Patents Examined by Scott A. Smith
  • Patent number: 12213670
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a flex circuit comprising a sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Sudhir B. Patel, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Jason L Harris
  • Patent number: 12213693
    Abstract: A method for attaching a drive rod to a knife includes: forming a knife having proximal and distal ends; forming an aperture within the proximal end of the knife, the aperture including a series of fins disposed therein; weaving a distal end of a knife rod through the series of fins in an alternating manner; and engaging a cap onto the distal end of the knife drive rod to secure the knife drive rod within the aperture of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David D. Brause
  • Patent number: 12213669
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a housing containing a compartment therein, an elongated member extending distally from the housing and first and second jaws. A firing mechanism is positioned within the housing movable to a second position to effect firing of fasteners. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having one or both of a) a first motor and a first engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism; and b) a second motor and a second engagement member removably engageable with an articulating mechanism in the housing of the surgical fastener applier to effect movement of an articulation mechanism to effect articulation. One or both of a firing position and an articulation position are tracked during the surgical procedure. Sensors are provided to detect select parameters and instrument functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: REVMEDICA, INC.
    Inventors: C. Robert Satti, III, Thomas G. Wenchell, Jr., Peter Nielsen
  • Patent number: 12213671
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument and a plurality of power sources is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a motor to drive a firing motion at the end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw from an open position toward a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. The plurality of power sources comprises a first power source removably couplable with the surgical instrument and a second power source removably couplable with the surgical instrument independent of the first power source. The second power source is to maintain power to the motor in absence of the first power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 12208480
    Abstract: Tool bodies, tools and machines for operating the tool include electronic circuits for providing data, collecting data, analyzing data and for controlling machines based on such data. Tool bodies and tools may include electronic circuits having data collecting sensors, which may be embedded in a housing with the electronic circuit and/or positioned outside of such a housing. Sensors include temperature sensors, motion sensors, strain sensors, moisture sensors, electrical resistance sensors, position sensors, antennas, and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: BARON INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Baratta
  • Patent number: 12208499
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a front housing connected to a rear housing. A motor is disposed at least partially in the rear housing. An impulse case is disposed at least partially in the front housing. The impulse case is operably coupled to the motor to receive torque therefrom and be rotated thereby. A first protrusion is provided on an interior surface of the impulse case. A first blade is provided inside the impulse unit and is configured to be impacted by the first protrusion. An output shaft is partially disposed within the impulse unit and partially projects out of the impulse unit. The output shaft is configured to be rotated in response to the first protrusion impacting the first blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 12206350
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor of a tightening tool during a tightening operation, the method comprising: a) controlling the electric motor to run at a first motor speed using a first motor speed setpoint value, b) obtaining a torque or motor current value of the electric motor, c) determining a second motor speed setpoint value lower than or equal to the first motor speed setpoint value, based on an efficiency of the tightening tool at the torque or motor current value and the first motor speed setpoint value, d) setting the second motor speed setpoint value as the first motor speed setpoint value, e) controlling the electric motor to run at a second motor speed using the first motor speed setpoint value after step d), and repeating steps b)-e) until a predetermined motor speed or torque has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventors: Morris Malmgren, Guillermo Bossi
  • Patent number: 12201306
    Abstract: Surgical impact driver adaptors may be connected between a powered surgical instrument and a driven surgical device when performing surgical procedures, such as those involving the implantation of a surgical implant into bone, for example. During surgical procedures, the surgical impact driver adaptors may limit a transfer of a rotational force from the powered surgical instrument to the surgical device until a sufficient axial force is applied to the impact driver adaptor from the powered surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ARTHREX, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Best, Michael Charles Morris, Kenneth T. Helenbolt, Timothy McIntyre
  • Patent number: 12201305
    Abstract: A method for driving an ultrasonic device for bone cement removal and/or osteotomy operations includes the steps of establishing at least a data connection between a control unit and a handset of the ultrasonic device, sending a signal to the handset, receiving from the handset a response to the sent signal, and checking an operating condition of the ultrasonic device based on said response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Orthofix S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Venturini, Mario Donnici, Pieralbino Colombo, Alessandro Finezzo, Gianluca Zandona'
  • Patent number: 12203239
    Abstract: Construction equipment is provided that can include: a transport assembly operably supporting a platform, the platform having a leading edge opposing a rearward edge, the leading edge associated with a first direction of the transport assembly, and the rearward edge associated with a second direction of the transportation assembly; an operator cab above the platform and aligned closer to the leading edge than the rearward edge; an engine above the platform and aligned closer to the rearward edge than the leading edge; and a boom pivotably attached above the platform closer to the rearward edge than the leading edge, the boom being movable between a first position fully extended and a second position fully raised. Utility line pole placement and/or removal construction methods are provided that can include extending an extension assembly having a banana boom from a transport assembly to couple with a utility line pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Inventors: Nathan Bunting, Nate Stephens
  • Patent number: 12201296
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first half having a first elongate member and a surface with staple forming pockets. The stapler also includes a second half for releasably coupling with the first half and including a second elongate member having a distal portion for deploying staples. The elongate members are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis when the halves are releasably coupled. The stapler further includes a latching member for selectively clamping the halves in a clamped state. The stapler also includes a detent member extending laterally from one of the halves toward the other. The stapler further includes a shoulder member positioned on the other of the halves and configured to selectively engage the detent member in response to rotation of the first elongate member away from the second elongate member to an open state in which the elongate members assume a maximum angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, William J. White
  • Patent number: 12193773
    Abstract: An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm, wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: CMR Surgical Limited
    Inventors: Nikki Priyam Su-Ling Phoolchund, Keith Marshall, Thomas Bates Jackson, Jonathan Peter Whittle, Dominic Martin McBrien
  • Patent number: 12193664
    Abstract: A software for driving a motor in a powered surgical stapler can include a pausing monitoring process that may be effective to improve staple form and/or increase localized compression of tissue. The pausing monitoring process monitors firing speed of a firing bar driving by the motor and pauses the motor when the firing speed passes a speed error threshold. Before pausing the motor, the pausing monitoring process may also require that a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal driving the motor has a duty cycle over a duty cycle threshold while the firing speed is beyond the speed error. The pausing monitoring process may force the firing bar through a predetermined distance immediately after pausing. The pausing monitoring process may be limited in the number of pauses that can be taken during a firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 12193665
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a motor, a firing assembly, an end effector, and a control circuit. The motor is activatable to actuate the firing assembly through a firing stroke to staple and sever tissue with the end effector. The control circuit is configured to monitor one or more use metrics of the surgical instrument. Responsive to at least one of the one or more use metrics exceeding a predetermined threshold, the control circuit is further configured to initiate at least one of providing a notification to a user or disabling the firing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, Shane R. Adams, Matthew D. Cowperthwait
  • Patent number: 12193667
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 12178429
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a modular end effector and a housing assembly is disclosed. The modular end effector comprises a closure beam to receive a staple cartridge therein, a rotatable closure driver, a firing bar comprising a knife, and a rotatable firing driver. The closure beam is translatable through a closure stroke based on rotation of the rotatable closure driver, and the firing bar is translatable through a firing stroke based on rotation of the rotatable firing driver. The modular end effector is selectively coupleable to the housing assembly between a coupled configuration and an uncoupled configuration, and the modular end effector comprises a closure actuator and a firing actuator. The rotatable closure driver and the rotatable firing driver are to rotate based on the modular end effector being coupled to the housing assembly and actuation of the closure actuator and the firing actuator, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 12178536
    Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing removably coupled to a tool driver of a robotic surgical system, a shaft extending from the drive housing, an end effector arranged at an end of the shaft, and a computer system. The computer system is programmed to send a command signal to a motor of the tool driver to drive rotation of a drive shaft mounted within the drive housing, monitor torque and rotational motion of the motor with a torque sensor and a rotary encoder, respectively, in communication with the computer system, measure an unexpected change in the torque or the rotational motion of the motor with the torque sensor or the rotary encoder when the surgical tool is manually bailed out by manually rotating the drive shaft and backdriving the motor, report the unexpected change as a bailout signal, and disable the surgical tool once the bailout signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Benjamin Lawrence Bertram, Christopher A. Denzinger, Robert Louis Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12171427
    Abstract: A modular surgical instrument system that comprises modular components and a control circuit electrically couplable to the modular components. The modular components comprise a shaft and a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a disposable outer housing. The disposable outer housing is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The handle assembly further comprises a control inner core receivable inside the disposable outer housing in the open configuration. The disposable outer housing is configured to isolate the control inner core in the closed configuration. The modular components further comprise a loading unit releasably couplable to the shaft and a staple cartridge releasably couplable to an end effector. The loading unit comprises the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ravi C. Patel, Joshua L Liebowitz
  • Patent number: 12167848
    Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an anchor member to a bone of a patient may include a bone punch including an elongate shaft, a head at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, and a piercing tip at a distal end of the elongate shaft. The piercing tip may be configured to be driven into the bone. An anchor member may be disposed over at least a portion of the piercing tip with the piercing tip extending distal of the anchor member. The anchor member may be configured to penetrate the bone of the patient in cooperation with the piercing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Carolyn Marie Krasniak, Cori Grace Pierce
  • Patent number: 12168285
    Abstract: A torque transfer assembly for a bit holder includes an axial movement limiting subassembly and a rotation limiting subassembly. The axial movement limiting subassembly is configured to retain a drive body of the bit holder in proximity to a driven body of the bit holder. The rotation limiting subassembly is configured to cause torque applied to the drive body to be transferred to the driven body. The rotation limiting subassembly includes a first cam body at a distal end of the drive body and a second cam body at a distal end of the driven body. The first and second cam bodies are configured to transfer a majority of the torque between the drive body and the driven body indirectly via the torque transfer assembly by limiting rotation of the first cam body relative to the second cam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Adam D. Fairchild, Kyle M. Neubauer