Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Schowalter
Joseph P. Schowalter 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: 10828031Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a curved tip. The curved tip is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted on the anvil when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason L. Harris, Ryan Bledsoe, Gregory J. Bakos, Joseph P. Schowalter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10758231Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body portion, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a rigid bent tip configured to contact an angled surface of a nose portion of the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes gripping features along a staple deck that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. The staple deck of the cartridge may include multiple levels. The anvil further includes a slot with lateral portions having curved ends for receiving portions of a firing beam to guide the firing beam during a cutting and stapling action.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason L. Harris, Daniel L. Baber, Joseph P. Schowalter, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10729434Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip is elastically deformable in response to force exerted on the curved tip when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching. The modular nature of the curved anvil tip provides for an end effector that allows anvil tip replacement due to wear or interchangeability based on a user preference or procedure.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason L. Harris, Ryan Bledsoe, Joseph P. Schowalter, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10226246Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick A. Weizman, Cory G. Kimball, Edward G. Chekan, Joseph E. Young, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Cortney E. Henderson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Carl J. Shurtleff, Julia F. Serber
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Publication number: 20180235609Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a curved tip. The curved tip is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted on the anvil when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Ryan Bledsoe, Gregory J. Bakos, Joseph P. Schowalter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20180235610Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip is elastically deformable in response to force exerted on the curved tip when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching. The modular nature of the curved anvil tip provides for an end effector that allows anvil tip replacement due to wear or interchangeability based on a user preference or procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Ryan Bledsoe, Joseph P. Schowalter, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20180235619Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body portion, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a rigid bent tip configured to contact an angled surface of a nose portion of the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes gripping features along a staple deck that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. The staple deck of the cartridge may include multiple levels. The anvil further includes a slot with lateral portions having curved ends for receiving portions of a firing beam to guide the firing beam during a cutting and stapling action.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Daniel L. Baber, Joseph P. Schowalter, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 9549738Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Cortney E. Henderson, Christopher C. Miller, Kent P. Baker, John V. Hunt, Barry T. Jamison, Patrick A. Weizman, Joseph E. Young, Cory G. Kimball, Carl J. Shurtleff, Edward G. Chekan, Kevin D. Felder, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick J. Swindon, Joseph P. Schowalter, John F. Cummings
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Publication number: 20160030038Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, Patrick A. Weizman, Cory G. Kimball, Edward G. Chekan, Joseph E. Young, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Cortney E. Henderson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Carl J. Shurtleff, Julia F. Serber
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Patent number: 9186148Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick A. Weizman, Cory G. Kimball, Edward G. Chekan, Joseph E. Young, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Cortney E. Henderson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Carl J. Shurtleff, Julia F. Serber
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Patent number: 9095340Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises an anvil assembly, an anvil shaft, a driver, an actuating arm, a safety switch, and a safety feature. The anvil assembly couples with the anvil shaft. The driver drives a plurality of staples into tissue. The actuating arm is in communication with the surgical stapler and is configured to actuate the driver to drive the plurality of staples into tissue. The safety switch is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position. The safety switch prevents operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the locked position. The safety switch enables operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the unlocked position. The safety feature may prevent operation of the driver even when the safety switch is in the unlocked position or prevent operation of the safety switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Julia F. Serber
