Patents by Inventor David K. Norvell
David K. Norvell 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).
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Publication number: 20140005682Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory A. Trees, Jonathan T. Batross, Nicholas G. Molitor, Kristen T. Shoger, David K. Norvell, Michael J. Andreyko, Gregory W. Johnson, Shawn C. Snyder, Chad P. Boudreaux
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Publication number: 20130317310Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William Bruce Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Publication number: 20130274732Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Shan Wan, Daniel W. Price, David K. Norvell, James R. Giordano
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Patent number: 8485970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William Bruce Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James Walden Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Patent number: 8461744Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Shan Wan, Daniel W. Price, David K. Norvell, James R. Giordano
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Patent number: 8453906Abstract: An end-effector assembly configured to be attached to a surgical instrument. The end-effector assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a staple cavity. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw. The end-effector assembly comprises a staple removably positioned within the staple cavity and an electrically-conductive driver configured to move the staple between a first stored position in which the staple is at least partially positioned within the staple cavity and a second position in which the staple is at least partially deployed from the staple cavity into tissue positioned intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw. The staple comprises an electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Zhifan F. Huang, Jason L. Harris, Prasanna Malaviya, Foster B. Stulen, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Scott A. Woodruff, Gwendolyn P. Payne, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell, Aron O. Zingman, Paul Guerra, Mary E. Mootoo, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Timothy G. Dietz, David A. Witt
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Publication number: 20130030372Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K. Norvell
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Patent number: 8257315Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K Norvell
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Publication number: 20120089094Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Mark Tsonton, David K. Norvell
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Publication number: 20120083784Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise and end effector first and second tissue engaging surfaces that are slanted with respect to a transection plane. The end effector may, for example, have an electrode defining a V-shaped cross sectional profile. The end effector may comprise a plurality of raised surfaces that are received by a plurality of indentions when the end effector is in the closed position. The end effector may comprise a cutting member having a plurality of bands.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Scott B. Killinger, Jonathan T. Batross, James R. Giordano, Gregory A. Trees, Bingshi Wang, Aaron C. Voegele, David K. Norvell
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Patent number: 8147457Abstract: A trocar for performing a procedure on a patient. The trocar includes a hollow cannula having a distal end and a proximal end. The trocar includes a housing having a distal end attached to the proximal end of the cannula and a proximal end having a wall attached thereto. The wall having an aperture therethrough. The trocar further includes a first seal disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of layered elastomeric members forming conical shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Cropper S. Michael, Paul Franer, Thomas A. Gilker, Geoffrey C. Hueil, David K. Norvell, Brian J. Thompson, Aaron C. Voegele, Mark S. Zeiner
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Publication number: 20120078247Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector includes a pair of jaws that are operable to deliver RF energy to tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to sever tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The shaft extends between the body and the end effector. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Some versions include a rotation section that is distal to the articulation section. The rotation section is operable to rotate the end effector relative to the articulation section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, David K. Norvell, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Gregory A. Trees, Jason E. Zerkle, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Publication number: 20120022526Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke is regulated by at least one biasing member, such as a spring, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, David A. Witt, Mary E. Mootoo, Zhifan F. Huang, Timothy G. Dietz, Raymond M. Banks, Donna L. Korvick, Patrick A. Weizman, David K. Norvell, Scott A. Woodruff, Gwendolyn P. Payne
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Publication number: 20120022530Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The surgical instrument may have a indicator to provide feedback signals during the operational stroke. The feedback signals assist in regulating the rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Woodruff, Patrick A. Weizman, Gwendolyn P. Payne, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell
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Publication number: 20120022527Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by a damper. The damper may have barrel and a plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Woodruff, Patrick A. Weizman, Gwendolyn P. Payne, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell, Aron O. Zingman
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Publication number: 20120012638Abstract: An end-effector assembly configured to be attached to a surgical instrument. The end-effector assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a staple cavity. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw. The end-effector assembly comprises a staple removably positioned within the staple cavity and an electrically-conductive driver configured to move the staple between a first stored position in which the staple is at least partially positioned within the staple cavity and a second position in which the staple is at least partially deployed from the staple cavity into tissue positioned intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw. The staple comprises an electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Zhifan F. Huang, Jason L. Harris, Prasanna Malaviya, Foster B. Stulen, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Scott A. Woodruff, Gwendolyn P. Payne, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell, Aron O. Zingman, Paul Guerra, Mary E. Mootoo, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Timothy G. Dietz, David A. Witt
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Publication number: 20110306965Abstract: An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein one or both of the first and second jaws can include a plurality of electrodes each comprised of a positive temperature coefficient material having a different switching temperature. The electrical resistances of the electrodes can increase significantly once the temperature of the electrodes exceed their switching temperatures and, owing to the increased electrical resistance, the flow of current through the electrodes can be reduced and/or prevented. In various circumstances, the different switching temperatures of the electrodes can allow some of the electrodes to switch off before the other electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: David K. Norvell, Timothy G. Dietz, Zhifan F. Huang, David A. Witt, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Raymond M. Banks, Mary E. Mootoo
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Publication number: 20110306967Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector comprising at least one energy delivery surface and cooling means for cooling at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument may comprise a handle, an elongate shaft operably coupling the handle to the end effector, and a pump operably coupled to the handle. In such embodiments, the pump may be configured to cause a fluid to move through the elongate shaft and over at least a portion of the end effector. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical kit is provided that may comprise a surgical instrument and a cap configured to receive at least a portion of the surgical instrument's end effector. In such embodiments, the cap may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the end effector. Moreover, the cap may be sized and configured to fit through a trocar.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Gwendolyn P. Payne, Scott A. Woodruff, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell
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Publication number: 20110282339Abstract: Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Weizman, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Raymond M. Banks, Andrew T. Beckman, John F. Cummings, Timothy G. Dietz, Craig N. Faller, James R. Giordano, Jason L. Harris, Zhifan F. Huang, Gregory W. Johnson, Cory G. Kimball, Prasanna Malaviya, Matthew C. Miller, Al Mirel, David K. Norvell, Christopher J. Schall, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Foster B. Stulen, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Bradley E. White, Tamara Widenhouse, David A. Witt, Steve G. Bernath
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Patent number: 8034032Abstract: A seal assembly for use in conjunction with a trocar assembly includes a seal body adapted for movement for selectively opening and substantially completely closing the seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a longitudinal axis extending therethrough with a transverse plane substantially perpendicular thereto. The seal body includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end making a first angle with respect to the transverse plane and the distal end making a second angle with respect to the transverse plane, wherein the first angle is less than the second angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Michael S. Cropper, David K. Norvell