Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Withers

Douglas E. Withers 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: 11793513
    Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed comprising a firing member movable from a proximal position toward a distal position during a firing stroke, a motor configured to drive the firing member toward the distal position, and a control system configured to operate in an open-loop configuration and a closed-loop configuration. In the open-loop configuration, the control system is configured to cause the motor to drive the firing member to a predetermined position between the proximal position and the distal position, determine a time required to drive the firing member to the predetermined position, compare the determined time to a predetermined time, and set a motor velocity of the motor based on the comparison. In the closed-loop configuration, the control system is configured to drive the firing member at the set motor velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Douglas E. Withers, Shane R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20220240923
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 11284881
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20210052271
    Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a display, and a control circuit coupled to the motor and the display. The control circuit is configured to measure distance traveled by the displacement member over a predetermined period of time, cause the display to present a selection menu indicia that is indicative of a velocity mode, receive a user input corresponding to the velocity mode, and set the motor velocity of the displacement member based on the measured distance traveled by the displacement member over the predetermined period of time and the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Douglas E. Withers, Shane R. Adams
  • Patent number: 10912543
    Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering end effectors through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes a housing having a distal-facing first portion configured to couple with a proximal end of a surgical trocar, and an elongate second portion protruding distally from the first portion. The second portion can include a lumen formed therein and can be configured to extend into a working channel of the surgical trocar when the housing is coupled thereto. The device can also include at least one mating element coupled to the housing and configured to interface with a complementary mating element of the surgical trocar to restrict movement of the housing relative to the trocar, as well as an end effector retainer coupled to the housing and configured to selectively couple a surgical end effector to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Patent number: 10799257
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first electrical contact and a first sealing portion. The shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact and a second sealing portion. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly. The first and second sealing portions are configured to sealingly engage one another when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Sarah A. Worthington, Andrew Kolpitcke, Laura A. Schoettmer, Laura R. Corsetto, John E. Brady, Christopher J. Hess, Douglas E. Withers, Ryan P. Posey, Jeffery D. Bruns, Gregory G. Scott, Alexander R. Cuti, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10779820
    Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a display, and a control circuit coupled to the motor and the display. The control circuit is configured to measure distance traveled by the displacement member over a predetermined period of time, cause the display to present a selection menu indicia that is indicative of a velocity mode, receive a user input corresponding to the velocity mode, and set the motor velocity of the displacement member based on the measured distance traveled by the displacement member over the predetermined period of time and the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Douglas E. Withers, Shane R. Adams
  • Patent number: 10702257
    Abstract: Devices and methods for positioning a surgical instrument are described herein. In one embodiment, a positioning device can include a base that can be placed against tissue and a shuttle including a lumen that can receive a surgical instrument. The lumen can be translated in at least two directions relative to the base and an orientation of the lumen relative to the base can be polyaxially adjusted. Further, the device can include a locking mechanism that, upon actuation, prevents both translational movement and polyaxial movement of the lumen relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers, Adam D. Hensel
  • Patent number: 10675009
    Abstract: Devices and methods for organizing a plurality of end effectors and selectively delivering them through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes at least one mating element to interface with a surgical trocar, a deployment lumen positioned to align with a working channel of a surgical trocar, an end effector repository having a plurality of end effector lumens formed therein to receive end effectors, the repository being configured to selectively align any of the plurality of end effector lumens with the deployment lumen, and an advancer coupled to the repository and configured to advance an end effector from the repository through the deployment lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Publication number: 20200046342
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10426461
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20190290308
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first electrical contact and a first sealing portion. The shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact and a second sealing portion. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly. The first and second sealing portions are configured to sealingly engage one another when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Sarah A. Worthington, Andrew Kolpitcke, Laura A. Schoettmer, Laura R. Corsetto, John E. Brady, Christopher J. Hess, Douglas E. Withers, Ryan P. Posey, Jeffery D. Bruns, Gregory G. Scott, Alexander R. Cuti, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10420544
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10368864
    Abstract: A motorized 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, and a position sensor coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a velocity of the displacement member via the position sensor, and cause the display to present an indicia that is indicative of the velocity of the displacement member, wherein a portion of the display occupied by the indicia corresponds to the velocity of the displacement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Sarah A. Worthington, Michael J. Vendely, Chester O. Baxter, III, Christopher J. Hess, Douglas E. Withers
  • Patent number: D879809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Douglas E. Withers, Christopher J. Hess
  • Patent number: D890784
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Douglas E. Withers, Sarah A. Worthington, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: D907647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, Richard L. Leimbach, John V. Hunt, Douglas E. Withers, Raymond E. Parfett, Kevin D. Sackett, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: D907648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, Sol A. Posada, Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Kevin D. Sackett, John V. Hunt, Douglas E. Withers, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane R. Adams
  • Patent number: D917500
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, John V. Hunt, Brett E. Swensgard, Douglas E. Withers, Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Shane R. Adams, Brian D. Schings, Kevin D. Sackett
  • Patent number: D971232
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, Sol A. Posada, Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Kevin D. Sackett, John V. Hunt, Douglas E. Withers, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane R. Adams