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).

  • Publication number: 20150144678
    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: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    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
  • Publication number: 20150123348
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Kevin L. Houser, Mark A. Neurohr
  • Publication number: 20150119916
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy G. Dietz, Gregory W. Johnson, Sean P. Conlon, Daniel J. Mumaw, Jerome R. Morgan, William D. Dannaher, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard W. Timm, Matthew C. Miller, Galen C. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20150119915
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to be coupled to a transducer configured to produce vibrations. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, a protective sheath, and outer tube and an aperture. The ultrasonic blade extends along a longitudinal axis of the end effector and is configured to be coupled to a transducer. The protective sheath extends at least partially around the ultrasonic blade. The outer tube extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis. The aperture defines a channel extending at least partially through the end effector along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. Neurohr, Galen C. Robertson, Louis T. DeLuca, Foster B. Stulen, Daniel W. Price
  • Publication number: 20150119914
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic blade is coupled to the transducer and comprises a body and a treatment region. The body comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface. The distal end of the body is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The treatment region extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical instrument further comprises a protective sheath disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. Neurohr, Galen C. Robertson, Louis T. DeLuca, Foster B. Stulen, Daniel W. Price
  • Patent number: 8973803
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus may comprise a handle assembly, a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and an articulation actuator. The handle assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion. The end effector, connected to the shaft by the articulation joint, is configured to perform an end effector function when the second portion is actuated. The articulation actuator, which is configured to move the end effector relative to the shaft, and the second portion may be moveable in an actuation plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    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
  • Publication number: 20150066050
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a mechanized surgical system that includes a roll drive unit operable by a motor. The instrument includes an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, and an end effector and handle on the shaft. The handle includes an actuator manually operable by a user to mechanically actuate the end effector. The shaft includes a roll joint positioned between proximal and distal shaft portions, such that the distal shaft portion is longitudinally rotatable relative to the proximal shaft portion at the roll joint. The instrument further includes a drive segment on the distal shaft portion, the drive segment including first features rotationally engageable with second features of the roll drive unit such that operation of the motor causes the distal shaft portion to axially roll relative to the proximal shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: TransEnterix Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J Jardine, Galen C Robertson, Lucas A Tew, Carson J Shellenberger, Keith Phillip Laby
  • Publication number: 20150060521
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Mark H. Ransick, Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K. Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8961547
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Dietz, Gregory W. Johnson, Sean P. Conlon, Daniel J. Mumaw, Jerome R. Morgan, William D. Dannaher, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard W. Timm, Matthew C. Miller, Galen C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8951272
    Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen C. Robertson, Kevin L. Houser, Mark A. Neurohr
  • Patent number: 8911460
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The body includes a treatment region that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The body includes a substantially flat broad top surface, a bottom surface, and a neck portion protruding from the proximal end adapted to couple to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Neurohr, Galen C. Robertson, Louis T. DeLuca, Foster B. Stulen, Daniel W. Price
  • Publication number: 20140353359
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20140336686
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    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: 8876761
    Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, a method of producing satiety comprising the steps of accessing a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and implanting an intraintestinal therapeutic substance eluting implant. The implant is capable of eluting a satiety inducing substance selected from at least one of a nutrient, a specific satiety inducing bio-active substance, pancreatic polypeptides, free fatty acids, cholecystokinin, amino acids, glutamine, lipids, linoleic acid, or a combination thereof, from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Sean P. Conlon, Michael S. Cropper, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Prasanna Malaviya, Glenda C. Marsh, Mark S. Ortiz, Mark D. Overmyer, Alessandro Pastorelli, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, James W. Voegele, Lauren S. Weaner, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, James A. Woodard, Jr., David C. Yates, Mark S. Zeiner, Andrew M. Zwolinski
  • Patent number: 8875971
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8875972
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Mark H. Ransick, Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K. Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20140305986
    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: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    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: 8808319
    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: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    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: 20140155807
    Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Sean P. Conlon, Michael S. Cropper, Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jason L. Harris, Christopher J. Hess, Thomas W. Huitema, John W. Hunt, Prasanna Malaviya, Mark S. Ortiz, Mark D. Overmyer, Alessandro Pastorelli, Galen C. Robertson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Foster B. Stulen, James W. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Christopher W. Widenhouse, Tamara S. Vetro Widenhouse, James A. Woodard, JR., David C. Yates, Mark S. Zeiner, Andrew M. Zwolinksi
  • Publication number: 20140155921
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    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.