Patents Examined by Nathaniel Chukwurah
  • Patent number: 10314588
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a cartridge, and a buttress assembly. The end effector includes an anvil and a lower jaw. The anvil is configured to move toward and away from the lower jaw. The lower jaw is configured to receive the cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the staples. The buttress assembly is configured to be attached to either the anvil or the cartridge. The buttress assembly includes an adhesive layer, a film layer, and a buttress body. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to either the anvil or the deck of the cartridge. The adhesive layer is attached to a first side of the film layer. The buttress body is attached to a second side of the film layer such that the film layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the buttress body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Prudence A. Turner, Emily A. Schellin, Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10314582
    Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a drive system comprising a closure drive and a firing drive configured to be selectively driven by a single input. The closure drive is configured to clamp tissue between an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly. The firing drive is configured to cut the tissue by deploying a knife and staple the tissue by ejecting a plurality of staples removably stored within the staple cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Anil K. Nalagatla, Jason L. Harris, Adam D. Hensel
  • Patent number: 10307160
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a jaw member having a slot, a first outer surface on a first side of the slot, and a second outer surface on a second side of the slot opposite the first side. The surgical instrument includes an adjunct assembly having an attachment layer including a first section on the first side of the slot attached to the first outer surface, a second section on the second side of the slot attached to the second outer surface, and an intermediary section extending between the first section and the second section, the intermediary section at least partially bridging the slot. The adjunct assembly further includes a first compressible adjunct on the first side and a second compressible adjunct on the second side, the compressible adjuncts spaced apart, the first section attached to the first compressible adjunct, and the second section attached to the second compressible adjunct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10258337
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an end effector, and a cartridge. The end effector includes a jaw, a pivotable anvil, and a knife member. The cartridge includes a deck, a buttress assembly, and a folding sled. A first portion of the buttress assembly is positioned on top of the deck. A second portion of the buttress assembly is positioned within the longitudinal channel. The folding sled is configured to translate within the longitudinal channel to move the second portion of the buttress assembly to a position that is above the deck in response to actuation of the knife member. The second portion of the buttress assembly is thereby secured against edges of tissue severed by the knife member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Mark S. Zeiner, Nir I. Nativ, Sridevi Dhanaraj
  • Patent number: 10251649
    Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, and a data communication feature. The housing defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler. A portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is positioned on the platform. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The data communication feature is configured to provide communication of data relating to the cartridge. The data communication feature may communicate with a complementary data communication feature of the surgical stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Emily A. Schellin, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J Scheib, Prudence A. Turner, Trevor J. Barton, Steven G. Hall, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 10238388
    Abstract: A buttress assembly is configured to temporarily adhere to a wet surgical stapler end effector. The buttress assembly includes a buttress body and a humidity tolerant adhesive. The adhesive includes a bioabsorbable polymer having a block configuration selected from the group consisting of A-B-A and A-B-C. The A block is a bioabsorbable homopolymer characterized by a glass transition temperature of at least about 0° C., a crystallinity as measured by X-ray diffraction of at least about 30%, and a melting temperature of at least about 50° C. The B block is a bioabsorbable homopolymer or co-polymer that is characterized by a glass transition temperature of at least about ?40° C., a crystallinity as measured by X-ray diffraction of at most about 25%, and 2 a molecular weight of from about 20 to about 80 kDa. The C block is a bioabsorbable hydrophilic homopolymer or co-polymer that is miscible with water at 37° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Vendely, Prudence A. Turner, Jack Donners, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann
  • Patent number: 10238386
    Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes an H-bridge circuit, an electrically resistive element and an electrically inductive element. The H-bridge circuit includes a high side and a low side. The low side of the H-bridge circuit includes first and second switching devices. The electrically resistive element is electrically connected in series with the first switching device. The electrically inductive element is electrically connected to the electrically resistive element. The control system is configured to control a force applied to the drive system based on a current downstream of the electrically resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ETHICON LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Richard L. Leimbach
  • Patent number: 10238391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an interchangeable shaft assembly is disclosed. The interchangeable shaft assembly comprises a shaft portion, an end effector configured to receive a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, a firing assembly movable from a firing home state to deploy the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge, and an articulation assembly movable from an articulation home state to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft portion. The surgical instrument further comprises a housing detachable from the shaft portion, a circuit configured to transmit a home state input signal in response to an action performed to decouple the housing from the shaft portion, and a controller configured to cause the firing assembly to return to the firing home state and the articulation assembly to return to the articulation home state in response to the home state input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Kevin D. Sackett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 10213200
