Patents by Inventor Richard M. Harper
Richard M. Harper 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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Publication number: 20240058002Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second elongate members having first and second stapling surfaces and being configured to releasably couple together. A clamp member is movable from a first position to a second position to approximate the stapling surfaces for clamping tissue. A latch member is transitionable from an unlatched state to a latched state to releasably retain the clamp member in the second position. A firing assembly is actuatable from a home position to fire staples into the clamped tissue. The latch member is transitionable from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is in the home position. The latch member is inhibited from transitioning from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is displaced from the home position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Benjamin A. Bialorucki, Kevin A. Larson, Anthony Nguyen, Brian D. Schings, Richard M. Harper, Kevin J. Zylka, Caterina E. Esposito
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Patent number: 7883465Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Richard F. Schwemberger, Robert P. Gill, Mary E. Schramm, Jason A. Born
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Patent number: 6945981Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Ethicon-Endo Surgery, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Jason A. Born, Richard F. Schwemberger, Robert P. Gill, Mary E. Schramm
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Publication number: 20040230214Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Richard F. Schwemberger, Robert P. Gill, Mary E. Schramm, Jason A. Born
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Patent number: 6719776Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a large thumb slide actuator and a handle which is held in to the palm of a surgeon operator to balance the weight of the instrument during usage. The surgeon's thumb is placed upon the thumb slide actuator, thereby facilitating actuation with a pulling-pushing motion of the thumb slide. When the thumb slide is pushed forward in a distal direction, a rotational clamp arm is opened relative to a stationary blade, and when the thumb slide is pulled rearward in a proximal direction, the clamp arm is closed. This arrangement eliminates a problem with steadying the instrument, with the entire thumb resting on the thumb slide, and also eliminates pressure points on the thumb during long transection times. The large thumb slide features a ribbed texture on its upper surface to prevent thumb slippage. The thumb slide is optimized for ergonomic usage with all size hands, with the user being able to initiate an open or close movement from any point on the thumb slide.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, Richard M. Harper
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Patent number: 6500188Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument having a handle with a finger actuator, and more particularly, an ultrasonic surgical device adapted to be held by a surgeon and fingers-operated with precise movements while opening and closing an ultrasonic instrument while meeting the ergonomic requirements of the surgeon with regard to comfort and imparting the surgeon with an enhanced dextral control for easy maneuverability of the instrument. The instrument incorporates a thimble-shaped lever at the distal end of the handle for actuating the clamp arm of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, and votator structure for selective rotation of the surgical device whereby the ergonomic thimble-shaped lever and pencil grip provide the physician with an improved degree of control, greater comfort in manipulating the instrument, and the ability to perform blunt dissections.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Richard M. Harper, Paul M. Miklautsch
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Publication number: 20020123742Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a large thumb slide actuator and a handle which is held in to the palm of a surgeon operator to balance the weight of the instrument during usage. The surgeon's thumb is placed upon the thumb slide actuator, thereby facilitating actuation with a pulling-pushing motion of the thumb slide. When the thumb slide is pushed forward in a distal direction, a rotational clamp arm is opened relative to a stationary blade, and when the thumb slide is pulled rearward in a proximal direction, the clamp arm is closed. This arrangement eliminates a problem with steadying the instrument, with the entire thumb resting on the thumb slide, and also eliminates pressure points on the thumb during long transection times. The large thumb slide features a ribbed texture on its upper surface to prevent thumb slippage. The thumb slide is optimized for ergonomic usage with all size hands, with the user being able to initiate an open or close movement from any point on the thumb slide.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, Richard M. Harper
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Publication number: 20020103496Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument having a handle with a finger actuator, and more particularly, an ultrasonic surgical device adapted to be held by a surgeon and fingers-operated with precise movements while opening and closing an ultrasonic instrument while meeting the ergonomic requirements of the surgeon with regard to comfort and imparting the surgeon with an enhanced dextral control for easy maneuverability of the instrument. The instrument incorporates a thimble-shaped lever at the distal end of the handle for actuating the clamp arm of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, and votator structure for selective rotation of the surgical device whereby the ergonomic thimble-shaped lever and pencil grip provide the physician with an improved degree of control, greater comfort in manipulating the instrument, and the ability to perform blunt dissections.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Richard M. Harper, Paul R. Miklautsch
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Publication number: 20020049464Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery , Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Jason A. Born, Richard F. Schwemberger, Robert P. Gill, Mary E. Schramm
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Patent number: 6338657Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly including a connector for use in electrically connecting a surgical instrument to a power source, such as a generator. The connector generally includes an outer shell with a plurality of first and second electrical conductors disposed within the outer shell for providing the electrical connection between the surgical instrument and a cable leading to the power source. In one aspect of the present invention, the connector includes an isolation barrier disposed within the outer shell so as to separate each of the first electrical conductors from each of the second electrical conductors. In another aspect, the connector includes a keying feature in which the outer surface of the outer shell is modified so as to ensure that the connector may only be plugged into the generator a single way. This reduces the risk that the electrical conductors may be bent due to improper orientation during the insertion action.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Ethicon Endo-SurgeryInventors: Richard M. Harper, Robert Perrin Gill, William T. Donofrio
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Patent number: D511145Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Robert Perrin Gill, Richard F. Schwemberger, Mary E. Schramm
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Patent number: D462667Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, IncInventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Robert Perrin Gill, Richard F. Schwemberger, Mary E. Schramm
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Patent number: D486127Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Richard M. Harper, Robert Perrin Gill, Richard F. Schwemberger, Mary E. Schramm