Patents by Inventor Brian A. Rockrohr

Brian A. Rockrohr 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: 11191600
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a robotic surgical assembly. The robotic surgical assembly defines an instrument opening and includes a floating plate and a drive assembly. The floating plate is movable between an extended position and a compressed position. The surgical instrument is laterally receivable in the instrument opening of the robotic surgical assembly while the floating plate is disposed in the compressed position. The floating plate is movable to the extended position to couple the surgical instrument to the robotic surgical assembly while the surgical instrument is received in the instrument opening of the robotic surgical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaimeen Kapadia
  • Publication number: 20210307853
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20210220060
    Abstract: A sterile interface module for coupling an electromechanical robotic surgical instrument to a robotic surgical assembly is provided. The surgical instrument includes an end effector and is configured to be actuated by the robotic surgical assembly. The sterile interface module includes a body member and a drive assembly. The body member is configured to selectively couple the surgical instrument to the robotic surgical assembly. The body member is formed of a dielectric material. The drive assembly is supported within the body member and is configured to transmit rotational forces from the robotic surgical assembly to the surgical instrument to actuate the surgical instrument to enable the surgical instrument to perform a function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jaimeen Kapadia, Mark MacLeod, Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 11065072
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20200397518
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with and for selective connection to an instrument drive unit includes an end effector, an instrument drive connector including a plurality of drive assemblies, and a plurality of drive members in mechanical cooperation with the instrument drive connector and the end effector. Each drive assembly of the plurality of drive assemblies includes a drive screw including an elongated threaded body and a drive nut threadedly engaged with the elongated threaded body of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. Each drive member of the plurality of drive members includes a proximal end portion secured to a respective drive nut of one of the plurality of drive assemblies such that longitudinal translation of the respective drive nut causes longitudinal translation of the drive member to drive a function of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Brian A. Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20200367983
    Abstract: An instrument drive assembly includes a housing assembly and a coupling assembly. The housing assembly includes a drive assembly. The coupling assembly releasably couples an instrument drive shaft to a drive member of the drive assembly and an instrument sleeve of the surgical instrument to the housing assembly. Actuation of a retention mechanism of the coupling assembly between a locked and unlocked configuration couples and decouples the instrument sleeve of the surgical instrument therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Pedros, Brian Rockrohr, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20200345439
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20200315715
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a robotic surgical assembly. The robotic surgical assembly defines an instrument opening and includes a floating plate and a drive assembly. The floating plate is movable between an extended position and a compressed position. The surgical instrument is laterally receivable in the instrument opening of the robotic surgical assembly while the floating plate is disposed in the compressed position. The floating plate is movable to the extended position to couple the surgical instrument to the robotic surgical assembly while the surgical instrument is received in the instrument opening of the robotic surgical assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaimeen Kapadia
  • Patent number: 10779897
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with and for selective connection to an instrument drive unit includes an end effector, an instrument drive connector including a plurality of drive assemblies, and a plurality of drive members in mechanical cooperation with the instrument drive connector and the end effector. Each drive assembly of the plurality of drive assemblies includes a drive screw including an elongated threaded body and a drive nut threadedly engaged with the elongated threaded body of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. Each drive member of the plurality of drive members includes a proximal end portion secured to a respective drive nut of one of the plurality of drive assemblies such that longitudinal translation of the respective drive nut causes longitudinal translation of the drive member to drive a function of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10779900
    Abstract: An instrument drive assembly includes a housing assembly and a coupling assembly. The housing assembly includes a drive assembly. The coupling assembly releasably couples an instrument drive shaft to a drive member of the drive assembly and an instrument sleeve of the surgical instrument to the housing assembly. Actuation of a retention mechanism of the coupling assembly between a locked and unlocked configuration couples and decouples the instrument sleeve of the surgical instrument therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert Pedros, Brian Rockrohr, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20200261176
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a controller, a surgical instrument supporting an end effector, and one or more connector members coupled to the end effector and movable to operate the end effector. Memory is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to maintain reference data of the one or more connector members. A sensor is secured to the one or more connector members and is disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to register real-time data of the one or more connector members and communicate the real-time data to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the real-time data to the reference data and provide an output signal in response to a comparison of the real-time data to the reference data. A pair of connector members may be coupled to the end effector to impart three outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Jaimeen Kapadia, Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10743886
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jaroslaw T. Malkowski, Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10743955
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20200237460
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes an electrosurgical energy source, an instrument drive unit, a sterile interface module coupled to the instrument drive unit, and a robotic surgical instrument selectively couplable to the sterile interface module. The robotic surgical instrument may be disposed in electrical communication with the electrosurgical energy source while the robotic surgical instrument is coupled to the sterile interface module. The robotic surgical instrument is configured to automatically electrically disconnect from the electrosurgical energy source when the robotic surgical instrument is uncoupled from the sterile interface module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric Taylor
  • Patent number: 10716639
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a controller, a surgical instrument supporting an end effector, and one or more connector members coupled to the end effector and movable to operate the end effector. Memory is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to maintain reference data of the one or more connector members. A sensor is secured to the one or more connector members and is disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to register real-time data of the one or more connector members and communicate the real-time data to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the real-time data to the reference data and provide an output signal in response to a comparison of the real-time data to the reference data. A pair of connector members may be coupled to the end effector to impart three outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jaimeen Kapadia, Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10682146
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a clip pusher bar having a flexible tab and a camming plate configured to effectuate closure of the pair of jaws. The camming plate includes a lost motion portion and the flexible tab is configured to engage the lost motion portion during an initial movement of the clip pusher bar to cause the camming plate to move with the clip pusher bar. The flexible tab is configured to disengage from the lost motion portion during a subsequent movement of the clip pusher bar to allow the clip pusher bar to move relative to the camming plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski
  • Publication number: 20200155251
    Abstract: A robotic system includes an electrosurgical generator; an electrosurgical instrument including an electrosurgical connector; and a robotic arm having an instrument drive unit coupled to the electrosurgical instrument. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit housing having: an electrosurgical receptacle coupled to the electrosurgical generator and configured to engage the electrosurgical connector; an activation link configured to engage the electrosurgical connector; and a detection switch actuatable by the actuation link upon being engaged by the electrosurgical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Publication number: 20200000538
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10420620
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Brian Rockrohr
  • Patent number: 10349936
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a channel assembly and overlying a clip carrier having a clip counter plate slidably supported in the channel assembly, wherein the clip counter plate is configured and adapted to display a change in status of the clip applier upon actuation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Brian Rockrohr, Jaroslaw T. Malkowski