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: 8408441
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Matthew D. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8403942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
  • Patent number: 8360295
    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: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8348837
    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: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8343185
    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: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8328063
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
  • Patent number: 8328823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ernest Aranyi, Gregg C. Krehel, Thomas Wenchell, Earl M. Zergiebel
  • Patent number: 8328844
    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 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8317073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Stephen R. Paul, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8286848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roman Czernik, Henry E. Holsten, Frank C. Maffei
  • Patent number: 8281974
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare, Group LP
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8281973
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wenchell, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roman Czernik, Henry E. Holsten, Frank C. Maffei
  • Patent number: 8282547
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: David Jensen, Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20120248173
    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: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20120228356
    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: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8235947
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20120193397
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Dino Kasvikis, Danyel J. (Tarinelli) Racenet, David Farascioni, Thomas Wenchell, Philip C. Roy
  • Publication number: 20120145766
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Stephen R. Paul, Thomas Wenchell
  • Publication number: 20120136214
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Wenchell
  • Patent number: 8181838
    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: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Keith L. Milliman, Thomas R. Hessler, Thomas Wenchell