David G Nicholas

US Patent:

6517565, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Feb 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/510923

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA
John E. Burbank - Ridgefield CT
David A. Nicholas - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

Power Medical Interventions, Inc. - New Hope PA

International Classification:

A61B 100

US Classification:

606219, 600146

Abstract:

A carriage assembly for controlling a steering wire steering mechanism within a flexible shaft, for use in gastrointestinal tract surgery, comprises a plurality of selectably engageable motors, including two drive motors for selectably rotating drive shafts of a surgical attachment, two steering motors mechanically communicating with corresponding pulleys around which are coiled directional steering wires communicating with a flexible shaft to enable the selective direction of the flexible shaft within a spatial plane, wherein within the assembly housing the steering motors travel on a steering motor carriage and the pulleys travel on a pulley carriage which is biased by a spring means away from the interior wall of the housing, which biases the steering wires toward a taut state. The bias can be overcome by a carriage motor mechanically communicating with the pulley carriage to cause the flexible shaft to go limp. Also disclosed are a series of surgical attachments which may be coupled to and utilized in conjunction with the carriage assembly.

US Patent:

6527980, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Oct 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/689454

Inventors:

Thomas Michael Roden - Center Valley PA
Arthur Daniel Bixler - Slatington PA
David Michael Nicholas - Madison MS
Shankar Nataraj - Allentown PA

Assignee:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

C07C 102

US Classification:

252373, 423650, 423652

Abstract:

According to the present invention, hydrogen/carbon monoxide synthesis gas (also called syngas) is produced by injection of a second reactant stream into a hydrocarbon reformer at a location between the entry and discharge ends of the reformer. The second reactant stream can contain: carbon dioxide; a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon; a mixture of hydrocarbon and steam, a mixture of carbon dioxide and steam; or a mixture of carbon dioxide with hydrocarbon and steam. All or part of the mixtures containing hydrocarbon and steam can be prereformed hydrocarbon in steam.

US Patent:

7918230, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

Sep 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/235386

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
Donald Malinouskas - Monroe CT, US
Peter Datcuk - Quakertown PA, US
David Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - New Haven CT

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

128898, 2271751, 227 19, 2271791, 2271801

Abstract:

A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may include one or both a cutting element or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.

US Patent:

7963433, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Sep 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/235362

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
Donald Malinouskas - Monroe CT, US
Peter Datcuk - Quakertown PA, US
David Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - New Haven CT

International Classification:

A61B 17/68

US Classification:

2271781, 227 19, 2271751, 2271801

Abstract:

A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.

US Patent:

8025199, Sep 27, 2011

Filed:

Feb 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/785672

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
David A. Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - New Haven CT

International Classification:

A61B 17/068

US Classification:

2271791, 227155, 2271751

Abstract:

The present invention, in accordance with various embodiments thereof, relates to a surgical device for at least one of cutting and stapling a section of tissue. The surgical device includes a housing including at least two drivers. The surgical device also includes an anvil mechanically attachable to the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The first driver operates to move the anvil relative to the housing to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The second driver operates to move at least a portion of the housing relative to the anvil between the intermediate position and the closed position.

US Patent:

8272554, Sep 25, 2012

Filed:

Apr 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/090286

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
Donald Malinouskas - Monroe CT, US
Peter Datcuk - Quakertown PA, US
David Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Tyco Healthcare Group LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/068

US Classification:

2271781, 227 19, 2271751, 2271791

Abstract:

A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.

US Patent:

8342379, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Apr 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/089672

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
Donald Malinouskas - Monroe CT, US
Peter Datcuk - Quakertown PA, US
David Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/068

US Classification:

2271781, 2271801, 227 19

Abstract:

A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.

US Patent:

8353440, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

Jun 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/162811

Inventors:

Michael P. Whitman - New Hope PA, US
Donald Malinouskas - Monroe CT, US
Peter Datcuk - Quakertown PA, US
David Nicholas - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/068

US Classification:

2271801, 227 19, 2271751

Abstract:

A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may be, e. g. , a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.