Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Trees

Gregory A. Trees 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: 20150289925
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Phillip H. Clauda, Kevin L. Houser, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark A. Davison, Foster B. Stulen, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20150282824
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Chad P. Boudreaux, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Davison, David C. Yates, John A. Hibner, Jill A. Inkrott-Smith
  • Publication number: 20150282823
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Chad P. Boudreaux, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Davison, David C. Yates, John A. Hibner, Jill A. Inkrott-Smith
  • Publication number: 20150282822
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Chad P. Boudreaux, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Davison, David C. Yates, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20150282825
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Chad P. Boudreaux, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Davison, David C. Yates, John A. Hibner, Jill A. Inkrott-Smith
  • Publication number: 20150272602
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly having a closure trigger, a closure actuator coupled to the closure trigger at a first pivot, and a closure spring. The closure actuator moves proximally on a longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the closure trigger. The closure spring applies a force vector to the closure spring tangential to the longitudinal axis. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member is pivotally moveable with respect to the second jaw member. At least one of the first and second jaw members are operatively coupled to the closure actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Catherine A. Corbett, Gregory A. Trees, Scott R. Bingham
  • Publication number: 20150272659
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a closure trigger, a push plate, a clamp plate, and a firing plate. Actuation of the closure trigger rotates the push plate. Rotation of the push plate to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate and rotation between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly defines a longitudinal slot. Rotation of the clamp plate pivotally moves a first jaw member from an open position to a closed position relative to a second jaw member. A cutting member is deployable within the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, John M. Sarley, Gregory A. Trees, Catherine A. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20150272660
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a push plate coupled to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger rotates the push plate, a clamp plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate, and a firing plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. The end effector includes a jaw assembly which includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein rotation of the clamp plate transitions the jaw assembly between an open configuration and an approximated configuration by moving at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, John M. Sarley, Gregory A. Trees, Catherine A. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20150209061
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described herein that provide improved motor control and feedback, thereby combining advantages of manually-operated and powered surgical devices. In one embodiment, a surgical device includes a proximal handle portion that includes a motor, a distal end effector coupled to the handle portion, and a cutting element configured to cut tissue engaged by the end effector, wherein the motor is configured to supply power that moves the cutting element. The device also includes a motor control mechanism configured to cause the amount of the power to dynamically change in response to a manual user input when the cutting element is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric N. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser, David C. Yates, Rudolph H. Nobis, Chad P. Boudreaux, Gregory A. Trees, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gavin M. Monson
  • Publication number: 20150209059
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Trees, Eric Johnson, Chad Boudreaux, Robert Laird, Rudolph Nobis, Geoffrey Strobl, Jason Lesko, John Hibner, David Yates, David Locke, William Weisenburgh, II, Phillip Clauda
  • Patent number: 9078677
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are able to clamp tissue. The first jaw and the second jaw define a curved path. The apparatus further includes a blade that is operable to translate along a curved path in the end effector. At least a portion of the blade is precurved. The blade may further include a laminate of sheets that slide relative to each other to accommodate travel along the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Bingshi Wang, Nathaniel F. Barbera
  • Patent number: 9072947
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Golf clubs are provided that have spherical releasable connections between the golf club head and the golf club shaft along with head/shaft position adjusting features to allow interchange of shafts and heads and to allow modification of the head/shaft positioning properties. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a hosel insert located within an interior chamber of the club head. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft adapter may be rotated within the hosel insert to create different angles from the shaft so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James Thomas, Vincent J. Contini, James A. Prescott, Matthew P. Rubal, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 9011471
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes an energy source such as an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a transmission member such as an acoustic waveguide. The end effector may include a harmonic blade and a pivoting clamp member. One or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature. The pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot feature may include a bar defining a pivot axis about which the shaft assembly pivots to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly. The pivot feature may also include a pivoting cover configured to cover a recess in the body in which a proximal portion of the shaft assembly is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Kyle P. Moore, Gregory W. Johnson, John B. Schulte, Daniel J. Mumaw, David A. Witt, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20150080879
    Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Susan G. Arshonsky, Jonathan T. Batross, Chad P. Boudreaux, Edward G. Chekan, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig T. Davis, Alex W. Kiturkes, Terry A. McFarland, David A. Monroe, John M. Sarley, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John B. Schulte, Foster B. Stulen, Aaron C. Voegele, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Tamara Widenhouse, David A. Witt
  • Patent number: 8961329
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a collet, a ferrule, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Matthew Paul Rubal, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 8939974
    Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a first drive system for advancing a knife bar between a first position and a second position in order to close a jaw, or clamping, member of an end effector. The first drive system can comprise a toggle clamp which can generate and transmit an asymptotical clamping load to the jaw member. The surgical instrument can further comprise a second drive system for advancing the knife bar between the second position and a third position. The second drive system can comprise a rack and pinion system and the surgical instrument can comprise a single trigger for actuating both the first drive system and the second drive system on the same stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Michael J. Andreyko, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 8888809
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector. The end effector may comprise a cammed compression surface. The end effector may comprise an electrode comprising a tapered tissue contacting surface. Some surgical instruments may comprise an overload member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Scott B. Killinger, Jonathan T. Batross, Gregory A. Trees, Kevin D. Felder, Bingshi Wang, Nathaniel F. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20140316408
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise and end effector first and second tissue engaging surfaces that are slanted with respect to a transection plane. The end effector may, for example, have an electrode defining a V-shaped cross sectional profile. The end effector may comprise a plurality of raised surfaces that are received by a plurality of indentions when the end effector is in the closed position. The end effector may comprise a cutting member having a plurality of bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Scott B. Killinger, Jonathan T. Batross, James R. Giordano, Gregory A. Trees, Bingshi Wang, Aaron C. Voegele, David K. Norvell
  • Publication number: 20140214029
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, an end effector, and a firing beam. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, with the first jaw being pivotable toward the second jaw. The firing beam is operable to translate relative to the end effector to thereby drive the first jaw toward the second jaw. The firing beam includes a deformable portion operable to deform in response to a stress imposed by the end effector on the firing beam as the jaws clamp on dense or thick tissue. The deformable portion is defined in part by a cutout. A compliance restriction feature restricts deformation in the firing beam. A resilient member biases the firing beam to a non-deformed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul T. Franer, Zhifan F. Huang, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Bret W. Smith, Richard W. Timm, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20140155878
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are able to clamp tissue. The first jaw and the second jaw define a curved path. The apparatus further includes a blade that is operable to translate along a curved path in the end effector. At least a portion of the blade is precurved. The blade may further include a laminate of sheets that slide relative to each other to accommodate travel along the curved path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Bingshi Wang, Nathaniel F. Barbera