Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Hess

Christopher J. Hess 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: 12137901
    Abstract: A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 12076014
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Pamela M. Ridgley, Rebecca Spatholt, Christopher J. Hess, Heather Strang, Mark S. Zeiner, John V. Hunt, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David T. Krumanaker
  • Publication number: 20240252172
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Pamela M. Ridgley, Rebecca Spatholt, Christopher J. Hess, Heather Strang, Mark S. Zeiner, John V. Hunt, Emily A. Scheliin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David T. Krumanaker
  • Patent number: 12023025
    Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11957339
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anvil for a surgical stapling device. Various methods include forming an anvil body from a first material and a deformable anvil tip from a second material and attaching the deformable anvil tip to a distal end of the anvil body with a deformable second attachment member. Other methods include molding a deformable anvil tip to a distal end of an anvil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Gregory J. Bakos, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20240081825
    Abstract: An assembly includes an applicator, which includes a housing defining a gap configured to receive an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler. The applicator also includes a platform positioned within the gap. The assembly also includes a buttress assembly having a first length and positioned on the platform. The assembly further includes a trimming feature presented by the applicator or the buttress assembly, and configured to facilitate trimming of the buttress assembly from the first length to a predetermined second length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Heather Strang, Jordan B. Wong, Michael J. Vendely, Christopher J. Hess
  • Patent number: 11925346
    Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11864747
    Abstract: Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Taylor W. Aronhalt, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher J. Schall, Joseph E. Young, Barry C. Worrell, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher J. Hess, Emily A. Schellin
  • Patent number: 11857190
    Abstract: An assembly includes an applicator, which includes a housing defining a gap configured to receive an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler. The applicator also includes a platform positioned within the gap. The assembly also includes a buttress assembly having a first length and positioned on the platform. The assembly further includes a trimming feature presented by the applicator or the buttress assembly, and configured to facilitate trimming of the buttress assembly from the first length to a predetermined second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Heather Strang, Jordan B. Wong, Michael J. Vendely, Christopher J. Hess
  • Patent number: 11849941
    Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Carl J. Shurtleff
  • Patent number: 11801071
    Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
  • Publication number: 20230329704
    Abstract: A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20230225730
    Abstract: A method of surgical stapling that uses a surgical instrument operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The method includes positioning the end effector at a desired site for surgical stapling. The method also includes controlling one or more of the jaws of the end effector to place the end effector in an open position. The method also includes positioning the end effector such that tissue is located between the jaws. The method also includes clamping the tissue between the jaws by moving at least one of the jaws toward the other jaw. The method also includes advancing a firing beam of the apparatus from a proximal position to a distal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hilary A. Reinhardt, Christopher J. Hess, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Daniel L. Baber
  • Publication number: 20230210528
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Pamela M. Ridgley, Rebecca Spatholt, Christopher J. Hess, Heather Strang, Mark S. Zeiner, John V. Hunt, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David T. Krumanaker
  • Patent number: 11678876
    Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20230146947
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical suturing instrument 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 surgical suturing instrument comprising a suturing needle configured to be mechanically advanced through a suturing stroke, analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the surgical suturing instrument, and adjusting the operation of the surgical suturing instrument to improve the operation of the surgical suturing instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Darcy W. Greep, Jason L. Harris, Jerome R. Morgan, Chester O. Baxter, III, Gregory J. Bakos, Christopher J. Hess
  • Patent number: 11633182
    Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11622785
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples, a first staple driver, a second staple driver, and a third staple driver is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a knife slot and staple cavities defined in the cartridge body and arranged in an inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, a middle longitudinal row of staple cavities, and an outer longitudinal row of staple cavities on one side of the knife slot. The staples are removably stored within the staple cavities. The first staple driver is configured to eject a first quantity of staples from the staple cavities. The second staple driver is configured to eject a second quantity of staples from the staple cavities which is different than the first quantity of staples. The third staple driver is configured to eject a third quantity of staples that is the same as the first quantity of staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 11602347
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Pamela M. Ridgley, Rebecca Spatholt, Christopher J. Hess, Heather Strang, Mark S. Zeiner, John V. Hunt, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David T. Krumanaker
  • Patent number: D1039559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Douglas E. Withers, Christopher J. Hess