Patents Examined by Linda J. Hodge
  • Patent number: 11707275
    Abstract: An endoscopic stapling device for tissue resection has an asymmetrical tool assembly that delivers a greater number of staples, or rows of staples, to healthy tissue that remains in a patient, and fewer number of staples, or rows of staples, to diseased or damaged tissue to be resected and removed from the patient. The tool assembly includes an asymmetric cartridge assembly and an asymmetric anvil assembly for applying the staples to the resected and healthy tissues. The endoscopic stapling device also includes an asymmetric drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11701112
    Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The base also has at least one top surface parallel to the plane. The staple driver actuator further includes at least one rail extending upwardly from the base. The rail includes at least one first cam surface. The first cam surface is inclined relative to the plane, and the first cam surface is longitudinally aligned with at least a portion of the at least one top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Anil K. Nalagatla, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Nicholas Fanelli
  • Patent number: 11678882
    Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Sarah A. Worthington, Tyler N. Brehm, Bruce Brunson, Jr., Seth D. Holdmeyer
  • Patent number: 11672559
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, and a retention cap. The second jaw including an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween. The staple cartridge is configured for receipt within the first jaw. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, a lower tray, and a plurality of staples. The cartridge body and the lower tray are configured to couple together. The retention cap is configured to fasten to a proximal end of the cartridge body and to engage the lower tray. The retention cap is further configured to fix the position of the lower tray relative to the cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory G. Scott, Ryan W. McGhee, Patrick M. Schleitweiler, Stephen J. Balek, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Bryan R. Keller, Mollie Casey
  • Patent number: 11666330
    Abstract: A tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly pivotally secured to the cartridge assembly and movable between open and clamped positions. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member, a staple cartridge supported in the channel member, and an actuation sled positioned within the staple cartridge. The actuation sled is movable from a first position to a second position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The tool assembly further includes a drive assembly having a clamping member movable from an initial position to an advanced position to move the actuation sled from the first position to the second position, and a lockout member secured to the channel member and moveable between a relaxed condition and a flexed condition. Movement of the actuation sled from the first position towards the second position causes the lockout member to move to the flexed condition to permit advancement of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roanit A. Fernandes
  • Patent number: 11660091
    Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, and outer band assembly, and inner band assembly, a trocar assembly, and a seal assembly is disclosed. At least a portion of the outer band assembly is disposed radially within the outer sleeve. At least a portion of the trocar assembly is disposed radially within the inner band assembly. The seal assembly includes a first annular seal and a second annular seal. The first annular seal is disposed radially inward of the outer sleeve and radially outward of the outer band assembly. The second annular seal is disposed radially inward of the outer band assembly and radially outward of the inner band assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph Eisinger, David E. Valentine, Jr., Ramiro D. Cabrera, Stephen R. Paul, Patrick D. Mozdzierz, Jorge L. Boyd, Anthony Sgroi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11660090
    Abstract: Surgical instruments with axially movable firing members that are driven by a series of drive components that are loosely linked to each other when traversing an articulation joint of the surgical instrument. The drive components are configured to serially engage a rotary drive member located distal to the articulation joint such that the rotary drive member causes the drive components to form an axially rigid series of said drive components configured to apply an axial drive motion to the firing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Cllag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Robert J. Simms, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 11653915
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for use with a staple cartridge including a sled and staples is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument comprises a firing system. The firing system comprising a motor and a driving member operably coupled to the motor. The motor is configured to cause the driving member to advance the sled to deploy the staples into tissue grasped by the surgical stapling instrument. The driving member is movable by the motor along a predefined firing path. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a control circuit that is configured to detect a location of the sled along the firing path, and adjust a motor control program based on the location of the sled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Nina Mastroianni, Timothy P. O. Moses, Jr., Diana M. Harbach, Nicholas M. Morgan, Austin J. Bridges, Ravi C. Patel, Gregory G. Scott, Jeffery D. Bruns
  • Patent number: 11653919
    Abstract: An end effector of a surgical stapling apparatus includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly has an anvil body that supports an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress includes a distal alignment band that extends distally beyond the anvil body. The cartridge assembly has a cartridge body that supports a cartridge buttress. The cartridge buttress includes a distal alignment band that extends distally beyond the cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Sabastian K. George
  • Patent number: 11642127
