Patents by Inventor James W. Voegele
James W. Voegele 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).
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Patent number: 8792966Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for marking tissue to be subsequently located for removal from a body or for other examination. In general, a marker is provided that can be delivered through a tissue wall proximate to tissue desirable for marking. The marker can be movable between a non-deployed or unexpanded position, in which the marker is configured to be delivered through a relatively small diameter passageway, to an expanded, balloon-like position in which the marker is configured to engage opposed sides of a tissue wall proximate to the desired tissue. The marker can remain disposed in the body in its expanded position and be subsequently palpably identified and/or visually identified to locate the desired tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20140197223Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a deck and a plurality of staples deployable into tissue. The staple cartridge assembly also includes a buttressing member removably attached to the deck and a firing member movable relative to the cartridge body during a firing stroke to deploy the plurality of staples into the tissue, wherein the buttressing member is completely removed from the deck as a result of the firing stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, James W. Voegele, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Joshua R. Uth
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Publication number: 20140199278Abstract: Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation D/B/A Massachusetts General Hospital, ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Nicholas Stylopoulos, Jason L. Harris, Dwight Henninger, Taylor W. Aronhalt, James W. Voegele
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Patent number: 8764735Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan A. Coe, James W. Voegele, Gary L. Long, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Kyle P. Moore, Robert P. Gill
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Publication number: 20140155807Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Sean P. Conlon, Michael S. Cropper, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Thomas W. Huitema, John W. Hunt, Prasanna Malaviya, Mark S. Ortiz, Mark D. Overmyer, Alessandro Pastorelli, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Foster B. Stulen, James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, James A. Woodard, JR., David C. Yates, Mark S. Zeiner, Andrew M. Zwolinksi
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Patent number: 8720766Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown and a deformable member extending from the crown, the deformable member having a notch configured to cause the deformable member to bend at the notch when the staple is deformed from a first shape into a second shape. The crown of the surgical staple, in various embodiments, further includes a forming surface, or anvil, which is configured to deform the deformable member and/or guide a distal end of the deformable member when the distal end contacts the crown.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, James W. Voegele, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Joshua Uth
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Publication number: 20140088487Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) with light. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by using light to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The light can be configured to directly or indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes. The light can be configured to indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes by activating a light activatable medium administered to a patient and configured to respond to the light to cause activation of the brown adipose tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Lee M. Kaplan, David N. Plescia, Taylor W. Aronhalt, James W. Voegele, Nicholas Stylopoulos
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Patent number: 8641608Abstract: A laparoscopic seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal with an access opening. The seal cap also includes a manifold connection for attachment of a functional apparatus. The seal assembly further includes a retractor. The functional apparatus may be a finger mounted tether or an insufflations passageway. The functional apparatus may be combined or provided separately.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Robert P. Gill, Daniel W. Drew, Frank L. Lyman, Michael D. Cronin
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Patent number: 8636751Abstract: Methods and devices reroute chyme to induce intestinal brake in order to improve the effectiveness of bariatric surgical procedures and to improve comorbidity resolution. A bowel is manipulated to provide a shortened path for chyme to travel to the ileum. These methods and devices of rerouting chyme to induce intestinal brake may include one or more of a surgical procedure, an implanted device, or a combination of an implant with an improved surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Sean P. Conlon, Michael S. Cropper, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Kevin L. Houser, Mario Gutierrez, Prasanna Malaviya, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Anthony Nguyen, Mark S. Ortiz, Mark D. Overmyer, Alessandro Pastorelli, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Foster B. Stulen, James W. Voegele, Lauren S. Weaner, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, James A. Woodard, Jr., Mark S. Zeiner
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Publication number: 20140018767Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue with targeted substance delivery. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a chemical configured to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly can be delivered to a patient, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The chemical can be delivered to the patient locally and/or systemically to stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation D/B/A Massachusetts General Hospital, ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Dwight Henninger, James W. Voegele, Lee M. Kaplan, Nicholas Stylopoulos
