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).
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Publication number: 20140114327Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are directed to surgical instruments with visual feedback. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument with visual feedback comprises an end effector. The end effector has a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one sensor is coupled to the end effector. The at least one sensor is configured convert at least one state of the end effector to a feedback signal. The feedback signal is corresponding to the at least one state of the end effector. The feedback signal may be transmitted to a display to render a visual representation of the at least one state of the end effector. The surgical instrument may further comprise an instrument mounting portion to mount to a robotic surgical system. The instrument mounting portion comprises an interface to mechanically and electrically interface to the surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Gregory W. Johnson, Kristen T. Shoger, Nicholas G. Molitor, Randolph Stewart, Gregory A. Trees, David K. Norvell, Michael J. Andreyko, Shawn C. Snyder, Jonathan T. Batross, Megan A. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20140005682Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory A. Trees, Jonathan T. Batross, Nicholas G. Molitor, Kristen T. Shoger, David K. Norvell, Michael J. Andreyko, Gregory W. Johnson, Shawn C. Snyder, Chad P. Boudreaux
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Publication number: 20140005654Abstract: A robotically controlled surgical tool comprising including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may comprise an instrument mounting portion. The instrument mounting portion includes a housing, a plate, a shaft assembly comprising an end effector, and a coupler to couple the shaft assembly to the instrument mounting portion. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first and second jaw members defining a channel therebetween, and a blade slideably receivable within the channel to cut tissue located between the first and second jaw members. The surgical tool may include an actuation mechanism to actuate the end effector to provide reciprocating movement of the blade within the channel. A lockout mechanism is coupled to the actuation mechanism. The lockout mechanism may selectively enable reciprocating movement of the blade. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the instrument mounting portion to a robotic manipulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan T. Batross, Gregory A. Trees, Foster B. Stulen, Randolph Stewart, Chad P. Boudreaux
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Patent number: 8597135Abstract: 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 shaft retainer, 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Vincent Contini, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal, James Alan Prescott, Gregory A. Trees
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Patent number: 8449404Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so they may be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft orientation with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include a shaft adapter and a head adapter. The shaft adapter may have an exterior surface extending along a first axis and a bore having a cross-sectional shape along a second axis configured to attach to a shaft member. The second end of the shaft adapter has a cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon. The head adapter has a first end and a second end along a first axis and a bore having a shape of a regular polygon along a second axis that is shaped to receive the second end of the shaft adapter in a plurality of orientations.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent J. Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Prescott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
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Patent number: 8419563Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Vincent J. Contini, James Alan Prescott, Matthew P. Rubal, Gregory A. Trees, James Thomas
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Publication number: 20130023354Abstract: 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 shaft retainer, 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Vincent Contini, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal, James Alan Prescott, Gregory A. Trees
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Publication number: 20120270673Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Vincent J. Contini, James Alan Prescott, Matthew Paul Rubal, Gregory A. Trees, James Thomas
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Patent number: 8277333Abstract: 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 shaft retainer, 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Scott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
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Patent number: 8221259Abstract: 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 shaft retainer, 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Scott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
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Patent number: 8182358Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Vincent J. Contini, James Alan Prescott, Matthew P. Rubal, Gregory A. Trees, James Thomas
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Patent number: 8177660Abstract: 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 shaft retainer, 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Scott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
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Publication number: 20120116394Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Kyle P. Moore, Gregory W. Johnson, John B. Schulte, Daniel J. Mumaw, David A. Witt, Gregory A. Trees
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Publication number: 20120088597Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Matthew Paul Rubal, Gregory A. Trees
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Publication number: 20120083783Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20120080540Abstract: A cartridge for a handheld electrohydrodynamic (EHD) spraying device. The cartridge is disposable, and can contain therapeutic products. The device includes a wetted lead screw with a compliant seal, where the placement of the seal relative to the screw inhibits leakage during both cartridge use and storage. A frame disposed within the cartridge acts as a load-transferring mechanism for the weight of the cartridge to a handle of the spraying device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: James J. Lind, Gregory Trees, Joseph E. Zambanini, Brian Graham, R. Reade Harpham
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Publication number: 20120083784Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.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
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Publication number: 20120078247Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector includes a pair of jaws that are operable to deliver RF energy to tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to sever tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The shaft extends between the body and the end effector. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Some versions include a rotation section that is distal to the articulation section. The rotation section is operable to rotate the end effector relative to the articulation section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, David K. Norvell, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Gregory A. Trees, Jason E. Zerkle, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Publication number: 20120078243Abstract: An electrosurgical device includes a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws and at least one electrode that is operable to deliver RF energy to tissue clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue clamped between the jaws. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The body includes a controller operable to selectively actuate the articulation section. The controller may include a rotary knob, a pivoting knob, or a pivoting fin, among other things. An electrical coupling may contact a conductive moving member along at least two axes. A resiliently biased lever may assist a trigger in returning from an actuated position to a home position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Zhifan F. Huang, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory A. Trees, Charles S. Black, William E. Clem, Emron J. Henry, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: D687549Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson, Daniel W. Price, Gregory A. Trees