Patents by Inventor Paul F. Riestenberg

Paul F. Riestenberg 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).

  • Publication number: 20230381547
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a handle assembly. The end effector is configured to operate at a first energy level and at a second energy level. The end effector is further configured to transition between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is configured to grasp tissue in the closed position. The handle assembly includes a body, a trigger, and an activation element. The trigger is configured to pivot in a first direction relative to the body to actuate the end effector from the open position to the closed position. The activation element is configured to activate the end effector at either the first energy level or the second energy level. The trigger is configured to either activate the activation element or determine whether the end effector operates at the first energy level or the second energy level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Benjamin M. Boyd, Paul F. Riestenberg, Craig N. Faller, Allison Hamilton, Patrick J. Swindon, Christopher J. Chermside-Scabbo, Kevin L. Houser, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Benjamin J. Danziger, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Patent number: 11745031
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a handle assembly. The end effector is configured to operate at a first energy level and at a second energy level. The end effector is further configured to transition between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is configured to grasp tissue in the closed position. The handle assembly includes a body, a trigger, and an activation element. The trigger is configured to pivot in a first direction relative to the body to actuate the end effector from the open position to the closed position. The activation element is configured to activate the end effector at either the first energy level or the second energy level. The trigger is configured to either activate the activation element or determine whether the end effector operates at the first energy level or the second energy level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Benjamin M. Boyd, Paul F. Riestenberg, Craig N. Faller, Allison Hamilton, Patrick J. Swindon, Christopher J. Chermside-Scabbo, Kevin L. Houser, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Benjamin J. Danziger, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Publication number: 20230142303
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes a mode selection member and an activation member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The end effector is configured to be activated in a first activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a first position. The end effector is configured to be activated in a second activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, Benjamin M. Boyd, Jacob S. Gee, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Katelynn Kramer, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Geoffrey S. Strobl, David A. Monroe
  • Patent number: 11589890
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer via an acoustic waveguide that extends through the shaft assembly. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along a first angular path from a first position to a second position to thereby provide a tissue sealing mode of operation. The clamp arm is further configured to pivot about a second pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along second angular path from the second position to a third position to thereby provide a tissue cutting and sealing mode of operation. The second pivot point is proximal to the first pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Richard W. Timm, Paul F. Riestenberg, Craig N. Faller, Richard C. Smith, David A. Witt, Benjamin D. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 11571236
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, a liquid dispensing feature, and a control module. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade. The control module is operable to regulate fluid flow through the liquid dispensing feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Brian D. Black, Craig N. Faller, Kristen G. Denzinger, Paul F. Riestenberg, David M. Locke, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph Dennis, Ashvani K. Madan
  • Patent number: 11559323
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes a mode selection member and an activation member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The end effector is configured to be activated in a first activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a first position. The end effector is configured to be activated in a second activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, Benjamin M. Boyd, Jacob S. Gee, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Katelynn Kramer, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Geoffrey S. Strobl, David A. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20230015195
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes a mode selection member and an activation member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The end effector is configured to be activated in a first activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a first position. The end effector is configured to be activated in a second activation mode in response to actuation of the activation member when the mode selection member is in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, Benjamin M. Boyd, Jacob S. Gee, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Katelynn Kramer, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Geoffrey S. Strobl, David A. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20220387067
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp member pivotably moveable relative to the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp member pivotably movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open configuration and an approximated configuration with respect to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the inner tube, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the outer tube, and wherein movement of the outer tube relative to the inner tube between the first position and the second position transitions the clamp member between the open configuration and the approximate configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jonathan T. Batross, David A. Monroe, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey D. Messerly
  • Patent number: 11497520
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm and a clamp pad. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Dickerson, Steven P. Smolik, David J. Cagle, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Frederick L. Estera, Paul F. Riestenberg, Charles J. Scheib, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher
  • Patent number: 11413060
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp member pivotably moveable relative to the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp member pivotably movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open configuration and an approximated configuration with respect to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the inner tube, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the outer tube, and wherein movement of the outer tube relative to the inner tube between the first position and the second position transitions the clamp member between the open configuration and the approximate configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jonathan T. Batross, David A. Monroe, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey D. Messerly
  • Patent number: 11357532
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly. The clamp arm includes a mortise and a pair of support gussets. The clamp pad includes a tenon and a pair of resilient projections where the tenon engages the mortise of the clamp arm and the projections contact the support gussets of the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, David Sepulveda-Leyva, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Craig N. Faller
  • Publication number: 20210259724
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
  • Publication number: 20210236195
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 10973541
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
  • Patent number: 10952788
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector, a generator configured to deliver adaptive energy, a mode selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes, a closure switch configured to control the end effector, and a counter configured to count a number of closure switch activations. The surgical instrument is configured to communicate a selected surgical mode of the mode selector switch and the number of closure switch activations from the counter to the generator. The surgical instrument is configured to receive the adaptive energy from the generator based on the selected surgical mode and the number of closure switch activations. The generator is configured to deliver the adaptive energy to the surgical instrument closer to a start of an activation cycle for the selected surgical mode as the number of closure switch activations increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20200397462
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly. The clamp arm includes a mortise and a pair of support gussets. The clamp pad includes a tenon and a pair of resilient projections where the tenon engages the mortise of the clamp arm and the projections contact the support gussets of the clamp arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, David Sepulveda-Leyva, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Craig N. Faller
  • Patent number: 10743901
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly. The clamp arm includes a mortise and a pair of support gussets. The clamp pad includes a tenon and a pair of resilient projections where the tenon engages the mortise of the clamp arm and the projections contact the support gussets of the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Riestenberg, David Sepulveda-Leyva, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Craig N. Faller
  • Publication number: 20200246642
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a handle assembly. The end effector is configured to operate at a first energy level and at a second energy level. The end effector is further configured to transition between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is configured to grasp tissue in the closed position. The handle assembly includes a body, a trigger, and an activation element. The trigger is configured to pivot in a first direction relative to the body to actuate the end effector from the open position to the closed position. The activation element is configured to activate the end effector at either the first energy level or the second energy level. The trigger is configured to either activate the activation element or determine whether the end effector operates at the first energy level or the second energy level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Benjamin M. Boyd, Paul F. Riestenberg, Craig N. Faller, Allison Hamilton, Patrick J. Swindon, Christopher J. Chermside-Scabbo, Kevin L. Houser, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Benjamin J. Danziger, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Publication number: 20200138468
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, a liquid dispensing feature, and a control module. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade. The control module is operable to regulate fluid flow through the liquid dispensing feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Brian D. Black, Craig N. Faller, Kristen G. Denzinger, Paul F. Riestenberg, David M. Locke, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph Dennis, Ashvani K. Madan
  • Publication number: 20200078043
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm and a clamp pad. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Dickerson, Steven P. Smolik, David J. Cagle, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Frederick L. Estera, Paul F. Riestenberg, Charles J. Scheib, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher