Patents Assigned to Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11540825
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 11437143
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for predicting metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes are provided. The systems and methods can also provide predictions for non-surgical metabolic and bariatric treatments. In general, a user can receive predictive outcomes of multiple bariatric procedures that could be performed on a patient. In one embodiment, a user can electronically access a metabolic and bariatric surgery outcome prediction system, e.g., using one or more web pages. The system can provide predictive outcomes of one or more different bariatric surgeries for the patient based on data gathered from the user and on historical data regarding outcomes of the different bariatric surgeries. The system can additionally provide predictive outcomes for not having any treatment and/or a comparison of the predictive outcomes of the one or more different bariatric surgeries to the predictive outcomes for not having any treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Nitin Kumar Jain, Diane M. Francis, Thomas E. Albrecht, Tina Denise Hunter
  • Patent number: 11395659
    Abstract: An apparatus is operable to provide an anastomosis coupling two hollow organs, such as a duodenum and ileum. The apparatus includes a first component that is inserted through an enterotomy in a first hollow organ and a second component that is inserted through an enterotomy in a second hollow organ. The first and second components are brought together to o align the enterotomies and compress apposed layers of tissue adjacent to the enterotomies. The compressed tissue eventually necroses and the apparatus may be removed or simply pass through the hollow organ. Each component may include a set of pivoting links and a resilient member that is configured to both bias the links to an expanded configuration and grip the tissue adjacent to the enterotomy. The components may include magnets that secure the positioning of the components relative to each other and provide a compressive force on the apposed tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Publication number: 20220181107
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11337838
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sleeve, a seal, and an anchor assembly. The sleeve is flexible and non-permeable and is configured to fit in a duodenum. The seal is positioned at the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the stomach mucosa, the pylorus, or the duodenum mucosa. The anchor assembly comprises a pair of atraumatic anchor ends and a resilient member positioned between the anchor ends. At least a portion of the resilient member extends along at least a portion of the length of the sleeve. The resilient member is configured to bias the anchor ends generally toward each other, to thereby substantially anchor the sleeve in the duodenum. The sleeve is configured to prevent chyme from contacting the mucosa of the duodenum; and to prevent enzymes excreted in the duodenum from mixing with chyme in the duodenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Justin W. Sherrill
  • Patent number: 11236392
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are generally provided for treating metabolic disorders, e.g., obesity. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a biological sample from the subject, evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of a genetic indicator, wherein the genetic indicator is selected from a single nucleotide polymorphism and a level of gene expression, and performing a first metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is present, or performing an alternative second metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is absent. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a sample including deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) from the subject, evaluating the DNA for an absence or presence of one or more genetic indicators and performing a first metabolic procedure or an alternative second metabolic procedure based on the absence or presence of the genetic indicator(s). Other aspects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation General Hospital
    Inventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Ida Hatoum, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11191544
    Abstract: A clip applier adapted for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The clip applier comprises a shaft having clips stored therein and jaws adapted for receiving a clip from the shaft. The shaft is in mechanical communication with a robotic mounting portion. The robotic mounting portion contains a gear drive assembly for rotating the shaft, feeding clips into the jaws and forming clips in the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Shailendra K. Parihar
  • Patent number: 11183349
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, which comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein the switching element is movably disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow body of the switch and the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11154559
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating metabolic disorders by modulating bile acid levels. Generally, the methods and compositions can modulate bile acid levels, such as serum bile acid levels, to treat a metabolic disorder. In one embodiment, a method of modulating a bile acid level includes measuring a bile acid level and delivering a composition effective to modulate the bile acid level. A method for modulating a bile acid profile includes comparing a bile acid profile to a target profile and delivering a bile acid cocktail to increase bile acid levels. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition for increasing bile acid levels includes a bile acid cocktail effective to increase bile acid levels. The composition is further useful as part of an implantable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Nadia N. Ahmad, Jason L. Harris, Kevin D. Felder, Alessandro Pastorelli
  • Patent number: 11033272
    Abstract: Devices and methods are used to modify a metabolic pathway of a digestive system by creating a pathway within the intestinal tract through an anastomosis between a proximal location within the intestinal tract and a distal location within the intestinal tract. In some examples, the small intestine has a first initial length and the created pathway defines a second length of the intestinal tract that is approximately ten to seventy percent of the first initial length of the small intestine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Elliott J. Fegelman, Randy J. Seeley, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10953224
