Patents Assigned to Ethicon, LLC
  • Patent number: 10874418
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure between and including 120 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Sarah A. Noschang
  • Patent number: 10874391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10874398
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes two arms and a latching lever. An end effector includes two jaws. A firing assembly includes an actuating beam, a proximal body, and two levers. The actuating beam is slidable relative to the handle assembly and the end effector. The proximal body is coupled to the actuating beam and is housed within either the first arm or the second arm. The first lever is configured to move between a first laterally extending position and a first non-obtrusive position. The first lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the first laterally extending position. The second lever is configured to move between a second laterally extending position and a second non-obtrusive position. The second lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the second laterally extending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Michael J. Stokes, Jason Jones, Matthew S. Corbin, Carol J. Wynn
  • Patent number: 10874396
    Abstract: A stapling instrument for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises an interface including a plurality of rotary members, a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis by a first rotary member, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, an articulation cable, a coupling member, and a firing cable. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The articulation cable operably connects to a second rotary member and is operable to pull the articulation cable and articulate the end effector. The coupling member is movable through a first stroke to move the second jaw toward the first jaw and movable through a second stroke to fire the staples. The firing cable operably connects to a third rotary member and is operable to drive the coupling member through the first stroke and the second stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20200397254
    Abstract: Fluorescence videostroboscopy imaging is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200404129
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fluorescence imaging in a light deficient environment are disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter. The system is such that the controller synchronizes timing of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation between 770 nm and 790 nm and/or electromagnetic radiation between 795 nm and 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397296
    Abstract: Fluorescence imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes applying edge enhancement to edges within an exposure frame of the plurality of exposure frames. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm; or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200404128
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for hyperspectral imaging in a light deficient environment are disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter, wherein the controller synchronizes timing of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200404202
    Abstract: Fluorescence imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor. The method includes reducing fixed pattern noise in an exposure frame by subtracting a reference frame from the exposure frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200402228
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200404130
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for laser scanning in a light deficient environment. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter, wherein the controller synchronizes timing of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser scanning pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397258
    Abstract: Driving an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation according to a jitter specification in a hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a driver for driving emissions by the emitter according to a jitter specification. The system is h that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397271
    Abstract: Optical fiber waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation pulsed by an emitter in an endoscopic imaging system. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an endoscope comprising an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a waveguide communicating the pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter to the endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200402209
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for super resolution and color motion artifact correction in a pulsed fluorescence imaging system are disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes detecting motion across two or more sequential exposure frames of the plurality of exposure frames, compensating for the detected motion, and combining the two or more sequential exposure frames to generate an image frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397253
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral, fluorescence, and/or laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397270
    Abstract: Optical fiber waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation pulsed by an emitter in an endoscopic imaging system. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an endoscope comprising an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a waveguide communicating the pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter to the endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200400501
    Abstract: Pulsed laser mapping imaging in a light deficient environment is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397250
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397239
    Abstract: Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397245
    Abstract: Minimizing image sensor input/output pads in a pulsed fluorescence imaging system is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional pads comprising an output state for issuing data and an input state for receiving data. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern