Patents by Inventor Robert E. Hoffman
Robert E. 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: 11963681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
-
Publication number: 20240120059Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses a packing device to package pharmaceutical orders. The packing device is configured with at least one cutter that generates tailings and dust. A tailing collection device is provided that collects the tailings and dust generated by the packing device into and through an intake tube and into a collection assembly. The collection assembly includes a hood with at least one air filter, a frame, and a bin removably received within the frame. The frame supports the hood and aligns the bin to be in fluid communication with the hood. A gas motive device is positioned intermediate the ends of an intake tub before the hood and is configured to suction the tailings and/or dust.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11952221Abstract: The dynamic package sortation device includes a track for handling a plurality of packages is provided. At least one conveyor extends away from the track towards at least two shipping containers. The at least one conveyor is extendable and retractable for dispensing the packages into a first shipping container of the at least two shipping containers and a second condition for dispensing the packages into a second shipping container of the at least two shipping containers. A controller is provided for providing an instruction to move the at least one conveyor between the first condition and the second condition based on a trigger.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Davis, Robert E. Hoffman, Kristine Calvin
-
Publication number: 20240108552Abstract: The medication dispensing assembly includes a housing having an interior. A medication bottle is disposed in the interior with its cap assembly facing vertically downwardly. The cap assembly includes outer, middle, and inner pieces. The outer and inner pieces are fixed with one another, and the middle piece is fixed with the bottle. A drive unit is disposed in the interior of the housing and is configured to rotate the bottle and the middle piece of the cap assembly about a vertical axis. The three pieces of the cap assembly have respective medication openings, and rotating the bottle causes individual pills to travel first from the bottle into the inner piece, then into the middle piece, then around the vertical axis, and then outside of the cap assembly through the medication opening of the outer piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Andrew Long, Stanley Joe Johnson, Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11938326Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Wade M. Demmer, Matthew J. Hoffman, Robert A. Betzold, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Michael L. Ellingson, Mark K. Erickson, Ben W. Herberg, Juliana E. Pronovici, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim
-
Publication number: 20240062139Abstract: A temperature-controlled medication packaging system includes a storage with a temperature-controlled interior containing at least one medication. The packaging system further includes at least one shipping container and at least one coolant that is sized to fit within the at least one shipping container. A first robot is adapted to retrieve the at least one medication from the storage and transport the at least one medication to a second robot. The second robot is adapted to receive the at least one medication from the first robot and to bring the at least one medication and the at least one shipping container and the at least one coolant together for packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Publication number: 20240058222Abstract: The medication container includes a receptacle and a cap. The cap includes a gate that can be selectively opened to enable access to medications in the receptacle and closed to restrict access to medications in the receptacle. The gate has a locking mechanism that only unlocks to allow the gate to open from the closed position in response to an application of a downward force on a portion of the gate to resiliently deflect a portion of the gate. The cap further includes electronic components that are configured to monitor movement of medications through the cap and into and out of the receptacle, the electronic components including a memory that is configured to store data pertaining to such passages of medications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Timothy B. Clise
-
Publication number: 20240062865Abstract: A method may include filling an order of a plurality of orders with a dosing filler system. The method may include receiving pharmaceutical orders including order for drugs used in multi-drug regimens using an order processing device. Each of the multi-drug regimen may have a plurality of scheduled dosing events. The method may include transporting containers to a dosing device, using the dosing device to dispense drugs for scheduled dosing events into the containers based on the received pharmaceutical orders, transporting the containers with the dispensed drugs to the container sealing device, using the container sealing device to seal the plurality of the containers with the dispensed drugs, transporting the dosage unit containers to the container identifier assembly, and using the container identifier assembly to identify the dosage unit containers based on the received pharmaceutical order.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Publication number: 20240043198Abstract: The medication container includes a receptacle that has an inner space for holding medications. The cap assembly is coupled with the receptacle for retaining the medications in the inner space. The cap assembly includes at least one passage that can be selectively opened and closed and includes at least one medication sensor that is configured to detect any medications travelling through the passage and out of the receptacle in a contactless manner. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the at least one medication sensor and with a memory. The microprocessor is configured to record data to the memory in response to the at least one medication sensor detecting a medication travelling through the passage. A wireless module is in electrical communication with the microprocessor for uploading the data to an external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Douglas L. Vandy Bogurt, Timothy B. Clise
-
Publication number: 20240034551Abstract: A hopper of a pharmaceutical counter comprises a housing defining an interior sized to hold a plurality of pharmaceuticals. The housing defines an outlet in communication with the interior that is sized and shaped to permit the plurality of pharmaceuticals to move therethrough. The hopper also includes a baffle supported by the housing and disposed in the interior. The baffle is disposed between upper and lower ends of the interior. The baffle is arranged to support a portion of the plurality of pharmaceuticals above the baffle when the plurality of pharmaceuticals is held in the interior of the housing. This relieves the head pressure of the pharmaceuticals at the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11857505Abstract: The medication dispensing assembly includes a housing having an interior. A medication bottle is disposed in the interior with its cap assembly facing vertically downwardly. The cap assembly includes outer, middle, and inner pieces. The outer and inner pieces are fixed with one another, and the middle piece is fixed with the bottle. A drive unit is disposed in the interior of the housing and is configured to rotate the bottle and the middle piece of the cap assembly about a vertical axis. The three pieces of the cap assembly have respective medication openings, and rotating the bottle causes individual pills to travel first from the bottle into the inner piece, then into the middle piece, then around the vertical axis, and then outside of the cap assembly through the medication opening of the outer piece.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Long, Stanley Joe Johnson, Robert E. Hoffman
