Patents by Inventor David M. Chowaniec

David M. Chowaniec 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: 20240113462
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Andriy Buyda, David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Brian J. Banerjee, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11877744
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a loading unit having a staple cartridge having a cartridge distance and a plurality of staples and an anvil to form the plurality of staples upon firing. The surgical stapler also includes a shaft assembly coupled to the load unit. The shaft assembly includes a drive shaft longitudinally movable within the shaft assembly and configured to actuate the loading unit. The surgical stapler further includes a handle assembly having a power source and a motor coupled to the power source and configured to move the drive shaft longitudinally. The handle assembly also includes a distance setting interface including a plurality of switches each of which corresponds to a travel distance that the motor moves the drive shaft, the travel distance corresponding to the cartridge distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Drew R. Seils, Thomas S. Wingardner, Andriy Buyda, Jennifer Mccabe
  • Patent number: 11862884
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Andriy Buyda, David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Brian J. Creston, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11819209
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a motor-driven drive shaft, a distal firing rod coupled to a driven element of a surgical end effector, and a clutch mechanism coupled between the drive shaft and the distal firing rod. The clutch mechanism is configured to electrically connect the drive shaft and the distal firing rod upon the distal firing rod experiencing a threshold force. The electrical connection signals a processor that the threshold force has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Suresh Kumar Prema Mohanasundaram, Brian J. Creston, David M. Chowaniec, Roanit A. Fernandes, Hari Naga Mahesh Kalepu, Raja Kamaraj
  • Publication number: 20230355239
    Abstract: A powered handle assembly includes a motor assembly, a rack, a shaft, and a pinion that couples the motor assembly to the rack. The shaft supports the pinion and is movable to move the pinion from a first position engaged with the rack to a second position disengaged from the rack to facilitate manual retraction of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Andriy Buyda, Saumya Banerjee, Brian J. Creston
  • Patent number: 11779334
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a handle assembly. The tool assembly includes first and second jaw members. The handle assembly includes a rack and a retraction assembly. The rack is operatively coupled to the tool assembly and slidably supported in the handle assembly. The rack includes teeth extending along a length of the rack. The retraction assembly includes a shaft, a lever including a wheel and a lever handle extending from the wheel, and a pawl pivotably secured to the wheel. The lever is secured to the shaft for concomitant rotation therewith. The shaft is transitionable between a disengage state, in which, the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of the rack, and an engaged state, in which, the pawl engages the teeth of the rack such that when the lever handle is rotate about the shaft, the rack is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Andriy Buyda, Brian J. Creston, Saumya Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11701119
    Abstract: A powered handle assembly includes a motor assembly, a rack, a shaft, and a pinion that couples the motor assembly to the rack. The shaft supports the pinion and is movable to move the pinion from a first position engaged with the rack to a second position disengaged from the rack to facilitate manual retraction of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Andriy Buyda, Saumya Banerjee, Brian J. Creston
  • Patent number: 11666333
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body, a switch, a sensor link, and an annular member. The elongated body includes a proximal portion configured to couple to a handle assembly and a distal portion configured to couple to a surgical loading unit. The switch is configured to be toggled in response to the surgical loading unit being coupled to the distal portion of the adapter assembly. The sensor link is disposed within the distal portion of the adapter assembly and biased toward a distal position. The sensor link is longitudinally movable between a proximal position and the distal position. The annular member is disposed within the distal portion and is rotatable between a first orientation, in which the annular member prevents distal movement of the sensor link, and a second orientation, in which the sensor link moves distally to toggle the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Richard, Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian, Nihir Patel
  • Publication number: 20230059564
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a handle assembly. The tool assembly includes first and second jaw members. The handle assembly includes a rack and a retraction assembly. The rack is operatively coupled to the tool assembly and slidably supported in the handle assembly. The rack includes teeth extending along a length of the rack. The retraction assembly includes a shaft, a lever including a wheel and a lever handle extending from the wheel, and a pawl pivotably secured to the wheel. The lever is secured to the shaft for concomitant rotation therewith. The shaft is transitionable between a disengage state, in which, the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of the rack, and an engaged state, in which, the pawl engages the teeth of the rack such that when the lever handle is rotate about the shaft, the rack is retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Andriy Buyda, Brian J. Creston, Saumya Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20230045887
