Patents by Inventor Timothy S. Holland
Timothy S. Holland 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: 11963691Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
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Patent number: 11864786Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Patent number: 11666353Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica Rivard
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Publication number: 20220395292Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni M. Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 11464533Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 11116532Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Zeckel, Fajian Zhang
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Patent number: 11045275Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Phillip H. Clauda, John B. Schulte, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Timothy S. Holland, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black, Kristen G. Denzinger, Amy L. Benchek
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Publication number: 20210137544Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
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Publication number: 20200375619Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica Rivard
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Publication number: 20200268408Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Patent number: 10736648Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel
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Publication number: 20200170665Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 10624667Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Patent number: 10561436Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20190029707Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20180132884Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel
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Publication number: 20180132888Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Zeckel, Fajian Zhang
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Publication number: 20170333073Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Publication number: 20170105754Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Phillip H. Clauda, John B. Schulte, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Timothy S. Holland, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black, Kristen G. Denzinger, Amy L. Benchek