Patents Assigned to Ethicon
  • Patent number: 10973541
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
  • Publication number: 20210100362
    Abstract: The drawer organization system comprises a cabinet and one or more drawers. The one or more drawers are contained within the cabinet. Each of the one or more drawers are organized into a plurality of containment sections. A user organizes the storage of the one or more objects by properly selecting a containment section selected from the plurality of containment sections for each object. The drawer organization system further comprises an index display and a plurality of stickers. The index display is contained within the cabinet. The index display is a display surface on which an index that identifies the selected containment space for each stored object. Each of the plurality of stickers presents the image of an indicia that is attached to a containment space selected from the plurality of containment spaces that relates the selected containment space to the index display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: EDWARD C. MORIARTY, JR.
  • Patent number: 10966719
    Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Adams, Hector Chow, Steven Dickinson, Douglas B. Hoffman, Barry T. Jamison, John S. Kimsey, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Anil K. Nalagatla, Sudhir Patel, Mary R. Towers
  • Patent number: 10966781
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, a knife drive assembly, an electrode activation assembly, and a lockout assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife, and an electrode assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing associated with the first jaw and an arm associated with the second jaw, where the arm is configured to pivot the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The lockout assembly is may transition between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lockout assembly may prevent activation of the electrode and prevent actuation of the knife drive assembly while in the locked configuration. The lockout assembly may allow activation of the electrode and allow actuation of the knife drive assembly while in the unlocked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 10966747
    Abstract: A surgical control system is disclosed including a controller, a feedback device operably coupled to the controller, and a user interface operably coupled to the controller. The user interface is configured to provide an input to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a control signal to a robotic surgical system to control a function of the robotic surgical system, receive a feedback signal from the robotic surgical system, and provide the feedback signal to the feedback device. The feedback device is configured to provide feedback associated with the robotic surgical system to a user in response to the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory A. Trees, Jonathan T. Batross, Nicholas G. Molitor, Kristen T. Shoger, David K. Norvell, Michael J. Andreyko, Gregory W. Johnson, Shawn C. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10966713
    Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. Three dimensional adjuncts for use with a surgical stapling assembly and methods for manufacturing the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 10966791
    Abstract: A cloud based analytics medical system comprises a processor, a memory, an input/output interface to access data from medical hub communication devices, each coupled to a surgical instrument, and a database. The processor generates medical usage patterns of medical devices based on aggregation usage data of medical devices from medical hubs and aggregates patient outcome data from medical hubs. Patient outcome data comprises data pertaining to steps performed and corresponding timings for each step in patient procedures and allocation of resources used in procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Gregory J. Bakos, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10966627
    Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 10966722
    Abstract: Surgical methods involving cutting and sealing tissue include affixing a first adjunct material to tissue at a treatment site, such as by stapling the adjunct to tissue. A second adjunct material is applied to at least a portion of the first adjunct material such that the second adjunct material interacts with the first adjunct material to form a seal in an area of the tissue covered by at least one of the first and the second adjunct material. The resulting tissue sealing structure, which includes a combination of the two adjuncts, is believed to be superior to the sealing properties of either adjunct alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Bret W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10966744
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Steven P. Smolik, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher
  • Patent number: 10966724
    Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a staple cartridge, a sled movable during a firing stroke between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position, and a plurality of staples removably stored within the staple cartridge is disclosed. The staples are configured to be ejected from the staple cartridge by the sled. Each staple comprises a proximal staple leg comprising a proximal piercing tip, a distal staple leg comprising a distal piercing tip, and an integral staple driver base portion. The proximal staple leg and the distal staple leg extend from the integral staple driver base portion. The integral staple driver base portion comprises a body portion, a ramp surface configured to be contacted by the sled, and a starter guide feature configured to assist sled driving contact between the sled and the ramp surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 10966718