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andriy Buyda, David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Brian J. Creston, Saumya Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20230038169
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a motor-driven drive shaft, a distal firing rod coupled to a driven element of a surgical end effector, and a clutch mechanism coupled between the drive shaft and the distal firing rod. The clutch mechanism is configured to electrically connect the drive shaft and the distal firing rod upon the distal firing rod experiencing a threshold force. The electrical connection signals a processor that the threshold force has been exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Kumar Prema Mohanasundaram, Brian J. Creston, David M. Chowaniec, Roanit A. Fernandes, Hari Naga Mahesh Kalepu, Raja Kamaraj
  • Publication number: 20220378423
    Abstract: A powered handle assembly includes a motor assembly, a rack, a shaft, and a pinion that couples the motor assembly to the rack. The shaft supports the pinion and is movable to move the pinion from a first position engaged with the rack to a second position disengaged from the rack to facilitate manual retraction of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Andriy Buyda, Saumya Banerjee, Brian J. Creston
  • Publication number: 20220175376
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11266404
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20220047262
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a loading unit having a staple cartridge having a cartridge distance and a plurality of staples and an anvil to form the plurality of staples upon firing. The surgical stapler also includes a shaft assembly coupled to the load unit. The shaft assembly includes a drive shaft longitudinally movable within the shaft assembly and configured to actuate the loading unit. The surgical stapler further includes a handle assembly having a power source and a motor coupled to the power source and configured to move the drive shaft longitudinally. The handle assembly also includes a distance setting interface including a plurality of switches each of which corresponds to a travel distance that the motor moves the drive shaft, the travel distance corresponding to the cartridge distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: David M. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Drew R. Seils, Thomas S. Wingardner, Andriy Buyda, Jennifer Mccabe
  • Publication number: 20210290235
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body, a switch, a sensor link, and an annular member. The elongated body includes a proximal portion configured to couple to a handle assembly and a distal portion configured to couple to a surgical loading unit. The switch is configured to be toggled in response to the surgical loading unit being coupled to the distal portion of the adapter assembly. The sensor link is disposed within the distal portion of the adapter assembly and biased toward a distal position. The sensor link is longitudinally movable between a proximal position and the distal position. The annular member is disposed within the distal portion and is rotatable between a first orientation, in which the annular member prevents distal movement of the sensor link, and a second orientation, in which the sensor link moves distally to toggle the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Richard, Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian, Nihir Patel
  • Publication number: 20210212672
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongate body configured to receive a surgical loading unit and an elongate loading bar coupled to the elongate body and configured to selectively lock the surgical loading unit to the adapter assembly. The elongate loading bar has a distal end defining a slot therein configured for receipt of an articulation link of the surgical loading unit upon an improper insertion of the surgical loading unit into the adapter assembly. With the articulation captured in the slot, rotation of the surgical loading unit toward a fully assembled state with the adapter assembly is resisted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Andriy Buyda, David M. Chowaniec, Asa G. DeBlois
  • Patent number: 11026685
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body, a switch, a sensor link, and an annular member. The elongated body includes a proximal portion configured to couple to a handle assembly and a distal portion configured to couple to a surgical loading unit. The switch is configured to be toggled in response to the surgical loading unit being coupled to the distal portion of the adapter assembly. The sensor link is disposed within the distal portion of the adapter assembly and biased toward a distal position. The sensor link is longitudinally movable between a proximal position and the distal position. The annular member is disposed within the distal portion and is rotatable between a first orientation, in which the annular member prevents distal movement of the sensor link, and a second orientation, in which the sensor link moves distally to toggle the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Richard, Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian, Nihir Patel
  • Patent number: 10772631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200155150
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan Williams, Anand Subramanian