David Lloyd Griffith

US Patent:

7645288, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

May 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/122761

Inventors:

Robert H. McKenna - Cincinnati OH, US
Mark S. Ortiz - Milford OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US
Robert J. Simms - Liberty Township OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/08
A61B 17/10

US Classification:

606153

Abstract:

A surgical instrument comprises a handle connected to a shaft and a pair of inflatable members. The shaft includes conduits for communicating a pressurized medium to the inflatable members and an insufflation tube. The handle includes a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the conduits and a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the insufflation tube. After an anastomotic ring has been deployed, the shaft may be positioned such that an inflatable member is positioned within each of the lumens joined by the anastomosis, such that an inflatable member is located on each side of the anastomosis. The inflatable members may be inflated to provide a seal in each of the lumens. With each of the lumens sealed by the inflatable members, the anastomosis site may be insufflated through the insufflation tube to leak or pressure test the anastomosis.

US Patent:

7815659, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Nov 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/274354

Inventors:

Sean P. Conlon - Loveland OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61M 29/00
A61B 17/04
A61B 17/12

US Classification:

606198, 604106, 606144

Abstract:

A medical instrument is provided including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that define an axis, wherein the distal end is penetratable into tissue. The instrument also includes a tissue stop disposed on the shaft near the distal end and changeable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the distal end is penetratable into the tissue approximately to a predetermined depth when the tissue stop is in the expanded configuration.

US Patent:

7896890, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Sep 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/217672

Inventors:

Mark S. Ortiz - Milford OH, US
Michael J. Stokes - Cincinnati OH, US
William J. Kraimer - Mason OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/10

US Classification:

606139, 606142, 606143, 606151, 606219, 2271751, 2271761

Abstract:

An endoscopic gastric reduction apparatus adapted for applying a series of pledgets to anterior and posterior gastric walls for the creation of a mattress stitch suture within the stomach includes an applier having a distal end and a proximal end. The applier is secured at a distal end of a support shaft shaped and dimensioned for passage down the esophagus and into the stomach. The applier includes an applier body having a suction slot shaped and dimensioned for receiving tissue therein for the application of at least one pledget housed within the suction slot for selective coupling with tissue suctioned within the suction slot.

US Patent:

7896894, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Aug 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197543

Inventors:

Mark S. Ortiz - Milford OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US
Michael J. Stokes - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/08
A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606153, 606148

Abstract:

A gastric reduction apparatus that facilitates the creation of a transoral linear passageway through the stomach includes an elongated body including a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated body is generally sinusoidal shaped with at least one tissue engaging surface oriented such that a needle will pass therethrough. The elongated body also includes at least one needle passing channel respectively formed adjacent the at least one tissue engaging surface. The at least one needle passing channel generally passes through the center of the sinusoidal waveforms defined by the at least one tissue engaging surface such that a needle will pass entirely through stomach tissue contacting the tissue engaging surface of the elongated body. The elongated body further includes a suture passing channel.

US Patent:

8075572, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Apr 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/796035

Inventors:

David Stefanchik - Morrow OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606144, 606139

Abstract:

A surgical suturing apparatus is described. The suturing apparatus has a needle having at least one pointed end, a channel for releasably receiving the needle, a needle positioning assembly having members for moving the needle and an actuation assembly for actuating the needle positioning assembly. The needle includes a first puncturing point at a proximal end thereof and an engagement section adjacent thereto, a distal end, which may have a second puncturing point, and another engagement section adjacent the distal end. A structure, such as an eye or a slot, is provided to secure a length of suture material to the needle. The members for moving the needle include an engagement member for releasably engaging one of the engagement sections of the needle to effect axial movement of the needle within the channel, a ramp member for effecting movement of the needle in the distal direction along the longitudinal axis of the channel and for urging the proximal end of the needle out of the channel, and a snare axially movable within the channel and having a portion releasably housed within the channel. The snare portion is configured for capturing the proximal engagement section of the needle to guide the needle in a proximal direction when the needle is out of the channel and to guide the return of the needle to the channel.

US Patent:

8100922, Jan 24, 2012

Filed:

Apr 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/796357

Inventors:

David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606144

Abstract:

A needle delivery device is described and includes generally, a needle made of a shape memory alloy pre-formed in an unconstrained configuration, such as, for example, an arc or a curved needle. The needle delivery device also includes a needle delivery guide, a suturing guide and a positioning member. The needle has an eye at its leading tip for holding suture material. The needle delivery guide has a needle channel for passage of the needle therethrough. The needle channel is configured to hold the needle in a constrained configuration, for example, in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the needle channel. The suturing guide is pivotally connected to the delivery guide. The positioning member moves the suturing guide between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein, in the extended position, the suturing guide is configured to stabilize the tissue and guide the needle in its unconstrained configuration and to enable access by, for example, a grasper or other tool, to the suture material.

US Patent:

8147506, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Aug 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197528

Inventors:

Mark S. Ortiz - Milford OH, US
William J. Kraimer - Mason OH, US
Michael J. Stokes - Cincinnati OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/08

US Classification:

606151

Abstract:

A method for gastric reduction surgery includes the step of applying at least one clamp to the stomach in a manner forming a gastric pouch. The clamp includes a clamp body shaped and dimensioned to create a gastric pouch with a standard size from approximately 15 cc to approximately 30 cc.

US Patent:

8252006, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Aug 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197544

Inventors:

Mark S. Ortiz - Milford OH, US
David B. Griffith - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 17/10

US Classification:

606142

Abstract:

A gastric reduction apparatus endoscopically draws stomach walls into apposition. The apparatus includes an applicator body having a proximal end and a distal end. The applicator body also includes a suction slot shaped and dimensioned for housing a corkscrew anchor. A firing mechanism is associated with the corkscrew anchor for rotation of the corkscrew anchor in a manner causing the corkscrew anchor to penetrate and engage tissue brought adjacent the suction slot. A method for gastric reduction is achieved by introducing a gastric reduction apparatus as disclosed above within the stomach of an individual, applying the corkscrew anchor to a stomach wall and drawing stomach walls together to create a cavity within the stomach.