Patents Examined by Michelle López
  • Chip assembly for reusable surgical instruments
    Patent number: 10811816
    Abstract: An improved chip assembly for use in a stapling device includes a housing assembly receivable within a reload assembly. The housing assembly includes a base member defining a cavity and an identification assembly received within the cavity. The chip assembly further includes a plug assembly configured to selectively engage the base member. The plug assembly includes a housing, a wire extending from the housing, a seal member disposed within and extending from a distal end of the housing, and first and second contact members extending through the seal member and from the housing. The seal member is configured to be frictionally received within the base member to secure the plug assembly to the housing assembly in a fluid tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Christopher Penna, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Charlie Kollar, David Valentine, Justin Williams, Patrick Mozdzierz, Stephen Paul, Ramiro Cabrera, Steven Joyce, Joseph Guerrera
  • Device for use in laparoscopic surgery and method of use
    Patent number: 10806446
    Abstract: A medical device and related methods are disclosed. The device has a plurality of telescoping sections and an outer sheath at least partially encapsulating the plurality of telescoping sections. The outer sheath is configured to prevent buckling of the plurality of telescoping sections. A first one of the plurality of telescoping sections has a first notch. A second one of the plurality of telescoping sections has a head portion. The first notch of the first one of the plurality of telescoping sections is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the head portion of the second one of the plurality of telescoping sections. The first one and the second one of the plurality of telescoping sections are slidable relative to each other between and extended setting and a retracted setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Bolder Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Mata, Alan Bachman, Richard N. Granger, Gerald Wheeler, Allison B. Lyle
  • Surgical stapling loading unit having articulating jaws
    Patent number: 10806447
    Abstract: An end effector includes first and second jaw members that are pivotable relative to one another between open and clamped configurations about a pivot axis. The first and second jaw members each define a pivot hole which defines the pivot axis. The first and second jaw members also each define an articulation axis that is orthogonal to the pivot axis and position distal of the pivot axis. The first and second jaw members are articulatable about the articulation axis between straight and fully articulated configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Surgical instrument comprising a staple firing lockout
    Patent number: 10799240
    Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Systems and methods for capping
    Patent number: 10800565
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system uses a physical parameter that occurs during attaching cap to a pharmaceutical container to determine if the cap is properly engaged. The physical parameter may be torque on the cap when placed on the container. An order processing device receives a pharmaceutical order and sends the order to a dispensing device that fills the container with a pharmaceutical in the pharmaceutical order. A cap device is configured to apply the cap the container containing the pharmaceutical from the dispensing device, wherein the cap device is configured to sense the physical parameter, e.g., torque, to the cap when applying the cap to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Tissue stop for surgical instrument
    Patent number: 10786324
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The first jaw member includes an upper tissue-contacting surface and a lower shelf portion. The shelf portion includes a groove disposed therein. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position where a lower portion of the stop member being positioned at least partially within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Buttress assembly for use with surgical stapling device
    Patent number: 10786255
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections includes a staple cartridge component, an anvil component, a knife member, a buttress mount and a buttress member. The staple cartridge component includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil component is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue. The knife member is movable relative to the staple cartridge component. The buttress mount is concentrically disposed at least partially within the lumen of the knife member. The buttress mount includes a plurality of spokes radially extending outward and a plurality of legs detachably secured with an inner wall of the knife member. The buttress member is secured with the plurality of spokes of the buttress mount. The buttress member is concentrically aligned with the plurality of surgical staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Gerald Hodgkinson, Paul Scirica, Sally Carter, Richard Stevenson, Arthur Hislop, Thomas Casasanta
  • Firing member pin angle
    Patent number: 10779823
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The firing member comprises one or more cams configured to position the first jaw relative to the second jaw. In various instances, one of the cams is oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to another cam in order to reduce strain within the cams. In certain instances, at least one of the cams comprises a leading projection and a trailing projection positioned behind the leading projection which are configured to engage the same jaw. The ends of the leading projection and the trailing projection are not attached to one another and can move relative to one another. In some instances, one or more of the cams has a plastically deformable or wearable feature configured to facilitate multiple uses of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David B. Smith, Adam D. Hensel, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris
  • Labeling machine and method of producing multipacks
    Patent number: 10773842
    Abstract: A labeling machine for producing respective multipacks, the multipacks comprising a group of products secured together by a label. The labeling machine includes a conveyor that comprises a conveyor module for forming a group of products from a plurality of individual products and for providing the group of products to a labeling process to produce a multipack of products. The labeling machine includes at least one labeler. The conveyor module comprises at least two conveying units which each conveying unit comprising at least one carrier. The movement of the conveying units may be individually controllable allowing two carriers on different conveying units to cooperate as a fixing unit. A method of producing respective multipacks, which each comprise a group of products, using the labeling machine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Multivac Marking & Inspection GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Austermeier, Hauke Friedhoff
  • Apparatus for sealing secondary battery
    Patent number: 10777840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for sealing a secondary battery. The apparatus comprises: a sealing member thermally fusing and sealing a sealing surface of a pouch in which an electrode assembly is accommodated; and a cooling member cooling the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Kim, Yong Su Choi, Sang Suk Jung, Won Pill Hwang, Cho Long Kim, Yong Kim
  • Apparatus and method for forming a carton
    Patent number: 10766644
    Abstract: An apparatus for faulting a carton containing a group of articles and a method of forming a carton. The apparatus comprises an article positioning system for positioning articles into a plurality of groups of articles and moving the groups of articles along a processing path, a blank handling apparatus for conveying a plurality of carton blanks towards the plurality of groups of articles, and a folding mechanism that is downstream of the blank handling apparatus for folding a portion of the ends of each respective carton blank downwardly around the respective group of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. May, Kelly Ziegler
  • Robotically-controlled motorized surgical instrument with an end effector
    Patent number: 10765425
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising a motorized system configured to generate a low torque rotary motion during a first operating mode and a high torque rotary motion during a second operating mode, a control system configured to switch between the first and second operating modes, an end effector, a drive member, and a rotatable member operably coupled with the motorized system and in operable engagement with the drive member is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The high torque rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member to drive the second iaw toward the clamped position. An opposite rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member in an opposite direction to release the second jaw and allow the second jaw to move toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Thomas W. Huitema, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Tool driver with rotary drives for use in robotic surgery
    Patent number: 10765486
    Abstract: A tool driver for use in robotic surgery includes a base configured to couple to a distal end of a robotic arm, and a tool carriage slidingly engaged with the base and configured to receive a surgical tool. In one variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of linear axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. In another variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of rotary axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. Various sensors, such as a capacitive load cell for measuring axial load, a position sensor for measuring linear position of the guide based on the rotational positions of gears in a gear transmission, and/or a capacitive torque sensor based on differential capacitance, may be included in the tool driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Bajo, Kent Anderson
  • Delivering bioabsorbable fasteners
    Patent number: 10758227
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an actuator, and a plurality of fasteners. The apparatus is for closing two sides of an incision or cut in skin tissue. The actuator moves into and out of the housing. The plurality of the fasteners are within the housing, and the apparatus is operable to deliver one fastener at a time into each of the two sides of the incision or cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Opus KSD Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Rogers, Eduard U. Milea
  • Surgical instrument comprising improved jaw control
    Patent number: 10758229
    Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed which comprise improved jaw control. In at least one instance, a surgical instrument is configured to apply an increased clamping force at a distal tip of the instrument. In at least one instance, a surgical instrument is configured to quickly open, or unclamp, a jaw of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris
  • Fluid driven jarring device
    Patent number: 10760365
    Abstract: The disclosed jarring device generates two jarring impacts at the end points of a reciprocating hammer assembly. Initially, flow of pressurized fluid through the jarring device is obstructed by a deformable member. The resulting increase in fluid pressure upstream of the deformable member causes compression of a spring and downstream movement of the hammer assembly to generate a first jarring impact. A further increase in fluid pressure beyond a threshold, causes a release of the obstruction by either deforming the member or by slicing it by pushing it through a slicer. Releasing of the obstruction causes decompression of the spring, and upstream sliding of the hammer assembly to generate a second jarring impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Jason Swinford
  • Fuel gas-operated drive-in device having valve component
    Patent number: 10759032
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive-in device comprising a drive-in piston guided in a cylinder for driving a nail component into a work piece, a combustion chamber arranged on the drive-in piston, and which can be filled with an incendive gas mixture, a charge component for producing an over-pressure of the gas mixture, and a touch component for recognising a pressing of the drive-in device on a work piece, wherein the combustion chamber is connected to an outer space via a valve component, wherein the valve component is controlled in accordance with a position of the touch component, such that, in the event of a non-ignition, the over-pressure of the gas mixture can escape via the valve component after a removal of the drive-in device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dominik Schmidt, Tilo Dittrich, Peter Bruggmueller, Norbert Heeb
  • Surgical instrument with primary and safety processors
    Patent number: 10758230
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a motor operably coupled to a firing member, wherein the motor is configured to generate at least one rotational motion to motivate the firing member to cause staples to be deployed during a firing stroke. The surgical instrument includes a primary processor configured to determine a first acceleration of the firing member during the firing stroke, and compare the first acceleration to predetermined threshold acceleration. The surgical instrument also includes a secondary processor configured to determine a second acceleration of the firing member during the firing stroke, and compare the second acceleration to the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Sealed adapters for use with electromechanical surgical instruments
    Patent number: 10743874
    Abstract: An adapter for use with an electromechanical surgical instrument. The adapter includes an elongate shaft assembly that has a distal end that is configured to be coupled to a surgical end effector and a proximal end that is coupled to an adapter housing assembly that is configured to be operably coupled to the electromechanical surgical instrument. The adapter includes seal arrangements for preventing fluid and debris entering through a distal end of the shaft assembly from reaching an electrical assembly supported in the adapter housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Jordan B. Wong
  • Robotically-driven surgical instrument including a drive system
    Patent number: 10736634
    Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. Various embodiments are configured to be operably attached to a robotic system to receive actuation/control motions therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, Kevin R. Doll, Jerome R. Morgan