    Abstract: A dynamic clamping assembly for use with a surgical instrument including first and second jaws pivotally coupled together and movable between open and closed positions. The dynamic clamping assembly includes first jaw engagement features configured to slidably engage the first jaw and second jaw engagement features configured to slidably engage the second jaw to apply closing motions to the first and second jaws. The first jaw engagement features and/or the second jaw engagement features include a surface coating configured to increase a hardness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20210093409
    Abstract: A method includes grasping a user input device in communication with a surgical tool of a robotic surgical system, the surgical tool including an end effector with opposing jaws, squeezing the user input device and thereby actuating a motor that closes the jaws and clamps down on tissue at a surgical site, and calculating with a computer system in communication with the surgical tool work completed by the motor to close the jaws and clamp down on the tissue. The computer system generates one or more effort indicators when the work completed by the motor meets or exceeds one or more predetermined work increments corresponding to operation of the motor, and communicates the one or more effort indicators to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Sol A. Posada, Kris Eren Kallenberger, Christopher A. Denzinger
  • Patent number: 10959732
    Abstract: Jaws of a surgical clip applier with housings formed thereon and methods for manufacturing and use during a procedure to apply surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc. are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having jaws on a distal end thereof with a rigid internal frame and an outer housing formed around the internal frame. The jaws of the surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate placement of surgical clips, including features to align a clip with the jaws and to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Chester O. Baxter, III, Carol J. Wynn
  • Patent number: 10959714
    Abstract: A dispensing device and cartridge for simultaneous delivery and mixing of multiple co-reactive materials, the cartridge having proximal and distal ends, and having an elongated holder body with substantially parallel longitudinal voids. Multiple syringe bodies are disposed parallel within the voids and multiple co-reactive materials are separately disposed in the syringe bodies. The dispensing device also includes a longitudinal housing which is structured and arranged to receive the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianxin Guo, Jared Schneider, Simon Cohn, Christopher Anthony Kokinelis
  • Patent number: 10959769
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mumaw, Shawn D. Bialczak, Sora Rhee, Craig T. Davis, John A. Weed, III, Kip M. Rupp, Foster B. Stulen, Timothy G. Dietz, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10960201
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for inhibiting nerves when activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). In general, a first nerve type (e.g., sympathetic nerves) innervating BAT can be activated while at least one other nerve type (e.g., parasympathetic nerves and/or sensory nerves) innervating BAT is being suppressed. A first neuromodulator (e.g., an electrical signal, a chemical, a light, cooling, etc.) can be applied to activate the first nerve type, and a second neuromodulator can be applied to inhibit the at least one other nerve type. In this way, parasympathetic nerves and/or sensory nerves innervating BAT can be inhibited when activating sympathetic nerves innervating BAT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Tamara C. Baynham
  • Patent number: 10959722
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a drive system configured to generate rotary motion, an elongate shaft, and an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a fastener cartridge. The fastener cartridge comprises fasteners, a drive screw configured to rotate about a drive axis, and a firing member configured to move through a firing stroke. The firing member comprises a first cam surface configured to engage the first jaw and a second cam surface configured to engage the second jaw. The fastener cartridge further comprises a sled translatable within the fastener cartridge by the firing member during the firing stroke and a plurality of fastener drivers configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the drive axis in response to the translation of the sled. The plurality of fastener drivers deploy the fasteners by way of a rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10959806
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device may include a front portion releasably attached to a reusable handle. The reusable handle may include a single motor configured to actuate a tissue knife mechanism and an articulation mechanism in the front portion. The reusable handle may include a controller configured to sense a position of a knife advancement control in the front portion and actuate the tissue knife via the motor when the knife advancement control is at a predetermined position. The controller may receive data from the front portion indicating that the front portion includes an articulation joint. If the front portion includes an articulation joint, the controller may actuate, via the motor, an articulation mechanism to adjust an angle of the articulation joint when an articulation control in the front portion is at a predetermined position. The reusable handle may be used with a front portion having or lacking an articulation joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas B. Remm
  • Patent number: D914878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III, Gregory J. Bakos, Jerome R. Morgan