Patents Examined by Michelle Lopez
  • Patent number: 11969869
    Abstract: A drill adapter is fashioned to enable right-angle drilling, incorporating an input drive, an input bearing, an output bearing, and an output drive. The input drive is capable of receiving a hand-held driving tool and the output drive is capable of engaging a fastener. The input bearing, which is driven by the input drive, is operably attached to the output bearing, which drives the output drive. The adapter incorporates a housing to protect the bearings and also has a handle to enable an operator to grasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew P. Martin, Gary R. Martin
  • Patent number: 11963679
    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: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, Kevin R. Doll, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11957372
    Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable. The electromechanical system includes a staple cartridge that includes a knife that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Ernest Aranyi, Paul Scirica
  • Patent number: 11957341
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a channel and a removable assembly in releasable engagement with the channel. The removable assembly includes a cartridge body and a support plate. The cartridge body includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The support plate is configured to mechanically engage the cartridge body and includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The engagement structure of the cartridge body is configured for longitudinal alignment with the engagement structure of the support plate. The engagement structures of the cartridge body and the engagement structure of the support plate are configured to mechanically engage the engagement structure of the channel when the removable assembly is engaged with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Ernie Aranyi, Paul Scirica, William Powers
  • Patent number: 11950776
    Abstract: A surgical instrument equipped with a coupler arrangement for coupling end effectors to an elongated shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. The end effectors may include a pair of jaws in the form of a carrier supporting a surgical staple cartridge and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the carrier in opening and closing directions. The end effector may include an articulation joint that facilitates pivotal travel of the carrier and anvil as a unit relative to the elongated shaft assembly in the same directions in which the anvil is opened and closed relative to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11950777
    Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed, for use with a surgical instrument, having a cartridge body including a proximal end, a distal end, and staple cavities, staples removably stored in said staple cavities, a sled movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject said staples from said staple cavities, a sensor configured to detect the position of said sled; a cartridge control circuit in communication with said sensor; and at least one memory device in communication with said cartridge control circuit, wherein said cartridge control circuit is configured to store data in said at least one memory device regarding operation of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Morgan R. Hunter, Patrick L. Creamer
  • Patent number: 11946328
    Abstract: A down the hole drilling assembly having a drill tube adapter, an elongate casing, a fluid powered piston, a top working chamber, a bottom working chamber, a top sub and an exhaust system, wherein the exhaust system is moveable with respect to the drill string. The top sub includes an exhaust valve arranged for opening and closing the connection between the at least one exhaust passage and the at least one exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventor: Olivier Bruandet
  • Patent number: 11918225
    Abstract: A laparoscopic stapler for stapling tissue is provided for better anastomosis with less leakage. The laparoscopic stapler comprises a staple housing assembly operable to drive staples toward an anvil assembly to perform tissue stapling, wherein the staple housing assembly comprises a pocket for containing bio-glue so that upon tissue stapling, the bio-glue is released and delivered into tissue clamped between the staple housing assembly and the anvil assembly for tissue gluing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Mingyang Qin
  • Patent number: 11918208
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11911028
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11896225
    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: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11890012
    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: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11882987
    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: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael E. Setser, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11877748
    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: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11857181
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11845167
    Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, Jr., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
  • Patent number: 11812962
    Abstract: An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a minimally invasive procedure includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw has a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and an anvil, which has an anvil face positionable on a first side of the anatomical structure. The second jaw has a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a cartridge, which has a cartridge face positionable on a second side of the anatomical structure. The end effector includes a first coupling that couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw; and a second coupling that movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw and includes a rigid link connected to the first jaw and the second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Thompson, Bennie Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols
  • Patent number: 11812960
    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: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 11806855
    Abstract: An electric power tool in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, an impact mechanism, an impact detector, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls a motor current based on a drive duty ratio in a first driving term. The first driving term corresponds to a time period from when the motor is started until impact is detect. The drive duty ratio corresponds to a sum of a basic duty ratio and a proportional duty ratio. The control circuit controls the motor current so that an actual rotational speed of the motor is consistent with a target rotational speed after elapse of the first driving term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Itsuku Kato
  • Patent number: 11806011
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an end effector including a jaw closure actuator which is actuated by an initial stroke of a staple firing drive is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV