Patents by Inventor David C. Yates

David C. Yates 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).

  • Patent number: 11871901
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for contextually controlling a surgical device is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a computer system, perioperative data from the surgical device, the perioperative data associated with a surgical procedure; receiving, by the computer system, images from a scope, the images visualizing the surgical device during the surgical procedure; determining, by the computer system, an attribute of the surgical device from the images; determining, by the computer system, procedural context data based at least on the perioperative data and the attribute of the surgical device; and controlling, by the computer system, the surgical device according to the procedural context data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11864845
    Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Peter K. Shires, Monica L. Z. Rivard, Cory G. Kimball, David C. Yates, Jeffrey L Aldridge, Daniel W. Price, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11864786
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
  • Patent number: 11864728
    Abstract: A surgical image acquisition system includes multiple illumination sources, each source emitting light at a specified wavelength, a light sensor to receive light reflected from a tissue sample illuminated by each of the illumination sources, and a computing system. The computing system may receive data from the light sensor when the tissue sample is illuminated by the illumination sources, and calculate structural data related to one or more characteristics of a structure within the tissue. The structural data may be a surface characteristic such as a surface roughness or a structure composition such as a collagen and elastin composition. The computer system may further transmit the structural data to a smart surgical device. The smart devices may include a smart stapler, a smart RF sealing device, or a smart ultrasonic cutting device. The system may include a controller and computer enabled instructions to accomplish the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Tamara Widenhouse, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11864820
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a single surgical instrument configured to grasp, seal, and/or cut tissue through application of therapeutic energy, and also detect nerves through application of non-therapeutic electrical energy. A medical device may include two jaws at an end effector, used to apply therapeutic energy and to perform surgical procedures. The therapeutic energy may be in the form of ultrasonic vibrations or higher voltage electrosurgical energy. One of the jaws may be configured to cut tissue through application of the blade. In addition, one or both of the two jaws may be configured to apply nontherapeutic energy for nerve stimulation probing. The application of therapeutic energy may be disabled while the nontherapeutic nerve stimulation energy is applied, and vice versa. The nontherapeutic nerve stimulation energy may be applied to the use of one or more probes positioned near one or both of the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cameron D. McLain, Peter K. Shires, Frederick L. Estera, Cameron R. Nott, Foster B. Stulen, Christopher A Papa
  • Patent number: 11857152
    Abstract: A surgical hub is disclosed. The surgical hub includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive first image data from a first image sensor, the first image data represents a first field of view, receive second image data from a second image sensor, wherein the second image data represents a second field of view, and display, on a display coupled to the processor, a first image rendered from the first image data corresponding to the first field of view and a second image rendered from the second image data corresponding to the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L Harris, Daniel E. Alesi
  • Publication number: 20230414294
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, David C. Yates
  • Publication number: 20230414218
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a drive assembly operably coupled to the end effector, and a replaceable motor cartridge that includes a motor control circuit board and a motor. The surgical instrument further includes a main control circuit board including a processor and a computer-readable storage device storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a malfunction of the motor cartridge. The surgical instrument also includes an interface including a mechanical interface portion configured to releasably couple the motor to the drive assembly and an electrical interface portion configured to releasably couple the motor control circuit board to the main control circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11849939
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a housing including a handle, a housing frame comprising a housing connector, and a drive system comprising at least one electric motor. The surgical instrument further comprises a shaft assembly releasably assembled to the housing including a shaft frame comprising a proximal connector and a distal connector, wherein the proximal connector is releasably coupled to the housing connector and a shaft drive system comprising at least one rotatable shaft operably coupled to the electric motor. The surgical instrument further comprises an end effector releasably assembled to the shaft assembly including an end effector frame comprising an end effector connector releasably coupled to the distal connector of the shaft assembly, a plurality of staple cartridges removably stored in the end effector, and a plurality of end effector drivers operably coupled to the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11849946
    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 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20230397960
    Abstract: Surgical devices and surgical systems are disclosed. The surgical device can comprise an actuator and a control circuit configured to adjust one or more functions of the surgical device based on a signal from a situationally-aware surgical hub. A surgical system can comprise a screen and a control circuit configured to communicate a priority level of a recommendation to the clinician on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11839377
