Patents by Inventor Thomas Wenchell

Thomas Wenchell 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: 9322481
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion that define an internal chamber for accommodating a valve member. The housing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. The valve assembly includes a generally spherical valve member seated within the internal chamber that defines first and second bores. The first bore defines a first longitudinal axis and the second bore defines a second longitudinal axis offset relative to the first longitudinal axis. The valve member is mounted for movement between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly includes a camming mechanism for moving the valve member between the first position and the second position, including cam surfaces formed on the exterior surface of the valve member and a cam pin formed on the interior surface of the upper body portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Michael Ross Kessell, Paul Neville Adams, Stephen Lyle Weir, Henry Bolanos
  • Publication number: 20160038016
    Abstract: An insertion device for use during surgical procedure to enlarge an opening in a patient's tissue to facilitate access to an internal treatment site with a surgical instrument. The insertion device includes an anoscope including a flange, and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends extending distally from the flange along a longitudinal axis. The anoscope may include a configuration that is asymmetrical about a plane extending along the longitudinal axis that bisects the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Christopher Switalski
  • Publication number: 20160038015
    Abstract: An anoscope kit includes an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region. The distal region includes an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region. The intermediate region has an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20160015544
    Abstract: A gastric tube for use in a bariatric surgical procedure includes an elongate tube and a movable component supported on an outer surface of the elongate tube. The elongate tube has a non-circular cross section along at least a portion of a length of the elongate tube. The movable component is movable between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. In the unexpanded configuration, the movable component is disposed in abutting engagement with the outer surface of the elongate tube. In the expanded configuration, the movable component bows outwardly from the outer surface of the elongate tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Henry HOLSTEN, Thomas WENCHELL
  • Patent number: 9204789
    Abstract: An insertion device for use during surgical procedure to enlarge an opening in a patient's tissue to facilitate access to an internal treatment site with a surgical instrument. The insertion device includes an anoscope including a flange, and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends extending distally from the flange along a longitudinal axis. The anoscope may include a configuration that is asymmetrical about a plane extending along the longitudinal axis that bisects the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Christopher Switalski
  • Patent number: 9192291
    Abstract: An anoscope kit includes an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region. The distal region includes an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region. The intermediate region has an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20150327856
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device an elongated body portion having proximal and distal portions, and a head portion positioned adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion. The head portion includes a shell assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to the shell assembly between un-approximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and an anvil head connected to the center rod. The center rod includes at least one aperture extending transversely therethrough and configured and dimensioned to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member extends transversely through the center rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 9113871
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device an elongated body portion having proximal and distal portions, and a head portion positioned adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion. The head portion includes a shell assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to the shell assembly between un-approximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and an anvil head connected to the center rod. The center rod includes at least one aperture extending transversely therethrough and configured and dimensioned to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member extends transversely through the center rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 9028402
    Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes a liner base and an access housing for positioning outside the body. The liner base includes an inner member adapted for insertion through an opening within body tissue for positioning within the body; a sleeve member connected to the inner member and dimensioned to extend from the inner member through the opening within the body tissue, and a plurality of tensioning elements connected to the inner member and associated with the sleeve member to impart a tensioning effect on the sleeve member. The access housing includes a first element and a second element. The second element is operatively connected to the tensioning elements and adapted for rotational movement relative to the first member to cause the tensioning elements to displace the inner member toward the access housing and to cause the sleeve member to engage and retract tissue defining the opening within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20150088169
    Abstract: A mesh deployment device having separate mesh deployment and actuation units is provided. A mesh deployment device includes an actuation unit and a mesh deployment unit configured to be releasably secured to the actuation unit. When the mesh deployment unit is secured to the actuation unit, a first actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from an expanded condition to a collapsed condition and a second actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The mesh deployment device may further include a mesh releasably secured to the mesh deployment unit. A third actuation of the actuation unit may release the mesh from the mesh deployment unit. Also provided is a kit including multiple mesh deployment units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: William T. Kelly, Jason T. Iceman, Jay Breindel, Erik Carlson, Thomas Wenchell, Kayla Cloutier, Shane Reardon
  • Publication number: 20150080656
    Abstract: An anoscope kit includes an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region. The distal region includes an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region. The intermediate region has an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20150060522
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising a cartridge section having a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil section having an anvil for receiving the fasteners when advanced from the cartridge, the cartridge and anvil sections clamping tissue therebetween. The first and second cam members are movable within the cartridge section to fire the fasteners. A cam member supporting member fixed within the cartridge section has an upper surface on which the cam members are slidable. The upper surface of the cam member supporting member has a first upper surface portion on a first plane and a second lower surface portion in a different substantially parallel second plane such that the first and second cam members slide in offset planes on the upper surface to fire the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8940000
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members and at least one flexible member attachment structure. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. The pair of jaw members is disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extends generally distally therefrom. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The flexible member attachment structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with at least one jaw member and is configured to facilitate the attachment of a flexible member thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dino Kasvikis, Joshua Snow, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8926505
    Abstract: An anoscope kit comprising an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region, the distal region including an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region, the intermediate region having an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8905288
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying comprising a cartridge section having a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil section having an anvil for receiving the fasteners when advanced from the cartridge, the cartridge and anvil sections clamping tissue therebetween. The first and second cam members are movable within the cartridge section to fire the fasteners. A cam member supporting member fixed within the cartridge section has an upper surface on which the cam members are slidable. The upper surface of the cam member supporting member has a first upper surface portion on a first plane and a second lower surface portion in a different substantially parallel second plane such that the first and second cam members slide in offset planes on the upper surface to fire the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20140276969
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier is disclosed and includes a handle portion, a tubular member extending from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a drive member rotatably supported in the tubular member and in the handle portion, and a plurality of fasteners. The drive member is configured to rotate while in a deflected condition with respect to the longitudinal axis. The drive member includes a proximal portion, a central portion, and a distal portion, the central portion being relatively more flexible configuration as compared to at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion. The plurality of fasteners is disposed within the tubular member and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member such that rotational motion of the drive member causes distal advancement of at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners through the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Roberto Pedros, Johana Molina
  • Publication number: 20140236228
    Abstract: An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for forming surgical staples. The anvil head is mounted to the anvil shaft and the anvil shaft has a longitudinal axis and first and second spaced apart elongated projections attached to the anvil shaft and extending therefrom. The projections are configured and dimensioned to retain a purse string suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Matthew D. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20140231687
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion that define an internal chamber for accommodating a valve member. The housing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. The valve assembly includes a generally spherical valve member seated within the internal chamber that defines first and second bores. The first bore defines a first longitudinal axis and the second bore defines a second longitudinal axis offset relative to the first longitudinal axis. The valve member is mounted for movement between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly includes a camming mechanism for moving the valve member between the first position and the second position, including cam surfaces formed on the exterior surface of the valve member and a cam pin formed on the interior surface of the upper body portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Michael Ross Kessell, Paul Neville Adams, Stephen Lyle Weir, Henry Bolanos
  • Publication number: 20140217146
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying comprising a cartridge section having a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil section having an anvil for receiving the fasteners when advanced from the cartridge, the cartridge and anvil sections clamping tissue therebetween. The first and second cam members are movable within the cartridge section to fire the fasteners. A cam member supporting member fixed within the cartridge section has an upper surface on which the cam members are slidable. The upper surface of the cam member supporting member has a first upper surface portion on a first plane and a second lower surface portion in a different substantially parallel second plane such that the first and second cam members slide in offset planes on the upper surface to fire the fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20140171742
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a head portion and an elongated channel. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The elongated channel includes a proximal opening and a distal opening. The proximal opening is disposed distally of a proximalmost end of the handle assembly and proximally of the shell assembly. The distal opening is disposed on the shell assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Danyel Racenet, Thomas Wenchell, Keith L. Milliman