Patents by Inventor David C. Yates

David C. Yates 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: 11771487
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to transition the end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration to clamp tissue between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm. The surgical instrument further comprises a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic energy output and a waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy output to the ultrasonic blade. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit configured to monitor a parameter of the surgical instrument, wherein crossing an upper predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a first electromechanical system, and wherein crossing a lower predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a second electromechanical system different than the first electromechanically system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11766287
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The generator includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory defines a first and second table. The processor retrieves information from the first table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor retrieves information from the second table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor combines the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure and the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure is delivered to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates
  • Publication number: 20230293170
    Abstract: A method of controlling motor velocity in a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer coupled to the control circuit. The method includes receiving a first position of a displacement member from a position sensor, starting a timer, advancing the displacement member to a second position by setting a motor velocity to a first velocity, receiving the second positon from the position sensor, stopping the timer when the displacement member reaches the second position, receiving elapsed time from the timer, wherein the elapsed time is the time taken by the displacement to move from the first position to the second positon, and controlling, by the control circuit, velocity of the motor based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 11759251
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument, a generator configured to supply power to an end effector, and a processor configured to run a control program to operate the surgical system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises the end effector which includes a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is moved with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. Tissue is configured to be positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The processor is configured to detect a first parameter of the surgical system, detect at least one user input, and modify the control program in response to the detected first parameter and the at least one user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad E. Eckert, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Kevin M. Fiebig, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11759208
    Abstract: A surgical instrument has a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil configured to capture tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument also has a firing assembly configured to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during a firing sequence, and a handle that includes an electric motor operably coupled to the firing assembly, wherein the electric motor is configured to motivate the firing assembly to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during the firing sequence, and a power pack. The power pack includes rechargeable battery cells configured to power the electric motor, at least one battery-cell health indicator, and an electronic control circuit configured to assess whether a subset of rechargeable battery cells is damaged during the firing sequence based on at least one measurement performed by the at least one battery-cell health indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11751929
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed that comprises a motor, a radio frequency (RF) energy generator, a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw in response to an actuation from said motor to capture tissue, and a segmented circuit comprising a first electrode configured to measure tissue impedance at a first position and a second electrode configured to measure tissue impedance at a second position. The RF energy generator is configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue by way of said first electrode or said second electrode. A controller is configured to control said motor based on the measured tissue impedances, energize said first electrode with a first amount of RF energy based on the tissue impedance measured at said first position, and energize said second electrode with a second amount of RF energy based on the tissue impedance measured at said second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jason L. Harris, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Patent number: 11751958
    Abstract: Various surgical hubs are disclosed. A surgical hub is for use with a surgical system in a surgical procedure performed in an operating room. The surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to: pair the surgical hub with a first device of the surgical system; assign a first identifier to the first device; pair the surgical hub with a second device of the surgical system; assign a second identifier to the second device; and selectively pair the first device with the second device based on perioperative data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11744604
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electric motor and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a monostable multivibrator. The monostable multivibrator is connected to a first one of the logic gates. The control circuit is configured to alter a rate of action of a function of the surgical instrument by controlling a speed of rotation of the electric motor based on a sensed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11744588
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, a drive system, and a battery pack is disclosed. The handle comprises a battery mount. The end effector comprises a cartridge jaw and an anvil jaw. The drive system comprises an electric motor, a control circuit in communication with the electric motor, a firing member driveable by the electric motor during a firing stroke to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The battery pack is removably attachable to the battery mount. The battery pack comprises an outer housing, a battery cell, an electrical contact, a metal heat sink disposed within the outer housing, and control electronics in communication with the battery cell and the electrical contact that is operable to supply power to the control circuit when the battery pack is attached to the battery mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20230270486
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11737668
    Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed that comprises a modular hub and a computer system that includes instructions to retrieve medical records associated with a patient from an EMR database based on a key, delete data associated with the patient's identity from the retrieved medical records, extract relevant patient data from the retrieved medical records, and store an anonymous data file with the extracted relevant patient data by a unique procedure identification number. Within a hospital data barrier, the modular hub is configured to combine the anonymous data file with the patient EMR stored on the EMR database by using the key associated with the patient EMR and the unique procedural identification number associated with the anonymous data file and delete from the modular hub the data associated with the patient's identity to maintain anonymity of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Publication number: 20230263520
    Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor, a control circuit, and a position sensor. The displacement member is configured to translate. The motor is coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member. The control circuit is coupled to the motor. A position sensor is coupled to the control circuit. The position sensor is configured to measure the position of the displacement member and to measure an articulation angle of an end effector relative to a longitudinally extending shaft. The control circuit is configured to determine the articulation angle between the end effector and the longitudinally extending shaft and set motor velocity based on the articulation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230263548
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Kevin L. Houser, John E. Brady, Gregory A. Trees, Patrick J. Scoggins, Madeleine C. Jayme, Kristen G. Denzinger, Cameron R. Nott, Craig N. Faller, Amrita S. Sawhney, Eric M. Roberson, Stephen M. Leuck, Brian D. Black, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Fergus P. Quigley, Tamara S. Widenhouse
  • Patent number: 11725664
    Abstract: A system for noise and vibration management of a smoke evacuation system includes a pump that compresses air and produces a pressure differential within an airflow path. The pump may be a sealed, positive displacement pump. The system includes vibration absorption mechanisms disposed between inner and outer housings, as well as on the outside surface of the outer housing. Methods of controlling and regulating a motor of the system to preserve the lifespan of the motor and maintain consistent airflow rates throughout the smoke evacuation system include varying a supply of electrical current to the motor so that it can operate at variable performance levels. Orifices are opened and closed in order to relieve resistance pressures within the airflow path due to clogging and blockages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MEGADYNE MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad S. Frampton, Shawn K. Horner, Darcy W. Greep, Frederick Shelton, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates, Roger Millis
  • Patent number: 11717285
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises a handle and an end effector connected to the handle. The end effector comprises upper and lower opposing jaw members, wherein the upper jaw member comprises a plurality of co-linear, separately actuatable, RF electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20230240678
    Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes an H-bridge circuit, an electrically resistive element and an electrically inductive element. The H-bridge circuit includes a high side and a low side. The low side of the H-bridge circuit includes first and second switching devices. The electrically resistive element is electrically connected in series with the first switching device. The electrically inductive element is electrically connected to the electrically resistive element. The control system is configured to control a force applied to the drive system based on a current downstream of the electrically resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Richard L. Leimbach
  • Patent number: 11712303
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, David C. Yates
  • Publication number: 20230233245
    Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclsoed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z g ( t ) = V g t I g t . The control circuit receivs a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Cameron R. Nott, Foster B. Stulen, Fergus P. Quigley, John E. Brady, Gregory A. Trees, Amrita Singh Sawhney, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Patrick J. Scoggins, Kristen G. Denzinger, Craig N. Faller, Madeleine C. Jayme, Alexander R. Cuti, Matthew S. Schneider, Chad P. Boudreaux, Brian D. Black, Maxwell T. Rockman, Gregory D. Bishop, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 11701110
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a housing, a drive assembly, and a manually-driven actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The housing comprises a rotary input movable by a motor. The drive assembly is operably engaged with the rotary input. The drive assembly is movable by the motor in a motorized mode of operation to transition the second jaw toward the clamped position. The drive assembly is movable in a non-motorized mode of operation by the manually-driven actuator to permit a transition of the second jaw toward the open position to release tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Steven G. Hall, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil
  • Publication number: 20230218296
    Abstract: A slip ring assembly is used with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a slip ring, a first conductor mounted on the slip ring, a commutator rotatable relative to the slip ring, and a second conductor mounted on the commutator. The slip ring assembly further includes a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator. The flexible member comprises a body and flexible protrusions extending from the body, wherein the flexible protrusions are elastically deformed against the first slip ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris