Patents by Inventor Aaron C. Voegele

Aaron C. Voegele has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12214224
    Abstract: A generator comprising an interface and a control circuit is disclosed. The interface is to electrically couple to an ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising a switch. The switch is configurable between a first switch state and a second switch state. The control circuit is to provide a continuous drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the first switch state. The control circuit is to provide a pulsed drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the second switch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11998229
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system is disclosed comprising a surgical instrument and a wrench assembly. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly and a body member pivotably coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a first finger grip, an ultrasonic blade, and a waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade. The body member comprises a second finger grip, a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, a first body surface defined on a first side of the body member, and a second body surface defined on a second side of the body member. The wrench assembly comprises a wrench and an adapter operably coupled to the wrench. The adapter comprises a first wrench surface configured to engage the first body surface and a second wrench surface configured to engage the second body surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Karen K. Isaacs, Kenneth S. Kramer, Michael R. Lamping, Ashvani K. Madan, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Eitan T. Wiener, Joseph E. Young
  • Publication number: 20240165429
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Patent number: 11903605
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of assembly with a predetermined alignment includes first and second modular assemblies and an electrical lockout. The first modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector configured to manipulate a tissue. The second modular assembly includes a transducer power circuit and an activation switch electrically connected to the transducer power circuit. The electrical lockout is electrically connected to the transducer power circuit and configured to inhibit the activation switch from powering the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies misaligned from the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in a locked-out state. The electrical lockout is further configured to allow the activation switch to power the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies in the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in an operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Demetrius N. Harris, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr., Ellen Burkart, Geni M. Giannotti, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Stephen M. Leuck, Cameron D. McLain, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amrita S. Sawhney, Aaron C. Voegele, Grace E. Brooks, Fajian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11890491
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11696790
    Abstract: A modular energy system that can include a header module removably couplable to one or more energy modules. The one or more energy modules collectively comprise multiple ports to which a surgical instrument is connectable and are each configured to drive a plurality of energy modalities for the surgical instrument. The header module can comprise a display screen configured to display a user interface. The header module is connectable to a footswitch such that the header module can receive a control signal from the footswitch and can send a control signal to the footswitch. The header module can further comprise configured to assign the footswitch to a particular port and, based on user input received via the user interface, reassign the footswitch to another of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brendan J. Oberkircher, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Ryan M. Asher, Eitan T. Wiener, Joshua Henderson, Benjamin J. Danziger, Grace E. Brooks, Nabeel Jadeed
  • Patent number: 11653926
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil and a stapling head assembly. The anvil defines staple forming pockets. The stapling head assembly includes a body, a coupling member, a firing assembly, and a staple deck. The coupling member is configured to actuate relative to the body to thereby acuate the anvil relative to the body. The firing assembly is configured to drive staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil. The staple deck is defined by an outer arched perimeter and an inner arched perimeter fixed to the body. The staple deck defines staple openings. At least one non-tangential staple opening in the of staple openings extends along a longitudinal axis in a non-tangential relationship with a closest tangent line of the inner arched perimeter or the outer arched perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shannon L. Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, Jeffery Bruns, Ryan W. McGhee, Scott A. Jenkins, Laura S. Downing, John E. Feds, Maxwell T. Rockman, John E. Brady, Ravi Patel, Aaron C. Voegele, Austin J. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20230053080
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil and a stapling head assembly. The anvil defines staple forming pockets. The stapling head assembly includes a body, a coupling member, a firing assembly, and a staple deck. The coupling member is configured to actuate relative to the body to thereby acuate the anvil relative to the body. The firing assembly is configured to drive staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil. The staple deck is defined by an outer arched perimeter and an inner arched perimeter fixed to the body. The staple deck defines staple openings. At least one non-tangential staple opening in the of staple openings extends along a longitudinal axis in a non-tangential relationship with a closest tangent line of the inner arched perimeter or the outer arched perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Shannon L. Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, Jeffery D. Bruns, Ryan W. McGhee, Scott A. Jenkins, Laura A. Downing, John E. Feds, Maxwell T. Rockman, John E. Brady, Ravi C. Patel, Aaron C. Voegele, Austin J. Bridges
  • Patent number: 11389228
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, William D. Dannaher, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Aaron C. Voegele, Timothy P. Lessek, Gavin M. Monson, Barry C. Worrell, Hitesh Jain
  • Patent number: 11337747
    Abstract: A system for use with a surgical instrument includes an end effector, a memory circuit to store computer-executable instructions, and a processor. The end effector comprises a cutting member and a load cell sensor configured to sense a measure of force used to advance the cutting member through captured tissue. The processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to initiate a first treatment cycle, access the measure of force used during the first treatment cycle to advance the cutting member through the captured tissue, determine that the measure of force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generate an alert to a user of the surgical instrument based on the determination that a value of the measure of force exceeds the predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is based on an accumulation of biological material on the cutting member and a normal operational parameter of the first treatment cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Phillip H. Clauda, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark A. Davison, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 11179582
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including a handle including a pivoting handle portion, an end effector configured to treat tissue, a waveguide extending to the end effector, a battery and a vibration generating system selectively operable in a plurality of energizing operating states. The plurality of energizing operating states consists of a first operating state in which a first power is supplied to the end effector and a second operating state in which a second power is supplied to the end effector. The first power is different than the second power. The vibration generating system includes a transducer selectively attachable to the handle and a switch configured to operably switch the vibration generating system between the first operating state and the second operating state. The switch is further configured to operably switch the vibration generating system between the plurality of energizing operating states and a non-energizing operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
  • Publication number: 20210259725
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of assembly with a predetermined alignment includes first and second modular assemblies and an electrical lockout. The first modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector configured to manipulate a tissue. The second modular assembly includes a transducer power circuit and an activation switch electrically connected to the transducer power circuit. The electrical lockout is electrically connected to the transducer power circuit and configured to inhibit the activation switch from powering the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies misaligned from the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in a locked-out state. The electrical lockout is further configured to allow the activation switch to power the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies in the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in an operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Demetrius N. Harris, Carl J. Draginoff, JR., Ellen Burkart, Geni M. Giannotti, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Stephen M. Leuck, Cameron D. McLain, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amrita S. Sawhney, Aaron C. Voegele, Grace E. Brooks, Fajian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11076881
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of assembly with a predetermined alignment includes first and second modular assemblies and an electrical lockout. The first modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector configured to manipulate a tissue. The second modular assembly includes a transducer power circuit and an activation switch electrically connected to the transducer power circuit. The electrical lockout is electrically connected to the transducer power circuit and configured to inhibit the activation switch from powering the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies misaligned from the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in a locked-out state. The electrical lockout is further configured to allow the activation switch to power the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies in the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in an operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Demetrius N. Harris, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr., Ellen Burkart, Geni M. Giannotti, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Stephen M. Leuck, Cameron D. McLain, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amrita S. Sawhney, Aaron C. Voegele, Grace E. Waters, Fajian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210177494
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, William D. Dannaher, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Aaron C. Voegele, Timothy P. Lessek, Gavin M. Monson, Barry C. Worrell, Hitesh Jain
  • Publication number: 20210145473
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective cutting and coagulation required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The apparatus includes two body members having proximal ends and distal ends with jaw members located adjacent the body member's distal ends. The body members are joined at a pivot located adjacent to the first and second jaw members joining the first and second body members where the body members' rotation about the pivot defines a plane of rotation. The scissors are adapted for selective application of energy to at least one jaw member by a switch located in the plane of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Karen K. Isaacs, Kenneth S. Kramer, Michael R. Lamping, Ashvani K. Madan, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Eitan T. Weiner, Joseph E. Young
  • Patent number: 11000707
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Shan Wan
  • Patent number: 10881449
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw member. The first jaw member comprises a first electrode. The first jaw member defines a first aperture at a distal end. The end effector includes a second jaw member. The second jaw member comprises a second electrode. The second jaw member defines a second aperture at a distal end. The second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member. The first and second apertures are configured to define a single aperture when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position. The first and second electrodes are configured to deliver energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Aaron C. Voegele, Charles J. Scheib
  • Patent number: 10856896
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective cutting and coagulation required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The apparatus includes two body members having proximal ends and distal ends with jaw members located adjacent the body member's distal ends. The body members are joined at a pivot located adjacent to the first and second jaw members joining the first and second body members where the body members' rotation about the pivot defines a plane of rotation. The scissors are adapted for selective application of energy to at least one jaw member by a switch located in the plane of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Karen K. Isaacs, Kenneth S. Kramer, Michael R. Lamping, Ashvani K. Madan, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Eitan T. Wiener, Joseph E. Young
  • Patent number: 10709495
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. A surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongate shaft has first and second jaws at a distal end, and the jaws are configured to engage tissue. The surgical device also has a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A drive shaft extends from the handle of the surgical device through the elongate shaft and is coupled to the cutting assembly for moving the cutting assembly. The surgical device has a motorized gear assembly with at least one motor driven gear that is configured to move the drive shaft. The surgical device also has a bailout assembly that is configured to manually move the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Megan A. Broderick, Catherine A. Corbett, Kevin M. Fiebig, Eric N. Johnson, Richard L. Leimbach, David M. Locke, Gavin M. Monson, Rudolph H. Nobis, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Gregory A. Trees, Aaron C. Voegele
  • Publication number: 20200078111
    Abstract: A modular energy system that can include a header module removably couplable to one or more energy modules. The one or more energy modules collectively comprise multiple ports to which a surgical instrument is connectable and are each configured to drive a plurality of energy modalities for the surgical instrument. The header module can comprise a display screen configured to display a user interface. The header module is connectable to a footswitch such that the header module can receive a control signal from the footswitch and can send a control signal to the footswitch. The header module can further comprise configured to assign the footswitch to a particular port and, based on user input received via the user interface, reassign the footswitch to another of the ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Brendan J. Oberkircher, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Ryan M. Asher, Cory G. Kimball, Eitan T. Wiener, Joshua Henderson, Benjamin J. Danziger, Grace E. Brooks, Nabeel Jadeed