Patents by Inventor Eric B. Lafay

Eric B. Lafay 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: 20240108334
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Michael J. Vendely, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Jason L. Harris, Kevin M. Fiebig, Eric B. LaFay, Jose Luis De Cordoba Matilla, Raymond E. Parfett, Curtis A. Maples, Sarah A. Worthington, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt
  • Publication number: 20240108329
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a motor system and a control circuit is disclosed. The motor system comprises a motor and a drive train coupleable to the motor and configured to actuate a firing member through a staple firing stroke. The control circuit is coupled to the motor, wherein the control circuit comprises a motor controller configured to control the motor, and wherein, during the staple firing stroke, the control circuit is configured to actuate the firing member through the staple firing stroke, monitor a parameter of the motor system during the staple firing stroke, identify when the firing member is within an active adjustment portion of the staple firing stroke; and automatically adjust, at a frequency, tuning parameters of the motor controller with based on the monitored parameter of the motor system during the active adjustment portion of the staple firing stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Nicholas J. Ross, Shane R. Adams, Eric B. LaFay, Sarah A. Worthington
  • Publication number: 20240108338
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes a motor, a gear reducer assembly, a drive train, and a motor controller. A method of controlling the motor includes applying a first signal to the motor, receiving drive train operational data, comparing the drive train data to baseline data, and applying a signal having a different shape than the first signal to the motor. A method of characterizing the motor includes transmitting a perturbation signal, receiving motor function parameters, determining stapler system characteristics, and adjusting a controller function. A method of controlling a stepper motor includes applying a signal to the stepper motor, receiving stepper motor operational data, comparing the data to baseline data, and adjusting the signal. Another method of controlling the motor includes receiving motor rotational data, receiving gear rotation data, calculating a mechanical transfer function, determining non-idealities of the stapling system, and modifying a control signal based on the non-idealities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Eric B. LaFay, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jose Luis De Cordoba Matilla, Nicholas J. Ross, Matthew D. Cowperthwait
  • Publication number: 20240000499
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector, which includes first and second jaws pivotably coupled together. The first jaw includes a first electrode, and the second jaw includes a second electrode. The jaws may be used to clamp a portion of patient tissue and apply a non-therapeutic, or low voltage, radio frequency (RF) signal to the tissue. Based on the measured response of the current and voltage passing through the tissue, the apparatus can determine various characteristics of the clamped tissue, such as whether the tissue comprises body fluids, blood vessels, tendons, intestines, and/or fat. Once it is determined that the clamped tissue is the correct tissue type, the apparatus may then apply a therapeutic RF signal (e.g., a signal capable of sealing or cauterizing the tissue).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Eric B. Lafay, Madison K. Vanosdoll, Steven M. Boronyak, Raymond E. Parfett
  • Patent number: 10426685
    Abstract: A mobile patient bed may be used for moving a patient between at least two locations during a medical procedure. The mobile patient bed may comprise an interface configured to selectively couple the mobile patient bed to at least one medical system and at least one processor configured to receive a medical system command via the interface and process the medical system command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system, receive and process a user command when the mobile patient bed is not coupled to the at least one medical system, and refrain from processing the user command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system. The mobile patient bed may also comprise a seat and a plurality of motors configured to independently position the seat along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott
  • Publication number: 20180177659
    Abstract: A mobile patient bed may be used for moving a patient between at least two locations during a medical procedure. The mobile patient bed may comprise an interface configured to selectively couple the mobile patient bed to at least one medical system and at least one processor configured to receive a medical system command via the interface and process the medical system command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system, receive and process a user command when the mobile patient bed is not coupled to the at least one medical system, and refrain from processing the user command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system. The mobile patient bed may also comprise a seat and a plurality of motors configured to independently position the seat along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott
  • Patent number: 9901503
    Abstract: A mobile patient bed may be used for moving a patient between at least two locations during a medical procedure. The mobile patient bed may comprise an interface configured to selectively couple the mobile patient bed to at least one medical system and at least one processor configured to receive a medical system command via the interface and process the medical system command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system, receive and process a user command when the mobile patient bed is not coupled to the at least one medical system, and refrain from processing the user command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system. The mobile patient bed may also comprise a seat and a plurality of motors configured to independently position the seat along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott
  • Publication number: 20170119610
    Abstract: A mobile patient bed may be used for moving a patient between at least two locations during a medical procedure. The mobile patient bed may comprise an interface configured to selectively couple the mobile patient bed to at least one medical system and at least one processor configured to receive a medical system command via the interface and process the medical system command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system, receive and process a user command when the mobile patient bed is not coupled to the at least one medical system, and refrain from processing the user command when the mobile patient bed is coupled to the at least one medical system. The mobile patient bed may also comprise a seat and a plurality of motors configured to independently position the seat along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott
  • Patent number: D802542
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott, Michelle SanPedro, Raymond B. Cota, Qi Wu, Jeffrey A. Golda
  • Patent number: D804038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott, Michelle SanPedro, Raymond B. Cota, Qi Wu, Jeffrey A. Golda
  • Patent number: D826410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott, Michelle SanPedro, Raymond B. Cota, Qi Wu, Adam K. Hoopai, Jeffrey A. Golda
  • Patent number: D857210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven S. Christensen, Antonio D. Lucero, Brian Riley, Eric B. Lafay, David D. Scott, Michelle SanPedro, Raymond B. Cota, Qi Wu, Jeffrey A. Golda