Patents by Inventor Brett E. Swensgard

Brett E. Swensgard 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: 12207835
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument that may comprise (i) a moveable drive member that is driven in a first direction when the electric motor operates in a first direction and that is driven in a second direction when the electric motor operates in a second direction. Movement of the drive member causes movement of the moveable component of the end effector, and (ii) a motor control circuit connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a switching circuit that, upon actuation, reverses the direction of the motor from the first direction to the second direction. The switching circuit may be actuatable separately through each of: (i) actuation of a moveable actuator of the switching circuit through movement of the drive member at least in the first direction; and (ii) manual actuation by a user of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250000537
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument that may comprise (i) a moveable drive member that is driven in a first direction when the electric motor operates in a first direction and that is driven in a second direction when the electric motor operates in a second direction. Movement of the drive member causes movement of the moveable component of the end effector, and (ii) a motor control circuit connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a switching circuit that, upon actuation, reverses the direction of the motor from the first direction to the second direction. The switching circuit may be actuatable separately through each of: (i) actuation of a moveable actuator of the switching circuit through movement of the drive member at least in the first direction; and (ii) manual actuation by a user of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith
  • Patent number: 12167849
    Abstract: A method of controlling motor velocity in a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer coupled to the control circuit. The method includes receiving a first position of a displacement member from a position sensor, starting a timer, advancing the displacement member to a second position by setting a motor velocity to a first velocity, receiving the second positon from the position sensor, stopping the timer when the displacement member reaches the second position, receiving elapsed time from the timer, wherein the elapsed time is the time taken by the displacement to move from the first position to the second positon, and controlling, by the control circuit, velocity of the motor based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 12161324
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath and a motorized driving mechanism. The body assembly is configured to actuate the driving mechanism. The end effector includes a staple deck, an anvil, a first staple driver, and a second staple driver. The first staple driver is configured to fire a first annular array of staples of the plurality of staples against the anvil to deform the first annular array of staples at a first compressed staple height. The second staple driver is configured to fire a second annular array of staples of the plurality of staples against the anvil to deform the second annular array of staples at a second compressed staple height independent of the first staple driver. The first compressed staple height and the second compressed staple height are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Sol Posada, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20240307058
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, an end effector, and control system having a processor and a memory. The handle assembly is movable between a plurality of positions and includes an interface. The control system can cause the processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations each associated with one of the positions of the handle assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system can toggle the interface between a primary interface configuration with operational controls and a secondary interface configuration with navigation controls. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface can include a touchscreen configured to provide a firing input signal to the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, a surgical assembly can include the surgical instrument and a remote operating unit with a secondary interface configured to control the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: MARK D. OVERMYER, BRETT E. SWENSGARD, SHANE R. ADAMS, THOMAS W. LYTLE, IV, RICHARD L. LEIMBACH, FREDERICK E. SHELTON, IV, KEVIN L. HOUSER
  • Patent number: 12029415
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Bret W. Smith, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 12023022
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 12023023
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Shane R. Adams, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Richard L Leimbach, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 12016591
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240188959
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath and a staple driving mechanism. The end effector includes a staple deck, an anvil, a first staple driver, and a second staple driver. The staple deck defines a plurality of staple openings in at least one annular array. Each staple opening in the plurality of staple openings houses a staple. The anvil is configured to actuate relative to the staple deck to compress tissue between the staple deck and the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is configured to actuate the first staple driver to fire a first staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is further configured to actuate the second staple driver independently of the first staple driver to fire a second staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Sol Posada, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20240122598
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Bret W. Smith, Daniel J. Abbott, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad P. Boudreaux, Brett E. Swensgard, Ryan J. Laurent
  • Patent number: 11944309
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath and a staple driving mechanism. The end effector includes a staple deck, an anvil, a first staple driver, and a second staple driver. The staple deck defines a plurality of staple openings in at least one annular array. Each staple opening in the plurality of staple openings houses a staple. The anvil is configured to actuate relative to the staple deck to compress tissue between the staple deck and the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is configured to actuate the first staple driver to fire a first staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is further configured to actuate the second staple driver independently of the first staple driver to fire a second staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Sol Posada, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11931034
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Sol E. Posada, Mark D. Overmyer, Raymond E. Parfett, Brian D. Schings, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kharyl Evenson George Stephens, Jason M. Rector
  • Patent number: 11896217
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, and an articulation drive is disclosed. The articulation drive comprises a lock configured to hold the end effector in position when the articulation drive is not being operated. The articulation lock self-unlocks when the articulation drive is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Richard L. Leimbach, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 11826132
    Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 11793521
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Brett E. Swensgard, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane R. Adams, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Richard L. Leimbach, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20230309992
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 11771454
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for operating a surgical instrument comprising a firing member translatable proximally and distally along a longitudinal axis between a stroke begin position to a stroke end position distal of the stroke begin position; a knife coupled to the firing member; and a motor coupled to the firing member to translate the firing member between the stroke begin position and the stroke end position. A control circuit may receive a firing signal and begin a firing member stroke by providing an initial motor setting to the motor. The control circuit may maintain the initial motor setting for an open-loop portion of the firing member stroke. The control circuit may receive firing member motion data describing a motion of the firing member during the open-loop portion of the firing member stroke and may select a firing control program based at least in part on the motion of the firing member during the open-loop portion of the firing member stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brett E. Swensgard, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230293170
    Abstract: A method of controlling motor velocity in a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer coupled to the control circuit. The method includes receiving a first position of a displacement member from a position sensor, starting a timer, advancing the displacement member to a second position by setting a motor velocity to a first velocity, receiving the second positon from the position sensor, stopping the timer when the displacement member reaches the second position, receiving elapsed time from the timer, wherein the elapsed time is the time taken by the displacement to move from the first position to the second positon, and controlling, by the control circuit, velocity of the motor based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 11730477
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Bret W. Smith, Daniel J. Abbott, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad P. Boudreaux, Brett E. Swensgard, Ryan J. Laurent