Patents by Inventor Catherine A. Corbett
Catherine A. Corbett 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).
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Patent number: 11786289Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam N. Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 11744607Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: John A. Hibner, Richard C. Smith, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig N. Faller, David A. Witt
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Patent number: 11413114Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 11399855Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly having a closure trigger, a closure actuator coupled to the closure trigger at a first pivot, and a closure spring. The closure actuator moves proximally on a longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the closure trigger. The closure spring applies a force vector to the closure spring tangential to the longitudinal axis. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member is pivotally moveable with respect to the second jaw member. At least one of the first and second jaw members are operatively coupled to the closure actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Catherine A. Corbett, Gregory A. Trees, Scott R. Bingham
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Publication number: 20220039858Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp pad and an electrode. The clamp pad is configured to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp pad has a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of lateral sides extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The electrode is operable to apply RF energy to tissue. The electrode extends along both lateral sides of the clamp pad. The electrode further extends around the distal end of the clamp pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson, Jason R. Lesko, Frederick L. Estera, Amy M. Krumm, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, John A. Hibner, Joseph Isosaki, Shan Wan, Candice Otrembiak, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Matthew C. Miller
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Publication number: 20220039861Abstract: An end effector of an instrument is positioned in a patient. An ultrasonic blade of the end effector is positioned against tissue in the patient. The ultrasonic blade is activated to vibrate ultrasonically while the ultrasonic blade is positioned against tissue. At least one electrode of the end effector is positioned against tissue in the patient. The at least one electrode is activated to apply RF electrosurgical energy to tissue against which the at least one electrode is positioned against tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson, Jason R. Lesko, Frederick L. Estera, Amy M. Krumm, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, John A. Hibner, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Joseph Isosaki, Craig N. Faller, Shan Wan, Adam N. Brown, Candice Otrembiak, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, Matthew C. Miller, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 11058472Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, a distally extending shaft, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade includes an upper treatment side, a lower treatment side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. The clamp arm is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade for clamping tissue therebetween, and it provides an RF electrode operable to seal tissue with RF energy. The RF electrode includes first and second electrode side portions. The first electrode side portion is spaced laterally outward from the first lateral side of the ultrasonic blade by a first lateral gap distance. The second electrode side portion spaced from the first electrode side portion and is spaced laterally outward from the second lateral side of the ultrasonic blade by a second lateral gap distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig T. Davis, Frederick L. Estera
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Publication number: 20210137553Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: John A. Hibner, Richard C. Smith, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig N. Faller, David A. Witt
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Patent number: 10973542Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: John A. Hibner, Richard C. Smith, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig N. Faller, David A. Witt
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Patent number: 10945779Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft, an ultrasonic transducer, a waveguide, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled with the waveguide, a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade, a first RF electrode provided by the clamp arm, and a second RF electrode provided by the ultrasonic blade. The first RF electrode is electrically coupled with a first RF electrical path of the instrument, and the second RF electrode is electrically coupled with a second RF electrical path of the instrument. The RF electrodes are operable to seal tissue with bipolar RF energy. An electrically insulative layer is provided on at least a portion of at least one of the ultrasonic blade, the waveguide, the shaft, or the clamp arm, and is configured to prevent shorting between the first and second RF electrical paths.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, Stephen M. Leuck, Craig T. Davis
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Patent number: 10945778Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly rotatable relative to the body, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly and having an RF electrode operable to seal tissue with RF energy. An electrical contact assembly is arranged proximally of the end effector and is configured to electrically couple the RF electrode with an RF energy source. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact secured to the body and a second electrical contact secured to the shaft assembly. The first contact is configured to electrically couple with the RF energy source. The second contact is electrically coupled with the RF electrode and the first contact, and is configured to rotate with the shaft assembly relative to the first contact. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to remain electrically coupled throughout rotation of the shaft assembly relative to the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Catherine A. Corbett, Jason R. Lesko, Craig T. Davis
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Publication number: 20200315686Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam N. Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 10743898Abstract: Surgical devices are provided having power-assisted or fully powered jaw closure. The devices herein generally include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector having first and second jaws configured to engage tissue. A motor and one or more compression springs can be operatively coupled, and activation of the motor can compress the spring(s) to reduce the amount of user supplied force to compress tissue between the jaws. In some embodiments, the devices can be configured to regulate an amount of compression applied by the jaws prior to, during, and/or after cutting of the tissue to promote hemostasis. For example, the devices can include sensors, processors, and/or other components that analyze data indicative of tissue type and tissue load. Based on this feedback, the device can automatically adjust the amount of compression or energy applied to the tissue to seal the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: John A. Hibner, Catherine A. Corbett, Scott R. Bingham, Chad P. Boudreaux, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr., Geoffrey S. Strobl, Eric N. Johnson
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Patent number: 10709495Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. A surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongate shaft has first and second jaws at a distal end, and the jaws are configured to engage tissue. The surgical device also has a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A drive shaft extends from the handle of the surgical device through the elongate shaft and is coupled to the cutting assembly for moving the cutting assembly. The surgical device has a motorized gear assembly with at least one motor driven gear that is configured to move the drive shaft. The surgical device also has a bailout assembly that is configured to manually move the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Megan A. Broderick, Catherine A. Corbett, Kevin M. Fiebig, Eric N. Johnson, Richard L. Leimbach, David M. Locke, Gavin M. Monson, Rudolph H. Nobis, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Gregory A. Trees, Aaron C. Voegele
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Patent number: 10660692Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 10639092Abstract: An end effector includes a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer comprising an electrically conductive projection extending from the second electrically conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive projection is movable relative to the other one of the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive projection to capture tissue therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Catherine A. Corbett, Kip M. Rupp
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Patent number: 10463421Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a push plate coupled to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger rotates the push plate, a clamp plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate, and a firing plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. The end effector includes a jaw assembly which includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein rotation of the clamp plate transitions the jaw assembly between an open configuration and an approximated configuration by moving at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, John M. Sarley, Gregory A. Trees, Catherine A. Corbett
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Publication number: 20190307528Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 10368957Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
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Patent number: 10357311Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an elongate shaft extending distally from the body, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a firing beam. The end effector has a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is pivotable toward and away from the second jaw to capture tissue. The end effector further comprises at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is operable to apply RF energy to tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Susan Arshonsky, Catherine A. Corbett, Megan A. Broderick, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory A. Trees