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).
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Patent number: 8753368Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sheath system for enabling access through an opening in the body of a patient is provided. The sheath system includes a dilation assembly having a radially expandable tubular sheath defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area when in a non-expanded condition, and a handle assembly operatively coupled to a proximal end of tubular sheath, the handle assembly defining an aperture formed therein, and a first thread defined on the handle in the aperture thereof. The sheath system further includes an expansion assembly including a tubular member defining a lumen having a second cross-sectional area which is larger than the first cross-sectional area of the tubular sheath of the dilation assembly and having an outer surface defining a second thread, the second thread being arranged for engaging the first thread.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Richard D. Gresham, Thomas Wenchell, Robert DeSantis
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Patent number: 8746531Abstract: An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for farming 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Matthew D. Cohen
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Patent number: 8727199Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8708898Abstract: A surgical access system includes a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial lumen. The tubular member includes a braided material adapted to expand from a first initial condition having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second expanded condition having a second-cross sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tubular member defines an oblique end surface. An access housing is mounted to the tubular member. The access housing is dimensioned for engagement by the user. A process for manufacturing a surgical access device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Miguel Moreno, Richard D. Gresham, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8696635Abstract: A surgical seal assembly for use with a surgical access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing, a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing and having a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, and an interface seal disposed within the seal housing. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the sealed reception of the surgical instrument. The interface seal includes an interface seal member extending at least along the longitudinal axis and being in substantial contacting sealing relation with the gimbal mount. The interface seal member is adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Robert C. Smith, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8678264Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Danyel (Tarinelli) Racenet, Thomas Wenchell, Keith L. Milliman
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Patent number: 8663170Abstract: 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 caroming 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Michael Ross Kessell, Paul Neville Adams, Stephen Lyle Weir, Henry Bolanos
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Publication number: 20140054353Abstract: An anvil and anvil delivery system is provided which includes a head assembly and a center rod defining a longitudinal axis. The head assembly defines a transverse axis and is pivotally secured to the rod and movable from an operative position wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tilted position wherein the transverse axis defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A flexible tube is secured to the center rod which includes gradations along the length of the tube. The gradations are positioned to provide an indication of a length of the tube remaining in a patient during removal of the tube from the patient. An adapter is secured to one end of the flexible tube and to the center rod. The adapter is configured to secure the anvil assembly to the flexible tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Patent number: 8622971Abstract: An access apparatus for use during a surgical procedure to provide access to the interior of the body includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end for being disposed at an exterior side of the body and a distal end for extending into the interior of the body. The access member has a bore therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of an object. A seal is disposed within the bore of the access member. The seal includes a fabric material and an elastomeric material, and defines an internal passageway dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with an object inserted therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Skott Greenhalgh, David Farascioni
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Patent number: 8616428Abstract: An anvil and anvil delivery system is provided which includes a head assembly and a center rod defining a longitudinal axis. The head assembly defines a transverse axis and is pivotally secured to the rod and movable from an operative position wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tilted position wherein the transverse axis defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A flexible tube is secured to the center rod which includes gradations along the length of the tube. The gradations are positioned to provide an indication of a length of the tube remaining in a patient during removal of the tube from the patient. An adapter is secured to one end of the flexible tube and to the center rod. The adapter is configured to secure the anvil assembly to the flexible tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Patent number: 8591466Abstract: A method of forming and enlarging a percutaneous penetration is provided. The method includes the step of providing a radially expandable dilation assembly having a needle assembly removably inserted in a axial lumen thereof. The radially expandable dilation assembly includes a radially expandable sleeve body defining a lumen and an introducer seal disposed across the lumen and defining an opening formed therein. The method further includes the steps of penetrating the radially expandable dilation assembly and needle assembly through tissue to a target surgical site, withdrawing the needle assembly from the radially expandable dilation assembly, and inserting an expansion assembly through the opening formed in the introducer seal and into the axial lumen of the radially expandable dilation assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Robert C. Smith
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Patent number: 8591409Abstract: A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon's arm. The fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis and may define a general hour glass configuration. A pair of flexible bands may be mounted about the fabric seal. The flexible bands are adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20130281786Abstract: A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first internal passageway configured and dimensioned to permit passage of at least one of a hand and an arm of a surgeon, and a base mountable to the access housing. The base may include a liner member positionable within an incision of a patient to at least partially line the incision. The liner member may have a first end for positioning within the body and a second end for positioning external of the body. A displacement member may be operatively connected to the access housing and to the second end of the liner member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Robert C. Smith, Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20130186930Abstract: An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for farming 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: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Matthew D. Cohen
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Patent number: 8485971Abstract: A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first internal passageway configured and dimensioned to permit passage of at least one of a hand and an arm of a surgeon, and a base mountable to the access housing. The base may include a liner member positionable within an incision of a patient to at least partially line the incision. A displacement member may be operatively connected to the access housing and to the liner member. The displacement member is adapted for movement to cause corresponding displacement of the liner member relative to the access housing whereby the liner member engages tissue forming the incision to at least partially retract the incision.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Robert C. Smith, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8474678Abstract: An end effector for a surgical fastener applying instrument including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes first and second cartridges each containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, wherein each of the first and second cartridges is configured to move independently with respect to the first jaw member between a proximal position and a distal position.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Dino Kasvikis, Danyel J. (Tarinelli) Racenet, David Farascioni, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Publication number: 20130105546Abstract: A surgical stapling device an elongated body pardon 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8430292Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus including a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein and a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners extending therefrom. The surgical fasteners are engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween. The fasteners are engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Nihir Patel, Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20130103072Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8418904Abstract: A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot avis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roman Czernik, Henry E. Holsten, Frank C. Maffei