Patents Examined by Gloria R. Weeks
  • Patent number: 11666332
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, an end-effector, a cutting member, and a control circuit is disclosed. The housing comprises a motor. The end-effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, an anvil, and a staple cartridge comprising staples, driver elements, and a sled configured to eject the staples toward the anvil. The sled is movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position through a firing stroke. The cutting member is configured to be advanced distally into the sled by the motor. The control circuit is configured to detect the location of the cutting member, monitor a parameter indicative of a load experienced by the cutting member, determine a threshold value of the parameter based on a portion of the firing stroke, and adjust operation of the motor if the monitored parameter exceeds the determined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11661227
    Abstract: A carton sizing system that has a frame, a controller, one or more cutters movably mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the controller, one or more markers movably mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the controller. The carton sizing system also has a measuring means that is operatively connected to the controller and configured to determine, in use, the footprint of an open top carton and to determine the height of one or more objects contained within the carton. The controller is configured to position the one or more cutters based on the determined footprint and to cut vertical edges of the carton based on the determined height and also to position the one or more markers based on the determined footprint and height and to score or crease vertical walls of the carton between the vertical edges to at least partially define foldable panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: WestRock Linkx Systems Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Benterman, David Hayward
  • Patent number: 11653917
    Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory G. Scott, Disha V. Estera, Joseph M. Nath, Ryan J. Laurent, Michael E. Setser, Zhifan F. Huang, Chloe A. Eyers, Robert J. Simms, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Nichole Y. Kwee
  • Patent number: 11653918
    Abstract: A powered surgical stapling assembly comprising a motor, an end effector, a sensor, a display, and a control circuit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw. The sensor is configured to measure a parameter of the tissue clamped within the end effector. The control circuit is configured to monitor the parameter sensed by the sensor and identify when the monitored parameter stabilizes within a stabilization range. The monitored parameter is considered stable when a rate at which the monitored parameter changes falls below a predetermine threshold rate of change. The control circuit is further configured to display to a user when the parameter stabilizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11648680
    Abstract: A protection system and method for cargos in a compartment and a robotic equipment thereof, applied in the field of robotics, are disclosed. The system includes an inflatable mechanism and an airbag. The airbag is used for filling the space between the cargos and/or between the cargos and an inner wall of the compartment. The airbag includes an inlet. The inflatable mechanism is defined on a robot for inflating or deflating the airbag via the inlet. The protection system and method for cargos in a compartment and a robotic equipment thereof can improve the stability of the stacked cargos during the process of the loading and unloading of the cargos, and the stability of the cargos during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11630427
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining an end of life state for an electromechanical surgical system. The system includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function and a shaft assembly being arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with the shaft assembly. The hand-held surgical instrument also includes a motor assembly, a sensor array configured to obtain an operational parameter of the hand-held surgical instrument, and a controller configured to control operation of the hand-held surgical instrument based on the operational parameter obtained by the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Thomas Fitzsimmons, Michelle L. Grasso, Michael D. Ingmanson, Michael A. Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11622785
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples, a first staple driver, a second staple driver, and a third staple driver is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a knife slot and staple cavities defined in the cartridge body and arranged in an inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, a middle longitudinal row of staple cavities, and an outer longitudinal row of staple cavities on one side of the knife slot. The staples are removably stored within the staple cavities. The first staple driver is configured to eject a first quantity of staples from the staple cavities. The second staple driver is configured to eject a second quantity of staples from the staple cavities which is different than the first quantity of staples. The third staple driver is configured to eject a third quantity of staples that is the same as the first quantity of staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11596410
    Abstract: A stapling device includes a shell assembly, an anvil retainer assembly, an anvil assembly, and a strain gauge. The shell assembly includes a housing including an inner housing portion that defines a through bore and supports at least one detection member or leg. The anvil assembly includes an anvil head and an anvil center rod having a boss. The at least one detection leg is positioned to engage the boss of the center rod to obstruct movement of the anvil assembly in relation to the shell assembly between an open position and a clamped position. The strain gauge is positioned to identify increased strain in the stapling device when the at least one detection leg engages the boss. This allows a clinician to confirm that an anvil assembly is properly attached to the stapling device prior to firing of the stapling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph Guerrera
  • Patent number: 11596399
    Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress retention clip coupled to the anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil assembly, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Roanit Fernandes
  • Patent number: 11597068
    Abstract: A power tool (100) comprises a motor (110) operably driving a tool bit (119), a tool body (101) housing the motor (110), a handle (109) coupled to the tool body (101), and at least two battery mount parts (160 A, 160B) defined on the handle (109) and/or the tool body (101). Each of the battery mount parts (160 A, 160B) comprises a battery engaging part (161) configured to detachably engage with battery packs (170 A, 170B) by sliding the battery packs (170 A, 170B) relative to the battery engaging part (161) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tool bit (119). In a state in which at least one of the battery packs (170 A, 170B) is mounted on at least one of the battery mount parts (160 A, 160B), a length of the mounted battery in a driving axis extending direction is shorter than a length of the mounted battery in a cross direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Hajime Takeuchi, Yoshiro Tada, Masanori Furusawa, Masao Miwa, Shinji Onoda, Yoshitaka Machida
  • Patent number: 11584578
    Abstract: A flexible material package (100, 200) is presented comprising a reinforcing element (3) and a first sealed area (103) positioned close to the upper end of the package (100, 200) and preferably configured so as to close the package (100, 200), wherein the reinforcing element (3) is at least partially positioned within the first sealed area (103), the package (100, 200) further comprising gripping means positioned vertically below the reinforcing element (3) and configured so as to be used to support the package (100, 200). A closing method, a filling method and a formation method of the package (100, 200) are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Pietro Crescimbeni
  • Patent number: 11571231
    Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge comprising a cartridge housing and a knife channel is disclosed. The cartridge housing comprises a longitudinal axis. The knife channel is disposed along the longitudinal axis dividing the cartridge housing into a first side and a second side. The surgical staple cartridge further comprises a first, a second, and a third row of staple pockets located on the first side of the cartridge housing. The first, the second, and the third row of staple pockets are aligned parallel to the knife channel. The second row of staple pockets is offset from the first and the third rows of staple pockets along a transverse axis. The surgical staple cartridge further comprises staples removably stored in the first, the second, and the third row of staple pockets. The surgical staple cartridge further comprises a staple driver configured to drive at least four staples from the staple pockets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11564691
    Abstract: A powered circular stapling device (10) includes a transfer switch assembly (90) for a transmission assembly (40) to selectively direct power between clamping and firing mechanisms of the stapling device (10). The transfer switch assembly (90) includes a carriage (92), a worm gear assembly (94), and first and second biasing mechanisms (96). The worm gear assembly (94) is supported on the carriage (92) and movable in relation to the carriage (92) to allow the worm gear assembly (94) to engage with a first or second gear (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40). The biasing mechanisms (96) allow the worm gear assembly (94) to move in relation to the carriage (92) when the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) are misaligned with the gear teeth of one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40), to allow the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) to move into alignment with the gear teeth of the other one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Yanli Wan, Zhaokai Wang, Xiliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11565493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creasing sheets (12) by using a creasing tool (14, 20, 21) cooperating with a counter element (22, 23), comprising the following steps: a creasing plate blank (24?) is provided with at least one creasing projection (26) by plastically deforming the material of the blank (24?) so as to form a creasing plate (24), the creasing plate (24) is mounted to a creasing tool (14, 20, 21), sheets (12) to be provided with at least one crease are advanced through a gap between the creasing tool (14, 20, 21) and the counter element (22, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Roberto Valterio
  • Patent number: 11564683
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to at least one of a first stapling surface or a second stapling surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus includes a contact structure defining a longitudinal axis and an expansion mechanism. The contact structure includes a first contact member configured to support a first portion of the adjunct material and a second contact member movably coupled with the first contact member that is configured to support a second portion of the adjunct material. The first and second contact members are configured to move away from one another in opposing directions to apply the first portion of the adjunct material to the first stapling surface and the second portion of the adjunct material to the second stapling surface. The expansion mechanism is selectively operable to transition the contact structure from a non-expanded state toward the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Patent number: 11559306
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: (a) at least one platform configured to be positioned between opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the at least one platform is configured to transition between a first state and a second state; (b) at least one adjunct element positioned on the at least one platform; (c) at least one detector configured to detect a predetermined portion of the end effector; and (d) a driver configured to selectively transition the at least one platform from the first state to the second state in a direction toward at least one of the first or second jaws when the at least one detector detects the predetermined portion of the end effector for placing the at least one adjunct element in contact with a corresponding surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow, Michael J. Vendely, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11559305
    Abstract: Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Standard Bariatrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Jonathan R. Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Patent number: 11553915
    Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hardik Kabaria, Farhad Javid, David Arthur Kelly, Elliott Baker
  • Patent number: 11540827
    Abstract: A handle assembly of a hand-held surgical instrument includes a motor and an actuation trigger. Clamping and/or stapling tissue may be carried out by actuation of the trigger. The motor may be activated to assist the manual actuation of the trigger. The handle assembly may include distinct gears for effecting discrete functions of an attached end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 11541622
    Abstract: A creasing machine includes a creasing tool, a counter element cooperating with the creasing tool, and a transportation system for advancing sheets through a creasing area between the creasing tool and the counter element, wherein the creasing tool has a creasing plate provided with at least one creasing projection, and wherein the creasing projection on the creasing plate is constituted by a plurality of small, plastically deformed areas which merge into each other so as to form the creasing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Roberto Valterio, Yannick Roulin