Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Failla
Stephen J. Failla 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).
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Patent number: 5613939Abstract: Abdominal wall lift devices and methods are disclosed that extend a lift device through an opening in the abdominal wall in an entry configuration and subsequently transform the device to a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. One embodiment includes a plurality of elongated bar members that may be introduced into an abdominal cavity in a separated end-to-end orientation. The bar members are subsequently interconnected into a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. Another embodiment includes a device that may be introduced through a small opening in an abdominal wall in a generally L-shaped configuration and subsequently deployed into a generally T-shaped configuration within the abdominal cavity. A further embodiment includes an umbrella-like device that may be introduced in a slender generally cylindrical configuration and subsequently deployed into an open umbrella-type configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5547458Abstract: Abdominal wall lift devices and methods are disclosed that extend a lift device through an opening in the abdominal wall in an entry configuration and subsequently transform the device to a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. One embodiment includes a plurality of elongated bar members that may be introduced into an abdominal cavity in a separated end-to-end orientation. The bar members are subsequently interconnected into a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. Another embodiment includes a device that may be introduced through a small opening in an abdominal wall in a generally L-shaped configuration and subsequently deployed into a generally T-shaped configuration within the abdominal cavity. A further embodiment includes an umbrella-like device that may be introduced in a slender generally cylindrical configuration and subsequently deployed into an open umbrella-type configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5545123Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting an abdominal wall during laparoscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures. The surgical lift device includes a gripping portion for contacting and holding an external skin surface adjacent the abdominal wall. The gripping portion is selectively detachable from the skin surface. The device further includes a lifting portion that extends outwardly from the gripping portion. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the gripping portion may comprise an adhesive sheet or a suction member and the lifting portion may comprise a wire member or a portion of a hook and loop-type fastener.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, Stephen J. Failla, Jean-Pierre Kinet, Frederic Marie
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Patent number: 5501654Abstract: An elastically deformable element having multiple stacked strips for articulation in an endoscopic surgical instrument. The deformable element is usable in a variable retractor and an instrument having an articulating housing. The working section of the retractor variably moves from a curved configuration when outside of a sheath to a substantially straightened configuration when inside the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Failla, Michael J. Stokes, Daniel W. Price, Charles M. Rarey, Bennie Thompson
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Patent number: 5415160Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting an abdominal wall during laparoscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures. The surgical lift device includes a gripping portion for contacting and holding an external skin surface adjacent the abdominal wall. The gripping portion is selectively detachable from the skin surface. The device further includes a lifting portion that extends outwardly from the gripping portion. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the gripping portion may comprise an adhesive sheet or a suction member and the lifting portion may comprise a wire member or a portion of a hook and loop-type fastener.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1994Date of Patent: May 16, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, Stephen J. Failla, Jean-Pierre Kinet, Frederic Marie
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Patent number: 5382252Abstract: An improved transvaginal uterine manipulator is disclosed. In the most preferred embodiment, it has an elongated housing, a releasable tip attached to the distal end of the housing, a handle lever to actuate means for pivoting the tip in anteversion and retroversion motions in such a manner that a direct positional relationship between the handle lever and tip exists, an arcuate tip position indicator, a tenaculum holder attached to the housing, a constant force spring attached within the elongated housing and to the holder for applying a constant force on a tenaculum held by the holder regardless of its position on the housing, a handle lever locking means to lock the position of the handle, and fluid delivery means through the tip to deliver fluid to the uterus.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1994Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Ethicon Endo-SurgeryInventors: Stephen J. Failla, Patrick J. Traini, Charles M. Rarey
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Patent number: 5368600Abstract: An applier for applying a bulldog clamp endoscopically, and the combination of such an applier with a bulldog clamp, is disclosed. The applier has an endoscopic portion and a handle portion. The handle portion can be manipulated to open and close gripping arms of the applier at the distal end of the endoscopic portion to correspondingly open and close the clamping jaws of the bulldog clamp. The principle feature of the invention is the ability to pivot the clamp while it is gripped within the gripping arms of the applier without the necessity of using another instrument or adjacent bodily tissue. Furthermore, it is possible to perform this pivoting movement from the proximal end of the applier, therefore enabling a surgeon to pivot the clamp from outside the body during endoscopic surgery.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Failla, Roger L. Hildwein, Peter Lau
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Patent number: 5364410Abstract: Percutaneous suture externalizer devices are disclosed which grasp, secure and externalize sutures from within an abdominal or thoracic cavity. The suture externalizer devices include a thin tubular sheath with a penetrating point and a hook rod slidable within the sheath. The hook rod is slidable between an extended position and a retracted position. The hook rod is biased to the extended position. In the retracted position, a suture grasped within the hook is snugly held between the hook rod and the inner wall of the sheath, providing a positive means of securing the suture during externalization. An alternative embodiment utilizes a hollow tubular hook rod that can also be used to insufflate the abdominal or thoracic cavity. The alternative embodiment utilizes a valve to control the flow of gas through the hook rod, into and out of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Failla, Charles M. Rarey, Michael J. Stokes