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Patent number: 8646674Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a knife member. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. A tissue treatment member is positionable between the first and second tissue clamping members. The tissue treatment member comprises a rupturable pouch or baffle that is configured to receive a medical fluid including at least one tissue cell. The tissue treatment member may have a spiral shape, an annular disc shape, or an elongate sleeve shape. The tissue treatment member may also include outwardly extending tabs. The tissue treatment member may also include an injection port. In use, the staples and/or the knife pierce the tissue treatment member to release at least a portion of the medical fluid held by the tissue treatment member.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Stuart K. Morgan, Gary B. McAlister, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, Stephen J. Balek, Joseph P. Schowalter, David A. Witt, Prasanna Malaviya, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 8491526Abstract: A surgical device comprises a housing, a bioprocessing module, an end effector, and a pumping device. The bioprocessing module comprises media reservoirs, fluid conduits in communication with the reservoirs, and a port through which media is expelled. The end effector is configured for insertion into a lumen and delivering a tissue repair composition into that lumen. The end effector has at least one fluid conduit extending therethrough and at least one orifice in communication with the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit in the first end effector is in fluid communication with the port on the bioprocessing module. The pumping device is operable to urge a tissue repair composition comprising at least a portion of the contents of the media reservoirs through the fluid conduit of the first end effector such that the tissue repair composition is expelled from the at least one orifice.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Patrick D. Dugan, Rebecca J. Mollere, John B. Schulte, David A. Witt, Joseph P. Schowalter, Eugene L. Timperman, Prasanna Malaviya, Shailendra K. Parihar, Shelby L. Cook Kornbluth, Richard W. Timm, Donna L. Korvick, James A. Woodard, Jr., Peter K. Shires, Barbara L. Mattson, Matthew C. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20130175318Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick A. Weizman, Cory G. Kimball, Edward G. Chekan, Joseph E. Young, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Cortney E. Henderson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Carl J. Shurtleff, Julia F. Serber
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Publication number: 20130175319Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises an anvil assembly, an anvil shaft, a driver, an actuating arm, a safety switch, and a safety feature. The anvil assembly couples with the anvil shaft. The driver drives a plurality of staples into tissue. The actuating arm is in communication with the surgical stapler and is configured to actuate the driver to drive the plurality of staples into tissue. The safety switch is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position. The safety switch prevents operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the locked position. The safety switch enables operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the unlocked position. The safety feature may prevent operation of the driver even when the safety switch is in the unlocked position or prevent operation of the safety switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Julia F. Serber
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Publication number: 20130175320Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Cortney E. Henderson, Christopher C. Miller, Kent P. Baker, John V. Hunt, Barry T. Jamison, Patrick A. Weizman, Joseph E. Young, Cory G. Kimball, Carl J. Shurtleff, Edward G. Chekan, Kevin D. Felder, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick J. Swindon, Joseph P. Schowalter, John F. Cummings, Julia F. Serber
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Patent number: 8349255Abstract: A tissue processing system includes a tray and a processing component. The processing component has teeth configured to dice, mince, and mix the tissue in the tray. In some versions, teeth of a rotary member mesh with teeth of a stationary member, such that the tissue is ground between the meshing teeth. The rotary member may be moved in an orbital path relative to the stationary member. In some versions, the teeth of two rotary members mesh together, and the rotary members are rotated in opposite directions to grind the tissue. The rotary members may also be alternatingly moved up and down to perform initial dicing on the tissue. Once the tissue has been processed, the tissue may then be used in a therapeutic manner, such as by being incorporated with a scaffold and then implanted in the same patient from whom the tissue was originally harvested.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Joseph P. Schowalter, Prasanna Malaviya, David A. Witt, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 8286899Abstract: A tissue dicing and separation device comprises a housing having an interior that receives tissue for dicing and separation. The device includes a blade assembly connected to a motor and solenoid. The solenoid reciprocates the blade assembly while the motor clocks the blade assembly during each reciprocation cycle. This reciprocating and clocking action of the blade assembly dices and/or minces the tissue. The housing is filled with a fluid and then the blade assembly is continuously rotated to create a vortex within the housing. The vortex causes the diced tissue particles to separate by particle size. Outlets at different positions along the housing permit withdrawal of a slurry of fluid and tissue particles with the tissue particles having a desired size range. The obtained slurry may be used in conjunction with a fistula plug treatment device and method.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Joseph P. Schowalter, Prasanna Malaviya, David A. Witt, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20110282446Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a knife member. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. A tissue treatment member is positionable between the first and second tissue clamping members. The tissue treatment member comprises a rupturable pouch or baffle that is configured to receive a medical fluid including at least one tissue cell. The tissue treatment member may have a spiral shape, an annular disc shape, or an elongate sleeve shape. The tissue treatment member may also include outwardly extending tabs. The tissue treatment member may also include an injection port. In use, the staples and/or the knife pierce the tissue treatment member to release at least a portion of the medical fluid held by the tissue treatment member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: John B. Schulte, Rebecca J. Mollere, Patrick D. Dugan, Michael D. Cronin, Jerome R. Morgan, Stuart K. Morgan, Gary B. McAlister, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, Stephen J. Balek, Joseph P. Schowalter, David A. Witt, Prasanna Malaviya, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: D836199Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Joseph P. Schowalter, Daniel L. Baber, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris