Patents by Inventor Andrew C. Deck

Andrew C. Deck 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).

  • Publication number: 20210038223
    Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Brian D. Schings, William J. White, Jason D. Jones, Carol J. Wynn, Anil K. Nalagatla, Andrew C. Deck
  • Patent number: 10898187
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. A distal portion of the first elongate member supports an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets. A distal portion of the second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. A firing assembly of the surgical stapler is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge when the first elongate member is clamped against the second elongate member. A retaining assembly of the surgical stapler includes a first retaining member configured to releasably couple a proximal end of the first elongate member with a proximal end of the second elongate member, and a second retaining member configured to releasably retain the firing assembly in the first longitudinal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Jason Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, Brian D. Schings
  • Patent number: 10856864
    Abstract: A needle cartridge for a surgical suturing instrument includes a cartridge body, a track extending through the cartridge body and defining a circular path, an arcuate needle movably positioned within the track, and a suture thread extending from the arcuate needle. A needle driver operatively connects to the cartridge body and the arcuate needle. The needle driver is configured to orbit the arcuate needle along the circular path. A needle cover is secured to the cartridge body. A clearance channel extends through at least a portion of the cartridge body along the track in communication with the track such that the clearance channel at least partially defines a suture path. The suture path is configured to receive the suture thread extending from the trailing end of the arcuate needle as the arcuate needle moves along the circular path thereby inhibiting the suture thread from obstructing movement of the arcuate needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Andrew C. Deck
  • Patent number: 10709438
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes cartridge receiving assembly, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The cartridge receiving assembly is operable to receive a needle driving cartridge. The shaft assembly includes a first actuation member that is operable to actuate the cartridge receiving assembly to thereby drive a needle from a needle driving cartridge received in the cartridge receiving assembly. The interface assembly includes a base and a plurality of drive shafts extending upwardly from the base. The drive shafts extend along respective axes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The drive shafts are rotatable independently relative to each other. A first drive shaft of the plurality of drive shafts is operable to drive the first actuation member. The interface assembly is configured to couple with a robotic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Christopher J. Hess, William J. White, Daniel J. Mumaw, Andrew C. Deck, Daniel L. Geiger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10709437
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Daniel J. Mumaw, Daniel L. Geiger, Andrew C. Deck, Mark J. Bookbinder, Richard P. Fuchs, Michael D. Cronin, William J. White, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20200046350
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. A distal portion of the first elongate member supports an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets. A distal portion of the second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. A firing assembly of the surgical stapler is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge when the first elongate member is clamped against the second elongate member. A retaining assembly of the surgical stapler includes a first retaining member configured to releasably couple a proximal end of the first elongate member with a proximal end of the second elongate member, and a second retaining member configured to releasably retain the firing assembly in the first longitudinal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Jason Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, Brian D. Schings
  • Publication number: 20200046353
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports an anvil surface, and a second elongate member having a distal portion configured to receive a staple cartridge. The stapler further includes a pin rotatably coupled with the first elongate member, and a clamp member movably coupled with the second elongate member. The clamp member is operable to releasably capture the pin to thereby clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The pin is configured to rotate relative to the first elongate member in response to being captured by the clamp member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Brian D. Schings, Jason Jones, Gregory J. Bakos, David K. Norvell, Christopher J. Schall, Joshua Uth
  • Patent number: 10537322
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, a suture cartridge, and a cage securement. The suture cartridge is configured to be received within the cartridge receiving assembly and has a cartridge body, a needle, a drive assembly, and a cage. The cage is movably secured to the cartridge body to selectively move relative to the cartridge body from a closed position to an opened position. In the closed position, the cage is configured to contain the needle within the cartridge body. In the opened position, the cage is configured such that the needle is removable from the cartridge body. The cage securement is configured to move from a first position to a second position to inhibit movement of the cage from the closed position toward the opened position, yet release movement of the cage for selectively moving the cage to the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Daniel J. Mumaw, William J. White, Andrew C. Deck, James G. Lee, Michael D. Cronin, Alexandra Monnin, J. Bernar Ogzewalla, Daniel L. Geiger
  • Publication number: 20190388088
    Abstract: A needle cartridge for a surgical suturing instrument includes a cartridge body, a track extending through the cartridge body and defining a circular path, an arcuate needle movably positioned within the track, and a suture thread extending from the arcuate needle. A needle driver operatively connects to the cartridge body and the arcuate needle. The needle driver is configured to orbit the arcuate needle along the circular path. A needle cover is secured to the cartridge body. A clearance channel extends through at least a portion of the cartridge body along the track in communication with the track such that the clearance channel at least partially defines a suture path. The suture path is configured to receive the suture thread extending from the trailing end of the arcuate needle as the arcuate needle moves along the circular path thereby inhibiting the suture thread from obstructing movement of the arcuate needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew C. Deck
  • Publication number: 20190290259
    Abstract: A suture package includes a suture tray and a suture thread. The suture track has a first housing, a second housing receive against the first housing, a storage space defined between the first and second housings, and a thread shelf positioned within the storage space. The suture thread is at least partially contained within the storage space and has a first portion extending toward the thread shelf and a second portion extending toward the thread shelf such that the first and second portions of the suture thread intersect at the thread shelf. The suture thread also has a third portion between the first and second portions received against the thread shelf such that the thread shelf holds the suture thread to define a preformed thread bend for manipulating the first portion of the suture thread relative to the second portion of the suture thread via the preformed thread bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Courtney J. Sikes, Bradley A. Arnold, Sunil Bhutani, Andrew C. Deck, Gary Illein, Evens Jourdain, David T. Martin, Matthew J. Pfefferkorn, William J. White
  • Patent number: 10321905
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The first and second jaws are configured to receive a suture cartridge therebetween when the first jaw is in the open position. The first and second jaws are configured to secure a suture cartridge therebetween and thereby operatively couple the actuator with the suture cartridge when the first jaw is in the closed position. The first jaw is further configured to receive a needle of the suture cartridge directly thereagainst when the first jaw is in the closed position such that the first jaw is configured to capture the needle within the suture cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David T. Martin, Chester O. Baxter, III, Mark J. Bookbinder, Daniel J. Mumaw, Andrew C. Deck, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, J. Bernar Ogzewalla
  • Publication number: 20190125454
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be mechanically advanced through a crimping stroke. The method further comprises analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the clip applier and adjusting the operation of the clip applier to improve the operation of the clip applier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, John E. Brady, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jeffery D. Bruns, Alexander R. Cuti, Andrew C. Deck, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20190125336
    Abstract: A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a shaft comprising a shaft diameter, a firing drive, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a needle track and a needle comprising suturing material attached thereto, wherein the needle is configured to be guided by the needle track and actuated by the firing drive through a firing stroke, and wherein the needle is movable along a needle path comprising a maximum capture width which is greater than the shaft diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Nicholas M. Morgan, Gregory G. Scott, Asaad Hossain
  • Publication number: 20190125352
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier comprising a rotatable clip cartridge is disclosed. The surgical clip applier comprises a lockout that at least locks out the crimping drive of the surgical clip applier when the rotatable clip cartridge is empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Andrew C. Deck, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20190125347
    Abstract: Surgical clip appliers are disclosed comprising a plurality of clips which are stored in a compressed state. When a stored clip is moved into the crimping chamber of the surgical clip applier, the clip can assume a configuration which is different than its stored configuration before it is crimped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, John E. Brady, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jeffery D. Bruns, Alexander R. Cuti, Andrew C. Deck
  • Publication number: 20190125335
    Abstract: A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a firing drive, an end effector, and a needle configured to be driven by said firing drive. The end effector comprises a track defined therein configured to guide the needle through a needle firing stroke. The surgical suturing system further comprises a needle driver configured to be driven by the firing drive and configured to drive the needle through the needle firing stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, David C. Yates, Andrew C. Deck, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20190125354
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive a clip firing system of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a strain gauge circuit to assess the crimping force experienced by the clip firing system. In at least one instance, one or more strain gauges are mounted to a drive shaft and/or jaw of the clip firing system. The control system modifies the operation of the surgical clip applier when the voltage of the strain gauge circuit exceeds and/or falls below a threshold. In at least one instance, the control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor system to control the speed of the electric motor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Jeffery D. Bruns, Bradley A. Arnold, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 10070858
    Abstract: A packaging for a surgical needle comprises a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a surgical needle and a needle driver configured to engage and move the needle relative to the cartridge. The packaging further comprises a spool comprising a helical channel and a length of suture connected to the needle. At least a portion of the length of suture is wound around the spool. At least a portion of the length of suture is positioned within the helical channel. The suture may include a plurality of barbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Emily A. Schellin, Daniel J. Mumaw, Christopher J. Hess, Andrew C. Deck
  • Publication number: 20180249995
    Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: DAVID T. MARTIN, WILLIAM J. WHITE, DANIEL J. MUMAW, MARK J. BOOKBINDER, DANIEL L. GEIGER, ANDREW C. DECK
  • Patent number: D913495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Andrew C. Deck, Jason Jones, David K. Norvell, Matthew S. Corbin, Brian D. Schings