    Abstract: End effector position set point correction includes an instrument having an end effector and a control unit. In some embodiments, the control unit actuates the end effector to a first position, determines an actuation level, determines an offset based on the actuation level, adjusts a position set point based on the offset, and actuates the end effector to the adjusted position set point. In some embodiments, the control unit actuates the end effector, determines an actuation level, and determines whether the actuation level is above a threshold. In response to determining that the actuation level is above the threshold, the control unit determines a position of the end effector, identifies a nominal position associated with the determined position, determines an offset based on the nominal position and the determined position, adjusts a position set point based on the offset, and actuates the end effector to the adjusted position set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Amir Chaghajerdi, David W. Weir
  • Patent number: 11633185
    Abstract: End effector position set point adjustment includes an instrument and a control unit. The instrument includes an end effector and a drive mechanism for actuating the end effector. The control unit is configured to actuate the end effector using the drive mechanism, determine an actual position of the end effector, identify an expected position associated with the determined actual position of the end effector, determine a position offset based on the expected position and the determined actual position of the end effector, adjust a position set point based on the position offset, and actuate the end effector to the adjusted position set point using the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Amir Chaghajerdi, David W. Weir
  • Patent number: 11612396
    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: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hardik Kabaria, Farhad Javid
  • Patent number: 11607219
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a firing member and a sled releasably attachable to the firing member is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 11602341
    Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on a cartridge and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having a plurality of drug delivery microstructures formed in the lattice macrostructure, in which each drug delivery microstructure has drug disposed therein. The plurality of drug delivery microstructures are configured to encapsulate the drug to thereby prevent drug release until the plurality of drug delivery microstructures are at least one of thermally ruptured while the adjunct material is stapled to tissue and mechanically ruptured in response to at least one of clamping, stapling, and cutting of the adjunct material. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Heather Strang, Jordan B. Wong
  • Patent number: 11602344
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a loading unit having first and second jaw members, a drive beam, and a firing lockout assembly. The drive beam is axially movable within the loading unit during a firing sequence. The firing sequence includes an advancement stroke which moves the first and second jaw members to an approximated position and a retraction stroke which moves the first and second jaw members to an unapproximated position. The firing lockout assembly includes an iterating plate, a capture gear, and a lockout pin. The iterating plate is disposed adjacent to the drive beam and is incrementally movable proximally within the loading unit during the firing sequence. The capture gear is rotatable between first and second positions during the firing sequence and is configured to move the iterating plate. The lockout pin is configured to lock the drive beam after a pre-determined number of firing sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11576675
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a knife having a cutting blade that is movable between a shielded position and an exposed position in response to advancement of a drive assembly of the stapling device. In aspects of the disclosure, the knife is pivotably coupled to an actuation sled of the cartridge assembly and is biased by a resilient finger on the actuation sled to move the cutting blade to the shielded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 11553913
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes an end effector and an electronics assembly, the end effector having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil and cartridge assemblies are positionable between an open position and a closed position to selectively grasp tissue therebetween. The electronics assembly is supported in the end effector and configured to determine a condition of the grasped tissue based on an amount of current in an electrical circuit defined by the anvil and cartridge assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joseph Eisinger
  • Patent number: 11553912
    Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a stapling assembly of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes at least one rail extending upwardly from the base. The at least one rail includes at least one rail cam surface, and the rail cam surface is inclined relative to the plane. The staple driver actuator further includes a first surface texture on a first portion of the staple driver actuator, and a second surface texture on a second portion of the staple driver actuator. The second surface texture is smoother than the first surface texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Anil K. Nalagatla, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11553914
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly that define longitudinal axes. The drive assembly is movable from a retracted position to move the tool assembly from an open position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies define an acute angle, to a partially clamped position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are substantially parallel, and to a clamped position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams
  • Patent number: 11540826
    Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes a plurality of rails extending upwardly from the base. Each of the plurality of rails includes at least one cam surface, and each of the cam surfaces is inclined relative to the plane. The plurality of rails includes a laterally-opposed pair of outer rails and a laterally-opposed pair of inner rails. The staple driver actuator further includes a distal nose extending distally from at least a portion of the base and having at least one ledge surface. The ledge surface faces upwardly, is parallel to the plane, and is at least partially positioned distally relative to each of the outer and inner rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Anil K. Nalagatla, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, Geoffrey C. Hueil