Michael J Lang

US Patent:

52715434, Dec 21, 1993

Filed:

Feb 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/832299

Inventors:

Richard L. Grant - Cincinnati OH
Michael Lang - Cincinnati OH
Philip J. Churchill - North Potomac MD
W. Thompson Lawrence - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17115

US Classification:

227179

Abstract:

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument. The actuator handle assembly includes a staple actuating lever and a cam follower assembly which operate in two stages with different mechanical advantages to facilitate the operation of the instrument by a surgeon. The actuator handle assembly includes a thumb wheel for opening and closing the anvil and an adjusting knob for adjusting the anvil gap.

US Patent:

56092857, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Apr 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/417586

Inventors:

Richard L. Grant - Cincinnati OH
Michael Lang - North Andover MA
Philip J. Churchill - North Potomac MD
W. Thompson Lawrence - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17115

US Classification:

2271791

Abstract:

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument. The actuator handle assembly includes a staple actuating lever and a cam follower assembly which operate in two stages with different mechanical advantages to facilitate the operation of the instrument by a surgeon. The actuator handle assembly includes a thumb wheel for opening and closing the anvil and an adjusting knob for adjusting the anvil gap.

US Patent:

56324332, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Apr 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/417587

Inventors:

Richard L. Grant - Cincinnati OH
Michael Lang - North Andover MA
Philip J. Churchill - North Potomac MD
W. Thompson Lawrence - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17115

US Classification:

2271791

Abstract:

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument. The actuator handle assembly includes a staple actuating lever and a cam follower assembly which operate in two stages with different mechanical advantages to facilitate the operation of the instrument by a surgeon. The actuator handle assembly includes a thumb wheel for opening and closing the anvil and an adjusting knob for adjusting the anvil gap.

US Patent:

53120248, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Jun 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/071280

Inventors:

Richard L. Grant - Cincinnati OH
Michael Lang - North Andover MA
Philip J. Churchill - North Potomac MD
W. Thompson Lawrence - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17115

US Classification:

227179

Abstract:

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument. The actuator handle assembly includes a staple actuating lever and a cam follower assembly which operate in two stages with different mechanical advantages to facilitate the operation of the instrument by a surgeon. The actuator handle assembly includes a thumb wheel for opening and closing the anvil and an adjusting knob for adjusting the anvil gap.

US Patent:

54391563, Aug 8, 1995

Filed:

Feb 1, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/189346

Inventors:

Richard L. Grant - Cincinnati OH
Michael Lang - Andover MA
Philip J. Churchill - North Potomac MD
W. Thompson Lawrence - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17115

US Classification:

227179

Abstract:

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument. The actuator handle assembly includes a staple actuating lever and a cam follower assembly which operate in two stages with different mechanical advantages to facilitate the operation of the instrument by a surgeon. The actuator handle assembly includes a thumb wheel for opening and closing the anvil and an adjusting knob for adjusting the anvil gap.

US Patent:

20180224065, Aug 9, 2018

Filed:

May 12, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/593480

Inventors:

- Avon Lake OH, US
Neal Birchfield - Prospect OH, US
Michael Lang - Mason OH, US
Jacqueline Vance - Pepper Pike OH, US

International Classification:

F17C 1/08

Abstract:

A pressure vessel for containing a pressurized fluid is disclosed. An outer shell may define a cavity where the fluid is stored. An inner matrix substantially fills the cavity and undertakes a majority of the forces exerted by the stored fluid. The inner matrix is a series of interconnected nodes with a series of voids located therebetween. The voids contact one another so that fluid may flow therebetween, thus filling the cavity. The interconnected nodes are filleted at the points of contact to reduce stress concentrations. An inlet/outlet device may selectively permit the introduction and removal of the fluid from the cavity.