Patents by Inventor Robert B. Hoffman

Robert B. Hoffman 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).

  • Patent number: 11963681
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
  • Patent number: 5887840
    Abstract: A tie down anchor for a pick-up truck stake pocket is described, in which an elongated flexible cord is formed into an elongated loop including a bight at one end. An elongated bolt member is mounted to the cord adjacent the remaining cable end in transverse relation to the loop. The cable is yieldably biased by the cord to the transverse relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Robert B. Hoffman