Patents by Inventor Galen C. Robertson

Galen C. Robertson 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: 9867618
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system for treating the tissue of a patient is provided. Various embodiments of the surgical stapling system include a handle including a rotary motion generator, a shaft extending from the handle, and a disposable loading unit attachable to the shaft. The disposable loading unit includes a cartridge body including a distal end, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a firing system, wherein the firing system includes a cutting portion configured to cut the tissue. The surgical stapling system includes an actuation system configured to regulate a firing force applied to the firing system by the rotary motion generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair
  • Patent number: 9848901
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a cutting blade coupled to a motor and an ultrasonic blade coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. In some embodiments, the cutting blade includes a longitudinally extending lumen and the ultrasonic blade is disposed within the longitudinally extending lumen of the cutting blade. In other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a longitudinally extending lumen and the cutting blade is disposed within the longitudinally extending lumen of the ultrasonic blade. In yet other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade is substantially parallel to the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Richard W. Timm, Kevin L. Houser, Sean P. Conlon, Aron O. Zingman
  • Patent number: 9848902
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a trigger configured to be actuated by a proximally directed force and by a distally directed force. The trigger may include a proximal trigger portion having a first length and a distal trigger hook comprising a distal portion having a second length. The second length may be less than the first length. The distal trigger hook may be coupled to the proximal trigger portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Price, Galen C. Robertson, Cory G. Kimball, Scott A. Woodruff, Matthew C. Miller, Kip M. Rupp, Carrie I. Fihe, Jane A. Sheetz, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170319783
    Abstract: An infusion device includes a housing with an interior chamber sized and configured to hold at least a flange and plunger of a syringe, a trigger held by the housing, and a lever in communication with the trigger and including an upwardly extending cam with a cam path having an upper end. The cam is in communication with the flange of the syringe. In response to actuation of the trigger to dispense fluid from the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels upward above the syringe and longitudinally toward a dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger of the syringe in a first direction to dispense fluid from the syringe. To refill fluid into the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels downward and longitudinally away from the dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger in a second direction to intake fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mark D. Piehl, Galen C. Robertson, John Tyler Willis Hagler, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Frederic C. Feiler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170281875
    Abstract: An infusion device includes a housing with an interior chamber sized and configured to hold at least a flange and plunger of a syringe, a trigger held by the housing, and a lever in communication with the trigger and including an upwardly extending cam with a cam path having an upper end. The cam is in communication with the flange of the syringe. In response to actuation of the trigger to dispense fluid from the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels upward above the syringe and longitudinally toward a dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger of the syringe in a first direction to dispense fluid from the syringe. To refill fluid into the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels downward and longitudinally away from the dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger in a second direction to intake fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mark D. Piehl, Galen C. Robertson, John Tyler Willis Hagler, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Frederic C. Feiler, JR.
  • Patent number: 9707004
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising an end effector is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a trigger actuatable to cause the end effector to be energized and a circuit in communication with the trigger. The circuit is configured to, when a first level of force is applied to the trigger, drive the end effector at a first level, when a second level of force is applied to the trigger, drive the end effector at a second level, and, delay by a first period of time between indicating a change in the force applied to the trigger from the first level of force to the second level of force and a change from driving the end effector at the first level to driving the end effector at the second level, wherein the first period of time is sufficient to give a user a warning about the change in the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Stephanie J. Muir, Louis T. DeLuca, Daniel W. Price, William D. Boyd, Galen C. Robertson, Michael J. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 9649126
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes providing an ultrasonic waveguide comprising a blade implement at a distal end thereof, providing an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and providing a hollow sheath sized to receive the ultrasonic blade. The method further includes identifying a motionless node on the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic transducer assembly is driven at maximum current at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer assembly, and installing a seal on the waveguide at the motionless node, wherein the seal has an annular groove therein. Installing the seal comprises positioning a first annular seal portion at the motionless node on the waveguide such that a first axial seal portion and a second axial seal portion extend axially in opposite axial directions beyond the first annular seal portion. When compressed, the seal maintains a contact with the waveguide that is less than a contact with the hollow sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Kevin L. Houser, Mark A. Neurohr
  • Patent number: 9642644
    Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis and an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The surgical device also may comprise a lower jaw extending parallel to the end effector. The lower jaw may comprise a clamp face extending toward the longitudinal axis. Also, the lower jaw may be slidable relative to the end effector to bring the clamp face toward a distal end of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Stephanie J. Muir, Louis T. DeLuca, Daniel W. Price, William D. Boyd, Galen C. Robertson, Michael J. O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20160367273
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, a transducer assembly, a motor, a hollow sheath, and a blade is disclosed. The transducer assembly may be rotatably supported within the housing and may be configured to selectively generate an ultrasonic motion. The motor may be coupled to the transducer assembly and may be configured to selectively apply rotational motion to the transducer assembly. The hollow sheath may be coupled to the housing and may define a distal cavity. The blade may be coupled to the transducer assembly and may be rotatably supported within the hollow sheath. A distal end of the blade may include a tissue-cutter that may be rotatably supported in the distal cavity. The distal cavity may comprise a friction reducing material. A portion of the tissue-cutter may be arranged to apply the ultrasonic motion to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Richard W. Timm, Kip M. Rupp, Kristina A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9510850
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a blade defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the blade comprises a distal end, a lumen, a first opening adjacent to the distal end and communicating with the lumen, and a first cutting edge positioned over the first opening and projecting away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the first cutting edge extends along a curved contour defined in a cutting plane, and wherein the cutting plane is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises, one, a suction port communicating with the lumen, wherein the blade is configured to allow suction to be applied from the suction port to the first opening and, two, at least one ultrasonic transducer operably coupled to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Matthew C. Miller, Prasanna Malaviya
  • Patent number: 9486236
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a trigger configured to be actuated by a proximally directed force and by a distally directed force. The trigger may comprise a proximal trigger portion having a first length and a distal trigger hook comprising a distal portion having a second length. The second length may be less than the first length. The distal trigger hook may be coupled to the proximal trigger portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Price, Galen C. Robertson, Scott A. Woodruff, Matthew C. Miller, Kip M. Rupp, Carrie I. Fihe, Jane A. Sheetz, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160296249
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: Galen C. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20160271385
    Abstract: A systems and method for coupling electrical energy to the medical instruments includes a tubular socket having a conductive region and a lumen for receiving a segment of a medical instrument. An energy source is electrically coupled to a conductor in contact with an outer surface of the tubular socket, such that the conductor and the conductive portion of the tubular socket conduct energy to the instrument. The segment of the medical is instrument is rotationally engageable with the tubular socket such that axially rolling of the tubular socket causes axial rolling of a portion of the instrument shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Sterlina, Galen C. Robertson, Nicholas J. Jardine, Andrew Lane, Lucas Tew
  • Publication number: 20160249930
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair
  • Patent number: 9427249
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer assembly rotatably supported within said housing and communicating with a source of ultrasonic electrical signals, a motor within said housing and communicating with a source of motor drive signals, said motor coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly for applying rotational motion thereto, a horn coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly, an outer sheath coupled to said housing, said outer sheath including a distal portion, and a blade operably coupled to said horn, said blade rotatably supported relative to said outer sheath, wherein said blade includes an outer sheath contacting surface, wherein said distal portion of said outer sheath includes a blade contacting surface, and wherein at least one of said outer sheath contacting surface and said blade contacting surface includes a friction reducing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Richard W. Timm, Kip M. Rupp, Kristina A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20160206342
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by a motor housed therein. Various forms of blades are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that the blade may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. The hollow outer sheath has at least one opening therein through which the blade tip may be exposed to tissue. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through the opening(s) in the sheath and into contact with a portion of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Richard W. Timm, Daniel J. Mumaw, Kevin L. Houser, Matthew C. Miller, Stacey J. Sell
  • Patent number: 9375255
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable transmission assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, a button disposed on a top surface of the housing, and a biasing member in communication with the button. The transmission assembly includes a proximal shaft, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a distal shaft assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft, and an end effector at the distal end of the distal shaft assembly. The biasing member of the handle assembly is adjustably coupled to the coupling feature of the transmission assembly. Another version includes a movable yoke configured to engage an inner tube of the transmission assembly. Yet another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer via a biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Barry C. Worrell, Stephen J. Balek, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard W. Timm, Kyle P. Moore, Gregory W. Johnson, John B. Schulte, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Publication number: 20160166761
    Abstract: A kit of components for a medical infusion includes a syringe having a syringe body with a liquid chamber having a volumetric capacity in a range of 5 ml to 30 ml, large bore tubing having an inner diameter greater than 3 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm and a length in a range of 4 feet to 10 feet, a valve with an axially extending valve body with opposing first and second ends, and a package holding the syringe pre-attached to the valve body and the large bore tubing in a sterile condition to thereby provide components in a ready-to-use configuration for insertion of the syringe and valve into an infusion device. The valve body includes an inlet tube residing between the first and second ends of the valve body and an exit port on the first end of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Mark D. Piehl, Galen C. Robertson, John Tyler Willis Hagler, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Frederic C. Feiler, JR.
  • Patent number: 9339289
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ehticon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventor: Galen C. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20160074061
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a handle assembly configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft assembly having an acoustic waveguide and an ultrasonic blade, and a retractable clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to selectively translate between an inoperative position and an operative position. The clamp arm is positioned generally proximal to the ultrasonic blade when the clamp arm is in the inoperative position. The clamp arm is positioned lateral to the ultrasonic blade when the clamp arm is in the operative position. When in the operative position, the clamp arm is operable to move toward and away from the ultrasonic blade so as to capture and compress tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. Neurohr, Matthew C. Miller, Kevin L. Houser, Joyce A. Duell, David A. Witt, Galen C. Robertson