Patents by Inventor Danius P. Silkaitus

Danius P. Silkaitus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Surgical instrument with stress sensor
    Patent number: 9681884
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module. The directional force assembly can include a piezoelectric disc, a piezoresistive element, an accelerometer, and/or a Hall Effect sensor. The end effector of the apparatus can include ultrasonic blade, an RF electrode, or a staple driving assembly. In some versions, the energy component includes an ultrasonic transducer. The control module may be configured to operate the energy component at a first energy setting in response to a first detected force and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force. The apparatus may also include an activation feature to be operated by a user. In some versions the piezoelectric disc may include a plurality of segments and may be configured to induce movement in at least part of the energy component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Clem, William D. Dannaher, Daniel W. Price, Cory G. Kimball, Foster B. Stulen, Eitan T. Wiener, John B. Schulte, Danius P. Silkaitus, Stephen J. Balek, Michael R. Lamping, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt
  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH STRESS SENSOR
    Publication number: 20130324991
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module. The directional force assembly can include a piezoelectric disc, a piezoresistive element, an accelerometer, and/or a Hall Effect sensor. The end effector of the apparatus can include ultrasonic blade, an RF electrode, or a staple driving assembly. In some versions, the energy component includes an ultrasonic transducer. The control module may be configured to operate the energy component at a first energy setting in response to a first detected force and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force. The apparatus may also include an activation feature to be operated by a user. In some versions the piezoelectric disc may include a plurality of segments and may be configured to induce movement in at least part of the energy component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: William E. Clem, William D. Dannaher, Daniel W. Price, Cory G. Kimball, Foster B. Stulen, Eitan T. Wiener, John B. Schulte, Danius P. Silkaitus, Stephen J. Balek, Michael R. Lamping, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt