Patents by Inventor Christopher Q. Seow

Christopher Q. Seow 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: 11950781
    Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Tyler N. Brehm, Zhifan F. Huang, Austin J. Bridges, Pierre R. Mesnil, Diana M. Darpel, Morgan R. Hunter, Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 11864765
    Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a surgical cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a biocompatible adjunct material that is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and that is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice main structure having at least one absorbable sub-structure formed in the lattice main structure, the at least one absorbable sub-structure configured to control fluid movement through the adjunct material such that the fluid movement impacts healing of tissue adjacent the adjunct material when the adjunct material is in a tissue deployed state. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Christopher Q. Seow, Heather Strang, Jordan B. Wong
  • Patent number: 11849945
    Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component. The surgical stapling assembly can be configured to form different staple shapes, such as non-planar staples and planar staples, can include an eccentrically-driven firing assembly, and/or can include a floatable component. The surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge including a longitudinal support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Adam D. Hensel, Seth D. Holdmeyer, Kevin M. Fiebig, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Chester O. Baxter, III, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Publication number: 20230320742
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector including a first jaw having a plurality of pockets and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument also includes a stapling assembly supported by the second jaw of the end effector. The stapling assembly includes a deck, a plurality of staple openings extending through the deck, and a plurality of staples slidably housed within corresponding staple openings. Each staple has a respective pair of legs configured to be driven into contact with a corresponding pocket. The surgical instrument further includes a plurality of staple leg constraints. Each staple leg constraint is aligned with and extends at least partially across a corresponding staple opening for guiding a respective leg of the corresponding staple toward the corresponding pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Christopher Q. Seow, Jason M. Rector, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Publication number: 20230301675
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw actuatable between an open and closed position, a buttress assembly having a compressible material, and a fastener assembly associated with the second jaw. The fastener assembly and the buttress assembly may cooperatively grasp tissue while the first and second jaws are in the closed position. The fastener assembly includes a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners each housed within a respective opening of the plurality of openings. Each fastener can actuate out of the respective opening and into the buttress assembly. Each fastener includes a first leg having a piercing tip, and an attachment feature associated with the first leg. The attachment feature can engage the buttress assembly to couple the first leg with the buttress assembly without bending a portion of the first leg associated with the piercing tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Jason M. Rector, Shannon L. Jones, Andréas N. Ward, Adam D. Hensel
  • Publication number: 20230301656
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw, a firing assembly, a first buttress assembly, and a second buttress assembly. The first and second jaw actuate relative to each other between an open and closed position to grasp tissue. The second jaw includes a fastening assembly having a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners housed within the openings. The firing assembly drives the plurality of fasteners out of the plurality of openings against a plurality of fastening forming features of the first jaw. The first buttress assembly and the second buttress assembly are associated with the first and second jaw, respectively. The first buttress assembly includes a first material and a first thickness. The second buttress assembly includes a second material and a second thickness. The first material and the second material differ in rigidity. The first thickness and the second thickness are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Vendely, Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Andréas N. Ward, Adam D. Hensel
  • Patent number: 11766261
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body with a first body portion, a second body portion opposed from the first body portion, and a connecting portion that couples a proximal end of the first body portion with a proximal end of the second body portion. The connecting portion is configured to permit the first and second body portions to move toward and away from one another between a plurality of angular orientations. The first and second body portions define a distally opening angle. A first adjunct element and a second adjunct element are disposed on outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions may be fixed in each of the angular orientations and may simultaneously apply the first and second adjunct elements to first and second jaws, respectively, of a surgical stapler end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Publication number: 20230248362
    Abstract: A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Patent number: 11696781
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a clamp actuator, and a blade cooling system. The end effector has a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to selectively move from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position thereby directing movement of the clamp arm from the open position toward the closed position, respectively. The cooling system is operable to deliver fluid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade while the clamp actuator remains in the first actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Bruns, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Troy Q. Le, Guion Y. Lucas, Alexander S. O'Leary, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Amrita S. Sawhney, Laura S. Downing, Christopher Q. Seow, Jeffrey C. Souder
  • Patent number: 11666339
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil defining a plurality of staple forming pockets and a stapling head assembly configured to drive a plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil. The stapling head assembly comprises a coupling member configured to actuate the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly, a firing assembly configured to drive the plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil, and a deck member. The deck member includes a deck surface extending radially between an inner circular edge and an outer circular edge, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the deck surface. The plurality of staple openings define at least one cross shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, John Scott Kimsey, Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Morgan R. Hunter, Cory Kimball, Gregory J. Bakos, Christopher Q. Seow, Pierre Mesnil, Laura S. Downing, Jeffery Bruns, Ryan W. McGhee, Chester O. Baxter, III, John E. Feds, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11660093
    Abstract: A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Publication number: 20230139613
    Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Tyler N. Brehm, Zhifan F. Huang, Austin J. Bridges, Pierre R. Mesnil, Diana M. Darpel, Morgan R. Hunter, Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Publication number: 20230139479
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an adjunct body and a plurality of movable members. The adjunct body defines an adjunct surface for contacting a tissue, and the adjunct body is configured to overlie and directly contact a deck of a surgical stapler. The plurality of movable members are coupled with the adjunct body, and each movable member of the plurality of movable members is individually operable to move from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to a firing operation of a surgical stapler. The movable members in the first configuration are configured to couple the adjunct body with the deck, and the movable members in the second configuration are configured to enable the adjunct body to separate from the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Q. Seow, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Austin J. Bridges, Zhifan Huang
  • Patent number: 11627961
    Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer. The adjunct material is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having at least one drug contained therein. The lattice macrostructure is formed of a plurality of unit cells, in which each unit cell is configured to eject a predetermined amount of drug from the adjunct material and the predetermined amount of the drug being a function of a compression profile of the respective unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Publication number: 20230048389
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil defining a plurality of staple forming pockets and a stapling head assembly configured to drive a plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil. The stapling head assembly comprises a coupling member configured to actuate the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly, a firing assembly configured to drive the plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil, and a deck member. The deck member includes a deck surface extending radially between an inner circular edge and an outer circular edge, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the deck surface. The plurality of staple openings define at least one cross shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: John K. Bruce, John S. Kimsey, Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Morgan R. Hunter, Cory G. Kimball, Gregory J. Bakos, Christopher Q. Seow, Pierre R. Mesnil, Laura A. Downing, Jeffery D. Bruns, Ryan W. McGhee, Chester O. Baxter, III, John E. Feds, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11564683
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to at least one of a first stapling surface or a second stapling surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus includes a contact structure defining a longitudinal axis and an expansion mechanism. The contact structure includes a first contact member configured to support a first portion of the adjunct material and a second contact member movably coupled with the first contact member that is configured to support a second portion of the adjunct material. The first and second contact members are configured to move away from one another in opposing directions to apply the first portion of the adjunct material to the first stapling surface and the second portion of the adjunct material to the second stapling surface. The expansion mechanism is selectively operable to transition the contact structure from a non-expanded state toward the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow
  • Patent number: 11559306
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: (a) at least one platform configured to be positioned between opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the at least one platform is configured to transition between a first state and a second state; (b) at least one adjunct element positioned on the at least one platform; (c) at least one detector configured to detect a predetermined portion of the end effector; and (d) a driver configured to selectively transition the at least one platform from the first state to the second state in a direction toward at least one of the first or second jaws when the at least one detector detects the predetermined portion of the end effector for placing the at least one adjunct element in contact with a corresponding surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark S. Zeiner, Heather Strang, Pamela M. Ridgley, Christopher A. Denzinger, Christopher Q. Seow, Michael J. Vendely, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20220336097
    Abstract: A surgical system is for use in a surgical procedure. The surgical system includes a surgical instrument configured to treat tissue in the surgical procedure; an imaging device; a display configured to show a livestream of a surgical field of the surgical procedure, wherein the livestream is captured by the imaging device; and a control module. The control module is configured to detect a surgical risk; assign a display priority to the surgical risk; and determine a display arrangement of the surgical risk based on the display priority, wherein the display arrangement comprises overlaying an alert feature on the livestream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Sarah A. Worthington, Christopher Q. Seow, Austin E. Wise, Shane R. Adams, Scott A. Jenkins, Melissa Schweizer, Jason L. Harris, Cory G. Kimball, Monica L. Z. Rivard, Leonardo N. Rossoni, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Risto Kojcev, Felix J. Bork
  • Publication number: 20220331047
    Abstract: A method for presenting surgical data onto a livestream of a surgical field on a display during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a control module, surgical data, assigning, by the control module, display priority values to the surgical data, determining, by the control module, a display arrangement of the surgical data on the display based on the display priority values, and presenting onto the livestream visual representations of the surgical data in accordance with the display arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Kevin M. Fiebig, Jason L. Harris, Matjaz Jogan, Zhifan F. Huang, Shaun B. Schaeffer, Tyler N. Brehm, John E. Brady, Demetrius N. Harris, Ellen E. Burkart, Madison K. Vanosdoll, Christopher Q. Seow, Cory G. Kimball, Monica L. Z. Rivard, Leonardo N. Rossoni, Risto Kojcev, Felix J. Bork
  • Publication number: 20220336078
    Abstract: A tracking system of operating room (OR) personnel and is configured to extrapolate the movement, position, orientation, and context of one or more of the active OR participants to determine the specific operation procedure in progress, the surgical instrument being used by the OR participant, and/or anticipated movement of the OR personnel. The system may further be configured to render a virtual element that includes an anticipated position of a surgical instrument, recommendations, guidance, warning, and surgical location information, as augmented reality (AR) content. The AR content is integrated in real-time with the live-feed of the surgical site, and aids the OR personnel in perioperative surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Austin E. Wise, Christopher Q. Seow, Melissa Schweizer, Sarah A. Worthington, Shane R. Adams, Scott A. Jenkins, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad E. Eckert, Cory G. Kimball, Monica L.Z. Rivard, Leonardo N. Rossoni, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Risto Kojcev, Felix J. Bork