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Frank Viola, Sandy Hook US

Frank Viola, Sandy Hook, CT US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080272171Anvil position detector for a surgical stapler - An anvil position detector is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The anvil position detector includes a projection formed on a driving or jaw closure mechanism of the surgical instrument and a recess for a notch formed on the jaw or anvil of the surgical instrument. Engagement of the projection with the notch provides a tactile and/or audible indication to the operator of the surgical instrument that the anvil or jaw is in proper alignment with the remainder of the surgical instrument.11-06-2008
20090277947VARYING TISSUE COMPRESSION USING TAKE-UP COMPONENT - The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus, and the application of variable compression to tissue. More specifically, the presently disclosed surgical fastener applying apparatus act to limit the flow of blood through tissue immediately adjacent a cut-line formed therein to effectuate hemostasis, while maximizing the flow of blood through tissue more removed from the cut-line to limit unnecessary necrosis. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener applying apparatus is disclosed having a tool assembly coupled to a distal end thereof with first and second jaws respectively including an anvil and a surgical fastener cartridge. The surgical fastener cartridge includes, among other things, a hemostasis member that is configured to apply at least two different compressive forces to tissue clamped between the first and second jaws of the tool assembly.11-12-2009
20090277948Variable Compression Surgical Fastener Cartridge - A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge is provided. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge includes a cartridge body that includes a tissue contacting surface that includes a plurality of fastener retention slots. A plurality of surgical fasteners is disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots. Each surgical fastener includes first and second legs of different lengths. A plurality of pushers is operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners. One or more of the pushers is configured such that, upon formation of a corresponding surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge also includes an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.11-12-2009
20090277949Varying Tissue Compression With An Anvil Configuration - The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus and the application of variable compression to tissue. More specifically, the presently disclosed surgical fastener applying apparatus act to limit the flow of blood through tissue immediately adjacent a cut-line formed therein to effectuate hemostasis, while maximizing the flow of blood through tissue more removed from the cut-line to limit unnecessary necrosis. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener applying apparatus is disclosed having a tool assembly coupled to a distal end thereof with first and second jaws respectively including an anvil and a surgical fastener cartridge. The surgical fastener cartridge includes, among other things, angled pushers that engage surgical fasteners of varying lengths.11-12-2009
20090281554VARIABLE COMPRESSION SURGICAL FASTENER APPARATUS - A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an anvil section and a cartridge section, where the cartridge section and the anvil section are movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to clamp tissue therebetween. The cartridge section has a plurality of retention slots. A plurality of first surgical fasteners and a plurality of second surgical fasteners are disposed within a corresponding retention slot. The plurality of first surgical fasteners has a first backspan with a first configuration and the plurality of second surgical fasteners has a second backspan with a second configuration. The first configuration is different from the second configuration. In addition, when the first configuration applies a first compressive force to tissue upon formation of the plurality of first surgical fasteners and the second configuration applies a second compressive force to tissue upon formation of the plurality of second surgical fasteners, the second compressive force is different from the first compressive force.11-12-2009
20100010512FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC STITCHING DEVICES - An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.01-14-2010
20100030238FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC STITCHING DEVICES - An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and an actuation cable operatively connected to the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts axial translation and rotation to the actuation cable. The end effector includes a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations. The actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof and/or effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof.02-04-2010
20100076461FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC STITCHING DEVICES - A handle assembly for operating a surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable. Each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function.03-25-2010
20100137738SURGICAL TISSUE MONITORING SYSTEM - A tissue monitoring system includes an introducer having an inflatable section and a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon. The electrodes are alternatively connected to an electrode contact system which includes at least one signal line and at least one measurement line for taking readings about a circumferential segment of tissue encompassed by the electrodes.06-03-2010
20100145472Gastric Restrictor Assembly And Method Of Use - A gastric restrictor assembly for positioning within the digestive tract, e.g., stomach, of a patient to treat obesity is disclosed. The gastric restrictor assembly includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly within a body lumen and a valve assembly for adjusting the diameter of a throughbore defined by valve assembly. The gastric restrictor includes first and second actuators which can be actuated transorally for operating the attachment mechanism and the valve assembly.06-10-2010
20100174299Method Of Using Barbed Sutures For Gastric Volume Reduction - A method of gastric reduction is disclosed that includes the steps of: inserting an oral-gastric device into the interior volume of the stomach of a subject; and inserting through the esophagus at least one barbed suture in proximity to the muscularis of the stomach of a subject. The barbed suture has a first end having a pointed configuration, and a second end. The muscularis comprise at least first and second surfaces that are in at least partially interfacing relationship to one another in the interior volume. The method also includes inserting the first and/or the second end of the barbed suture through the muscularis to form at least first and second pull regions; and pulling the ends to cause the first pull region to move the first surface towards the interior volume and to cause the second pull region to move the second surface towards the interior volume.07-08-2010
20100193570SURGICAL FASTENER APPLYING APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.08-05-2010
20100268030Self-Steering Endoscopic Device - An endoscopic device including mechanisms to facilitate insertion of the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensing assembly configured for determining the position of the distal end of the device relative to a lumen. The device may further including a steering mechanism configured to direct the distal end of the device. A controller may be operably connected to the sensing assembly and the steering mechanism. The controller may be incorporated into the endoscopic device. Alternately, the controller may be positioned remote of the endoscopic device.10-21-2010
20100268270Magnetically Retained Incision Closure Devices And Methods Of Incision Closure Using Same - An incision closure device includes an elongated handle portion including a distal end, a first connector detachably affixed to the distal end of the handle portion, and a second connector adapted to be axially moveable along the handle portion, wherein the first and second connectors are magnetically attracted to one another.10-21-2010
20100282817SURGICAL FASTENER APPLYING APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.11-11-2010
20100320252FLEXIBLE SURGICAL STAPLER WITH MOTOR IN THE HEAD - A surgical stapler having a remote motorized staple head is provided and generally includes a handle having a control button and a highly flexible cable extending distally from the handle. A housing incorporating a staple assembly is affixed to a distal end of the flexible cable. The housing may incorporate articulating structure to position the staple assembly relative to the remainder of the housing.12-23-2010
20110087277Shape Memory Fasteners And Method Of Use - A surgical fastener configured to close an opening in tissue is provided. The surgical fastener includes a base defining a central axis at least one pair of legs extending from the base. Each of the legs includes a base portion and a tissue engaging portion. When in a first position, each of the tissue engaging portions is arranged to define an insertion direction and when in a second position, each of the tissue engaging portions extends inward towards the central axis. The surgical fastener is at least partially formed from a shape memory material including a combination of Polydioxanone and Poly(L-lactide) or a combination of Trimethylene Carbonate and Poly(L-lactide). The pair of legs are configured to move from the first position to the second position upon activation of the shape memory material.04-14-2011
20110087278Surgical Staple And Method Of Use - A surgical staple configured to close an opening in tissue is provided. The surgical staple includes a base including first and second base portions and first and second legs extending from respective first and second base portions. The first and second base portions form a bendable connection therebetween. The staple has a first substantially open position in which the first base portion defines an angle with the second base portion and a second substantially closed position.04-14-2011
20110133040SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY - A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration.06-09-2011
20110137129LAPAROSCOPIC SCAFFOLD ASSEMBLY - A scaffold assembly includes an instrument pod and a plurality of actuable movers. The instrument pod may include one or more instruments operably coupled thereto. The instrument pod is inserted through a tissue tract into the body cavity. Each actuatable mover includes an insertion member extending therefrom therefrom for insertion within tissue. Each mover has one or more lines removably attachable to the instrument pod that are configured to move the instrument pod between different positions relative to each mover upon the actuation of one or more of the movers to move the instrument pod within the body cavity.06-09-2011

Patent applications by Frank Viola, Sandy Hook, CT US