Douglas B Snell

US Patent:

8592730, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/959882

Inventors:

Douglas Snell - Amesbury MA, US
Francis P. Harrington - Peabody MA, US
Paul Westhaver - Dartmouth, CA
Tom David Marro - Magnolia MA, US
Paul Schmitt - North Andover MA, US

Assignee:

Tomier, Inc. - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219497, 219494, 219505, 219541, 219543, 219546

Abstract:

Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element. In some embodiments, the heater element is elongated along the heater axis.

US Patent:

20050101202, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Sep 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/942190

Inventors:

Douglas Snell - Amesbury MA, US

International Classification:

B63C009/06

US Classification:

441087000

Abstract:

A personal floatation device to be used with an infant safety seat to provide a proper fitting, self-righting device to comply with USCG safety requirements. The device includes a floatation ring adaptable to encircle and securely attach to the infant safety seat by means of one or more capture straps and one or more retention straps. The floatation ring provides sufficient floatation to maintain the occupant airway above the water surface when floating in the water. The device further includes a righting means, which provides buoyancy-righting capability should the seat become inverted in the water. The righting strap helps secure the floatation ring to the infant safety seat.

US Patent:

20090182353, Jul 16, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/192758

Inventors:

Douglas Snell - Amesbury MA, US
Keith Boudreau - Beverly MA, US
Daniel McCormick - Westford MA, US
Dan Morgan - Salem MA, US
Francis P. Harrington - Peabody MA, US
Paul Westhaver - Dartmouth, CA
David Marro - Magnolia MA, US
John Yannone - Seabrook NH, US
Philip Hui - Boston MA, US
Thomas Egan - Marblehead MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/10

US Classification:

606144, 606139

Abstract:

A method of suture welding is disclosed which includes: receiving suture segments between first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members being in an open state. closing the first and second jaw members to captively hold and position the suture segments between the first and second jaw members; selectively applying an elongated joiner element to the suture segments where the joiner element has a selectively operative heating element facing the suture segments; and applying energy to the heating element to weld the suture segments-to-be-welded, whereby the heating element has a temperature above a predetermined threshold adapted to at least partially melt the suture segments.

US Patent:

20120136378, May 31, 2012

Filed:

May 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/149214

Inventors:

Douglas B. SNELL - Amesbury MA, US
Daniel E. MORGAN - Salem MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606148

Abstract:

An arthroscopic suture cutting device according to embodiments of the invention includes an outer tube; an inner rod including an outer surface and an aperture, a distalmost edge of a second distal opening located distally of a distalmost edge of a first distal opening, the inner rod can receive a suture extending through both distal openings; in a loading position, the inner rod extends distally of the outer tube to receive the suture; in an intermediate position, the distal openings are closer to the outer tube, such that the suture is permitted to slide through the aperture without release; and in a cut position, the distalmost edges of the distal openings are within the outer tube. Moving from intermediate position to cut position draws the suture between outer tube and inner rod, urging the inner rod radially toward the second distal opening, cutting the suture between the outer tube and the distalmost edge of the second distal opening.

US Patent:

20220249250, Aug 11, 2022

Filed:

Feb 28, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/682748

Inventors:

- Norfolk VA, US
Robert J. Ball - West Olive MI, US
Douglas Snell - Overland Park KS, US
Isaac Running - Bozeman MT, US
Christopher K. Jones - Colorado Springs CO, US
Brandon Bryant - Vienna VA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/46
A61B 17/34

Abstract:

An implant delivery device may include an implant holding portion proximate the distal end, the implant holding portion being configured to retain a sheet-like implant during implantation of the implant. In addition, the implant holding portion may be configured to receive the implant with a fixed implant supporting flange member configured to support the implant on one side, and a movable implant supporting flange member. The movable implant supporting flange member may be configured to be slidable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein, in the distal position, the movable implant supporting flange member and secures the implant against the fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.

US Patent:

20220226026, Jul 21, 2022

Filed:

Apr 8, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/716813

Inventors:

- Overland Park KS, US
Douglas Snell - Portland ME, US
Annaria Barnds - Roeland Park KS, US
Melissa Frock - Lenexa KS, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61F 2/46

Abstract:

An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A plunger is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body to fix the implant to the elongated main body. A hex nut driver is concentrically located about the plunger and elongated main body to deploy an actuation plunger of the implant. The proximal handle portion of the main body includes a staggered path therethrough for accepting a tab of the plunger therein. Advancement and retraction of the plunger tab within the staggered path alternates the insertion instrument between an unlocked position to mount the implant on the distal portion, a locked position to lock the implant on the distal portion, and a deployed position configured to secure the implant in position.

US Patent:

20220226027, Jul 21, 2022

Filed:

Apr 8, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/716822

Inventors:

- Overland Park KS, US
Douglas Snell - Portland ME, US
Annaria Barnds - Roeland Park KS, US
Adam Frock - Lenexa KS, US
Jeffrey David Lee - Prairie Village KS, US
Jeff Slover - Lee's Summit MO, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61F 2/46

Abstract:

An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A wing actuation tool is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body to fix the implant to the elongated main body. The wing actuation tool temporarily attaches to the implant allowing for deployment and retraction of wings of the implant during surgery. Longitudinal translation of the wing actuation tool deploys an actuation plunger of the implant.

US Patent:

20230089343, Mar 23, 2023

Filed:

Jul 22, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/870911

Inventors:

- Grand Rapids MI, US
Kevin Lee BROWN - Fort Wayne IN, US
Douglas B. SNELL - Overland Park KS, US
Ryan K. ROEDER - Granger IN, US
Mark G. MESSMAN - Larwill IN, US

Assignee:

HAPPE SPINE LLC - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B29C 43/00
A61F 2/28
A61F 2/30

Abstract:

A method for forming a thermoplastic body having regions with varied material composition and/or porosity. Powder blends comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a sacrificial porogen and an inorganic reinforcement or filler are molded to form complementary parts with closely toleranced mating surfaces. The parts are formed discretely, assembled and compression molded to provide a unitary article that is free from discernible boundaries between the assembled parts. Each part in the assembly has differences in composition and/or porosity, and the assembly has accurate physical features throughout the sections of the formed article, without distortion and nonuniformities caused by variable compaction and densification rates in methods that involve compression molding powder blends in a single step.