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Patent number: 8628553Abstract: Expanding or foaming adhesives are used to reduce the stomach volume to reduce the caloric intake and weight of a patient. A web structure is attached inside the stomach and an expanding or foaming adhesive is applied to the web structure. The expanding or foaming adhesive attaches to the web structure and to the stomach to partition the stomach. The partition barrier divides the stomach volume into a reduced volume available for food storage and an empty volume that the food cannot enter. The reduced volume enables the patient to feel full faster and reduce caloric intake. A passageway can be provided between the two volumes near the base of the stomach to allow food or fluids to exit from the empty volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Douglas J. Turner, Mark S. Ortiz, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 8608652Abstract: A surgical method, system, kit, and various devices are provided for use in, among other things, vaginal entry during a natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgical procedure. A system and/or method provide for the rapid creation of a conduit and/or multiple ports in a natural orifice, such as a patient's vagina, while accommodating anatomical variation to reduce the need to excise additional tissue from the patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, David B. Griffith, Mark S. Zeiner
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Patent number: 8603023Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Sean P. Conlon, Michael S. Cropper, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Thomas W. Huitema, John V. Hunt, Prasanna Malaviya, Mark S. Ortiz, Mark D. Overmyer, Alessandro Pastorelli, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Foster B. Stulen, James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, James A. Woodard, Jr., David C. Yates, Mark S. Zeiner, Andrew M. Zwolinski
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Publication number: 20130317310Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William Bruce Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Publication number: 20130304175Abstract: Self-positioning of at least a portion of a transdermal electrical stimulation patch within a target area (e.g., supraclavicular fossa region) of a human body to activate a depot of brown adipose tissue therein. An electric field is generated using the electrical stimulation patch to activate the brown adipose tissue within the supraclavicular fossa region of the body. The patch is self-positioned using one or more anatomical points (e.g., anatomical landmarks and/or anatomical features) or markings on the body. Brown adipose tissue may also be activated by applying an electrical signal to a body piercing partially implanted proximate a target area in which the tissue is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Thomas E. Albrecht, Tamara C. Baynham, David Cagle, Jacob Crabtree, Anthony R. DiUbaldi, Jason L. Harris, Michael A. Murray, Mark S. Zeiner
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Publication number: 20130267975Abstract: Switch assemblies for handheld ultrasonic surgical instruments. The switch assemblies may include a first switch arrangement that is operably supported on a forward portion of a handle housing of the surgical instrument and is selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact. The switch assembles may further include a second switch arrangement that comprises at least one of a right switch button that is movably supported on a right side of the handle housing relative to at least one right contact and a left switch button that is movably supported on a left side of the handle housing that is selectively movable relative to at least one left contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
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Patent number: 8545450Abstract: A surgical access device includes a base having two or more ports or apertures that provide for the insertion of surgical instruments. The multi-port insert may be used with a laparoscopic access device. The multi-port insert may also include one or more instrument supports that are attached to the base to fix the position of one or more surgical instruments inserted through the multi-port insert.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Robert P. Gill, Aaron C. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher J. Hess, William P. Geis
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Patent number: 8517995Abstract: A surgical access device includes a base having two or more ports or apertures that provide for the insertion of surgical instruments. The multi-port insert may be used with a laparoscopic access device. The multi-port insert may also include one or more instrument supports that are attached to the base to fix the position of one or more surgical instruments inserted through the multi-port insert.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Robert P. Gill, Aaron C. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher J. Hess, William P. Geis
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Patent number: 8457718Abstract: Medical apparatus is described including a fiducial component and a position sensor. The component is recognizable as at least a part of a fiducial when appearing in image data of a patient. The component is attachable to the patient. The sensor is attachable to the component at a predetermined location and orientation on the component or is capable of being positioned adjacent the fiducial component without attachment thereto at a predetermined location and orientation. A storage medium is described containing a program which instructs the computer to recognize a predetermined shape of each of at least one portion of a position sensor as at least a part of a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient. The position sensor is adapted to provide position data. Medical apparatus which includes the position sensor and the storage medium is also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Robert M. Trusty
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Patent number: 8377044Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan A. Coe, James W. Voegele, Gary L. Long, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Kyle P. Moore, Robert P. Gill