Ethicon, Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

Corning Precision Lens, Inc.

3M Innovative Properties Company

Corning Incorporated

Atricure, Inc.

U.S. Precision Lens Incorporated

Livyn O Okorocha

Gregory D Bishop

Salvatore Privitera

Narinderjit S Sambi

John A Hibner

Sean P Conlon

James J Bedi

Robert G Rothfuss

Michael V Sherrill

Edward A Rhad

Randy R Stephens

John R Menges

Pamela K Jacobs

Jorge N Gutierrez

Michel A Paul

Saleem U Oureshi

John David Mitchell

Wilton Ray Purvis

Felix J Bodurek, Jr

Apparatus and methods for deploying a clip to occlude an anatomical structure including a clip holder assembly that is an interface between the clip and a deployment device.

Apparatus and methods for deploying a clip to occlude an anatomical structure

An optical lens cell, especially useful in projection televisions, includes a tubular optic support structure having an interior with a longitudinal central axis and a first optic support surface extending around the longitudinal central axis. The first optic support surface receives a first optic having an outer circumferential edge and a first mounting surface portion adjacent the circumferential edge. The mounting surface portion of the first optic extends transverse to the longitudinal central axis. A plurality of raised surface members are provided on the optic support surface. At least one resilient member extends transverse to the longitudinal central axis and is configured to contact the mounting surface portion of the first optic when the first optic is positioned adjacent the optic support surface. The resilient member applies a biasing force against the mounting surface portion of the first optic along the longitudinal central axis to force the first optic against the raised surface members of the first optic support surface.

Lens system having resilient members to axially position optics

A projection television lens cell and system including a tubular optic support structure having an interior with a longitudinal central axis. A first annular support surface extends around the longitudinal central axis for receiving a first optic having an outer circumferential edge. The first annular support surface includes at least a first resilient member configured to contact the outer circumferential edge of the first optic and to be moved in a radially outward direction by the first optic relative to the longitudinal central axis. The resilient member assists in preventing substantial movement of remaining portions of the tubular optic support structure, for example, during assembly and any heat induced thermal expansion of the optic in use.

Lens system having compliant optic mounting structure

An apparatus and method for locking a focus position of a lens assembly without causing the lens cell to tilt, comprising: a spacer interposed between the lens cell and the focus mount. The spacer is received into a sleeve that is integral with the focus mount. The sleeve projects radially outward from the focus mount such that the spacer can be raised and lowered radially with respect to the focus mount. The spacer has a cylindrical body with a radial flange at one end. Moreover, the spacer has two ridges that extend downward from a lower surface of the flange, each of which is received into a corresponding groove on the sleeve, thus, preventing the spacer from rotating within the sleeve. The spacer also has an upwardly raised rim extending from an upper surface of the flange. The rim is slidably secured into a slot of the focus mount, which prevents lateral movement of the spacer. Further, a bolt is coupled to an opening within the spacer, such that one end of the bolt is disposed and secured within the spacer and the other end of the bolt extends radially outward through the slot of the focus mount. A nut is secured onto the bolt. After focusing the lens cell assembly, the nut is tightened onto the bolt in order to maintain focus of the lens cell assembly. The tightening of the nut brings an upper surface of the flange of the spacer into frictional engagement with an interior surface of the focus mount, which prevents the tilting of the lens cell within the focus mount, thus, maintaining a focus position of the lens assembly.

Apparatus and method for a focus position lock device for a projection television lens assembly

The invention provides a locking device for locking two matching lens cell halves of a lens cell. In particular, the invention resides in clips which are located at the joint where the two cell halves mate. The clips, which are molded as part of each cell half, are each comprised of a male member which is inserted into a female member. The male member includes a flexible tab which is deflected when inserted into the female member. After insertion, it is maintained in a deformed state, that is the tab is maintained by the female member so that it is bent from its original position. As a result, a bending moment is induced and maintained in the tab and that moment pushes the tab against an outer wall of the female member. Consequently, forces are established which lock the male member in place. Additionally, the wall of the female member exerts a force on the tab and that force, which is inwardly directed, serves to lock together the two halves and ensures retention of the lens units within the lens cell.

Locking device for projection television lens assembly

A projection television lens system having a device that distorts for telescopically adjusting an A/B assembly, the tubular member that carries the A and B lens elements within a focus mount of a projection television lens system. Additionally, at one end of the lens, there is provided a fixed mounting site, i.e. a mounting site which is fixed in position with respect to the CRT 9 assembly. A device is then provided which connects the fixed mounting site to the tubular member. The thermal and structural characteristics of the device are selected so that the device itself distorts in response to temperature changes and thereby moves the A and B lens elements toward or away from the C element in response to, respectively, increased or decreased ambient temperature. In the most preferred embodiment, the fixed mounting site is on the focus mount at the image side of the lens assembly. The tube, carrying the A/B elements and mounted within the focus mount, is connected to the focus mount by a polymer bar which, at one end, is fixed to the focus mount and, at the other end, is fixed to the A/B assembly. Thereby, when the ambient temperature increases, the bar expands and moves the A/B assembly only axially and not rotationally toward the C element. The material of the bar and its dimensions are selected such that, in response to exposure to increased ambient temperature, the A/B assembly is moved toward the C element by an amount appropriate to maintain focus or substantially compensate for the distortion of the C element.

Projection television lens assembly

Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation.

Surgical instrument

Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by means of the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation. The helical gear pitch decreases in a direction such that the mechanical advantage is increased as the articulation angle increases.

Method for operating a surgical instrument

Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation. The helical gear pitch decreases in a direction such that the mechanical advantage is increased as the articulation angle increases. A trigger actuating system includes a trigger lever with a cam channel, a pin in the cam channel, and a link connected at one end to the pin and at the other end to a reciprocatable driver. A frame is provided with a guide channel for guiding an end of the pin. The trigger lever is pivotally mounted to the frame and biased to a normally unactuated position.

A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and ejecting mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Multiple fire endoscopic stapling mechanism

A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and electing mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Livyn O Okorocha