Patents Examined by Scott A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11369372
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly including a controller and a first electrical connector. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly, and a distal end portion; a second electrical connector disposed at the proximal end portion and configured to couple to the first electrical connector; an electrical contact assembly disposed at the distal end portion; and a wire harness disposed within the tubular housing and interconnecting the second electrical connector and the electrical contact assembly. The surgical device also includes a surgical end effector configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly, the surgical end effector includes an electrical contact configured to couple to the electrical contact assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Chowaniec, Ethan Collins, Pawel Abramek, Ryan Williams, Matthew Chowaniec
  • Patent number: 11369376
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Robert J. Simms, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Nichole Y. Kwee
  • Patent number: 11364606
    Abstract: A torque transfer assembly for a bit holder includes an axial movement limiting subassembly and a rotation limiting subassembly. The axial movement limiting subassembly is configured to retain a drive body of the bit holder in proximity to a driven body of the bit holder. The rotation limiting subassembly is configured to cause torque applied to the drive body to be transferred to the driven body. The rotation limiting subassembly includes a first cam body at a distal end of the drive body and a second cam body at a distal end of the driven body. The first and second cam bodies are configured to transfer a majority of the torque between the drive body and the driven body indirectly via the torque transfer assembly by limiting rotation of the first cam body relative to the second cam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC
    Inventors: Adam D. Fairchild, Kyle M. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11357506
    Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression ace, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Chul Hi Park
  • Patent number: 11357497
    Abstract: A surgical bone sheath staple device, anchor, and/or scaffold enables low impact installation of distal end members in bones to secure soft tissue and the like via a deployment system. The bone sheath staples, anchors, and scaffolds secure soft tissue to bone to ensure tailored fixation of soft tissue to bone. The bone staples, anchors, and scaffolds integrate sheath and suture tightening members to secure soft tissue to bone and tailor compression of soft tissue to bone to encourage healing. The bone staples, anchors, and scaffolds integrate sheaths and suture to define attachment mechanisms and other features that secure the staples, anchors, and/or scaffolds to bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Oke A Anakwenze
  • Patent number: 11350934
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system comprises a staple cartridge attachment portion, a first staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion, wherein the first cartridge comprises a plurality of first staples comprising first staple legs, and a second staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion in lieu of the first cartridge, wherein the second cartridge comprises a plurality of second staples comprising second staple legs, and wherein the second staples are different than the first staples. The system further comprises an anvil comprising a tissue-engaging surface and a plurality of forming pockets defined in the surface, wherein each pocket comprises a first landing zone configured to receive a leg of a first staple of the first cartridge and a second landing zone configured to receive a leg of a second staple of the second cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11350933
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft and an end effector coupled to the shaft. The end effector includes a first member, a knife member, and a second member. The first member is movable towards a distal end of the end effector. The knife member is pivotally coupled to the first member. The second member is movable towards the distal end of the end effector. The knife member is configured to be in a cutting position during a translation of the first and second members towards the distal end of the end effector. The knife member is rotatable relative to the first member to stow the knife member into a non-cutting position after the translation of the first and second members towards the distal end of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surigical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley Wellman, William Burbank, Grant Duque, Patrick Flanagan
  • Patent number: 11350932
    Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a closure member mechanically coupled to the anvil, an electric motor mechanically coupled to the closure member, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the motor controller. The control circuit is configured to monitor a first predefined event, monitor a second predefined event, provide a stop signal to the motor controller to stop a closing motion of at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of the first predefined event, and provide a start signal to the motor controller to start the closing motion of the at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of a second predefined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11345008
    Abstract: A method of operating a fastener driver comprises initiating a fastener driving operation by moving a driver blade from a retracted position toward a driven position, and detecting that the driver blade has become jammed in an intermediate position between the retracted position and the driven position. The method further includes moving a latch from a locked position, in which a lifter assembly is maintained in an engaged position by the latch for moving the driver blade from the driven position toward the retracted position, to a released position, in which the lifter assembly is movable away from the driver blade. The method further includes driving a motor to rotate a lifter of the lifting assembly, thereby moving the lifter assembly away from the driver blade, then, returning the lifter assembly to the engaged position, and moving the latch from the released position to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Edward Pomeroy, Zachary Scott, John Schnell, Essam Namouz