-
Publication number: 20230415934Abstract: A pharmaceutical order processing system for processing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers includes a container repository, a container selector, an order consolidator transporter and an order consolidator. The container repository supports the pharmaceutical containers. The container selector has a picker to pick the pharmaceutical containers from the pharmaceutical container repository. The container selector includes a carriage supporting the picker and movable relative to the container repository to move the picker around the container repository. The order consolidator receives the pharmaceutical containers and places the pharmaceutical containers in a shipping package. The order consolidator transporter receives the pharmaceutical containers after they have been picked by the picker and transports the pharmaceutical containers toward the order consolidator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Robert E. Kennedy
-
Publication number: 20230418313Abstract: A package delivery system for delivering a plurality of packages with one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a package receptacle to receive and store the plurality of packages. A charging station charges a plurality of UAV batteries which power the one or more UAVs. A UAV landing pad permits the one or more UAVs to land thereon. A loader loads a package of the plurality of packages and/or a UAV battery of the plurality of UAV batteries onto the UAVs when the UAVs are on the UAV landing pad. A transporter moves the packages and/or the UAV batteries s toward the loader.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: John Ciliberti, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11842316Abstract: A temperature-controlled medication packaging system includes a storage with a temperature-controlled interior containing at least one medication. The packaging system further includes at least one shipping container and at least one coolant that is sized to fit within the at least one shipping container. A first robot is adapted to retrieve the at least one medication from the storage and transport the at least one medication to a second robot. The second robot is adapted to receive the at least one medication from the first robot and to bring the at least one medication and the at least one shipping container and the at least one coolant together for packaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11837347Abstract: A method may include filling an order of a plurality of orders with a dosing filler system. The method may include receiving pharmaceutical orders including order for drugs used in multi-drug regimens using an order processing device. Each of the multi-drug regimen may have a plurality of scheduled dosing events. The method may include transporting containers to a dosing device, using the dosing device to dispense drugs for scheduled dosing events into the containers based on the received pharmaceutical orders, transporting the containers with the dispensed drugs to the container sealing device, using the container sealing device to seal the plurality of the containers with the dispensed drugs, transporting the dosage unit containers to the container identifier assembly, and using the container identifier assembly to identify the dosage unit containers based on the received pharmaceutical order.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11833113Abstract: The medication container includes a receptacle and a cap. The cap includes a gate that can be selectively opened to enable access to medications in the receptacle and closed to restrict access to medications in the receptacle. The gate has a locking mechanism that only unlocks to allow the gate to open from the closed position in response to an application of a downward force on a portion of the gate to resiliently deflect a portion of the gate. The cap further includes electronic components that are configured to monitor movement of medications through the cap and into and out of the receptacle, the electronic components including a memory that is configured to store data pertaining to such passages of medications.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Timothy B. Clise
-
Publication number: 20230382588Abstract: A pharmaceutical extractor and associated components and methods for removing pharmaceuticals from a plurality of containers. The extractor includes a plurality of holders. Each holder is configured to hold at least one container of the plurality of containers. Each holder is repeatedly cycled through a series of container operation locations of the pharmaceutical extractor. In the series of container operation locations, the holders receive containers, the containers are cut to form pharmaceutical outlets in the containers, pharmaceuticals are moved out of the pharmaceutical outlets, and empty containers are dropped by the holders.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11827442Abstract: The medication container includes a receptacle that has an inner space for holding medications. The cap assembly is coupled with the receptacle for retaining the medications in the inner space. The cap assembly includes at least one passage that can be selectively opened and closed and includes at least one medication sensor that is configured to detect any medications travelling through the passage and out of the receptacle in a contactless manner. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the at least one medication sensor and with a memory. The microprocessor is configured to record data to the memory in response to the at least one medication sensor detecting a medication travelling through the passage. A wireless module is in electrical communication with the microprocessor for uploading the data to an external device.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Douglas L. Vandy Bogurt, Timothy B. Clise
-
Patent number: 11820543Abstract: A pharmaceutical order processing system for processing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers includes a container repository, a container selector, an order consolidator transporter and an order consolidator. The container repository supports the pharmaceutical containers. The container selector has a picker to pick the pharmaceutical containers from the pharmaceutical container repository. The container selector includes a carriage supporting the picker and movable relative to the container repository to move the picker around the container repository. The order consolidator receives the pharmaceutical containers and places the pharmaceutical containers in a shipping package. The order consolidator transporter receives the pharmaceutical containers after they have been picked by the picker and transports the pharmaceutical containers toward the order consolidator.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Robert E. Kennedy
-
Patent number: 11798669Abstract: A filling device for filling a removable medication cartridge for the smart medication dispenser is provided. The filling device includes a stationary fill plate with a plurality of openings. The openings are shaped to allow the passage of medications through the fill plate. The cartridge is removably positioned vertically below the fill plate and with the chambers of the cartridge being aligned with the openings of the fill plate. A gate is positioned vertically below the fill plate and above the cartridge. When in a closed position, the gate covers the openings from beneath the fill plate, and movement of the gate to an open position causes at least one medication to fall through at least one of the openings from above the stationary fill plate into at least one of the chambers in the cartridge prior to removal of the medication cartridge with the medications received within the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Rosomoff, Robert E. Hoffman, Salvatore Anselmi