Patents Examined by Michelle López
  • Patent number: 11020116
    Abstract: Various exemplary surgical adjuncts with medicants affected by activator materials are provided. In general, an adjunct is provided with at least one medicant that is configured to be activated by an activator material. The adjunct can be delivered to a tissue of a patient, where the adjunct can be implanted. Various activator materials can be configured to activate the at least one medicant retained by the adjunct, the activation causing any one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the at least one medicant can be activated so as to yield at least one of a signal and/or an effect on the adjunct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11020111
    Abstract: An improved method for attaching a sheet-like implant to tissue or bone with a fastener having a first and second arm, and a bridge extending therebetween. Each of the first and second arms include a trunk portion including a longitudinally displaced first and second projections extending in opposite directions within a plane defined by the trunk portions. The method includes forming first and second pilot holes in the tissue or bone using a trocar, receiving the first and second trunk portions within their respective pilot holes, and applying a pullout force on the bridge to create an in-plane torque on each trunk such that the resistance to pullout is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: ROTATION MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer, Rebecca McCarville, Duane Frion
  • Patent number: 11013511
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a housing assembly, a shaft extending from the housing assembly, a closure system, an end effector extending from the shaft, and a rotation system is disclosed. The housing assembly comprises a motor. The end effector is configurable in an unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration. The end effector is moved into the clamped configuration by the closure system. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge and a firing member. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality staples. The firing member is configured to move through the staple cartridge and deploy the plurality of staples. The rotation system is configured to rotate the end effector about a rotation axis when the end effector is in the unclamped configuration and prevent the end effector from rotating about the rotation axis when the end effector is in the clamped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Zhifan F. Huang, Chad P. Boudreaux, Joseph C. Hueil, Dean B. Bruewer, David B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11014209
    Abstract: An adaptor for a dust extractor is provided including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first aperture formed in the top portion of the housing, a second aperture formed in the bottom portion of the housing, and an adaptor catch having a first end and a second end. The adaptor catch is vertically slidable within the housing between a first catch position, where the first end projects through the first aperture, and a second catch position, where the first end is located flush with or inside of the housing. The second end of the adaptor catch is accessible through the second aperture. A first biasing mechanism biases the adaptor catch towards the second catch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Garcia, Arthur Lauer, Stefan Sell
  • Patent number: 11007633
    Abstract: A handheld power tool includes a housing having a handle, a drive motor situated in the housing, and a first interface, the interface being designed to receive pieces of information from at least one second external interface and/or to transmit them to at least one second external interface. The housing has a receptacle opening, the first interface being situated so it is removable in the receptacle opening. Furthermore, the receptacle opening is detachably closable by a cover, the cover locking up the housing toward the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Brennenstuhl, Heiko Roehm
  • Patent number: 10994402
    Abstract: A machine-tool operating device includes at least one operating unit and at least one electronics unit. The at least one operating unit has at least one operating element that is configured to be actuated by an operator and at least one further operating element that is configured to be actuated by an operator. The at least one electronics unit is configured at least for switching at least one energy supply of a drive unit in accordance with actuation of the operating element and of the further operating element. One or more of the operating element and the further operating element are configured as a touch-sensitive electronic operating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelius Boeck, Daniel Barth, Florian Esenwein, Manfred Lutz, Joachim Schadow, Joerg Maute, Joern Stock
  • Patent number: 10987792
    Abstract: An impact tool includes a tubular tool holder, a hammering mechanism, a resistor, and a biasing member. An impact element moves forward and rearward in conjunction with a piston. An intermediate element is housed movable back and forth between the impact element and a tip tool. The intermediate element abuts on a rear end of the tip tool to indirectly transmit a striking force from the impact element to the tip tool in a normal striking. The resistor is configured to abut on at least one of the intermediate element and the tip tool to apply a resistance to a front-rear movement of at least one of the intermediate element and the tip tool in a non-striking state. The biasing member disposed on the tool holder biases the resistor to a side of at least one of the intermediate element and the tip tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Yoshiro Tada, Mizuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10987105
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Frank Maffei, Lee Ann Olson
  • Patent number: 10987107
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge, the anvil assembly is movable in relation to the staple cartridge between spaced and clamped positions. The anvil assembly includes a housing defining a recess and a mesh material positioned within the recess. The staple cartridge includes a body defining a plurality of staple receiving slots. Each of the staple receiving slots supports a staple. The staple receiving slots are aligned with the recess when the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge are in the clamped position such that the plurality of staples are ejected and penetrate into the mesh material when the tool assembly is fired. Each of the plurality of staples includes a backspan and a leg extending from each end of the backspan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Charles R. Kollar, David E. Valentine, Jr., Joseph M. Guerrera
  • Patent number: 10987791
    Abstract: A probe assembly of a nailer has a housing, a probe, and a spring. The housing is mounted around a nozzle of the nailer, and has a cavity and a supporting block protruding in the cavity near a bottom of the cavity. The probe is placed in the cavity, is held on the supporting block, and has a supporting cave recessed in the probe at a position corresponding to the supporting block and having an opening formed in a bottom of the probe. The spring is mounted in the cavity of the housing and disposed between the bottom of the cavity and the bottom of the probe. The probe of the probe assembly can be replaced easily without using any tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Testo Industry Corp.
    Inventors: Hsing-Hua Lee, Ju Shuang Lin
  • Patent number: 10980535
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising a shaft, an end effector, an unspent staple cartridge including staples, an articulation joint, a drive system, a control system, a drive member, a locking system, and a rotatable member is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first iaw and a second iaw movable relative to the first iaw. The drive system is configured to generate a low actuation rate rotary motion during a first operating mode and a high actuation rate rotary motion during a second operating mode. The control system comprises a user interface configured to allow a user to selectively switch between the first and second operating modes. The locking system prevents the advancement of the drive member if the unspent staple cartridge is not correctly seated in the end effector. The rotatable member is operably coupled with the drive system and is in operable engagement with the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10980539
    Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly comprising an implantable adjunct or layer assembly is disclosed. The implantable adjunct comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers has been melted to bond with one or more of the other layers of the implantable adjunct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Vendely, Jerome R. Morgan, Dennis D. Jamiolkowski, Mark S. Zeiner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10959723
    Abstract: A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Lee Ann Olson, Philip Roy, John W. Beardsley, Ralph Stearns, David C. Racenet, Clifford J. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10934041
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a plastic enclosure is provided. The apparatus includes a handle including elements pivotally coupled together at a first end. The apparatus also includes a heating element positioned along an inner surface of an element and connected to a power source where a longitudinal axis of the heating element is oriented parallel with a longitudinal axis of the element. Plastic material including first and second plastic layers is positioned at an interface between the second elements. Upon pivoting the first elements from an open position to a closed position the heating element increases a temperature at the interface to melt the plastic material and form a seal between the first and second plastic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: BCC PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Juli Lank
  • Patent number: 10926397
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes an output spindle and a user guidance unit configured to be actuated by a user. The hand-held power tool further includes a drive unit configured to rotationally drive the output spindle. The drive unit can be changed over between a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation in order to drive the output spindle in the first or second direction of rotation. The power tool further includes a communication interface configured to communicate with the user guidance unit. The communication interface is further configured to receive, from the user guidance unit, changeover instructions for changing over the drive unit between the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation in an application-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Fuchs, Florian Bantle, Juergen Gairing
  • Patent number: 10925599
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle and a shaft attachment assembly attachable to and detachable from the handle is disclosed. The handle comprises a first handle drive system and a second handle drive system. The shaft attachment assembly comprises an end effector, a shaft extending from the end effector, a first shaft assembly drive system, a second shaft assembly drive system, and a coupling portion configured to be attached to the handle. The coupling portion comprises a coupling mechanism configured to operably couple the first handle drive system to the first shaft assembly drive system so that the first handle drive system can be operated to actuate a first surgical function of the end effector and operably couple the second handle drive system to the second shaft assembly drive system so that the second handle drive system can be operated to actuate a second surgical function of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10919136
    Abstract: A driving tool includes a driver, a first moving mechanism and a second moving mechanism. The driver is held to be linearly movable between an initial position and a driving position along a working axis. The first moving mechanism is configured to move the driver from the initial position to the driving position so as to cause the driver to drive a fastener. The second moving mechanism is configured to return the driver from the driving position to the initial position. The second moving mechanism includes an elastic member configured to generate an elastic force according to torsional moment acting around an axis of the elastic member. The elastic member is configured to return the driver to the initial position by the elastic force generated when the torsional moment acts on the elastic member in interlock with a movement of the driver to the driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Akiba
  • Patent number: 10920432
    Abstract: A universal magazine mounts to a hand-operated power tool that will automatically feed a hidden deck board clip to the tool head from a strip of such clips and position the clips one at a time under the power tool's driving mechanism. The strip includes multiple hidden clips separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can be formed of a plastic material and include a locating tab defined on each side of the clip's body and fastener aperture defined in a center of the body. Further, strips can be adapted for manual use and manipulation rather than for use with a power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MN Fastener LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Demuth, Mark T. Reum
  • Patent number: 10918383
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. A tool assembly is supported on a body portion and is articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes an identification assembly in electrical communication with a powered handle assembly. An electrical conductor extends from a connection assembly in the body portion to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth Cappola, Ernie Aranyi