Patents by Inventor Amy L. Benchek

Amy L. Benchek 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: 11607240
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Benchek, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 11045275
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Phillip H. Clauda, John B. Schulte, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Timothy S. Holland, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black, Kristen G. Denzinger, Amy L. Benchek
  • Publication number: 20190133635
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Benchek, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 10172636
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Benchek, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20170105754
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Phillip H. Clauda, John B. Schulte, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Timothy S. Holland, Ryan M. Asher, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black, Kristen G. Denzinger, Amy L. Benchek
  • Publication number: 20150080924
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Benchek, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner