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: 8408441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Matthew D. Cohen
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Patent number: 8403942Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure is disclosed which uses an anvil delivery system including an anvil assembly, a flexible tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a fitting to deliver the anvil assembly to a desired site. The method includes the steps of cutting a second end portion of the flexible tube, attaching a fitting to the second end portion of the flexible tube which has been cut, inserting the insertion tip into tissue, advancing the insertion tip along with the flexible tube and anvil assembly to the desired site within a patient's body, and removing the flexible tube from the anvil assembly and from the desired site leaving the anvil assembly in a patient's body at the desired site.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Patent number: 8360295Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8348837Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8343185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8328063Abstract: A surgical tilt anvil assembly including a rod and a head assembly including an anvil plate having staple deforming pockets. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the rod and pivotal in relation to the rod between a first tilted position, a non-tilted position and a second different tilted position. The head assembly passes from the first tilted position, through the non-tilted position to the second tilted position.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Patent number: 8328823Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Ernest Aranyi, Gregg C. Krehel, Thomas Wenchell, Earl M. Zergiebel
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Patent number: 8328844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8317073Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger and a firing indicator. The firing trigger is movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. Engagement structure of the firing trigger moves the firing indicator from a first position to a second position when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Stephen R. Paul, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8286848Abstract: 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: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roman Czernik, Henry E. Holsten, Frank C. Maffei
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Patent number: 8281974Abstract: An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for forming surgical staples, and the anvil head mounted to the anvil shaft. The anvil shaft has a longitudinal axis and a helical slot formed therein. A disc is movable along the slot to a selected position to selectively adjust the positioning of a purse string suture.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare, Group LPInventors: Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8281973Abstract: A surgical stapling device few sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose surgical stapling 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 axis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Thomas Wenchell, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roman Czernik, Henry E. Holsten, Frank C. Maffei
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Patent number: 8282547Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes a housing member defining a housing axis and a passageway therethrough, a first seal member mounted across the passageway and having at least one expansible segment adapted to facilitate radial movement of the seal passage during manipulation of the object within the first seal member and a second seal member mounted across the passageway distal of the first seal member and being arranged about a second seal axis radially displaced from the first seal axis. The second seal member includes at least one expansible segment dimensioned to facilitate radial movement of the seal passage of the second seal member during manipulation of the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: David Jensen, Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20120248173Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20120228356Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8235947Abstract: A unique surgical system and method of use includes a seal assembly which is initially mountable about a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument with mounted seal assembly is thereafter positioned within a cannula assembly. The seal assembly forms a fluid tight seal within the interior of the cannula assembly while also forming a fluid tight seal about the surgical instrument. The seal assembly and the cannula assembly cooperate to permit angulation of the surgical instrument. A magnetic coupling assists in retaining the seal assembly within the cannula assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20120193397Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Dino Kasvikis, Danyel J. (Tarinelli) Racenet, David Farascioni, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
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Publication number: 20120145766Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger and a firing indicator. The firing trigger is movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. Engagement structure of the firing trigger moves the firing indicator from a first position to a second position when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Stephen R. Paul, Thomas Wenchell
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Publication number: 20120136214Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
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Patent number: 8181838Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell