Patents by Inventor Robert B. Shelton

Robert B. Shelton 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: 4333637
    Abstract: A chiropractic table comprising a cushioned platform upon which a patient is positioned pronely for treatment, a strip of sanitary paper in rolled supply and covering a portion of the face cushions transversely, and a manually releasable paper retainer clamping the full width of the free end of the rolled strip. The free end of the paper strip is clamped between an elongate, tubular clamping member normally urged by suitable springs towards bearing upon a matching elongate surface of a base member, which is secured to a side of the base of the face cushions opposite the paper supply roll. A handle is provided by which the springs are manually overridden to release the paper, to allow the used portion of the paper to be drawn through the retainer off the cushions to be replaced by a fresh portion, the handle then being released so that the paper is again clamped. The table may be of the tilting or stationary type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Robert B. Shelton