Patents Assigned to Ethicon
  • Patent number: 10905415
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly to thereby drive the annular array of staples through a distal surface of the stapling head assembly toward the anvil. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. In a first state, the lockout assembly is configured to permit translation of the translating member. In a second state, the lockout assembly is configured to prevent translation of the translating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Christopher C. Miller, Richard F. Schwemberger, Charles J. Scheib, Kevin L. Houser, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10905426
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10905493
    Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrosurgical tools are provided. A surgical system includes a drive system, the drive system being configured to drive the application of energy, an electrosurgical generator; and a control system configured to be operatively coupled to the drive system. The control system is configured to receive energy from the generator, deliver the received energy from the generator to the drive system, receive first impedance data via the drive system, manipulate the first impedance data to create second impedance data that is modified from the first impedance data, and transmit the second impedance data to the generator to cause the generator to deliver energy to the control system within predefined power parameters of the generator that define a maximum amount of energy the generator can deliver to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 10905422
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a mounting portion, an elongate shaft, an articulation joint, an end effector, and a firing member. The end effector comprises an anvil and an elongate channel configured to receive a cartridge including staples. The anvil comprises a proximal end connected to the elongate channel, an outer surface, an under surface facing the elongate channel, a plurality of forming pockets defined in the undersurface, and a distal end extending below the under surface. The firing member is translatable from a starting position to an ending position to eject the staples from the cartridge during a firing stroke in response to an output motion from the robotic system. The firing member is viewable by a clinician through an opening at a proximal end of the end effector when the firing member is in the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10905417
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stapling tissue, a vessel, duct, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. The surgical stapling systems generally include a circular stapling tool with a shaft extending therefrom that has an end effector at a distal end thereof. The end effector can have a staple deck and an anvil. The circular stapling tool can be configured to drive at least two circular rows of staples through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby staple the tissue, and the tool can be configured to drive a knife through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby cut the tissue. The surgical stapling system can also include a control system that is configured to communicate with the circular stapling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10905427
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument, a motorized system, and a control system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw. The surgical instrument further comprises a threaded drive shaft, a firing member drivable by the threaded drive shaft, and a closure system configured to move the second jaw. The motorized system is configured to drive the threaded drive shaft and the closure system. The control system comprises a closure circuit configured to actuate the motorized system to move the second jaw toward a closed position, a firing circuit configured to actuate the motorized system to move the firing member toward a fired position, and an input interface configured to receive inputs from a user. The firing circuit is prevented from being actuated until the second jaw has been placed in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10905421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stapling tissue during surgery are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical stapling system is provided that includes a staple shaft assembly having a staple advancing and forming assembly and a shaft with a plurality of staples, a drive system operably coupled to the staple shaft assembly and operably coupled to at least one motor, and a control system. The drive system can have a plurality of stages of operation that drive the staple advancing and forming assembly to form a staple around tissue. The control system can be configured to actuate the at least one motor to drive the drive system and thereby control movement of the staple advancing and forming assembly and to modify a force applied to the drive system by the at least one motor during at least one stage of operation based on at least one predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Vendely, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10905423
    Abstract: An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Daniel L. Baber, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10905419
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports a plurality of staple-forming pockets, a second elongate member having a distal portion that supports a staple cartridge, and a clamp member movable from an open position to a closed position to releasably clamp the first and second elongate members together. A clamp lockout feature is supported by the first elongate member and is moveable between a lockout position in which the clamp lockout feature prevents closure of the clamp member, and a release position in which the clamp lockout feature permits closure of the clamp member. An actuating feature is supported by the second elongate member and is configured to actuate the clamp lockout feature from the lockout position to the release position in response to approximation of the distal portions of the first and second elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason Jones, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10898256
    Abstract: A method for treating tissue includes applying an energy modality to tissue at an amplitude, measuring tissue impedance of the tissue, modulating application of the energy modality based on the measured tissue impedance, and ceasing application of the energy modality when a termination parameter is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Kristen G. Denzinger, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10898190
    Abstract: A power system, for powering a surgical instrument including an end effector and a motor configured to generate at least one motion to effectuate the end effector, includes a primary power source configured to supply a first power to operate the surgical instrument, wherein the primary power source is detachable from the surgical instrument, a secondary power source configured to supply a second power to operate the surgical instrument when the primary power source is detached from the surgical instrument, wherein the secondary power source is rechargeable, and wherein the primary power source is configured to charge the secondary power system, and a power management circuit configured to selectively transmit the first power from the primary power source and the secondary power from the secondary power source to operate the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Steven G. Hall, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10898187
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. A distal portion of the first elongate member supports an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets. A distal portion of the second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. A firing assembly of the surgical stapler is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge when the first elongate member is clamped against the second elongate member. A retaining assembly of the surgical stapler includes a first retaining member configured to releasably couple a proximal end of the first elongate member with a proximal end of the second elongate member, and a second retaining member configured to releasably retain the firing assembly in the first longitudinal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Jason Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, Brian D. Schings
  • Patent number: 10898259
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, a trigger assembly, an input driving body, and a coupling body. The end effector includes a pair of jaws, a knife, and an RF electrode assembly. The input driving body drives the knife between the pre-fired position and the fired position when traveling between the first position and the second position. The engagement body of the trigger assembly drives the input driving body from the first position to the second position when the coupling body is in the engaged position. The input driving body returns to the first position when the coupling body is in the disengaged position. The coupling body moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position is response to the input driving body traveling from the second position to the third position such that the input driving body returns to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 10898186
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a stapling assembly is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises, among other things, an anvil configured to deform staples. The anvil comprises a tissue-engaging surface and a pair of forming pockets defined in the tissue-engaging surface and aligned along a longitudinal pocket axis, wherein the pair of forming pockets is configured to deform corresponding legs of a staple. The pair of forming pockets comprises a proximal forming pocket and a distal forming pocket. Each pocket comprises a pair of sidewalls extending between the forming surface and the tissue-engaging surface. Each sidewall comprises discrete sidewall portions oriented at different angles with respect to the tissue-engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Zhifan F. Huang
  • Patent number: 10898197
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half having an anvil channel member and a cartridge half having a cartridge channel member. A latching lever is coupled to the cartridge channel member and is pivotable between a closed position in which the lever fixes the anvil channel member relative to the cartridge channel member, and an open position in which the lever permits relative movement between the channel members. A locking member coupled to a proximal portion of the cartridge half is movable between a locked position when the lever is in the closed position and an unlocked position when the lever is in the open position. In the locked position the locking member captures the projection and locks the anvil half proximal portion to the cartridge half proximal portion. In the unlocked position the locking member releases the projection and permits separation of the proximal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason Jones, Michael J. Stokes, Anil K. Nalagatla, Hector Chow, Matthew S. Corbin, Omar J. Vakharia, Wells D. Haberstich
  • Patent number: 10898622
    Abstract: A surgical evacuation system for communication between a smoke evacuation device and a filter device through a communication circuit is provided. The surgical evacuation system can include a smoke evacuation device, which can include a pump and a motor operably coupled to the pump. The surgical evacuation system also can include a communication circuit and a filter device in communication with the smoke evacuation device through the communication circuit. The filter device can include a plurality of filter components including filter elements and filter sensors. The filter elements can include a fluid filter, particulate filter, and/or a charcoal filter. The communication circuit is configured to authenticate the filter components, verify a remaining life of at least one of the filter components, update parameters output from the filter components, and record errors output from the filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Benjamin J. Danziger, Jason L. Harris, Jeffrey L. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 10898184
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Bret W. Smith, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 10898219
    Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Cortney E. Henderson, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cara Shapiro, Kevin D. Felder, Joshua Dean Young
  • Patent number: 10898194
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10898183
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic surgical system is disclosed. The control system includes a control circuit configured to determine a closure force applied to a closure member, determine a position of a firing member, and set a new closure force based on the closure force applied to the closure member and the position of the firing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III, David C. Yates