Patents by Inventor Andreas N. Ward

Andreas N. Ward 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: 12239407
    Abstract: A surgical computing system may receive usage data associated with movement of a surgical instrument and user inputs to the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may receive motion and biomarker sensor data from sensing systems applied to the operator of the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may determine, based on at least one of the usage data and/or the sensor data, a control feature for implementation by the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may communicate the determined control feature(s) to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may modify its operation based on the control features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Chad E. Eckert, Andrèas N Ward
  • Patent number: 12114882
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw actuatable between an open and closed position, a buttress assembly having a compressible material, and a fastener assembly associated with the second jaw. The fastener assembly and the buttress assembly may cooperatively grasp tissue while the first and second jaws are in the closed position. The fastener assembly includes a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners each housed within a respective opening of the plurality of openings. Each fastener can actuate out of the respective opening and into the buttress assembly. Each fastener includes a first leg having a piercing tip, and an attachment feature associated with the first leg. The attachment feature can engage the buttress assembly to couple the first leg with the buttress assembly without bending a portion of the first leg associated with the piercing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Jason M. Rector, Shannon L. Jones, Andréas N. Ward, Adam D. Hensel
  • Publication number: 20240260961
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a stapling assembly and an anvil. The stapling assembly includes first and second staples. Each of the first and second staples include first legs. The anvil together with the stapling assembly is configured to clamp tissue of a patient. The anvil includes a first staple forming pocket that is configured to transition the first legs of the first and second staples from a non-deformed state to a deformed state with the same firing stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20240225643
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason D. Jones, Andrew C. Deck, Ryan J. Laurent, Bradley A. Arnold, Andréas N. Ward
  • Patent number: 12004744
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a stapling assembly and an anvil. The stapling assembly includes first and second staples. Each of the first and second staples include first legs. The anvil together with the stapling assembly is configured to clamp tissue of a patient. The anvil includes a first staple forming pocket that is configured to transition the first legs of the first and second staples from a non-deformed state to a deformed state with the same firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Andréas N. Ward
  • Patent number: 11957340
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason D. Jones, Andrew C. Deck, Ryan J. Laurent, Bradley A. Arnold, Andréas N. Ward
  • Patent number: 11890010
    Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge configured to interface with an end effector of a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The buttress applier cartridge includes a first loading region configured to interface with an anvil of the end effector and a second loading region configured to interface with an elongate channel of the end effector. The first loading region includes a first absorbable layer and a loading assembly for securing the first absorbable layer to the anvil as the anvil approaches the first absorbable layer. The second loading region includes a staple cartridge removably coupled to the buttress applier cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a deck and a second absorbable layer positioned on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cllag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, John E. Brady, Andréas N. Ward, Nicholas M. Morgan, Diana M. Harbach, David L. Hamann
  • Publication number: 20230301656
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw, a firing assembly, a first buttress assembly, and a second buttress assembly. The first and second jaw actuate relative to each other between an open and closed position to grasp tissue. The second jaw includes a fastening assembly having a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners housed within the openings. The firing assembly drives the plurality of fasteners out of the plurality of openings against a plurality of fastening forming features of the first jaw. The first buttress assembly and the second buttress assembly are associated with the first and second jaw, respectively. The first buttress assembly includes a first material and a first thickness. The second buttress assembly includes a second material and a second thickness. The first material and the second material differ in rigidity. The first thickness and the second thickness are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Vendely, Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Andréas N. Ward, Adam D. Hensel
  • Publication number: 20230301675
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw actuatable between an open and closed position, a buttress assembly having a compressible material, and a fastener assembly associated with the second jaw. The fastener assembly and the buttress assembly may cooperatively grasp tissue while the first and second jaws are in the closed position. The fastener assembly includes a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners each housed within a respective opening of the plurality of openings. Each fastener can actuate out of the respective opening and into the buttress assembly. Each fastener includes a first leg having a piercing tip, and an attachment feature associated with the first leg. The attachment feature can engage the buttress assembly to couple the first leg with the buttress assembly without bending a portion of the first leg associated with the piercing tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Jason M. Rector, Shannon L. Jones, Andréas N. Ward, Adam D. Hensel
  • Publication number: 20230108568
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a stapling assembly and an anvil. The stapling assembly includes first and second staples. Each of the first and second staples include first legs. The anvil together with the stapling assembly is configured to clamp tissue of a patient. The anvil includes a first staple forming pocket that is configured to transition the first legs of the first and second staples from a non-deformed state to a deformed state with the same firing stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220240869
    Abstract: A computing system for measuring and monitoring patient biomarkers for detecting or predicting a post-surgical hysterectomy complication may be provided. A post-surgical hysterectomy complication may be predicted or detected by comparing measured/processed patient biomarker data with a corresponding determined threshold value. The comparison of the measured/processed patient biomarker data and the corresponding threshold may be performed in association with a context. The context may be based on at least one of a hysterectomy surgery recovery timeline, at least one situational attribute, or at least one environmental attribute. A notification message associated with a predicted or detected post-surgical hysterectomy complication may be sent (e.g., sent in real time) to a patient device or a healthcare provider's device. The notification message may be supplemented by a severity level message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad Edward Eckert, Demetrius Harris, Andréas N. Ward, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20220233267
    Abstract: A surgical computing system may receive usage data associated with movement of a surgical instrument and user inputs to the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may receive motion and biomarker sensor data from sensing systems applied to the operator of the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may determine, based on at least one of the usage data and/or the sensor data, a control feature for implementation by the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may communicate the determined control feature(s) to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may modify its operation based on the control features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Chad Edward Eckert, Andreas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220233119
    Abstract: A surgical computing system may receive usage data associated with movement of a surgical instrument and user inputs to the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may receive motion and/or biomarker sensor data from sensing systems applied to the operator of the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may determine, based on at least one of the usage data and/or the sensor data, a control feature for implementation by the surgical instrument. The surgical computing system may communicate the determined control feature(s) to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may modify its operation based on the control features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Demetrius Harris, Jason L. Harris, Chad Edward Eckert, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220233136
    Abstract: A computing system for measuring and monitoring patient biomarkers for detecting or predicting a post-surgical colorectal complication may be provided. A post-surgical colorectal complication may be predicted or detected by comparing measured/processed patient biomarker data with a corresponding determined threshold value. The comparison of the measured/processed patient biomarker data and the corresponding threshold may be performed in association with a context. The context may be based on at least one of a colorectal surgery recovery timeline, at least one situational attribute, or at least one environmental attribute. A notification message associated with a predicted or detected post-surgical colorectal complication may be sent (e.g., sent in real time) to a patient device or a healthcare provider's device. The notification message may be supplemented by a severity level message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad Edward Eckert, Jason L. Harris, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220202418
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason D. Jones, Andrew C. Deck, Ryan J. Laurent, Bradley A. Arnold, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220167981
    Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge configured to interface with an end effector of a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The buttress applier cartridge includes a first loading region configured to interface with an anvil of the end effector and a second loading region configured to interface with an elongate channel of the end effector. The first loading region includes a first absorbable layer and a loading assembly for securing the first absorbable layer to the anvil as the anvil approaches the first absorbable layer. The second loading region includes a staple cartridge removably coupled to the buttress applier cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a deck and a second absorbable layer positioned on the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, John E. Brady, Andréas N. Ward, Nicholas M. Morgan, Diana M. Harbach, David L. Hamann
  • Patent number: 11219454
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason D. Jones, Andrew C. Deck, Ryan J. Laurent, Bradley A. Arnold, Andréas N. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210369271
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, Jason D. Jones, Andrew C. Deck, Ryan J. Laurent, Bradley A. Arnold, Andréas N. Ward