Patents by Inventor Gregory W. Johnson

Gregory W. Johnson 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: 10675027
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Publication number: 20200170665
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
  • Publication number: 20200093489
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly. The interface assembly is operable to engage the shaft assembly and comprises a plurality of drive shafts and a rack. One of the drive shafts is operable to drive the rack along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. A plurality of racks may be used to rotate the shaft assembly, articulate the shaft assembly, and/or drive the translating member through the shaft assembly to thereby actuate the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Barry C. Worrell, David T. Martin, William J. White, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200085465
    Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments including a handle housing, a switch frame, and a switch assembly are disclosed. The switch assembly may include a first switch arrangement movably supported on a distal portion of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a first switch contact supported by the switch frame. The switch assembly may further include a second switch arrangement including a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a right switch contact supported by the switch frame, and a left switch button movably supported on a left side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a left switch contact supported by the switch frame. The first and second switch arrangements may be configured to be selectively actuatable by a single hand supporting the handle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard D. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10561436
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
  • Patent number: 10548603
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly and a shaft assembly configured to removably couple with the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly has a cartridge housing, a staple deck, a plurality of staples, a staple driver, a cylindraceous knife, and a trocar. The shaft assembly has a safety mechanism and a compression limiter. The safety mechanism is operatively connected to the staple driver and the cylindraceous knife and configured to prevent firing of the staple driver and the cylindraceous knife when the force load received is below a predetermined minimum force load. The compression limiter is operatively connected to the anvil to prevent proximal translation of the anvil when the force load received is greater than a predetermined maximum force load calibrated to a predetermined maximum tissue compression between the anvil and the staple deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200022724
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10537330
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly with at least a portion thereof configured to removably couple with a portion of a shaft assembly. The stapling head assembly has a cartridge housing, a staple deck, a plurality of staples, a staple driver, a cylindraceous knife, a trocar, a first drive member, and an anvil. The first drive member is configured to receive a rotary drive element thereagainst and drive distal translation of at least one of the staple driver, the cylindraceous knife, or the trocar. The anvil is configured to releasably couple to the trocar and includes an anvil shaft and an anvil head. The anvil shaft has proximal and distal shaft end portions. The anvil head is pivotally connected to the distal shaft end portion and has a proximal face with a plurality of staple forming pockets configured to respectively receive the plurality of staples thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory W. Johnson, Charles J. Scheib, Steven G. Hall
  • Patent number: 10524856
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue, the shaft assembly is in communication with the end effector and a portion of the shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The interface assembly is in communication with the shaft assembly. The interface assembly comprises a housing portion, a shaft cartridge, and a base portion. The housing portion can engage the shaft cartridge. The shaft cartridge is able to rotate and articulate the end effector, and the shaft assembly extends from the shaft cartridge. The base portion and the housing portion are able to enclose the shaft cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, David T. Martin, Gregory W. Johnson, William J. White
  • Patent number: 10517627
    Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments including a handle housing, a switch frame, and a switch assembly are disclosed. The switch assembly may include a first switch arrangement movably supported on a distal portion of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a first switch contact supported by the switch frame. The switch assembly may further include a second switch arrangement including a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a right switch contact supported by the switch frame, and a left switch button movably supported on a left side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a left switch contact supported by the switch frame. The first and second switch arrangements may be configured to be selectively actuatable by a single hand supporting the handle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis
  • Patent number: 10492788
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly and a shaft assembly having a distal end portion configured to removably couple with the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly has a cartridge housing, a staple deck, a plurality of staples that includes first and second staples, a staple driver with a first driver portion and a second driver portion configured to respectively receive the first and second staples thereagainst, a cylindraceous knife, a trocar, and an anvil. The first and second driver portions are configured to respectively direct the first and second staples against the anvil to form the first staple with a first formation height and the second staple with a different, second formation height. The shaft assembly has a safety mechanism configured to prevent firing of the staple driver and the cylindraceous knife when the force load received is below a predetermined minimum force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory W. Johnson, Charles J. Schelb, Steven G. Hall
  • Patent number: 10493251
