Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Brinkerhoff

Ronald J. Brinkerhoff 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: 6547798
    Abstract: A ring applicator for applying elastic rings to anatomical tissue during surgical procedures includes an inner member with a forceps movably disposed within a middle tubular member having a distal end configured to hold a plurality of elastic rings in an expanded state and a proximal end with a plurality of longitudinally spaced steps. The middle tubular member is movably disposed in an outer tubular member, and an adjustable stop mechanism is mounted on the proximal end of the outer tubular member to limit axial movement of the outer tubular member relative to the middle tubular member to select which rings are to be ejected. A distal handle is connected with the inner member via slots in the outer and middle tubular members, and a proximal handle is pivotally connected to the middle tubular member via a slot in the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: InBae Yoon, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Kendall L. Dobler, Hal H. Katz, Ronald J. Kolata, William J. Kraimer, Leo J. Nolan, Delbert E. Lucas, Donna R. Motz
  • Patent number: 6395012
    Abstract: An apparatus and method delivers an expandable body member into a uterine cavity of a uterus through a cervical opening and deploys the expandable body member in the uterine cavity. The expandable body member in a compressed state is inserted into the uterine cavity. A fluid is provided to the uterine cavity at a pressure sufficient to inflate the uterine cavity. The expandable body member expands from the compressed state to the expanded state. After expansion of the expandable body member and inflation of the uterine cavity, the fluid pressure is relieved thereby collapsing the uterine cavity about the expandable body member in the expanded state such that an endometrial layer of the uterus and a surface of the expandable body member substantially contact each other in a facially opposing relationship maximizing contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: InBae Yoon, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Hal H. Katz, William J. Kraimer, Leo J. Nolan
  • Patent number: 6193653
    Abstract: A device useful in minimally-invasive procedures involving the visualization, dissection and/or harvesting of vessels in the body includes a shaft having a handle mounted on one end and a dissecting tip on the other end. The dissecting tip optionally includes a light source for directing light transverse of the tip and structures to retain the tip in position adjacent the vessel as the tip is advanced along the vessel. Also disclosed are associated methods for transilluminating a vessel, dissecting the vessel from surrounding tissue, and transecting the vessel and side branches and removing the vessel from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Evans, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Hal H. Katz, William J. Kraimer
  • Patent number: 6036703
    Abstract: A system for establishing an anastomotic passageway between first and second structures within an animal, the first and second structures each having an intima-exposing opening comprises a first plate sized and configured for attachment to the opening of the first structure, the first plate including an attaching portion having means for gripping first structure at its opening, the first plate further including a coupling portion which is positioned exterior of the first structure when the first plate is attached to the first structure; a second plate sized and configured for attachment to the opening of the second structure, the second plate including an attaching portion having means for gripping the second structure at its opening, the second plate further including a coupling portion which is positioned exterior of the second structure when the second plate is attached to the second structure; and means for connecting the coupling portion of said first plate with the coupling portion of said second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Evans, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Hal H. Katz, William J. Kraimer
  • Patent number: 5897563
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for suturing tissue using a needle holder device, The device includes a handle for holding it, the handle has distal and proximal ends. The device also has right and left arms extending distally from the handle. The arms of the device have proximal ends attached to the handle and distal ends having grippers attached thereto for gripping and releasing a needle. The device includes at least one mechanism for moving the distal ends of the arms closely adjacent to one another and for passing the needle from one gripper to the other and thereafter for moving the distal ends of the arms further apart from one another. The right gripper is holding a needle having a suture attached thereto. The method first involves moving the distal ends of the arms apart from one another and manually inserting the needle into the tissue and back out again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: InBae Yoon, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, David Stefanchik, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Bryan Knodel, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Patent number: 5700261
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors adapted to electrically cauterize and desiccate organic tissue prior to cutting the tissue in order to reduce or prevent bleeding. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors include a pair of scissor members attached through an electrically insulating point. Each scissor member includes, at a distal end, a shearing surface with a plurality of electrode regions interspersed between a plurality of insulating regions. The insulator regions are offset such that upon closure of the shearing members, the insulation region of one shearing member opposes a corresponding electrode on the other shearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff
  • Patent number: 5571285
    Abstract: A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Hector Chow, Earl J. Mills, Federico Bilotti, Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Martin Madden, Richard L. Grant
  • Patent number: 5404870
    Abstract: A transanal inserter is disclosed which facilitates the atraumatic insertion of intra-anal surgical devices through the anus. The inserter has a tubular portion, a prolate distal end and a proximal end having a flange associated therewith. The prolate end is formed from a plurality of petal-shaped segments which deflect outward as an intra-anal surgical device is urged therethrough, into the colon or intestine. The flange formed at the proximal end of the inserter retains the inserter in place and prevents over insertion of the inserter beyond the anus. The inserter can be fabricated in varying lengths to accommodate surgical requirements. The inserter is fabricated from a plastic material with sufficient pliability to provide for deflection of the segments, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse of the inserter during insertion and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Todd J. Olson
  • Patent number: 5366478
    Abstract: A sealing device for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has two inflatable toroidal sections connected by a transition section. The device is partially inserted into an abdominal opening in a deflated state, and then inflated to provide a seal for obstructing the passage of gas from the abdominal cavity during endoscopic surgery. Endoscopic instruments, or alternatively, the surgeon's hand, can penetrate through the lumen of the toroidal sections of the device. The lumen then conforms to the shape of the instrument or hand passed through it to maintain an adequate seal.In another embodiment, a sealing device to seal a trocar is disclosed. The device is an inflatable toroid shaped to fit securely within the housing of the trocar. Means are provided to selectively inflate or deflate the device to perform its intended sealing function, and instruments can be passed through the lumen of the toroid to access the surgical site without destroying the integrity of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Ramesh S. Candadai, John A. Cartmill, Jack B. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 5354312
    Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is disclosed which is particularly facilitated for grasping the anvil portion of an circular surgical stapling device. The present instrument includes a generally elongated shaft, with a pair of cooperating jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The jaw members cooperate in a pincer-like action for gripping the anvil portion of the associated surgical stapler therebetween. The jaw members include cooperating jaw portions, each of which defines a semi-cylindrical gripping surface. The jaw portions are angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated shaft, and are otherwise configured to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the anvil portion of the surgical stapling device, as well as tissue manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Edward J. Biehle, IV, Richard W. Flaker, Julia C. Putnam
  • Patent number: 5342382
    Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding. Alternately, the obturator tip is retractable into the cannula or shield, by use of mechanical means such as a spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Earl J. Mills, Harry C. Parkhurst, Martin Madden
  • Patent number: 5285945
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a longitudinally movable trocar detachably secured by one or more retainer clips on a hollow shaft of the anvil. When the trocar is retracted, the anvil shaft slides into a central support tube which aligns the anvil axially and circumferentially with a staple holder on the stapling head assembly. The retainer clips are locked against the trocar by the support tube and transmit tension from the trocar to the anvil with no tension load on the anvil shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Rudolph H. Nobis, William Fox, Mark S. Zeiner, E. David Allen, Richard Smith, Jerome Reckelhoff, Philip Churchill
  • Patent number: 5275322
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a longitudinally movable trocar detachably secured by one or more retainer clips on a hollow shaft of the anvil. When the trocar is retracted, the anvil shaft slides into a central support tube which aligns the anvil axially and circumferentially with a staple holder on the stapling head assembly. The retainer clips are locked against the trocar by the support tube and transmit tension from the trocar to the anvil with no tension load on the anvil shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Rudolph H. Nobis, Helmut Wolf, Federico Bilotti, William Fox, Mark S. Zeiner, E. David Allen, Richard Smith, Jerome Reckelhoff, Philip Churchill, Richard Grant, Roger Hildwein, J. David Hughett, Clifton Coles, W. Thompson Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5261891
    Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Earl J. Mills, Harry C. Parkhurst, Bela Vincze
  • Patent number: 5222963
    Abstract: A mechanism which is capable of anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plates. One such plate has holes to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate. Fastening is done through a single linear motion that causes the prongs to pierce the tissue, latches the prongs into a receiver and causes a knife blade to cut through excess fastener material and tissue. The ease of removal, by pulling the mechanism thorugh the formed anastomosis, is greatly enhanced. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed in any configuration to properly anastomose tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Mark S. Zeiner, Michael B. Miller, James A. Transue
  • Patent number: 5205459
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a longitudinally movable trocar detachably secured by one or more retainer clips on a hollow shaft of the anvil. When the trocar is retracted, the anvil shaft slides into a central support tube which aligns the anvil axially and circumferentially with a staple holder on the stapling head assembly. The retainer clips are locked against the trocar by the support tube and transmit tension from the trocar to the anvil with no tension load on the anvil shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Rudolph H. Nobis, Helmut Wolf, Federico Bilotti, William Fox, Mark S. Zeiner, E. David Allen
  • Patent number: 5104382
    Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Earl J. Mills, Harry C. Parkhurst, Bela Vincze
  • Patent number: 4747531
    Abstract: An anvil and driver assembly for a surgical skin stapling instrument producing formed and implanted skin staples of more consistant and perfect configuration. The anvil provides an anvil surface which supports the crown of the staple during the forming operation. The driver has an inverted U-shaped notch formed therein which defines parallel side edges to bend the staple legs about the anvil and a transverse edge joining the side edges and adapted to contact the crown of the staple near the end of the forming operation. In the anvil and driver assembly of the present invention, the clearance between the parallel bending edges of the driver and the adjacent anvil edges is greater than the transverse dimension of the staple wire. The anvil surface of the anvil is concave and the crown contacting edge of the driver is so configured as to impart a temporary bow in the staple crown near the bottom of the driver stroke, which bow is of such dimension as to preclude plastic deformation of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Michael A. Murray
  • Patent number: 4612933
    Abstract: A multiple-load cartridge assembly for use with a linear surgical stapling instrument of the type which, when actuated, simultaneously implants at least one row of staples in the tissue of a patient and forms or clinches the staples of the row against the instrument anvil. The cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge having a row of staple-containing forming pockets and a driver having a plurality of blades equal in number to the number of forming pockets and configured to drive the staples from the forming pockets through the tissue to be sutured and against the instrument anvil to be clinched, when the surgical stapling instrument is actuated. The cartridge has at least one row of storage pockets, equal in number to the forming pockets, and each containing at least one staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Senmed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Rudolph H. Nobis