Patents Examined by Stephen F. Gerrity
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Patent number: 11707275Abstract: An endoscopic stapling device for tissue resection has an asymmetrical tool assembly that delivers a greater number of staples, or rows of staples, to healthy tissue that remains in a patient, and fewer number of staples, or rows of staples, to diseased or damaged tissue to be resected and removed from the patient. The tool assembly includes an asymmetric cartridge assembly and an asymmetric anvil assembly for applying the staples to the resected and healthy tissues. The endoscopic stapling device also includes an asymmetric drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Jacob C. Baril, Saumya Banerjee
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Patent number: 11707278Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that includes a staple array that has a configuration to minimize blood leakage through a staple line formed by the staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: K V S Manoj Kumar Vadali, Sabastian K. George
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Patent number: 11701112Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The base also has at least one top surface parallel to the plane. The staple driver actuator further includes at least one rail extending upwardly from the base. The rail includes at least one first cam surface. The first cam surface is inclined relative to the plane, and the first cam surface is longitudinally aligned with at least a portion of the at least one top surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Anil K. Nalagatla, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Nicholas Fanelli
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Patent number: 11691770Abstract: Disclosed is a method for arranging an edge-protection device on a package. For this purpose, an arranging device is moved from a starting position in the direction of the package. The package edge is sensed by way of a first or a second sensor. Which sensor is to be used is determined by a controller. To this end, the latter checks whether one of the sensors is arranged above the package top side. Also disclosed is an arranging device, which is used in the abovementioned method.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: Martin Spasov, Friedhelm Schulz
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Patent number: 11679904Abstract: A method for automatic joint packaging of at least a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part having different geometries, is provided. The method includes automatically placing a first part on a transport surface with a front side facing in a transport direction and automatically placing a second part on the transport surface with the second part in front of the first part relative to the transport direction. The method further includes automatically transporting the first part and the second part along the transport surface to a packaging device by moving a pushing device into engagement with a rear side of the first part and pushing the first part in the transport direction, wherein the second part is taken along by the front side of the first part pushed by the pushing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: R. Weiss Verpackungstechnik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Georg Spoetta
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Patent number: 11679903Abstract: A method of forming a package includes forming, at a forming station of a packaging machine, a package base in a film so that the package base has a pocket. The method further includes attaching, at a first cover application station of the packaging machine, a first cover layer on the package base so that the first cover layer partially covers the pocket, and so that access to the pocket is provided to position a product in the pocket after the first cover layer has been attached to the package base.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KGInventors: Cem H. Yildirim, Christian J. Uebele
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Patent number: 11678882Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Sarah A. Worthington, Tyler N. Brehm, Bruce Brunson, Jr., Seth D. Holdmeyer
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Patent number: 11673700Abstract: A method for packaging discrete medicaments in pouches in a packaging device includes transporting the elongated web along a web trajectory, printing information on the elongated web related, feeding the discrete medicaments to the elongated web, inspecting the elongated web to determine whether there is a fault related to the elongated web, and in response to a fault being detected, printing a fault indication or a fault symbol on the elongated web, and forming an empty pouch at the position of the fault indication or fault symbol.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.Inventors: Martinus Johannes Donatus Brakkee, Peter van Roon, Aalf Wijnia, Henk Jan Spijkerboer, Cornelis Jan Jochemsen, Martijn Roest
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Patent number: 11672559Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, and a retention cap. The second jaw including an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween. The staple cartridge is configured for receipt within the first jaw. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, a lower tray, and a plurality of staples. The cartridge body and the lower tray are configured to couple together. The retention cap is configured to fasten to a proximal end of the cartridge body and to engage the lower tray. The retention cap is further configured to fix the position of the lower tray relative to the cartridge body.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Gregory G. Scott, Ryan W. McGhee, Patrick M. Schleitweiler, Stephen J. Balek, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Bryan R. Keller, Mollie Casey
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Patent number: 11673701Abstract: The packaging machine comprises a supply unit for holding and providing a plurality of package goods or packaging materials. A display device assigned to the supply unit is configured to display at least one optical marking, which is indicative of a fill level of the supply unit and is different from an alphanumeric display. The at least one optical marking is variably adaptable as a result of at least one process parameter different from the fill level in a way that an assignment of the at least one optical marking to a certain degree of the fill level of the supply unit is changeable. A control unit, which communicates with the display device, is configured to adapt the at least one optical marking as a function of the at least one process parameter different from the fill level.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Markus Schmuker, Harald Mauz
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Patent number: 11673696Abstract: A system for assembling a container and closure comprising an expanding collet which has a plurality of pivoting collet segments, each configured to simultaneously pivot radially outward about a pivot point and comprising. The collet comprises a lip that is engagable with the rim of the open end of the container and an angled tip positioned radially inward from the lip and shaped to press a countersink portion of the closure against an interior wall of the container as the collet segments pivot radially outward. As the container and the chuck are brought together, the rim engages with the lips of the collet segments and causes the angled tips of the collet segments to pivot outward toward the interior wall of the container, thereby pushing the countersink portion of the closure against the interior wall of the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.Inventor: Trevor Price
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Patent number: 11667412Abstract: A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stanley E. Sankaran, Eric Kuo, Kevin M. Conlon, Josh Van Riper
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Patent number: 11667418Abstract: A strapping apparatus for strapping articles with a strapping band having a tensioning device for imparting a band tension to a loop of the strapping band, the tensioning device including a driveable tensioning element provided for engaging the strapping band to impart a band tension. The strapping apparatus including a connecting device for generating a permanent connection, in particular a welded connection, at two regions, situated one above the other, of the loop of the strapping band. The strapping apparatus is configured to achieve the release of the tensioning element from the strapping band reliably to avoid or reduce adverse characteristics attributed to the release of the tensioning device from the band.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2023Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: Mirco Neeser, Dimitrios Takidis, Andreas Keller
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Patent number: 11666330Abstract: A tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly pivotally secured to the cartridge assembly and movable between open and clamped positions. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member, a staple cartridge supported in the channel member, and an actuation sled positioned within the staple cartridge. The actuation sled is movable from a first position to a second position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The tool assembly further includes a drive assembly having a clamping member movable from an initial position to an advanced position to move the actuation sled from the first position to the second position, and a lockout member secured to the channel member and moveable between a relaxed condition and a flexed condition. Movement of the actuation sled from the first position towards the second position causes the lockout member to move to the flexed condition to permit advancement of the drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Kenneth H. Whitfield, Roanit A. Fernandes
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Patent number: 11660091Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, and outer band assembly, and inner band assembly, a trocar assembly, and a seal assembly is disclosed. At least a portion of the outer band assembly is disposed radially within the outer sleeve. At least a portion of the trocar assembly is disposed radially within the inner band assembly. The seal assembly includes a first annular seal and a second annular seal. The first annular seal is disposed radially inward of the outer sleeve and radially outward of the outer band assembly. The second annular seal is disposed radially inward of the outer band assembly and radially outward of the inner band assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Joseph Eisinger, David E. Valentine, Jr., Ramiro D. Cabrera, Stephen R. Paul, Patrick D. Mozdzierz, Jorge L. Boyd, Anthony Sgroi, Jr.
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Patent number: 11661223Abstract: A method for producing a packaging body (51) from a web material that comprises paper, wherein the packaging body (51) comprises an indentation (53) for receiving an item to be packaged, the method comprising: pre-tensioning the web material (14); fixing the web material (14) between a holding-down device (32) and a die (31); molding the indentation (53) in the web material (14); and removing the molded indentation (53) from the die (31).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Syntegon Technology GmbHInventors: Martin Beck, Ruediger Karcher, Hans-Peter Stadel, Ulrich Wieduwilt, Uwe Stroinski
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Patent number: 11660090Abstract: Surgical instruments with axially movable firing members that are driven by a series of drive components that are loosely linked to each other when traversing an articulation joint of the surgical instrument. The drive components are configured to serially engage a rotary drive member located distal to the articulation joint such that the rotary drive member causes the drive components to form an axially rigid series of said drive components configured to apply an axial drive motion to the firing member.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Cllag GmbH InternationalInventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Robert J. Simms, Taylor W. Aronhalt
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Patent number: 11653915Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for use with a staple cartridge including a sled and staples is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument comprises a firing system. The firing system comprising a motor and a driving member operably coupled to the motor. The motor is configured to cause the driving member to advance the sled to deploy the staples into tissue grasped by the surgical stapling instrument. The driving member is movable by the motor along a predefined firing path. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a control circuit that is configured to detect a location of the sled along the firing path, and adjust a motor control program based on the location of the sled.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Nina Mastroianni, Timothy P. O. Moses, Jr., Diana M. Harbach, Nicholas M. Morgan, Austin J. Bridges, Ravi C. Patel, Gregory G. Scott, Jeffery D. Bruns
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Patent number: 11655133Abstract: A cap sterilizer (50) includes an infeed chamber (52), a sterilant atomizing chamber (53), and an air rinse chamber (54). At least the infeed chamber (52) and the air rinse chamber (54) are exhausted. Both an exhaust pressure (E2) in the infeed chamber (52) and an exhaust pressure (E4) in the air rinse chamber are higher than an exhaust pressure (E3) in the sterilant atomizing chamber (53), or the sterilant atomizing chamber (53) is not exhausted.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Masatoshi Takagi, Hitoshi Takaku
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Patent number: 11653919Abstract: An end effector of a surgical stapling apparatus includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly has an anvil body that supports an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress includes a distal alignment band that extends distally beyond the anvil body. The cartridge assembly has a cartridge body that supports a cartridge buttress. The cartridge buttress includes a distal alignment band that extends distally beyond the cartridge body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Sabastian K. George