3m Innovative Properties Company

United States Surgical Corporation

3m Espe Ag

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Robert W Petrich

Robert L Lee

Bruce R Broyles

John Michael Barker

Marc Peuker

Alan Kirby Plyley

Arno Hohmann

Floyd L Foslien

Brian A Shukla

John W Dubbe

Larry D Fleisher

Thomas W Martin

Darin J Meyertholen

Phillip Mark

James R Kvitrud

Robert N Rawson

Robert Lee

The present invention is a packaging article that includes a first chamber defined by a sealed connection between a first film and a second film, a second chamber defined by a sealed connection between a third film and a fourth film, where the third film at least partially abuts the second film, and a third chamber defined by a sealed connection between the first film and the fourth film.

Devices for storing and dispensing compositions

A container and applicator assembly includes an applicator with a handle and a dispensing tip, and a container with a chamber that detachably receives at least part of the applicator. The container has an inner surface with a plurality of protrusions that extend in the chamber along side portions of the tip. The protrusions facilitate distribution of the composition across the tip and also help to prevent unintentional movement of the composition to other areas.

Container and applicator assembly

A container for a composition made of multiple components includes an outer housing having a chamber and an inner housing having a compartment. The inner housing includes a frangible wall portion that, when ruptured, enables the components to contact each other for mixing. Advantageously, the inner housing can be manufactured separately from the outer housing, and the housings can be assembled during a subsequent operation. In certain embodiments, the inner housing is slidable relative to the outer housing from a first position to a second position, and during the sliding movement a puncturing tool located within the container breaks the frangible wall portion and causes the components to contact each other.

Container for compositions made of two or more components

A container includes an inner chamber and one or more compartments that hold components of a composition apart from each other until needed for use. The container includes two or more sheets that are ruptured for mixing the components together when desired. In certain embodiments, the container includes an inner surface with a plurality of protrusions to facilitate mixing and dispensing of the mixed composition. In other embodiments, the container includes an articulated holder that enables the user to adjust the configuration of the container to any one of a number of orientations.

Container for multiple-component compositions

An applicator assembly includes an applicator having a tip and a cap initially extending over the tip and detachably connected to the applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion that can be bent in an arc as the cap is detached from the applicator in order to enhance access to the application site when needed. In preferred embodiments, the tip is supplied with a quantity of composition such as a dental composition, and as a result is especially advantageous for single patient use.

Packaged applicator assembly

A dispensing cartridge for use with a hand-held applicator has a chamber with a first section and a second section. The second section has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first section such that the chamber has a stepped configuration. A piston is slidably received in the chamber and has a head portion that is received in the second section and a tail portion that is received in the first section. As a force is applied to the tail portion, the head portion advances to expel material through an outlet opening. The cartridge is especially useful for dispensing compositions having a relatively high viscosity such as dental pastes and the like.

Dispensing cartridge with stepped chamber

Fiber tip applicator

The present invention provides a staple cartridge assembly adapted for use in a surgical stapler having a cartridge retention portion and an anvil portion which are movable between a closed position and an open position. The cartridge assembly comprises (1) a firing assembly for firing staples which is movable between a pre-fired and a fired position, (2) a safety member, (3) means mounting the safety member on the cartridge assembly for movement between a free-movement position which affords movement of the cartridge retention portion and the anvil portion between the open and closed position and a blocking position which prevents the cartridge retention portion and the anvil portion from being moved to the closed position, and (4) means for releasably retaining the safety member in the free-movement position and for releasing the safety member to afford movement of the safety member toward the blocking position when the firing assembly is moved from the pre-fired to the fired position such that upon movement of the cartridge retention portion and anvil portion to the open position, the safety member prevents the cartridge portion and the anvil portion from thereafter being moved to the closed position while the stapler is loaded with the spent cartridge.

Safety device for a surgical stapler cartridge

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Robert W Petrich