    Abstract: A dilation system includes a handle, a guide member, a balloon dilation member, an actuator, and an endoscope. The handle is configured to provide single-handed use to a user. The guide member is coupled with a distal end of the handle and extends distally therefrom. The balloon dilation member is slidably disposed within the body and the guide member and includes an expandable balloon. The actuator is configured to translate and/or rotate to thereby cause translation and/or rotation of the balloon dilation member. The handle may include a guide member actuator configured to cause translation of the guide member. The handle may further include a rotation mechanism configured to impart rotation upon the guide member. The handle may also include a housing configured to receive and selectively retain the endoscope. The housing is configured to translate and/or rotate to thereby cause translation and/or rotation of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung V. Ha, Ketan P. Muni, Darius D. Eghbal, James G. Lee, Gregory W. Johnson, Lawrence D. Wasicek
  • Patent number: 10492789
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly with at least a portion of the stapling head assembly configured to removably couple with a portion of a shaft assembly. The stapling head assembly has a cartridge housing, a staple deck, a plurality of staples, a staple driver, a cylindraceous knife, a trocar, and first and second drive members that are coaxial with a longitudinal axis. The first and second drive members are configured to receive a rotatable drive element thereagainst. The first drive member drives translation of at least one of the staple driver, the cylindraceous knife, or the trocar. The second drive member drives translation of a remaining of at least one of the staple driver, the cylindraceous knife, or the trocar. The second drive member is positioned radially inwardly from the first drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10478186
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly. The interface assembly is operable to engage the shaft assembly and comprises a plurality of drive shafts and a rack. One of the drive shafts is operable to drive the rack along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. A plurality of racks may be used to rotate the shaft assembly, articulate the shaft assembly, and/or drive the translating member through the shaft assembly to thereby actuate the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Barry C. Worrell, David T. Martin, William J. White, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10433900
    Abstract: An end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, a longitudinal slot, and a cutting member is disclosed. The first jaw includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is moveable through a range of positions to move the end effector between an open configuration and a fully clamped configuration. The longitudinal slot extends intermediate a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal slot transects the first jaw between the first lateral side and the second lateral side and extends distally beyond a portion of the second jaw. The cutting member is movable along the longitudinal slot. The first jaw is expandable laterally relative to the longitudinal slot to apply a tensile force to tissue clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw when the end effector is in the fully clamped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Foster B. Stulen, Gregory W. Johnson, Prasanna Malaviya, Paul Guerra
  • Publication number: 20190239915
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Kevin L. Houser, David A. Monroe, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Timothy P. Lessek, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Ryan M. Asher, Mary E. Mootoo, Eric B. Smith, Gregory W. Johnson, David M. Locke
  • Publication number: 20190216493
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin J. Danziger, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Brian D. Black, Cara L. Shapiro, Charles J. Scheib, Craig N. Faller, Daniel J. Mumaw, David J. Cagle, David T. Martin, David A. Monroe, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Foster B. Stulen, Frederick L. Estera, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory W. Johnson, Jacob S. Gee, Jason R. Sullivan, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jeffrey S. Swayze, John A. Hibner, John B. Schulte, Joseph E. Hollo, Kristen G. Denzinger, Kristen L. D'Uva, Matthew C. Miller, Michael R. Lamping, Richard W. Timm, Rudolph H. Nobis, Ryan M. Asher, Stephen M. Leuck, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, William B. Weisenburgh, II, William A. Olson
  • Publication number: 20190209201
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Gregory W. Johnson, Kristen T. Shoger, Nicholas G. Molitor, Randolph C. Stewart, Gregory A. Trees, David K. Norvell, Michael J. Andreyko, Shawn C. Snyder, Jonathan T. Batross, Megan A. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 10335183
    Abstract: A control system for a surgical robot is disclosed. The control system includes a controller, a sensor, a feedback device, a first socket, and a stand-alone input device. The handheld user interface may control a function of a robotic surgical system and is coupled to the sensor and the controller. The sensor is coupled to the controller. The feedback device is coupled to the controller and is configured to provide feedback associated with the robotic surgical system to a user. The controller is communicatively coupleable to the robotic surgical system and is configured to send robot control signals to the robotic surgical system, to receive feedback signals from the robotic surgical system, and to send feedback control signals to the feedback device to control the feedback provided to the user. The controller is configured to couple to a stand-alone input device through the first socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    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
  • Patent number: 10322028
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, an actuation assembly, and a detection/visualization system. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision and advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer. The detection/visualization system is operable to detect or visualize penetration of the choroid of a patient's eye and provide feedback to the operator and/or automatic control of the apparatus based on penetration of the choroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ORBIT BIOMEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel W. Price, Brendan J. Oberkircher, Saeed Sokhanvar, Daniel J. Yasevac, Michel Bruehwiler, Leah R. Soffer, Gregory W. Johnson, William D. Dannaher, Stefan Troller, Urban Schnell, Jean Christophe Roulet, Alain Saurer, Michael F. Keane