Patents by Inventor Andrew Kolpitcke

Andrew Kolpitcke 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).

  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH COMPRESSIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20190290307
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first support structure, a first electrical contact supported by the first support structure, and a first sealing surface. The shaft assembly includes a second support structure, a second electrical contact supported by the second support structure, and a second sealing surface. When the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly, the first and second electrical contacts electrically couple to establish an electrical connection therebetween, and the first and second sealing surfaces sealingly engage to block fluid from reaching the electrical connection. At least one of the first or second sealing surfaces is movable relative to the respective support structure to facilitate the sealing engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Christopher J. Hess, Andrew Kolpitcke, Alexander R. Cuti, Gregory G. Scott, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Jeffery D. Bruns
  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY ACTUATED GAP-SETTING FEATURES FOR END EFFECTOR
    Publication number: 20180132888
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Zeckel, Fajian Zhang
  • TISSUE-CUTTING AND -SEALING FORCEPS
    Publication number: 20160157876
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed technology include a forcipate surgical instrument including a channel at the working end for guiding a scalpel blade during tissue resection. In some implementations, the forceps may also include a scalpel-driven stapling mechanism for sealing the tissue simultaneously with resection via a single scalpel motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Denise Sujin Kim, Jacquelyn Borinski, Andrew Kolpitcke, Mohamad Ali Najia, Drew Padilla