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed technology include a forcipate surgical instrument including a channel at the working end for guiding a scalpel blade during tissue resection. In some implementations, the forceps may also include a scalpel-driven stapling mechanism for sealing the tissue simultaneously with resection via a single scalpel motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Emory University
    Inventors: Denise Sujin Kim, Jacquelyn Borinski, Mohamad Ali Najia, Drew Padilla
  • Patent number: 10206605
    Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 10201364
    Abstract: Various electrical and slip ring connector arrangements configured to facilitate the passage of electrical current and signals between two components that are rotatable relative to each other such as an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly that includes portions that are rotatable relative to fixed mounting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Andrew T. Beckman, Darwin L. Schultz, Shane R. Adams
  • Patent number: 10201363
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument system comprising an end effector, an elongate shaft, a motor-powered closure member, and a motor-powered firing system is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge channel. The cartridge channel is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The motor-powered closure member is moveable between a first position and a second position during a closure stroke. The motor-powered closure member couples the anvil and the channel during the closure stroke. The motor-powered firing system comprises a first flange configured to engage the anvil during a firing stroke, a second flange configured to engage the cartridge channel during the firing stroke, and a rotatable drive screw operable to transmit the firing stroke. The first and second flanges couple the anvil and the channel during the firing stroke. The motor-powered closure member and the motor-powered firing system are separately actuatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10194910
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 10194906
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing robotic surgery. In general, a surgical system is provided including an electromechanical tool with a first mode of operation in which the electromechanical tool mimics movement of a controller, and a second mode of operation in which the tool mirrors movement of the controller. A hybrid surgical device is also provided including an adapter matable to a handle assembly such that the adapter is electronically coupled to a motor of the handle assembly and is configured to communicate with the motor. A robotic laparoscopic surgical device is also provided including a motion sensor configured to sense movement of an electromechanical tool and an electromechanical arm that assists movement of the tool. A robotic surgical device is also provided including an electromechanical driver associated with a trocar and being configured to rotate and to translate a tool disposed through a passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Steven G. Hall
  • Patent number: 10195728
    Abstract: A nail driving machine capable of reducing vibrations is provided. A nail driving machine that strikes a nail to be driven into a workpiece W includes a driver blade that is provided to be capable of moving along an axis and moves in a first direction to strike the nail, a weight that when the driver blade strikes the nail, moves in a second direction reverse to the first direction, and a coil spring that is compressed along the axis to generate a repulsive force before the driver blade strikes the nail and causes the driver blade to move in the first direction to strike the nail due to the repulsive force and causes the weight to move in the second direction due to the repulsive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Tanji
  • Patent number: 10189602
    Abstract: A product tag comprising a sachet portion having a sealed interior, and an elastomer portion bonded to the sachet portion and having an expandable loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 10182819
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge assembly. At least one of the first jaw and the second iaw is movable to compress tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a staple cartridge, a plurality of staples, and a first layer. The staple cartridge includes a deck comprising a plurality of staple cavities. The first layer comprises a composite absorbable material including at least two distinct fibrous materials. The first layer is attached to the first jaw by an attachment system comprised of polyglycolic acid that wraps over the first layer in more than two places. The end effector further comprises a second layer comprising a composite absorbable material including at least two distinct fibrous materials. The second layer is attached to the second jaw in more than two places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10182815
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Christopher Penna, Lee Ann Olson, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth M. Cappola, Thomas R. Hessler, Ernest Aranyi, Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 10182814
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly including a plurality of surgical staples each including a code embedded portion and a first sensor for detecting the position of the surgical staples prior to and during a formation of the staples. The tool assembly further includes an anvil assembly including a second sensor that detects the position of the surgical staples after the formation of the surgical staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gregory Okoniewski
  • Patent number: 10183391
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool, in particular an impact drill driver, has a gearbox assemblage, a hammer impact mechanism, and a tool spindle. The hammer impact mechanism includes a striker that at least partly surrounds the tool spindle in at least one plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Hecht, Heiko Roehm, Tobias Herr