Patents by Inventor David C. Groene
David C. Groene 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).
-
Publication number: 20240050118Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, III, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Patent number: 11826069Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, III, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Publication number: 20230270462Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for managing surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle include disabling a usage based device lockout and providing notifications for devices nearing a usage based lockout. A device adaptor connected inline between a surgical instrument and a power source can be configured to alter a device EEPROM to allow for additional device usage despite a usage based lockout. Notifications and user prompts may be displayed requiring a user to acknowledge that a usage based device lockout has occurred in order to avoid an attempt to use an expired device in a future procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: David C. Groene, Benjamin J. Danziger
-
Patent number: 11684384Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for managing surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle include disabling a usage based device lockout and providing notifications for devices nearing a usage based lockout. A device adaptor connected inline between a surgical instrument and a power source can be configured to alter a device EEPROM to allow for additional device usage despite a usage based lockout. Notifications and user prompts may be displayed requiring a user to acknowledge that a usage based device lockout has occurred in order to avoid an attempt to use an expired device in a future procedure.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: David C. Groene, Benjamin J. Danziger
-
Publication number: 20210259724Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
-
Publication number: 20210228228Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, III, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Patent number: 10973541Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
-
Patent number: 10959748Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, III, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Patent number: 10820920Abstract: A variety of methods for managing a re-usable ultrasonic medical device may include a medical device control module capable of receiving functional data from a user assembled or reassembled ultrasonic medical device, and notifying the user if a value of the functional data lies within an acceptance range. If the value of the functional data does not lie within the acceptance range, the control module may prompt a user to reassemble the device or to clean or replace one or more components thereof. The functional data may relate to a clamp force of a jaw assembly, an impedance or resonant frequency value of an ultrasonic blade, or a mechanical displacement value of one or more moving components of the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Patrick J. Scoggins, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, David C. Groene, William D. Dannaher, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Phillip H. Clauda, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew C. Miller, Kevin A. Bash
-
Publication number: 20200237398Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for managing surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle include disabling a usage based device lockout and providing notifications for devices nearing a usage based lockout. A device adaptor connected inline between a surgical instrument and a power source can be configured to alter a device EEPROM to allow for additional device usage despite a usage based lockout. Notifications and user prompts may be displayed requiring a user to acknowledge that a usage based device lockout has occurred in order to avoid an attempt to use an expired device in a future procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: David C. Groene, Benjamin J. Danziger
-
Patent number: 10639059Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for managing surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle include disabling a usage based device lockout and providing notifications for devices nearing a usage based lockout. A device adaptor connected inline between a surgical instrument and a power source can be configured to alter a device EEPROM to allow for additional device usage despite a usage based lockout. Notifications and user prompts may be displayed requiring a user to acknowledge that a usage based device lockout has occurred in order to avoid an attempt to use an expired device in a future procedure.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David C. Groene, Benjamin J. Danziger
-
Patent number: 10575836Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an articulation control assembly, an end effector, and an articulation lock. A portion of the articulation section encompasses a flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation includes a first member and a second member that is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The articulation control assembly is configured to move relative to the shaft assembly in order to longitudinally translate the second member relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation lock is configured to prevent movement of the articulation control assembly relative to the shaft assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: John A. Hibner, Randal T. Byrum, Karalyn R. Tellio, David C. Groene, Benjamin D. Dickerson
-
Publication number: 20190247076Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
-
Patent number: 10368894Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
-
Patent number: 10314638Abstract: A surgical instrument is presented that may include a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector and an articulation joint coupled to the shaft assembly and the end effector. The surgical instrument also may include an articulation control mechanism configured to: control movement of the articulation joint between a first and second maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; provide a first indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle; and provide a second indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jacob S. Gee, David C. Groene, Nicholas G. Molitor, Emily H. Monroe
-
Publication number: 20190008543Abstract: A variety of methods for managing a re-usable ultrasonic medical device may include a medical device control module capable of receiving functional data from a user assembled or reassembled ultrasonic medical device, and notifying the user if a value of the functional data lies within an acceptance range. If the value of the functional data does not lie within the acceptance range, the control module may prompt a user to reassemble the device or to clean or replace one or more components thereof. The functional data may relate to a clamp force of a jaw assembly, an impedance or resonant frequency value of an ultrasonic blade, or a mechanical displacement value of one or more moving components of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Patrick J. Scoggins, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, David C. Groene, William D. Dannaher, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Phillip H. Clauda, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew C. Miller, Kevin A. Bash
-
Publication number: 20180125522Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, III, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Patent number: 9848900Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, II, Ashvani K. Madan
-
Publication number: 20170281220Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an articulation control assembly, an end effector, and an articulation lock. A portion of the articulation section encompasses a flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation includes a first member and a second member that is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The articulation control assembly is configured to move relative to the shaft assembly in order to longitudinally translate the second member relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation lock is configured to prevent movement of the articulation control assembly relative to the shaft assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: John A. Hibner, Randal T. Byrum, Karalyn R. Tellio, David C. Groene, Benjamin D. Dickerson
-
Publication number: 20170172608Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg