Patents by Inventor Craig S. Smith

Craig S. Smith 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: 11957893
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Joel A. Anderson, Michael J. Ebert, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith
  • Patent number: 11957894
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Chasensky, Bernard Q. Li, Brad C. Tischendorf, Chris J. Paidosh, Christian S. Nielsen, Craig L. Schmidt, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Eric H. Bonde, Erik R. Scott, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Gordon O. Munns, Joel A. Anderson, John E. Kast, Joseph J. Viavattine, Markus W. Reiterer, Michael J. Ebert, Phillip C. Falkner, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Randy S. Roles, Reginald D. Robinson, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Thomas P. Miltich, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith, Xuan K. Wei
  • Publication number: 20230371954
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Matthew H. Bolton, Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, William D. Fox, Kevin L. Houser, John P. Measamer, Christopher C. Miller, Mark D. Overmyer, Kevin D. Sackett, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig S. Smith, Omar J. Vakharia, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Publication number: 20230285026
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20220401102
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 11446036
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20200305881
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 10709452
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20200085442
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Matthew H. Bolton, Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, William D. Fox, Kevin L. Houser, John P. Measamer, Christopher C. Miller, Mark D. Overmyer, Kevin D. Sackett, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig S. Smith, Omar J. Vakharia, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Patent number: 10478189
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Matthew H. Bolton, Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, William D. Fox, Kevin L. Houser, John P. Measamer, Christopher C. Miller, Mark D. Overmyer, Kevin D. Sackett, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig S. Smith, Omar J. Vakharia, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Patent number: 10271841
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil, a staple applying assembly, an adjustment member, a user input feature, and a bailout assembly. The staple applying assembly includes a distal surface defining openings and a driver that is operable to drive an annular array of staples through the openings of the distal surface and into tissue. The adjustment member is operable to adjust the position of the anvil to thereby vary a gap distance defined between the anvil and the distal surface. The adjustment member includes a first section and a second section. The user input feature is operable to actuate the driver to thereby drive the staples. The bailout assembly is operable to selectively separate the first section of the adjustment member from the second section of the adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jason E. Zerkle, Craig S. Smith, Kevin D. Sackett, Emily A. Schellin, Kevin L. Houser, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20170258471
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 9585660
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method is provided. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a lockout, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the lockout is configured to prevent the actuation movement of the firing member, engaging a test device with the surgical tool, permanently disabling the lockout while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool, and permanently preventing the surgical function while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith, Craig S. Smith, Cory G. Kimball, Wendy A. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20160374669
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil, a staple applying assembly, an adjustment member, a user input feature, and a bailout assembly. The staple applying assembly includes a distal surface defining openings and a driver that is operable to drive an annular array of staples through the openings of the distal surface and into tissue. The adjustment member is operable to adjust the position of the anvil to thereby vary a gap distance defined between the anvil and the distal surface. The adjustment member includes a first section and a second section. The user input feature is operable to actuate the driver to thereby drive the staples. The bailout assembly is operable to selectively separate the first section of the adjustment member from the second section of the adjustment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jason E. Zerkle, Craig S. Smith, Kevin D. Sackett, Emily A. Schellin, Kevin L. Houser, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20160374672
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Matthew H. Bolton, Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, William D. Fox, Kevin L. Houser, John P. Measamer, Christopher C. Miller, Mark D. Overmyer, Kevin D. Sackett, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig S. Smith, Omar J. Vakharia, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Patent number: 9393015
    Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith, Richard F. Schwemberger, Daniel J. Abbott, David C. Yates, Craig S. Smith, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20150374503
    Abstract: The invention relates to three-dimensional implants to facilitate fusion between two adjacent bone bodies and methods of manufacture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: BACTERIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Helena M. Lovick, Craig S. Smith, Dustin B. Byrd, Todd R. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150245925
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting assembly for preparing fibers and methods for using the same. The invention may produce a plurality of fibers of different shapes and lengths, which may depend upon the operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Joel Scott Willyerd, Todd R. Meyer, Craig S. Smith, Dustin B. Byrd, Helena M. Lovick, Daniel Cox, Michael Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8998059
    Abstract: An instrument is configured to receive a staple cartridge to staple tissue and expel a fluid from within a container in the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has an upper deck including staple apertures and orifices formed therein. The orifices are in fluid communication with the containers. The staple cartridge includes staple drivers having a driver body to translate a staple and a container protrusion to expel the fluid out the orifices. The fluid may be expelled while driving the staples out through the staple apertures. The container may be vertically compressible container or, in one alternative, may be a container having a channel and a sealant that is configured to be pierced as the fluid is expelled. Some configurations for the fluid include a hemostatic agent, thrombin, a gel, or a medicament. The containers may also be formed as reservoirs defined within the upper deck and/or cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Smith, Gregory B. Blair, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Publication number: 20140061279
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical test device for a surgical tool, such as a severing and/or sealing tool (e.g., a surgical stapler), is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical tool can be configured to supply at least one actuation motion to an end effector. The actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move within and/or sealing members (e.g., staples) to eject from the end effector. Further, in at least one embodiment, the surgical test device can be releasably engaged to a portion of the surgical tool, such as the end effector. Additionally, the surgical test device can be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion(s) while preventing the tool from performing its intended surgical function. Accordingly, the surgical tool may be test fired without wasting a sealing member cartridge, while preventing inappropriate use of the tool when the test device is attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith, Craig S. Smith, Cory G. Kimball, Wendy A. Kerr