Patents by Inventor Eric N. Johnson
Eric N. Johnson 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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Patent number: 11832905Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft extended through a handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, a rack extending along a portion of the shaft and operatively coupled to a knife located at the end effector, a first actuation system housed within the handle and operable to drive the rack and thereby advance or retract the knife at the end effector, the first actuation system including a sector gear engageable with the rack and including a tooth-free zone, and a second actuation system housed within the handle and operable to cause z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle. Rotating the sector gear such that the tooth-free zone faces the rack decouples the shaft from the first actuation system to allow the shaft to freely move in z-axis translation.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Charles J. Scheib, Eric N. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230380920Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing having an elongate shaft extending therefrom, an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, a drive input rotatably mounted to the drive housing and having an input shaft extending therefrom, an upper capstan assembly rotatably mounted to the input shaft and having a first drive cable coupled thereto and extending to the end effector, a lower capstan assembly rotatably mounted to the input shaft and having a second drive cable coupled thereto and extending to the end effector, and a compliant member mounted to the input shaft and arranged in-line and extending between the upper and lower capstan assemblies, the compliant member providing a constant opposing torsional load on the upper and lower capstan assemblies and thereby removing slack in the first and second drive cables as the input shaft rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventor: Eric N. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 11806099Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing first and second jaws, and an articulable wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end, the wrist including a linkage providing one or more lateral arms receivable within a corresponding one or more grooves defined in the first and second jaws, wherein mounting the linkage to the first and second jaws at the corresponding one or more groove generates a jaw pivot where the first and second jaws pivot between open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Eric N. Johnson, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jason Alan Hill, Spencer James Witte
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Patent number: 11793584Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a handle providing a first drive input and a second drive input, an elongate shaft extendable through the handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, and a rack extending along a portion of the shaft and operatively coupled to a knife located at the end effector. Actuation of the first drive input transitions the rack between a locked configuration, where the rack is locked to the shaft, and a released configuration, where the rack is released from the shaft. Actuation of the second drive input with the rack in the locked configuration drives the rack and causes z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle. Actuation of the second drive input with the rack in the released configuration drives the rack relative to the shaft and thereby advances or retracts the knife at the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Charles J. Scheib, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Eric N. Johnson, Jason Alan Hill
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Patent number: 11759270Abstract: A robotic surgical tool comprises a handle having a first end and a second end, a lead screw and at least one spline extendable between the first and second ends of the handle, and a carriage movably mountable to the lead screw at a carriage nut. The carriage includes an elevator layer and one or more additional layers removably coupled to the elevator layer. An elongate shaft may be provided that extends distally from the one or more additional layers and penetrates the elevator layer and the first end when the one or more additional layers are coupled to the elevator layer. An end effector may be arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Charles J. Scheib, Eric N. Johnson, Aren Calder Hill, Yanan Huang
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Patent number: 11751964Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing having an elongate shaft extending therefrom, an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and a drive input rotatably mounted to the drive housing and having an input shaft extending therefrom. An upper capstan assembly is rotatably mounted to the input shaft and has a first drive cable coupled thereto and extending to the end effector, and a lower capstan assembly is rotatably mounted to the input shaft and has a second drive cable coupled thereto and extending to the end effector. A compliant member is operatively coupled to and extends between the upper and lower capstan assemblies to provide a constant opposing torsional load on the upper and lower capstan assemblies and thereby remove slack in the first and second drive cables as the input shaft rotates.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventor: Eric N. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230181275Abstract: Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for robotic surgical instruments having onboard generators are provided. In general, a surgical instrument is configured to releasably and replaceably couple to a robotic surgical system. The surgical instrument is configured to receive an input from the robotic surgical system that causes the surgical instrument to generate electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Niko Murrell, David Perdue, Eric N. Johnson, Benjamin D. Dickerson
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Publication number: 20220338942Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a handle having a plurality of drive inputs rotatably mounted thereto, an elongate shaft extending through the handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, and a plurality of drive members extending along the shaft to the end effector. A plurality of input stacks are arranged within the handle and operatively coupled to the plurality of drive inputs such that actuation of the plurality of drive inputs rotates the plurality of input stacks. Each input stack includes a drive member engagement device that locates and captures a corresponding one of the plurality of drive members at the handle upon rotation of the input stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220338891Abstract: An end effector for a robotic surgical tool includes a lower jaw, and an upper jaw opposite the lower jaw and including a first component part matable with a second component part at a mated interface that extends longitudinally and vertically.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL, James Matthew Wilson
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Publication number: 20220249184Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing having an elongate shaft extending therefrom and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft, a drive input rotatably mounted to the drive housing and having an input shaft extending therefrom, and upper and lower capstans mounted to the input shaft. First and second drive cables are coupled to the upper and lower capstans, respectively, and extend to the end effector, and a clutch feature is arranged to mate the upper capstan to the lower capstan and is movable between an engaged position, where rotation of the input shaft in either angular direction correspondingly rotates the upper and lower capstans in the same angular direction, and a disengaged position, where the upper and lower capstans are rotatable independent of each other in at least one angular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Austin Michael FISCHER, William George SAULENAS, Eric N. JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20220226055Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing first and second jaws, an articulable wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end and includes one or more articulation joints, at least one guiding component arranged within a central portion of the wrist, and a knife rod extending through and supported by the at least one guiding component and terminating at a knife.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226050Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing first and second jaws, an articulable wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end, the wrist including an articulation joint pivotable about an axis and a linkage mounted to the first and second jaws, a distal wedge positioned distal to the articulation joint and within a central portion of the wrist, and an electrical conductor extending through the wrist and to an electrode located at the end effector, wherein the distal wedge guides the electrical conductor to the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226051Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including a first jaw providing a first jaw extension and a second jaw providing a second jaw extension, and an articulable wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end, the wrist including an articulation joint rotatable about a first pivot axis, and first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the articulation joint at a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis, the first pulley interposing the first jaw extension and a first joint portion of the articulation joint, and the second pulley interposing the second jaw extension and a second joint portion of the articulation joint. Joining the first and second joint portions secures the first and second pulleys within the wrist.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226056Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a handle providing a drive input, an elongate shaft extendable through the handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and an accumulator system housed within the handle and operatively coupled to the drive input such that actuation of the drive input operates the accumulator system. At least one drive cable is threaded through the accumulator system and extends distally along the shaft, wherein operation of the accumulator system acts on the at least one drive cable to operate the end effector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Andrew T. BECKMAN, Spencer James WITTE, Charles J. SCHEIB, Benjamin D. DICKERSON, Travis Michael SCHUH, Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226059Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a shaft extendable through a handle, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including a first and second jaws providing first and second jaw extension, a plurality of drive members extending along the shaft and actuatable by the handle, and an articulable wrist interposing the end effector and the distal end. The wrist includes a proximal clevis, a distal clevis rotatably coupled to the proximal clevis, first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the distal clevis, the first jaw extension being pinned to the first pulley and the second jaw extension being pinned to the second pulley, and a linkage mounted to the jaws. The plurality of drive members terminate at the first and second pulleys and are antagonistically operable to open and close the jaws and articulate the end effector in pitch and yaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Andrew T. BECKMAN, Charles J. SCHEIB, Travis Michael SCHUH, Benjamin D. DICKERSON, Erica Ding CHIN, Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226058Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a handle, an elongate shaft extended through the handle, and an actuation system housed within the handle and including a drive belt extending along a portion of the shaft and having a distal end anchored to the shaft distal to the handle and a proximal end anchored to the shaft proximal to the handle, and a drive gear mounted to the handle to receive the drive belt. Operating the actuation system rotates the drive gear to drive the drive belt and thereby cause z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Andrew T. BECKMAN, Charles J. SCHEIB, Benjamin D. DICKERSON, Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Publication number: 20220226052Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing first and second jaws, and an articulable wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end, the wrist including a linkage providing one or more lateral arms receivable within a corresponding one or more grooves defined in the first and second jaws, wherein mounting the linkage to the first and second jaws at the corresponding one or more groove generates a jaw pivot where the first and second jaws pivot between open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eric N. JOHNSON, Benjamin D. DICKERSON, Jason Alan HILL, Spencer James WITTE
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Publication number: 20220226049Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft extended through a handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, a rack extending along a portion of the shaft and operatively coupled to a knife located at the end effector, a first actuation system housed within the handle and operable to drive the rack and thereby advance or retract the knife at the end effector, the first actuation system including a sector gear engageable with the rack and including a tooth-free zone, and a second actuation system housed within the handle and operable to cause z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle. Rotating the sector gear such that the tooth-free zone faces the rack decouples the shaft from the first actuation system to allow the shaft to freely move in z-axis translation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Charles J. SCHEIB, Eric N. JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20220226048Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a handle providing a first drive input and a second drive input, an elongate shaft extendable through the handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, and a rack extending along a portion of the shaft and operatively coupled to a knife located at the end effector. Actuation of the first drive input transitions the rack between a locked configuration, where the rack is locked to the shaft, and a released configuration, where the rack is released from the shaft. Actuation of the second drive input with the rack in the locked configuration drives the rack and causes z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle. Actuation of the second drive input with the rack in the released configuration drives the rack relative to the shaft and thereby advances or retracts the knife at the end effector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ethicon LLCInventors: Andrew T. BECKMAN, Charles J. SCHEIB, Benjamin D. DICKERSON, Eric N. JOHNSON, Jason Alan HILL
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Patent number: 11331155Abstract: An end effector for a surgical tool includes a first jaw that defines an aperture, a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, and a spacer pin received within the aperture and protruding from an upper surface of the first jaw. The spacer pin is adjustable within the aperture to define a jaw gap between the first and second jaws when the second jaw is moved to a closed position and engages the spacer pin, and the spacer pin is secured within the aperture to set the jaw gap.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Eric N. Johnson, Mark Allen Davison