Patents by Inventor Frederick E. Shelton, IV

Frederick E. Shelton, IV 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: 20230380835
    Abstract: Implantable adjuncts for use with a surgical instrument are disclosed. The implantable adjunct includes a first mesh positioned about a first side of the longitudinal knife slot and a second mesh positioned about a second side of the longitudinal knife slot such that the first and second meshes define a gap substantially aligned with the longitudinal knife slot of the staple cartridge body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Vendely, Emily A. Schellin, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Trevor J. Barton, Lauren S. Weaner, Mark H. Ransick
  • Publication number: 20230380833
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jerome R. Morgan, Sora Rhee, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Tamara S. Widenhouse
  • Patent number: 11830602
    Abstract: A surgical hub may obtain a hub connectivity mode based on a hub connectivity control parameter. For example, the hub connectivity mode may be selected from multiple connectivity modes that may be preconfigured, dynamically updated, semi-dynamically updated, periodically updated, or preset. The hub connectivity modes may control inter-device connectivity within a network associated with a hospital, and/or communication with an external network associated with a different hospital. The surgical hub may determine whether to provide instructional information to at least one smart surgical instrument based on the hub connectivity mode. On a condition that the hub connectivity mode does not support provisioning instructional information to surgical devices, provisioning instructional information to surgical devices may be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Shane R. Adams
  • Patent number: 11826132
    Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 11826535
    Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing surgical procedures. In general, one or more adjuncts can be used in conjunction with surgical instruments. The adjunct(s) can have medicant(s) thereon and/or therein. The medicant(s) can vary depending on the desired effect of the medicant(s) on surrounding tissue. As a non-limiting example, medicant(s) can be provided to influence hemostasis, inflammation, macrophages, and/or fibroblasts. When used in conjunction with a surgical stapler, the adjunct(s) can be disposed between and/or on jaws of the stapler, incorporated into a staple cartridge disposed in the jaws, or otherwise placed in proximity to the staples. When staples are deployed, the adjunct(s) can remain at the treatment site with the staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmBH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Vendely, Tamara S. Widenhouse
  • Patent number: 11826043
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body including staple formation features is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jordan B. Wong, Shane R. Adams, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 11826045
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an end effector configured to interact with a tissue during a plurality of zones of operation. The surgical apparatus further includes at least one drive mechanism operable to effect at least one motion in the end effector during each of the zones of operation. The surgical apparatus also includes one or more vibration sensors configured to record vibrations generated by the at least one drive mechanism during the zones of operation, wherein the one or more vibration sensors are configured to generate an output signal based on the sensed vibrations, and wherein the output signal is employed to determine a status of the surgical apparatus based on predetermined threshold values that are unique to each of the zones of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L Harris
  • Patent number: 11826042
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a firing drive including a leverage selection mechanism is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11826048
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft, an axially movable articulation driver, and an articulation lock system. The articulation lock system comprises a lock gear and a lock element. The lock gear comprises a first annular array of first lock teeth in meshing engagement with a longitudinal array of driver lock teeth on the axially movable articulation driver and a second annular array of second lock teeth. The lock element comprises a third annular array of third lock teeth. The lock element is movably supported relative to the lock gear such that the third lock teeth meshingly engage the second lock teeth as a closure element moves through a closure stroke to prevent rotation of the lock gear and prevent the axially movable articulation driver from moving axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11826012
    Abstract: A stapling instrument comprising a firing drive including a motor-driven reciprocatable pawl is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230372013
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for aggregating patient, procedure, surgeon, and/or facility pre-surgical data and population and adaptation of a starting procedure plan template. Pre-surgical data may be used to populate a patient specific surgical procedure plan. A surgical system (e.g., surgical hub) may be configured to obtain patient specific pre-surgical data for a patient specific surgical procedure. The surgical system may obtain a surgical procedure template comprising surgical procedure steps. The surgical system may determine surgical task options for the surgical procedure steps, for example, based on the patient specific pre-surgical data. The surgical system may determine characterizations (e.g., predicted outcomes, risk levels, efficiency) for the surgical task options. A populated patient specific procedure plan may be generated, for example, which may include the determined surgical procedure steps and the respective characterizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jacqueline Corrigan Aronhalt, Nicholas James Ross, Shane R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20230372012
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for detecting failure mitigation associated with a surgical task. A device may perform a first autonomous function associated with a surgical task. Performing the first autonomous function may be associated with control feedback. The first autonomous function may be monitored by tracking one or more outputs associated with the control feedback. If the one or more outputs cross a failure threshold, the device may switch from performing the first autonomous function to performing a second autonomous function associated with the surgical task. The second autonomous function may be associated with failure mitigation feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Matthew David Cowperthwait, Curtis Anthony Maples, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas James Ross, Raymond Edward Parfett
  • Publication number: 20230371947
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, an articulation system, a firing system, a closure system, a lock system, and a control unit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a pair of movable jaws. The articulation system articulates the end effector when the articulation system is in an active state. The closure system is actuatable to move the pair of jaws. The lock system prevents the closure system from actuating when the lock system is in a locked state. The control unit controls the supply of power from a power source to the articulation system, the firing system, and the lock system. The control unit transitions the lock system to the locked state and prevents the supply of power from the power source to the firing system when the articulation system is in the active state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230371954
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Brian W. Bear, Matthew H. Bolton, Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, William D. Fox, Kevin L. Houser, John P. Measamer, Christopher C. Miller, Mark D. Overmyer, Kevin D. Sackett, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Richard F. Schwemberger, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig S. Smith, Omar J. Vakharia, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Publication number: 20230371968
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for autonomous operation of a surgical device within a predefined boundary. A discrete signal associated with clamping control (e.g., closure of a clamping jaw) may be received by the surgical device. The discrete signal may be triggered by a healthcare professional or autonomously activated. The surgical device, in response to the discrete signal and based on an algorithm, may generate a continuous signal to cause a continuous application of force or deployment of an operation. The surgical device, based at least on a measurement associated with one of tissue, inrush current, or the distance between the smart energy device and the smart grasper may determine a safety adjustment associated with the operation of the surgical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Kevin M. Fiebig, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Publication number: 20230372031
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for identification of image shapes based on situational awareness of a surgical image and annotation of shapes or pixels. A surgical video associated with a surgical procedure may be obtained. Surgical context data for the surgical procedure may be obtained. Elements in the video frames may be identified based on the surgical context data using image processing. Annotation data may be determined and generated for the video frames, for example, based on the surgical context data and the identified element(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20230377709
    Abstract: Examples described herein may include a surgical computing system that determines an autonomous operation parameter and generates a control signal for an autonomous operation based on the autonomous operation parameter. The surgical computing system may obtain surgical data and determine the autonomous operation parameter based on the surgical data. The surgical computing system may obtain surgical data and determine the autonomous operation parameter based on the surgical data. The surgical computing system may send the control signal for the autonomous operation, for example, to one or more smart surgical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Sarah A. Worthington, Kevin M. Fiebig, Curtis Anthony Maples, Nicholas James Ross, Shane R. Adams, Matthew David Cowperthwait, Raymond Edward Parfett, Jacqueline Corrigan Aronhalt, Charles J. Scheib, Jason L. Harris, Aaron Chow
  • Publication number: 20230377726
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for adapted autonomy functions and system interconnections. A surgical hub may detect a first surgical device in the surgical environment. The first surgical device may include a first plurality of features. The surgical hub may include a plurality of resources. The surgical hub may detect a second surgical device in the surgical environment. The second surgical device may include a second plurality of features. The surgical hub may determine one or more features from the first plurality of features for the first surgical device to perform and one or more features from the second plurality of features for the second surgical device to perform based on the plurality of resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Nicholas James Ross, Curtis Anthony Maples, Kevin M. Fiebig, Shane R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20230372030
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for automatic compilation, annotation, and dissemination of surgical data to systems to anticipate related automated operations. Surgical procedure data may be selectively sent to surgical systems, for example, to perform autonomous tasks (e.g., without being requested for the data). A surgical computing system may obtain the surgical procedure data from surgical systems. The surgical computing system may annotate the surgical procedure data with surgical context data. The surgical computing system may determine a data need associated with a subsequent target system task associated with a target system. The surgical computing system may determine the target system, for example, based on the annotated surgical procedure data. The surgical computing system may generate a data package associated with the data needs, which may comprise a portion of the annotated surgical procedure data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20230371950
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities may be described herein for automating a surgical task. The device may receive an indication of a surgical task to be performed with a surgical instrument. Capabilities of the surgical instrument may be associated with levels of automation. The device may monitor a performance of the surgical task with the surgical instrument operating at a first level of automation associated with the levels of automation. The device may detect a trigger event associated with the performance of the surgical task and switch operation of the surgical instrument from the first level of automation to a second level of automation associated with levels of automation, for example, based on the trigger event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Sarah A. Worthington, Kevin M. Fiebig, Curtis Anthony Maples, Nicholas James Ross, Shane R. Adams, Matthew David Cowperthwait