Patents by Inventor David Nicholas

David Nicholas 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: 20250248706
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an end effector, a handle assembly that operates the end effector, and an adapter assembly that connects the end effector to the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes an adapter housing, an outer tube, at least one gear assembly, and a worm gear assembly. The adapter housing has a proximal end portion connected to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The outer tube extends distally from the adapter housing and supports the end effector on a distal end portion of the outer tube. The worm gear assembly is engaged with the at least one gear assembly and rotatable with the at least one gear assembly in the adapter housing to operate the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 12185948
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly pivotally coupled to one another. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge, a cartridge carrier, and a strain gauge. The cartridge carrier includes an elongated support channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, the elongated support channel defined by an inner first surface and a pair of inner second surfaces. The inner first surface includes a recess defined therein, and the strain gauge is disposed within the recess. The handle assembly includes a power-pack configured to receive sensor data from the strain gauge of the end effector and to control a function of the end effector in response to the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Matthew Eschbach, David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 12168624
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved scale inhibiting formulation that is effective, environmentally friendly, and does not add any organic compounds or traditional polymeric compounds to treated water. The scale inhibiting composition includes molecular clusters of polyammonium bisulfate (PABS), which can interact physically, chemically, or physio-chemically with one or more ions in the water or water-containing system being treated. That interaction inhibits scale accretion and/or removes previously formed scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Reid Henry Bowman, John A. Hatten, Jr., Freddie L. Singleton, Douglas Brian McKenzie, Murray Raymond Jones
  • Patent number: 12103906
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are clusters compounds that include at least one substituted amine sulfate and at least one substituted amine bisulfate molecule. The substituted amine sulfate molecule and the substituted amine bisulfate molecule may each include an ammonium moiety with at least one alkyl substituent. Optionally, the alkyl substituent can include 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or 1 to 6 carbon atoms. For example, the alkyl substituent can be a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or pentyl group. In some examples, the substituted amine sulfate molecule and the substituted amine bisulfate molecule each include an ammonium moiety with at least two alkyl substituents. Optionally, the two alkyl substituents are the same. Alternatively, however, the two alkyl substituents can be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Reid Henry Bowman, David Nicholas, Freddie L. Singleton
  • Patent number: 12053180
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting an end effector and the device housing. The adapter assembly includes at least one drive converter assembly that converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector. A first drive converter assembly includes a first drive element, a nut, an articulation sleeve, an articulation bearing, and an articulation link. Rotation of the rotatable drive shaft results in rotation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive element results in axial translation of the nut, the articulation sleeve, the articulation bearing, the articulation link, and the at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, John Beardsley, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 12035907
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a proximal body portion, a distal body portion selectively articulable relative to the proximal body portion at an articulation joint, and a first drive gear disposed within the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a diameter and a length. The length of the distal body portion is substantially the same as the diameter of the distal body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, John Beardsley, Russell Pribanic
  • Publication number: 20240164775
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an end effector, a handle assembly that operates the end effector, and an adapter assembly that connects the end effector to the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes an adapter housing, an outer tube, at least one gear assembly, and a worm gear assembly. The adapter housing has a proximal end portion connected to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The outer tube extends distally from the adapter housing and supports the end effector on a distal end portion of the outer tube. The worm gear assembly is engaged with the at least one gear assembly and rotatable with the at least one gear assembly in the adapter housing to operate the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11976377
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of applying metals to substrates, where the methods include contacting the substrate with an aqueous metal plating composition comprising polyammonium bisulfate (“PABS”) and a dissolved metal or salt thereof. The methods allow application of metals to the substrate without need for electrical energy input or for an added chemical catalyst, chelating agent, complexing agent, reducing agent, stabilizer, or pH-modifying (or controlling) chemical compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: EARTH SCIENCE LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nam Tran, John A. Hatten, Jr., Reid Henry Bowman, Jeffrey Alan Keiser, David Hammond, Freddie L. Singleton, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11925348
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an articulation nut, an articulation link, and a drive belt operably coupled to a distal portion of the articulation link. The articulation link has a proximal end portion operably coupled to the articulation nut, such that rotation of the articulation nut results in translation of the articulation link. The drive belt has a distal end portion configured to be operably coupled to a proximal end portion of a surgical loading unit, such that movement of the drive belt articulates the surgical loading unit relative to the adapter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 11911013
    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: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 11877733
    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 handheld electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the handheld electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 11864763
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for selective connection to a surgical device is provided. The adapter assembly includes an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a housing secured to the proximal end of the outer tube, and a cable drive assembly supported by the housing. The cable drive assembly includes a worm gear drive assembly, a cable gear assembly coupled to the worm gear drive assembly, and one or more cables coupled to the cable gear assembly and axially translatable within the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20230404580
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly pivotally coupled to one another. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge, a cartridge carrier, and a strain gauge. The cartridge carrier includes an elongated support channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, the elongated support channel defined by an inner first surface and a pair of inner second surfaces. The inner first surface includes a recess defined therein, and the strain gauge is disposed within the recess. The handle assembly includes a power-pack configured to receive sensor data from the strain gauge of the end effector and to control a function of the end effector in response to the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Eschbach, David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 11751874
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly pivotally coupled to one another. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge, a cartridge carrier, and a strain gauge. The cartridge carrier includes an elongated support channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, the elongated support channel defined by an inner first surface and a pair of inner second surfaces. The inner first surface includes a recess defined therein, and the strain gauge is disposed within the recess. The handle assembly includes a power-pack configured to receive sensor data from the strain gauge of the end effector and to control a function of the end effector in response to the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDEN LP
    Inventors: Matthew Eschbach, David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
  • Publication number: 20230257895
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of applying metals to substrates, where the methods include contacting the substrate with an aqueous metal plating composition comprising polyammonium bisulfate (“PABS”) and a dissolved metal or salt thereof. The methods allow application of metals to the substrate without need for electrical energy input or for an added chemical catalyst, chelating agent, complexing agent, reducing agent, stabilizer, or pH-modifying (or controlling) chemical compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Tran, John A. Hatten, JR., Reid Henry Bowman, David Hammond, David Nicholas, Freddie L. Singleton
  • Patent number: 11723666
    Abstract: A flexible surgical stapler includes an adapter having a coupling assembly configured for securing the adapter assembly to a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the coupling assembly, a first drive assembly extending through the elongate body, and a loading unit secured to a distal portion of the elongate body. The loading unit includes a firing assembly operably connected to the first drive assembly. The firing assembly includes a cycloid gear assembly for increasing an input torque from the first drive assembly to actuate the firing assembly. The flexible surgical stapler may include an introducer assembly to facilitate introduction of a stapling portion of the surgical stapler into a body cavity of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20230174402
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved scale inhibiting formulation that is effective, environmentally friendly, and does not add any organic compounds or traditional polymeric compounds to treated water. The scale inhibiting composition includes molecular clusters of polyammonium bisulfate (PABS), which can interact physically, chemically, or physio-chemically with one or more ions in the water or water-containing system being treated. That interaction inhibits scale accretion and/or removes previously formed scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: DAVID NICHOLAS, REID HENRY BOWMAN, JOHN A. HATTEN, JR., FREDDIE L. SINGLETON, DOUGLAS BRIAN MCKENZIE, Murray Raymond Jones
  • Patent number: 11617581
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending distally from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly. The tool assembly includes an actuation sled that is movable through a staple cartridge to eject staples from the staple cartridge and a clamp member that is movable through the tool assembly to move the tool assembly from an open position to an approximated position. In order to minimize dead space in a proximal portion of the tool assembly, the actuation sled and clamp member are supported in a nested relationship in a pre-actuated state of the surgical stapling device. The clamp member is subsequently moved to a position proximal of the actuation sled during a firing stroke of the stapling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20230072521
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for selective connection to a surgical device is provided. The adapter assembly includes an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a housing secured to the proximal end of the outer tube, and a cable drive assembly supported by the housing. The cable drive assembly includes a worm gear drive assembly, a cable gear assembly coupled to the worm gear drive assembly, and one or more cables coupled to the cable gear assembly and axially translatable within the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11583275
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an outer tube, an end effector, an articulation link, and a sensor assembly. The end effector is movable from a first position where the end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the outer tube, to a second position where the end effector is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal translation of the articulation link relative to the outer tube causes the end effector to move from its first position to its second position. The sensor assembly includes a first portion disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation link, and a second portion disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The sensor assembly is configured to determine an actual amount of articulation of the end effector based on a distance the articulation link move longitudinally relative to the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Anthony Calderoni, Russell Pribanic, David Zeichner, John Pantazis