Patents by Inventor Eugene L. Timperman

Eugene L. Timperman 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: 10888329
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10874396
    Abstract: A stapling instrument for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises an interface including a plurality of rotary members, a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis by a first rotary member, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, an articulation cable, a coupling member, and a firing cable. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The articulation cable operably connects to a second rotary member and is operable to pull the articulation cable and articulate the end effector. The coupling member is movable through a first stroke to move the second jaw toward the first jaw and movable through a second stroke to fire the staples. The firing cable operably connects to a third rotary member and is operable to drive the coupling member through the first stroke and the second stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20200375585
    Abstract: A surgical tool system. Various embodiments of the surgical tool system may comprise surgical instrument that has a handle assembly that operably supports a drive system therein for generating drive motions upon actuation of a movable handle portion operably coupled to the handle assembly. An elongated body protrudes from the handle assembly and operably supports a control rod therein that interfaces with the drive system. The surgical tool system further includes at least two surgical tools selected from the group of surgical tools consisting of: manipulators, nippers, scissors, endocutters, tissue thickness measurement devices, staple appliers, clip appliers, syringes for applying glue, sealant, drugs or medicaments and cauterization devices wherein each of the surgical tool within the group of surgical tools at least has a housing that is removably couplable to the elongated body and a drive assembly that is removably couplable to the control rod for receiving the drive motions therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K. Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10806479
    Abstract: A stapling assembly is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises a first jaw comprising a first ledge and a second jaw comprising a second ledge. The second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The stapling assembly also comprises a closure member movable between a first position and a second position. The second jaw is in the open position when the closure member is in the first position, and the second jaw is in the closed position when the closure member is in the second position. The stapling assembly also comprises a firing member movable through a staple firing stroke. The firing member comprises a first extending member which rides along the first ledge during the staple firing stroke and a second extending member which rides along the second ledge during the staple firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Stephen J. Balek, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10765432
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first clamping member, a second clamping member, an electric motor, and a control system is disclosed. The electric motor is configured to drive at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member toward a predetermined tissue gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member to clamp the tissue of a patient. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor. The parameter is indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the first clamping member and the second clamping member. The control system is further configured to control the electric motor based on the parameter to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10743851
    Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and a drive system is disclosed. The surgical tool comprises a carrier removably couplable to the elongated body, an anvil movably supported for selective movement relative to the carrier in response to drive motions from the drive system, a tissue thickness measuring member movably supported in the carrier and configured to move toward and away from an underside of the anvil in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a sensor arrangement supported between the tissue thickness measuring member and the carrier. The sensor arrangement is configured to interface with an indicator member to provide an indication of a thickness of tissue clamped between the anvil and the tissue thickness measuring member at a location that is proximal to the anvil when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra Kumar Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10743849
    Abstract: A stapling system comprising an end effector, a staple cartridge, a rigid shaft, an articulation joint, an articulation system, a clamping member, and a firing system comprising a sled movable within the staple cartridge to eject staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke, an electric motor, and a firing actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The clamping member is configured to rotate the second iaw into the clamped position. The stapling system further comprises a system responsive to the clamping of the second iaw which enables the staple firing stroke to be performed after the second jaw has been rotated into the clamped position, and a system configured to maintain an orientation of the end effector about the articulation joint during the staple firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Stephen J. Balek, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10682141
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising a staple cartridge, a clamping mechanism configured to clamp patient tissue, a firing member, a manual bailout, an electric motor, a power source, and a control unit is disclosed. The clamping mechanism comprises a first iaw and a second iaw. The firing member configured to engage the first jaw and the second jaw during a closure stroke. The second jaw is moved to the closed position during the closure stroke and the firing member is further configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke. The manual bailout is configured to retract the firing member through a retraction stroke. The electric motor is configured to drive the firing member. The control unit is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor and control the amount of current supplied to the electric motor based on the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20200155155
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that includes an elongate channel that is attached to a handle assembly by an elongate shaft assembly. The elongate channel is configured to receive a cartridge and has a pivotally translatable anvil attached thereto and a knife bar supported therein. The anvil may be selectively opened and closed by manipulating a closure trigger supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may be distally advanced through the elongate channel by actuating a firing trigger that cooperates with a reversible rotary drive supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may also be retracted to its starting position by actuating the firing trigger after the reversible rotary drive has been shifted to a retraction orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John N. Ouwerkerk, Jerome R. Morgan, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Eugene L. Timperman, Leslie M. Fugikawa
  • Patent number: 10653435
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising an end effector, a shaft, a closure drive, a closure member, and a motor-powered firing drive is disclosed. The end effector comprises an elongate channel, a staple cartridge, a clamping member, and a firing member. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a plurality of staple drivers. The clamping member is pivotably connected to the elongate channel and movable between an open position and a clamped position during a clamping motion. The firing member is movable within the elongate channel to engage the staple drivers and deploy the staples from the staple cartridge. The closure member is operably connected to the closure drive and is configured to translate in a proximal direction to pivot the clamping member to the clamped position. The motor-powered firing drive is operably connected to the firing member. The closure drive and the firing drive are independently actuatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Stephen J. Balek, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20200038016
    Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Kevin R. Doll, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10499890
    Abstract: A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Stephen J. Balek, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10463384
    Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a cartridge channel and an anvil, wherein the anvil is pivotably connected to the cartridge channel and is movable relative to the cartridge channel between an open position and a closed position. The end effector comprises a replaceable staple cartridge positionable within the cartridge channel and a drive screw. The end effector also comprises a firing member comprising a knife, a first cam member configured to engage the cartridge channel, a second cam member configured to engage the anvil, and a bearing. The bearing is supported by the drive screw and extends distally relative to the first cam member and the second cam member. The drive screw is configured to drive the firing member distally during a firing stroke and extends through the cartridge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Stephen J. Balek, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10426463
    Abstract: A powered surgical stapler comprising a housing, a motor, an actuator movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, a counter, an elongate shaft, a lockout system, a firing member, a display, and an end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a channel, a staple cartridge, and an anvil is disclosed. The second jaw is movable from an open position toward a closed position when the actuator is in the actuated state. The firing member translates through the staple cartridge during a firing stroke. The display displays the position of the firing member, a locked-out condition where the firing member is prevented from performing a firing stroke, and an actuation count comprising the number of firing strokes performed by the firing member. The firing member is placed in the locked-out condition when the second jaw is not in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ehticon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Kevin R. Doll, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 10398433
    Abstract: A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a strain gauge, and a thickness measurement cartridge is disclosed. The first jaw comprises a first jaw undersurface. The first jaw is selectively movable relative to the second jaw. The strain gauge is supported by the second jaw and configured to communicate with a central processing unit configured to calculate thickness of tissue. The thickness measurement cartridge comprising a cartridge body and a pivot formation. The cartridge body is configured to be removably supported in the second jaw such that a tissue contacting surface thereon faces the first jaw undersurface. The pivot formation on the cartridge body facilitated pivotal movement of the cartridge body relative to the second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Eugene L. Timperman, Leslie M. Fugikawa
  • Publication number: 20190223871
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20190200994
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20190200993
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20190200991
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Publication number: 20190200992
    Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman