Patents Examined by Stephen F. Gerrity
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Patent number: 11337695Abstract: The present invention discloses a staple cartridge assembly and a medical stapler using the staple cartridge assembly. A first jaw is provided with a limiting portion; a cutter is provided with a securing portion; when a firing block is located at a proximal end of a staple cartridge assembly, a cutting push rod drives the cutter and the firing block together to move; when the firing block is located at the distal end of the staple cartridge assembly, a driving mechanism drives the cutter and the first jaw to move relative to each other; and the limiting portion and the securing portion resist against each other to restrict the cutter from continuing moving toward the distal end of the staple cartridge assembly. As a result, doctors can be effectively prevented from closing the stapler when the replacement of the fired staple cartridge assembly is not completed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO., LTD.Inventors: Yanping Ye, Tuo Shu
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Patent number: 11340600Abstract: A method for operating a packaging machine having at least one electric drive motor, the drive motor driving at least one functional unit of the packaging machine in a program-controlled manner when producing packaging using the following steps: (a) loading a parameter set into the control of the packaging machine, the parameter set containing at least one load parameter which limits the torque or the current consumption of the drive motor to a maximum when producing packaging; (b) operating the packaging machine for producing packaging, the maximally occurring actual value of the torque mustered at the drive motor or the current consumed by the drive motor being measured during operation; (c) determining a new load parameter as a function of the maximum actual value; (d) saving the new load parameter in a parameter set allocated to the packaging to be produced.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: ROVEMA GMBHInventors: Volker Dersch, Peter Trepke
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Patent number: 11337699Abstract: Surgical stapling apparatuses have a surgical buttress attached thereto. The surgical buttress includes an elongate rectangular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and opposing lateral sides running along the elongate rectangular body from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Magnesium is on a surface and/or in pores of the surgical buttress.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Eric J. Taylor
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Patent number: 11317912Abstract: A surgical stapler that includes a body, a shaft extending from the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw; a second jaw opposed from the first jaw, and a tip member. The first and second jaws are operable to transition from an open state to a closed state to clamp tissue therebetween. The tip member is coupled with a distal end of the first jaw. The tip member is selectively rotatable along a rotation axis to toggle between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is configured to assume a first orientation relative to the second jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is configured to assume a second orientation relative to the second jaw.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Scott A. Jenkins, Jeffery D. Bruns, Robert J. Simms
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Patent number: 11319097Abstract: A novel lower tool enables a packaging machine having a molding station with a trough to be used to produce skin packaging having a flat base plate. The lower tool includes a body base and a flat upper surface and is arranged in the molding station of the packaging machine such that the flat upper surface of the lower tool covers the trough. The lower tool fits detachably into a lower tool holder of the packaging machine. During the packaging production, the flat upper surface supports the flat base plate of the packaging. Suction applied via a passage through the flat upper surface is used to hold the flat base plate onto the flat upper surface. The lower tool is a means for converting the packaging machine from producing a first type of packaging having a trough-shaped carrier into producing a second type of packaging that has a flat carrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Buergofol GmbHInventor: Christian Huber
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Patent number: 11317911Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member that includes structure for releasably engaging the anvil assembly to allow for separation of the entire cartridge assembly from the anvil assembly after each use of the stapling device.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Justin Williams, David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
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Patent number: 11312515Abstract: A medicine packaging apparatus configured to package medicine based on prescription data, including: a feeder configured to feed solid medicine; a storage configured to temporarily store the solid medicine fed from the feeder; and a packaging unit configured to package the solid medicine discharged from the storage, wherein the storage includes: a plurality of storage containers; a holding table configured to hold the plurality of storage containers so as to be individually detachable; and a drive unit configured to drive the holding table to move so that each of the plurality of storage containers held by the holding table is moved between an introduction position where the solid medicine is introduced from the feeder and a discharge position where the solid medicine is discharged to the packaging unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Takazono Technology IncorporatedInventor: Takayuki Fujii
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Patent number: 11312517Abstract: An assembly for forming bags, having a belt drive for feeding a film at a film speed to a former shoulder to form a tubular film, a set of jaws movable at a jaw speed to engage and seal a tubular film to form a closed bag, and a sensor assembly to provide a volume signal indicative of a volume of the closed bag, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the film speed and the jaw speed in response to the volume signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: TNA Australia Pty LimitedInventors: Brian Pearson, Andre Tombuelt
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Patent number: 11311293Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Thomas M. B. Roberts, Timothy M. Hopkins, Quinton A. Quintana
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Patent number: 11304697Abstract: An apparatus that includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tip. The second jaw includes an anvil. At least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is configured to move relative to the other of the first jaw or the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The tip is connected with the anvil. The tip includes a deformable member. The tip is movable relative to the anvil between first and second discrete positions using the deformable member. The tip remains in the first discrete position located closer toward the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by an external input force. The tip remains in the second discrete position that is located further from the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by the external input force.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Bret W. Smith, Robert J. Simms, Scott A. Jenkins, Matthew S. Corbin, Cory G. Kimball
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Patent number: 11305908Abstract: A tablet counter and packaging module including a rotary disc with tablet apertures spaced thereabout, the tablet apertures configured to receive a tablet; a negative pressure system configured to retain the tablets in the tablet apertures; ejection devices to selectively eject one or more of the tablets from the corresponding tablet apertures; a plurality of ejection receptacles configured to collect the tablets ejected by the ejection devices; an inspection system operably engaged with the rotary disc and at least one of the ejection devices, the inspection system being configured to analyze tablets retained within the tablet apertures to determine if one or more tablet characteristics associated with the tablet; and the ejection devices configured to eject the tablet from a tablet aperture based on the determined at least one tablet characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Burkett, Jr., William F. Clukey, Jr., Vincent E. Holley, John A. Winters
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Patent number: 11299308Abstract: An electronic product packaging system includes a robot on which a vacuum suction device adapted to pick up a packaging box and a gripper adapted to grab an electronic product are disposed, a packaging box loading platform adapted to load a pile of a plurality of the packaging boxes stacked together, a product loading device having a loading groove adapted to load a row of a plurality of the electronic products, and a packaging platform carrying the electronic products and the packaging boxes. The robot is configured to pick up the packaging box from the packaging box loading platform and place the packaging box on the packaging platform with the vacuum suction device. The robot is configured to grab the electronic product from the product loading device and place and pack the electronic product into the packaging box on the packaging platform with the gripper.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignees: TE Connectivity Services GmbH, Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.Inventors: Jian Cao, Lvhai Hu, Dandan Zhang, Fengchun Xie, Yun Liu, Yingcong Deng, Xiaochen Yu, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu
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Patent number: 11298463Abstract: An injector may include a container having a wall with an interior surface and a seal assembly with an interior surface, the interior surfaces of the wall and the seal assembly defining a closed sterile reservoir filled with a drug product. The injector may also include a fluid delivery system comprising a clean, unsheathed, rigid container needle having a point disposed only partially through the seal assembly in a storage state, and disposed through the interior surface of the seal assembly into the sterile reservoir in a delivery state. Further, the injection may include an actuator that is adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: AMGEN INC.Inventors: Francisca Tan-Malecki, Ronald Forster, Scott M. Nunn, Mark D. Holt, Son C. Tran, Sheldon Moberg
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Patent number: 11292642Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods provided herein are useful for dispensing a fluid, such as a thixotropic fluid. In some embodiments, a bottle having a closure cap includes a flip top, a base, and a disk, where the base and disk define a mixing chamber configured to facilitate mixing of any serum or liquid separated from the fluid back therein. In some configurations, the base has a central opening through which the fluid exits and an internal shaft with a non-planar end surface opposite the central opening. In some configurations, the non-planar end surface and the disk define channels between the mixing chamber and the internal shaft. In some embodiments, the disk includes a central opening, a plurality of partial annular openings through a planar surface of the disk, and projections extending into the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: H. J. Heinz Company Brands LLCInventors: Balint Hiltser, Guus Lueb, Thomas Cox, Jamie Fox
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Patent number: 11291445Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes an authentication ramp that extends from a proximal end of the cartridge body and defines a ramp axis that is transverse to an axis of the cartridge. The authentication ramp is aligned with a sled cavity in the cartridge and comprises first and second cam surfaces that are configured to move a lockout of the surgical stapling device in a direction away from the cartridge axis upon contact therewith when the staple cartridge is seated into the surgical stapling device.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 11291444Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first jaw lockout of the stapling device that is configured to prevent the jaws of the stapling device from closing. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent a firing member of the stapling device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in one of the jaws.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Gregory J. Bakos, Richard W. Timm, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 11286076Abstract: A system for contained sterile/aseptic transfer of materials comprises a coupler assembly (6) including an active valve assembly (9) having an active valve and docking part and a passive valve assembly (7) which comprises a passive valve and a complimentary docking part, the two docking parts enabling the two valve assemblies to be secured together in a first position with a void formed between the two facing surfaces of the closed valves. A sterilisation device (20) including a UV emitter assembly is arranged to emit UV light into the void such that the exposed outer surfaces of at least the passive valve and active valve are exposed to UV light emitted by the emitter assembly after the two docking parts are secured together in the first position, and prior to moving of the passive/active valve to a second position where material may transfer through the opened valves.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Ezi-Dock Systems LimitedInventors: Stephen Thomas McAleavy, Michael Ronald Brimson
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Patent number: 11289181Abstract: A system comprising a staging area and a packing area. The staging area may include a plurality of staging bins and a shuttle moveable along the plurality of staging bins. A staging bin of the plurality of staging bins may be configured to selectively retain a component of an order therein. Such staging bin may be configured to selectively release the component to the shuttle. The packing area may include a slide, a scanner, and a wrap seal conveyor. The shuttle may be configured to release the component onto the slide, and the scanner may be operable to scan and verify the component during placement of the component onto the wrap seal conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Robert E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 11284893Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a mounting assembly that is pivotably supported on a distal portion of a housing about a pivot axis and movable between a non-articulated position and an articulated position. A drive assembly includes a flexible body having a working end and an articulation assembly includes an active articulation link that is coupled to the mounting assembly and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position to pivot the mounting assembly about the pivot axis. A gate assembly defines a channel that receives the flexible body of the drive assembly. The active articulation link is positioned to engage the gate assembly when the active articulation link moves between its retracted and advanced positions to move the gate assembly to a position to increase the bending radius of the flexible body of the drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Stanislaw Kostrzewski, John Beardsley
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Patent number: 11286068Abstract: The packaging machine includes a wrapping tunnel, adapted to form a tube of plastic film around a group of articles and a feed conveyor adapted to feed articles to be packaged toward the wrapping tunnel. An elevator is positioned between the feed conveyor and the wrapping tunnel, and is movable vertically from a lower position, to receive articles coming from the feed conveyor, to a higher height, to transfer articles to the wrapping tunnel. A pusher is arranged to push articles to be packaged from the elevator into the wrapping tunnel. An auxiliary conveyor is also provided between the feed conveyor and the elevator. An upender is associated with the auxiliary conveyor, adapted to be arranged selectively in an active position, to co-act with the auxiliary conveyor to upend articles coming from the feed conveyor and transfer them toward the elevator, and in a deactivated position.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.Inventors: Fabio Pattuzzi, Luca Antoniazzi, Moreno Cremonini, Daniele Bolognesi