  • Patent number: 11344299
    Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The drive system includes an actuation member. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system includes an H-bridge circuit electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is configured to control the electric motor based on a sensed parameter associated with the electric motor, a position of the actuation member and a velocity of the actuation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane R. Adams, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11344300
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device also includes a specimen bag adhered to both the anvil assembly and the elongated support channel of the cartridge assembly. The specimen bag includes a drawstring within a drawstring housing. Once the surgical stapling device is inserted into a patient's body and the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are open, a tissue specimen is placed into the specimen bag. The anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are then closed on the tissue specimen and the surgical stapling device is fired. The specimen bag then separates from the surgical stapling device and both the surgical stapling device and the specimen bag are removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert Knapp, Matthew Eschbach
  • Patent number: 11337693
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples, and a sled is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot separating the cartridge body into a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The cartridge body further comprises a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the first lateral side and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the first lateral side. The staple cavities of the first longitudinal row of staple cavities are angled toward the longitudinal slot. Gaps are present between the staple cavities in the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple cavities of the second longitudinal row of staple cavities are angled toward the longitudinal slot. The staple cavities of the second longitudinal row of staple cavities are laterally aligned with the gaps. The staples are removably stored in the first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Carl J. Shurtleff
  • Patent number: 11337698
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises cartridge body and a layer. The layer is implantable against tissue by staples deployed from the cartridge body and deformed by an anvil. The cartridge and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the cartridge and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the cartridge body. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the anvil and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the anvil and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the anvil. In certain instances, the layer can be positioned against the anvil, but releasably attached to the cartridge. The layer can comprise buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11324498
    Abstract: A surgical staple includes a body includes a first leg, a second leg, and a backspan. The backspan has a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a crimped region. The first portion of the backspan includes a looped member. The second portion of the backspan extends between a first end portion of the first leg and a first end portion of the looped member. The third portion of the backspan extends between a first end portion of the second leg and a second end portion of the looped member. The crimped region includes a crimped section in at least one of the second portion or the third portion of the backspan. A combined wire thickness of the second and third portions of the backspan in the crimped region is about equal to the diameter of the body of the surgical staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 11325217
    Abstract: An accessory for an electric drill is disclosed as including a dust box for receiving abraded materials produced by an electric drill on a workpiece, the dust box including an internal cavity, a first longitudinal end with a first opening communicating with the internal cavity, an opposite second longitudinal end with a second opening communicating with the internal cavity, and a brush or a disc. When a drill bit of the electric drill is received into the internal cavity of the dust box through the second opening, the brush or disc is releasably engageable with the drill bit for simultaneous rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited
    Inventors: Tsz Kin Wong, Kwok Ting Mok
  • Patent number: 11324499
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, David Racenet
  • Patent number: 11317917
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a completely replaceable cartridge jaw is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Janna B. Volz, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11317914
    Abstract: A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Todd Demmy, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 11317916
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an elongated tool assembly having spaced first and second jaws positioned to receive a body organ. The length of the tool assembly (which may have a curved configuration) is selected to receive and staple and/or transect a body organ in a single actuation of the tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Ayman Badawi
  • Patent number: 11298132
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, and a deck surface positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot is disclosed. The deck surface comprises a plurality of staple cavity openings. The staple cartridge further comprises staples removable stored in the staple cavity openings, a honeycomb extension extending above the deck surface, and a plurality of through holes defined in the honeycomb extension. Each through hole is aligned with a corresponding staple cavity opening. Each through hole is larger than the corresponding staple cavity opening. The through holes are configured to prevent the flow of tissue when the staples are ejected from the staple cavity openings during a staple firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH Inlernational
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris