Ronald Lewis Peters

US Patent:

50744542, Dec 24, 1991

Filed:

Jun 4, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/533073

Inventors:

Ronald L. Peters - Danville CA

International Classification:

A61B 17072

US Classification:

227178

Abstract:

A surgical instrument for implanting one or more rows of staples in living tissue has a pair of juxtaposed beam members with forward portions that jointly define a thin gap in which the tissue may be received and clamped. A latch couples the beam members together at a location behind the tissue gap. Operation of a first actuator forces staples out of one of the beam members and into the tissue, the other beam member having indentations shaped to close the staples. A tensioner flexes the beam members to create internal stresses which resist spreading of the beam member tips in response to load forces that are exerted on the members by clamped tissue and the stapling operation. This assures that the gap has a uniform width along its length and thus assures that the successive staples are each formed into an optimum configuration. The tensioner is actuated prior to and independently of operation of the first actuator and thus does not require exertion of additional effort nor interfere with tactile feedback to the surgeon during the stapling operation.

US Patent:

46467408, Mar 3, 1987

Filed:

Feb 23, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/237465

Inventors:

Rudolph Peters - Oakland CA
Ronald L. Peters - Oakland CA
William Taylor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Edward Weck & Co., Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A61B 1712

US Classification:

128325

Abstract:

A device for applying a plurality of hemoclips to blood vessels and the like includes a longitudinally disposed frame having a pistol grip and an opposed trigger lever extending from the proximal end thereof. A narrow, internal passageway extends the length of the frame, from a loading opening at the proximal end to a fixed lower jaw at the distal end of the frame. A plurality of U-shaped hemoclips is disposed in the passageway with the points thereof extending toward the distal jaw portion. An upper jaw extends from a clevis member which straddles the frame and is pivotally joined to an upper medial portion thereof. The trigger lever is pivotable to cause the clevis member to pivot upwardly and the upper jaw to close upon the lower jaw to crush a hemoclip disposed therebetween. A piston resiliently biased in the internal passageway urges the hemoclips toward the jaw portion, and a feed release lever is disposed at the proximal end of the passageway to discharge a hemoclip from the passageway to the jaw portion with each full actuation of the upper jaw.

US Patent:

49518607, Aug 28, 1990

Filed:

Dec 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/138145

Inventors:

Ronald L. Peters - Danville CA
Rudolph Peters - Danville CA
William Taylor - Danville CA

Assignee:

Edward Weck & Co. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

227177

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for storing, dispensing, and applying surgical staples includes a pistol-like tool having a handle portion with a manually movable trigger lever, and a rotatable barrel portion with a staple track for storing staples in parallel, stacked, column fashion, the axis of the column extending generally colinearly with the barrel axis. The staples are urged distally in the track, and the distal track portion is curved out of axial alignment so that the distal staples are urged into points-first alignment. A form tool is slidably disposed in the barrel portion and adapted to advance and urge the distal-most staple against an anvil tool to crimp the staple. The form tool includes a drag spring which engages the distal-most staple in the staple track as the form tool retracts after a crimping cycle, pulling the distal-most staple from the track into a dispensing position for the next dispensing cycle. A drive block connected to the form tool and the trigger lever is mounted in the apparatus for reciprocal translation along a coaxial drive track. The drive block includes a pawl engaging ratchet teeth in the drive track, so that the block is urged distally by trigger actuation and proximal translation is prevented.

US Patent:

47125497, Dec 15, 1987

Filed:

Jul 1, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/750158

Inventors:

Rudolph Peters - Oakland CA
Ronald Peters - Oakland CA
William Taylor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Edward Weck & Co. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A61B 1712

US Classification:

128325

Abstract:

A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

US Patent:

50470388, Sep 10, 1991

Filed:

Dec 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/138553

Inventors:

Rudolph Peters - Oakland CA
Ronald Peters - Danville CA
William Taylor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Edward Weck Incorporated - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A61B 1712

US Classification:

606139

Abstract:

A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

US Patent:

48076287, Feb 28, 1989

Filed:

Apr 26, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/727760

Inventors:

Rudolph Peters - Oakland CA
Ronald L. Peters - Oakland CA
William Taylor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Edward Weck & Company, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A61B 1704
B31B 100

US Classification:

128334R

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for storing and automatically dispensing and applying surgical staples in serial fashion includes a pistol-like tool having means for storing a large plurality of staples in parallel, stacked column fashion aligned along the longitudinal (barrel) axis of the tool. A form tool and an anvil tool extend longitudinally parallel to the axis, and are advanced in synchronism by actuation of a trigger lever. The form tool includes a pair of arms which impinge upon and rotate the legs of the staple about the web portion thereof to dispose the staple in a points-first dispensing orientation. The form tool advances the staple to the distal dispensing end of the tool, where it drives the staple into a portion of the anvil and crimps the staple thereabout. Release of the trigger causes an elevator member to separate the next distal staple inthe column from its column alignment into postion to be engaged by the anvil tool and form tool at the start of the subsequent dispensing cycle. A trigger actuation mechanism prevents release of the trigger lever until the dispensed staple is completely crimped in the tissue.