    Abstract: A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Toralf Bork, Rocco Crivelli, Mathilde Miguras, Martin Pfleiderer, Yanik Tardy, Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 10779882
    Abstract: An electrical ablation apparatus including first, second, and third electrodes is disclosed. Each of the first and second electrode is configured to be selectively extended outside and selectively retracted inside a distal end of its respective lumen and is configured to diverge from its respective longitudinal axis when extended outside the distal end of its respective lumen. The third electrode is non-rotatable and is configured to be selectively extended outside and selectively retracted inside a distal end of its respective lumen. The first, second and third electrodes are extendable into a tissue treatment region to create a first necrotic zone having a first shape. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is selectively rotatable within its respective lumen to create a second necrotic zone having a second shape. The third electrode is configured to positionally secure the electrical ablation apparatus at the tissue treatment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Long, David N. Plescia, Omar J. Vakharia
  • Patent number: 10779819
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Holcomb, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Stokes, Mark S. Zeiner, Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 10729732
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating weight related conditions and metabolic disorders by altering microbiota in a subject. One aspect provides methods and compositions to alter microbiota in a subject by administering to the subject a composition that includes a substantially purified microbiota from phyla such as Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia or orders such as Bacteroidales, Verrucomicrobiales, Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales or genera such as Alistipes, Clostridium, Escherichia, and Akkermansia. Another aspect includes a pharmaceutical composition for altering microbiota that includes a therapeutically effective amount of substantially purified microbiota and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another aspect includes methods for treating a disorder, such as obesity, in a subject in need of such treatment by changing relative abundance of microbiota in a gastrointestinal tract of the subject without or in addition to a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Alice P. Liou, Peter J. Turnbaugh, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10687808
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof. In one aspect, a method of gastric volume reduction is disclosed that includes advancing a tissue acquisition and fixation device endoscopically into a stomach, manipulating the device to form a first fold of tissue on an interior surface of an anterior wall of the stomach, and manipulating the device to form a second fold of tissue on an interior surface of a posterior wall of the stomach, where the second fold is not attached to the first fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Felder, Lawrence Crainich, Justin W. Sherrill, Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 10668104
    Abstract: Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Nicholas Stylopoulos, Jason L. Harris, Dwight Henninger, Taylor W. Aronhalt, James W. Voegele
  • Publication number: 20200168415
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, which comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein the switching element is movably disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow body of the switch and the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10610226
    Abstract: Adjunct material and methods of using adjunct material to reinforce a staple line are provided herein. In general, adjunct material can be used to maintain a seal in tissue and prevent stapled tissue from tearing. This adjunct material can be coupled to a jaw of a surgical stapler, and can be deployed into tissue along with the staples. In some embodiments, the adjunct material can be sized and shaped so that a portion of the material extends laterally outside of the staple line and distributes strain to tissue outside of the staple line. In certain aspects, sealant can be applied to the staple line and to the adjunct material in various ways to further seal the tissue and/or prevent leaks from forming in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Mark S. Zeiner, Thomas Lee Craven, Anne J. Gorman, Bret W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10586669
    Abstract: A method of creating a switch, comprising disposing a switching element movably within an interior cavity of the switch to define switch-making and switch-breaking positions along a switching axis of the switching element, disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the switch-making and switch-breaking positions until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force to cause the switching element to change to the other position, disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable, and coupling a conductive contact to the switching element to define a switch-making state when the switching element is in the switch-making position and a switch-breaking state when the switching element is in the switch-breaking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon-Endo Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10441808
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) with light. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by using light to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The light can be configured to directly or indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes. The light can be configured to indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes by activating a light activatable medium administered to a patient and configured to respond to the light to cause activation of the brown adipose tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Lee M. Kaplan, David N. Plescia, Taylor W. Aronhalt, James W. Voegele, Nicholas Stylopoulos