    Abstract: A method of operating a medical device comprises electrically connecting a power device to the medical device. The method further comprises sensing at least one characteristic of one of the medical device with the power device. The method further comprises adjusting or maintaining one or more characteristics of an electrical connection feature the power device according to the at least one observed characteristic such that the electrical connection features of the power device and medical device are operationally compatible, and operating the power device according to an operational profile associated with the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11839420
    Abstract: A surgical end effector may comprise first and second jaw members. The second jaw member may comprise an offset proximal supply electrode that is positioned to contact an opposing member of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. The second jaw member may also comprise a distal supply electrode that is positioned distal of the offset proximal electrode and is aligned with a conductive surface of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. When the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, the proximal supply electrode may be in contact with the opposing member and the distal supply electrode is not in contact with the conductive surface of the first jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Chester O. Baxter, III, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11839422
    Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port in communication with a first fluid path, an aspiration port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a diverter in mechanical communication with the two electrodes. The diverter may receive, on its surface, a fluid emitted by the discharge port, and maintain a contact of the fluid with the first and second electrodes. The diverter may be further configured to prevent an aspiration, by the aspiration port, of the fluid on its surface. An electrosurgical device may include a source port in communication with a first fluid path, an evacuation port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a housing. The device may include a shaft extending distally from the housing and the end effector as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David A. Witt, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Chad P. Boudreaux, Eric M. Roberson, Kevin L. Houser, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Publication number: 20230389796
    Abstract: Various surgical hubs are disclosed. A surgical hub comprises a storage device; a processor coupled to the storage device; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to: receive data from a surgical instrument coupled to the surgical hub; and determine a rate at which to transfer the data from the surgical hub to a remote cloud-based medical analytics network based on available storage capacity of the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Publication number: 20230380880
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The generator includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory defines a first and second table. The processor retrieves information from the first table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor retrieves information from the second table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor combines the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure and the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure is delivered to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11826045
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an end effector configured to interact with a tissue during a plurality of zones of operation. The surgical apparatus further includes at least one drive mechanism operable to effect at least one motion in the end effector during each of the zones of operation. The surgical apparatus also includes one or more vibration sensors configured to record vibrations generated by the at least one drive mechanism during the zones of operation, wherein the one or more vibration sensors are configured to generate an output signal based on the sensed vibrations, and wherein the output signal is employed to determine a status of the surgical apparatus based on predetermined threshold values that are unique to each of the zones of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L Harris
  • Patent number: 11812954
    Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a robotic system is disclosed that includes a shaft, an end effector, a motor, an axially movable drive member, and a rotary drive shaft in operable communication with the motor. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative to the first jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft. The axially movable drive member is in operable communication with the second jaw member. The rotary drive shaft is in operable engagement with the axially movable drive member. At least one rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft causes the axially movable drive member to move the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11811253
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a housing, wherein the housing includes a rotary drive; a motor that applies a rotary motion to the rotary drive; a surgical tool that releasably attaches to the housing, the surgical tool including: an end effector; a rotary interface that releasably couples to the rotary drive; a firing assembly; a lockout member movable from a locked state to an unlocked state by a sled; and a control circuit communicably coupled to the motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to: activate the motor to effect the motion of the firing assembly; monitor a current draw of the motor during the motion of the firing assembly; detect a fault state in the motion of the firing assembly based on the current draw of the motor; stop the motor based on the detection of the fault state; and alert a user regarding the fault state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, Mark D. Overmyer, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11801047
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises a handle and an end effector connected to the handle. The end effector comprises upper and lower opposing jaw members, wherein the upper jaw member comprises a plurality of co-linear, separately actuatable, RF electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV