Kenneth M Blier

8096460, Jan 17, 2012

Oct 3, 2008

12/244808

Kenneth Blier - Meriden CT, US
Kevin Sniffin - Danbury CT, US
John Beardsley - Wallingford CT, US

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - North Haven CT

A61B 17/068

2271761, 227 19, 2271751

A surgical device includes a loading unit having proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion of the loading unit is configured to be attached to an actuation apparatus. The surgical device further includes a flexible shaft interconnecting the proximal portion and the distal portion of the loading unit. Additionally, the surgical device has a tool assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the distal portion of the loading unit. The tool assembly is configured to articulate upon activation of the actuation apparatus.

8136713, Mar 20, 2012

Mar 24, 2009

12/409900

Peter Hathaway - Lebanon CT, US
Eric Taylor - East Hampton CT, US
Kenneth Blier - Meriden CT, US

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - North Haven CT

A61B 17/068

2271801, 2271761, 227 19, 2271751

An end effector for a surgical instrument includes a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil assembly operatively connected to the cartridge assembly, and a transducer operably connected to at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are movable between open and closed positions. The transducer is adapted to effect vibrations along at least one of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly. The vibrations reduce the friction on the end effector, thereby reducing the force necessary to fire the end effector.

8323314, Dec 4, 2012

Feb 7, 2012

13/367394

Kenneth M. Blier - Meriden CT, US

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

A61B 17/08

606219, 606142, 2271761

An electrosurgical system is provided and comprises a fastening device including a cartridge configured to retain a plurality of fasteners therein and an anvil configured to form the plurality of fasteners; a plurality of surgical fasteners loaded in the cartridge, at least one of the fasteners includes a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and at least one contact pad fabricated from an electrically conductive material on the backspan, wherein at least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the at least one contact pad upon a formation thereof; and an indicating circuit associated with the fasteners, the indicating circuit including an electrical conduit in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, wherein the indicating circuit includes an energy source and an indicator, wherein the indicator activates upon one of a proper and improper formation of the fasteners.

8343184, Jan 1, 2013

Oct 28, 2011

13/284134

Kenneth M. Blier - Meriden CT, US

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - Mansfield MA

A61B 17/08

606219, 606142, 2271761

A surgical fastening system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of surgical fasteners, an energy source, and an indicating unit. Each surgical fastener includes a backspan, a pair of legs, and a contact pad. The backspan and pair of legs are at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material, and the contact pad has a portion formed from an electrically conductive material. The energy source is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners and generates a current, and the indicating unit is electrically connected to the contact pad of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. Upon contact of at least one of the pair of legs with the portion of the contact pad that is formed from an electrically conductive material, the indicating unit generates a signal indicating the formation of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners.

8381961, Feb 26, 2013

Dec 4, 2009

12/631060

Henry E. Holsten - Covington GA, US
Kenneth Blier - Cheshire CT, US

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

A61B 17/064

2271751, 227 19, 606219, 411457

A fastener system includes an open loop member and a receiving plate. The open loop member has first and second legs and a base. Each leg defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The receiving plate has a body including a pair of spaced apart channels. The body defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. Each channel is positioned to receive a portion of one of the first or second legs.

8387850, Mar 5, 2013

Feb 15, 2012

13/396734

Peter Hathaway - Lebanon CT, US
Eric Taylor - East Hampton CT, US
Kenneth Blier - Meriden CT, US

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

A61H 1/00

2271761, 227 19, 2271801, 2271751

A surgical stapling instrument includes a tool assembly configured to eject staples. The tool assembly has a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to each other. The cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are configured to move between open and closed positions. The surgical stapling instrument further includes at least one transducer disposed in at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The transducers are adapted to effect vibrations to enhance stapling. In one embodiment, wires connect the transducers to a power generator. The power generator supplies energy to the transducers.

8465520, Jun 18, 2013

Nov 2, 2012

13/666995

Kenneth M. Blier - Cheshire CT, US

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

A61B 17/08

606219, 606142, 2271761

An electrosurgical system is provided and comprises a fastening device including a cartridge configured to retain a plurality of fasteners therein and an anvil configured to form the plurality of fasteners; a plurality of surgical fasteners loaded in the cartridge, at least one of the fasteners includes a backspan, a pair of legs depending from the backspan, and at least one contact pad fabricated from an electrically conductive material on the backspan, wherein at least one of the pair of legs is configured to contact the at least one contact pad upon a formation thereof; and an indicating circuit associated with the fasteners, the indicating circuit including an electrical conduit in electrical contact with the at least one contact pad, wherein the indicating circuit includes an energy source and an indicator, wherein the indicator activates upon one of a proper and improper formation of the fasteners.

8490851, Jul 23, 2013

Jan 8, 2009

12/350313

Kenneth Blier - Meriden CT, US
Peter Hathaway - Lebanon CT, US
Eric Taylor - Middletown CT, US

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

A61B 17/10

2271761, 227 19

A surgical device includes a loading unit having proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion of the loading unit is configured to be attached to an actuation apparatus. The surgical device further includes a flexible shaft interconnecting the proximal portion and the distal portion of the loading unit. Additionally, the surgical device has a tool assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the distal portion of the loading unit. The tool assembly is configured to articulate upon activation of the actuation apparatus. In a further embodiment, the surgical device includes a guiding member operatively connected to the tool assembly. The guiding member has a body and a bore extending through the body. The bore slidably receives a suture.