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Patent number: 5224952Abstract: 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 a slot which conforms to the geometry of the 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. A valve is located at the proximal end of the trocar tube to seal the end of the tube. The valve is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trocar tube. The valve is controllable by an external lever which will hold the valve open or permit it to spring shut. An incremental advancement mechanism cooperates with the obturator to permit only incremental advance of the obturator. Instead of using a discrete shield component the shielding function may be provided by spring-loading the trocar tube itself to spring forward and shield the obturator tip after the tip penetrates tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1992Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Jose C. Deniega, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5215526Abstract: 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 a slot which conforms to the geometry of the 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. A valve is located at the proximal end of the trocar tube to seal the end of the tube. The valve is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trocar tube. The valve is controllable by an external lever which will hold the valve open or permit it to spring shut. An incremental advancement mechanism cooperates with the obturator to permit only incremental advance of the obturator. Instead of using a discrete shield component the shielding function may be provided by spring-loading the trocar tube itself to spring forward and shield the obturator tip after the tip penetrates tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1991Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Jose C. Deniega, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5128662Abstract: A collapsible, storable information display screen for use with an electronic information processing device is disclosed which alleviates many of the problems associated with the smaller display screens. The display screen, when in use, is assembled in an electrically interconnected, mechanically stable, predetermined array, and when not in use, may be disassembled from said array and collapsed for compact storage.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1989Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Inventor: Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5066288Abstract: 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 a slot which conforms to the geometry of the 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. A valve is located at the proximal end of the trocar tube to seal the end of the tube. The valve is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trocar tube. The valve is controllable by an external lever which will hold the valve open or permit it to spring shut. An incremental advancement mechanism cooperates with the obturator to permit only incremental advance of the obturator. Instead of using a discrete shield component the shielding function may be provided by spring-loading the trocar tube itself to spring forward and shield the obturator tip after the tip penetrates tissue.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1989Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Jose C. Deniega, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 5006123Abstract: A marking device is provided for marking the sclera and/or limbus of a patient's eye to standardize and define incision location and suture placement prior to cataract removal, and to aid in the intraoperative control of astigmatism. The device comprises a generally arcuate body member having opposed major surfaces with a plurality of projections extending from one of the major surfaces. The body member has an inferior arc and a superior arc with the inferior arc having a smaller radius than the superior arc. The projections are radially aligned, extending from the major surface and are adapted to be inked and to transfer ink marks to the sclera and/or limbal area of an eye. The ink marks represent the locations where incisions and sutures are to be placed.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1989Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Inventors: David B. Soll, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4976722Abstract: A surgical hemostatic clip which afford substantially gapless closure includes a longitudinal groove formed in the tissue-contacting surface of one leg, and an opposing longitudinal tongue formed on the tissue-contacting surface of the other leg. In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal tongue and groove do not extend to the distal ends of the legs so as to provide distal flat surfaces on the tissue-contacting distal leg ends. Transverse grooves may be formed across the tongue and in intersection with the longitudinal groove to enhance the tissue-gripping characteristics of the hemostatic clip.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1989Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4976909Abstract: A tissue fastening device comprising (a) a fastener member having a pair of legs extending from the same side of a connecting cross piece, said fastener member adapted to be placed on one side of the tissue to be joined with the legs penetrating the tissue, said fastener member being an oriented crystalline polymeric material, whereby the fastener member has sufficient inherent strength and stiffness so said legs can penetrate the tissue to be fastened, and (b) a receiver member to secure said fastener member in place. The fastener member is formed by forming an oriented polymeric filament into the configuration of the fastener member, and annealing the filament while in such configuration while it is being restrained so as to prevent shrinkage.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1987Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Dorband, Alfred Liland, Edgar Menezes, Peter Steinheuser, Nicholas M. Popadiuk, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4880017Abstract: A marking device and method of using it are provided for making the sclera and/or limbus of a patient's eye to standardize and define incision location and suture placement prior to cataract removal, and to aid in the intraoperative control of astigmatism. The device comprises a generally arcuate body member having opposed major surfaces with a plurality of projections extending from one of the major surfaces. The body member has an inferior arc and a superior arc with the inferior arc having a smaller radius than the superior arc. The projections are radially aligned, extending from the major surface and are adapted to be inked and to transfer ink marks to the sclera and/or limbal area of an eye. The ink marks represent the locations where incisions and sutures are to be placed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1988Date of Patent: November 14, 1989Inventors: David B. Soll, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4741336Abstract: A surgical instrument for joining tissue by means of a two piece fastener. The fastener is a shaped staple having a general shape of an M, and a receiver for engaging with the legs of the staple. The staple has an M-shape with the outer legs portions being non-parallel or parallel. The legs of the staple are connected by a compressibly resilient portion. The staple legs penetrate the tissue and engage and interlock with the openings in the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1986Date of Patent: May 3, 1988Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Failla, Carmen Gerrone
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Patent number: 4693248Abstract: A fastener is provided to hold together portions of mammalian tissue and includes an open loop fastening member and a receiver with two passages for receiving the legs of the fastening member. The receiver defines a plurality of deformable projections spaced peripherally around the interior surface of each passage for being deformed as one of the legs is received in the passage to thereby effect an interference fit engagement and inhibit withdrawal of the leg from the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1985Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4671280Abstract: A tissue fastening device comprising (a) a fastener member having a pair of legs extending from the same side of a connecting cross piece, said fastener member adapted to be placed on one side of the tissue to be joined with the legs penetrating the tissue, said fastener member being an oriented cystalline polymeric material, whereby the fastener member has sufficient inherent strength and stiffness so said legs can penetrate the tissue to be fastened, and (b) a receiver member to secure said fastener member in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1985Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Dorband, Alfred Liland, Edgar Menezes, Peter Steinheuser, Nicholas M. Popadiuk, Stephen J. Failla
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Patent number: 4606345Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying two-piece fasteners to join tissue. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The movable jaw holds the staple portion of the fastener and the stationary jaws include friction means for holding the receiver portion of the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1984Date of Patent: August 19, 1986Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Dorband, Stephen J. Failla, John Kula