Patents by Inventor Robert A. Kemerling
Robert A. Kemerling 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: 11737750Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is removably coupled with the shaft assembly in a connected state and separated from the shaft assembly in a disconnected state. The body includes a drive feature configured to drive operation of the active feature of the effector. The drive feature includes at least one of an ultrasonic drive feature or a mechanical drive feature. A proximal end portion of the shaft assembly is configured to be removed from the body to separate the at least one activation feature from the drive feature.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 11413114Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 11337747Abstract: A system for use with a surgical instrument includes an end effector, a memory circuit to store computer-executable instructions, and a processor. The end effector comprises a cutting member and a load cell sensor configured to sense a measure of force used to advance the cutting member through captured tissue. The processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to initiate a first treatment cycle, access the measure of force used during the first treatment cycle to advance the cutting member through the captured tissue, determine that the measure of force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generate an alert to a user of the surgical instrument based on the determination that a value of the measure of force exceeds the predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is based on an accumulation of biological material on the cutting member and a normal operational parameter of the first treatment cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Phillip H. Clauda, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark A. Davison, Gregory A. Trees
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Patent number: 10932847Abstract: A control circuit for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The control circuit is programmed to provide an electrosurgical signal comprising a plurality of pulses to first and second electrodes and receive a first reading of an impedance between the first and second electrodes. The control circuit is programmed to receive a second reading of the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The control circuit is programmed to determine a difference between the first and second readings and determine that a short circuit is present between the first and second electrodes based on a magnitude of the difference between the first reading and the second reading. The control circuit is programmed to generate a signal indicating the short circuit between the first and second electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David C. Yates, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, Benjamin J. Danziger, Gavin M. Monson
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Patent number: 10779879Abstract: An electrosurgical system for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is programmed to: provide the electrosurgical signal to a first electrode and a second electrode, receive a plurality of input variables, wherein the plurality of input variables are indicative of a short being either present or absent between the first electrode and the second electrode, and apply a short detection algorithm to the plurality of input variables to indicate either a short circuit or no short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode during the provision of the electrosurgical signal. The plurality of input variables may include at least one impedance level between the first electrode and the second electrodes during the provision of the electrosurgical signal. The short detection algorithm applied may include a fuzzy logic algorithm, a neural network algorithm, or neuro-fuzzy algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David C. Yates, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, Benjamin J. Danziger, Gavin M. Monson
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Publication number: 20200229817Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 10675027Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 10441345Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark E. Tebbe, Christopher A. Papa, Daniel W. Price, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David C. Yates, Mark A. Davison, Scott B. Killinger, Gavin M. Monson, Robert J. Laird, Matthew C. Miller
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Publication number: 20190307528Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 10368957Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 10117702Abstract: Surgical generator systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary generator system can include one or more auxiliary transformer stages to boost the amount of power applied to low-impedance tissue, or to adjust the output voltage and current delivered to a surgical instrument. The auxiliary transformer stage(s) can be disposed in the generator, in the surgical instrument, and/or in an intermediate component. Exemplary generator systems can also include an accessory box disposed inline between a generator and a surgical instrument to provide expanded functionality to the system. The accessory box can have a ground plane that is isolated from the ground planes of the mains supply, the generator, and/or the surgical instrument to reduce or eliminate patient leakage current.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Benjamin J. Danziger, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Robert A. Kemerling
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Publication number: 20180235691Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Phillip H. Clauda, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark A. Davison, Foster B. Stulen, Gregory A. Trees
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Publication number: 20180098808Abstract: A control circuit for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The control circuit is programmed to provide an electrosurgical signal comprising a plurality of pulses to first and second electrodes and receive a first reading of an impedance between the first and second electrodes. The control circuit is programmed to receive a second reading of the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The control circuit is programmed to determine a difference between the first and second readings and determine that a short circuit is present between the first and second electrodes based on a magnitude of the difference between the first reading and the second reading. The control circuit is programmed to generate a signal indicating the short circuit between the first and second electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: David C. Yates, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, Benjamin J. Danziger, Gavin M. Monson
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Patent number: 9913680Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Gregory A. Trees
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Publication number: 20180028182Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20170172700Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Publication number: 20170105791Abstract: An electrosurgical system for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is programmed to: provide the electrosurgical signal to a first electrode and a second electrode, receive a plurality of input variables, wherein the plurality of input variables are indicative of a short being either present or absent between the first electrode and the second electrode, and apply a short detection algorithm to the plurality of input variables to indicate either a short circuit or no short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode during the provision of the electrosurgical signal. The plurality of input variables may include at least one impedance level between the first electrode and the second electrodes during the provision of the electrosurgical signal. The short detection algorithm applied may include a fuzzy logic algorithm, a neural network algorithm, or neuro-fuzzy algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: David C. Yates, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, Benjamin J. Danziger, Gavin M. Monson
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Patent number: 9554854Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an electrosurgical systems and methods for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient. An electrosurgical signal defining a plurality of pulses may be provided to first and second electrodes. A first reading may be received indicating an impedance between the first and second electrodes taken at a first point of a first pulse of the electrosurgical signal. A second reading may indicate the impedance a first point of a second pulse of the electrosurgical signal, where the first point of the first pulse and the first point of the second pulse are at equivalent positions within the first and second pulses. Based on a comparison of the first reading and the second reading, a short circuit may be determined and a signal indicating the short circuit may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: David C. Yates, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, Benjamin J. Danziger, Gavin M. Monson
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Publication number: 20160296271Abstract: Surgical generator systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary generator system can include one or more auxiliary transformer stages to boost the amount of power applied to low-impedance tissue, or to adjust the output voltage and current delivered to a surgical instrument. The auxiliary transformer stage(s) can be disposed in the generator, in the surgical instrument, and/or in an intermediate component. Exemplary generator systems can also include an accessory box disposed inline between a generator and a surgical instrument to provide expanded functionality to the system. The accessory box can have a ground plane that is isolated from the ground planes of the mains supply, the generator, and/or the surgical instrument to reduce or eliminate patient leakage current.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Benjamin J. Danziger, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Robert A. Kemerling
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Publication number: 20150289925Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Phillip H. Clauda, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark A. Davison, Foster B. Stulen, Gregory A. Trees