Patents by Inventor Thomas Gilker
Thomas Gilker 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: 11123104Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David Keith Norvell
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Publication number: 20190223907Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David Keith Norvell
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Patent number: 10265095Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: ETHICON LLCInventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David Keith Norvell
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Publication number: 20170189062Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David Keith Norvell
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Patent number: 9486241Abstract: A trocar for performing a procedure on a patient. The trocar has a hollow cannula with a distal end and a proximal end. The trocar also has a housing with a distal end attached to the proximal end of the cannula and a proximal end having a wall attached thereto. The wall has an aperture therethrough. The trocar further includes a seal assembly disposed within the housing. The seal assembly includes a first substantially rigid ring, a second substantially rigid ring, and a plurality of layered elastomeric members compressed therebetween. The first ring has a plurality of distally extending protrusions extending from a distal surface thereof, and the second ring has a plurality of proximally extending protrusions extending from a proximal surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Mark S. Zeiner, Paul T. Franer, Michael S. Cropper, Thomas A. Gilker, Geoffrey C. Hueil, David K. Norvell, Brian J. Thompson, Aaron C. Voegele
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Patent number: 9358041Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay, Paul T. Franer
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Patent number: 9033929Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay
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Patent number: 8870747Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay, Daniel H. Duke, Paul H. Kistler
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Patent number: 8771307Abstract: Seal assemblies, generally for use in trocar assemblies, are provided for selectively promoting movement of fluid away from a central portion of the seal assemblies. In one exemplary embodiment, an inner surface of a seal body of the seal assembly is configured to selectively promote such movement of fluid away from the central portion of the seal body toward a peripheral portion of the seal body. While various configurations, geometries, and dimensions are discussed, one example of such a configuration includes locating a central portion of the seal body at a more proximal position than a peripheral portion of the seal body.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker
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Patent number: 8672890Abstract: Seal assemblies or valves, generally for use in trocar assemblies, are provided for reducing the amount of contact between an instrument being passed into and out of a trocar assembly and an inner surface of a sealing wall of such seal assemblies or valves. In one exemplary embodiment a valve includes an activation extension that is formed on the inner surface of the sealing wall of the valve and is configured such that a distal end of the sealing wall is moved to the open position by an instrument contacting the activation extension. In one embodiment the instrument does not come into contact with the inner surface of the sealing wall during the procedure. In another embodiment a distal-most end of the activation extension can be closer to a longitudinal axis extending through the flange than the inner surface of the sealing wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Rosemarie Elefante, Daniel J. Mumaw
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Patent number: 8579807Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay, Paul T. Franer, Daniel H. Duke, Mark J. Bookbinder
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Patent number: 8568362Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay, Paul T. Franer
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Publication number: 20130030372Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K. Norvell
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Publication number: 20120330099Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay
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Patent number: 8273060Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay
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Patent number: 8257315Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K Norvell
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Patent number: 8206411Abstract: A trocar sleeve includes a trocar cannula and a trocar housing having a housing member base and a housing member cover. The trocar cannula and trocar housing are mechanically interfitted to form a trocar sleeve, wherein at least a portion of the trocar cannula sits within the housing member base with the housing member cover sitting over the trocar cannula for securing the at least a portion of the trocar cannula within the housing member base. The trocar sleeve also includes a stop-cock valve mechanically interfitted between the trocar cannula and the trocar housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Thompson, Mark S. Zeiner, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel H. Duke
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Publication number: 20120116313Abstract: Seal assemblies, generally for use in trocar assemblies, are provided for selectively promoting movement of fluid away from a central portion of the seal assemblies. In one exemplary embodiment, an inner surface of a seal body of the seal assembly is configured to selectively promote such movement of fluid away from the central portion of the seal body toward a peripheral portion of the seal body. While various configurations, geometries, and dimensions are discussed, one example of such a configuration includes locating a central portion of the seal body at a more proximal position than a peripheral portion of the seal body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Paul T. FRANER, Thomas A. Gilker
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Publication number: 20120089094Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K. Norvell
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Patent number: 8147457Abstract: A trocar for performing a procedure on a patient. The trocar includes a hollow cannula having a distal end and a proximal end. The trocar includes a housing having a distal end attached to the proximal end of the cannula and a proximal end having a wall attached thereto. The wall having an aperture therethrough. The trocar further includes a first seal disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of layered elastomeric members forming conical shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cropper S. Michael, Paul Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Geoffrey C. Hueil, David K. Norvell, Brian J. Thompson, Aaron C. Voegele, Mark S. Zeiner