Publication number: 20190231377
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Todd Demmy, Paul Scirica, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 10363034
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, John Beardsley
  • Patent number: 10349942
    Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A folded surgical buttress configured to overlie each of the tissue contacting surfaces of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured to retain the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. The surgical buttress having a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion, and middle longitudinal portion between the first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the middle longitudinal portion is folded and configured to fit within the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Richard Stevenson, Paul Scirica
  • Patent number: 10342629
    Abstract: A shipping member for selective attachment to a replaceable loading unit is provided. The shipping member includes an annular extension configured for selective engagement with a loading unit and configured to prevent movement of a knife assembly of the loading unit. The shipping member further includes first and second legs configured to prevent movement of a staple pusher assembly. The shipping member also includes a staple retaining surface configured to retain staples within a staple cartridge of the loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Christopher Penna, Patrick Mozdzierz, Paul A. Scirica, Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 10342536
    Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system includes a hand-held surgical instrument; an end effector; and a shaft assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical device. The shaft assembly includes a transmission housing; an outer tubular body; a distal neck housing for interconnecting a rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a rotation receiving member supported in the end effector, wherein the distal neck housing includes at least one gear system configured to convert a rotational input of the rotatable drive member into at least two output forces to the end effector; and an articulating neck assembly interconnecting the tubular body and the distal neck housing. The articulating neck assembly enables off-axis articulation of the distal neck assembly, and wherein the rotatable drive member extends through the articulating neck assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Paul A. Scirica, Ernest Aranyi, Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 10314584
    Abstract: A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Todd Demmy, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 10299772
    Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function, the end effector including an input drive axle projecting therefrom; and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft; a proximal neck housing supported at a distal end of an outer tube; a distal neck housing pivotally connected to the proximal neck housing; a pivot pin interconnecting the proximal neck housing and the distal neck housing; and a gear train supported in the proximal neck housing, on the pivot pin, and in the distal neck housing. The gear train includes a proximal gear; an intermediate gear; a distal gear; and a pair of output gears, wherein each output gear defines a coupling socket each configured to selectively receive the drive axle of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Paul Scirica
  • Publication number: 20190029683
    Abstract: A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking band. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular body. The annular body defines two hook openings that oppose one another, a lug opening positioned between the hook openings, and a central passage for receiving a portion of a surgical instrument. The locking band has an arced body with two ends, a retention hook positioned adjacent each end of the body and extending from the inner surface of the body. Each of the retention hooks is disposed within a respective one of the hook opening to retain a respective one of the ends of the locking band to the annular body. The lug is disposable through the lug opening into the central passage to secure the loading unit to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Justin Williams, Patrick Mozdzierz, Christopher Penna
  • Publication number: 20180318030
    Abstract: A shipping member for selective attachment to a replaceable loading unit is provided. The shipping member includes an annular extension configured for selective engagement with a loading unit and configured to prevent movement of a knife assembly of the loading unit. The shipping member further includes first and second legs configured to prevent movement of a staple pusher assembly. The shipping member also includes a staple retaining surface configured to retain staples within a staple cartridge of the loading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Penna, Patrick Mozdzierz, Paul A. Scirica, Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 10117655
    Abstract: A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking band. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular body. The annular body defines two hook openings that oppose one another, a lug opening positioned between the hook openings, and a central passage for receiving a portion of a surgical instrument. The locking band has an arced body with two ends, a retention hook positioned adjacent each end of the body and extending from the inner surface of the body. Each of the retention hooks is disposed within a respective one of the hook opening to retain a respective one of the ends of the locking band to the annular body. The lug is disposable through the lug opening into the central passage to secure the loading unit to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Justin Williams, Patrick Mozdzierz, Christopher Penna
  • Publication number: 20180310934
    Abstract: A loading unit including a shipping member is provided. The loading unit includes a housing, a staple pushing assembly, a knife assembly, and a staple cartridge. The shipping member is configured to be selectively secured to the housing of the loading unit and prevents advancement of the staple pushing assembly and the knife assembly. The shipping member also retains staples within the staple cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Christopher Penna, Paul A. Scirica
  • Publication number: 20180296214
    Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus including a tool assembly and a surgical buttress. The tool assembly includes: a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a tissue facing surface, staple retaining pockets having a plurality of surgical fasteners therein, and a knife slot; and an anvil assembly including an anvil plate having a tissue facing surface defining staple forming pockets and a knife slot. The surgical buttress is attached to the tissue facing surface of at least one of the cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly, and conforms to the tissue facing surface such that the surgical buttress is deformed locally into the staple retaining pockets and the knife slot of the cartridge assembly or the staple forming pockets and the knife slot of the anvil assembly to which the surgical buttress is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Gerald N. Hodgkinson, Paul A. Scirica
  • Patent number: 10085752
    Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device is provided and includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function; and a shaft assembly. The end effector includes a rotatable drive screw having a coupling member at a proximal end thereof; and a flexible drive cable rotatably supported therein and extending therefrom, wherein the flexible drive cable receives rotational forces and transmits said rotational forces to the drive screw to actuate the end effector. The shaft assembly includes a proximal neck housing supported at a distal end of the outer tube; and a distal neck housing pivotally connected to the proximal neck housing, wherein a distal end of the distal neck housing is configured and adapted for operative connection with the end effector. In use, when the end effector is connected to the shaft assembly, the flexible drive cable extends through the proximal neck housing and the distal neck housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Paul Scirica
  • Publication number: 20180271528
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a tubular body portion and a cartridge assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples. Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan. An anvil member disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets. Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Penna, Justin Williams, Paul Scirica, David Racenet