Patents by Inventor Guion Y. Lucas

Guion Y. Lucas 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: 11883059
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20240008913
    Abstract: A method performed by a surgical system. The method determines one or more characteristics of an end effector of an ultrasonic instrument and determines that the end effector is at least partially submerged within a liquid based on the determined one or more characteristics. In response, the method displays a notification on a display of the surgical system indicating that the end effector is at least partially submerged within the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Amirhossein Farvardin, Berk Gonenc, Guion Y. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20240000474
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, an energy drive system, a circuit assembly, and a body assembly. Body assembly has a first shroud portion removably affixed to a second shroud portion by a shroud coupling in a connected state. The shroud coupling detaches the first shroud portion from the second shroud portion in a disconnected state. The first and second shroud portions in the connected state encloses and inhibits access to at least a portion of at least one of the circuit assembly or the energy drive system. The first and second shroud portions in the disconnected state allow access to the at least the portion of at least one of the circuit assembly or the energy drive system for removal of the at least the portion of at least one of the circuit assembly or the energy drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt, Shane R. Adams, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Robert N. Carranza, Aaron J. Chow, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Guion Y. Lucas, Nicholas J. Ross, Patrick J. Scoggins
  • Publication number: 20240006048
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming portions of a surgical kit having a surgical instrument includes disassembling the surgical instrument and determining a disposal methodology of the surgical kit. Furthermore, reclaiming further includes verifying reuse capacity of a portion of the surgical instrument and determining a waste stream for the portion of the surgical instrument. The method also includes disassembling the portion of the surgical instrument from a remainder of the surgical instrument at a predetermined region of the surgical instrument to thereby reclaim the portion of the surgical instrument according to the waste stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt, Shane R. Adams, Taylor W. Aronhalt, David A. Bruns, Bruce Brunson, JR., Ellen Burkart, Robert N. Carranza, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Aaron J. Chow, Matthew E. Derrico, Kevin M. Fiebig, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Joseph D. Paulowski, Cesar Perez, Nicholas J. Ross, Patrick J. Scoggins, Rebecca Spatholt, Gregory A. Trees
  • Patent number: 11696781
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a clamp actuator, and a blade cooling system. The end effector has a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to selectively move from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position thereby directing movement of the clamp arm from the open position toward the closed position, respectively. The cooling system is operable to deliver fluid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade while the clamp actuator remains in the first actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Bruns, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Troy Q. Le, Guion Y. Lucas, Alexander S. O'Leary, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Amrita S. Sawhney, Laura S. Downing, Christopher Q. Seow, Jeffrey C. Souder
  • Patent number: 11596432
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm movably coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly extends between the body and the end effector and includes an acoustic waveguide, a rotational driver, and a driver wrench. The rotational driver is configured to be received within the rotational drive channel and rotate the shaft assembly relative to the body. The acoustic waveguide includes a notch and the driver wrench includes a key, wherein the first notch of the acoustic waveguide is configured to receive the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Burkart, Guion Y. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20220015797
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a clamp actuator, and a blade cooling system. The end effector has a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to selectively move from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position thereby directing movement of the clamp arm from the open position toward the closed position, respectively. The cooling system is operable to deliver fluid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade while the clamp actuator remains in the first actuator position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Bruns, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Troy Q. Le, Guion Y. Lucas, Alexander S. O'Leary, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Amrita S. Sawhney, Laura A. Downing, Christopher Q. Seow, Jeffrey C. Souder
  • Publication number: 20220015796
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm movably coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly extends between the body and the end effector and includes an acoustic waveguide, a rotational driver, and a driver wrench. The rotational driver is configured to be received within the rotational drive channel and rotate the shaft assembly relative to the body. The acoustic waveguide includes a notch and the driver wrench includes a key, wherein the first notch of the acoustic waveguide is configured to receive the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Burkart, Guion Y. Lucas
  • Patent number: 11202650
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a clamp actuator, and a blade cooling system. The end effector has a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to selectively move from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position thereby directing movement of the clamp arm from the open position toward the closed position, respectively. The cooling system is operable to deliver fluid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade while the clamp actuator remains in the first actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Bruns, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Troy Q. Le, Guion Y. Lucas, Alexander S. O'Leary, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Amrita S. Sawhney, Laura A. Schoettmer, Christopher Q. Seow, Jeffrey C. Souder
  • Patent number: 11123095
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm movably coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly extends between the body and the end effector and includes an acoustic waveguide, a rotational driver, and a driver wrench. The rotational driver is configured to be received within the rotational drive channel and rotate the shaft assembly relative to the body. The acoustic waveguide includes a notch and the driver wrench includes a key, wherein the first notch of the acoustic waveguide is configured to receive the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Burkart, Guion Y. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20210212720
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11051841
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a handle assembly including at least one user input feature; an ultrasonic transducer supported by the handle assembly, a shaft assembly configured to removably couple with the handle assembly, and a mechanical lockout assembly. The shaft assembly includes a distal end portion. The shaft assembly further includes an end effector extending distally from the distal end portion, and an ultrasonic waveguide configured to be acoustically coupled with the ultrasonic transducer. The mechanical lockout assembly is configured to move between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the handle assembly and the shaft assembly are only partially coupled together physically preventing the user from activating the instrument using the user input feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Waters
  • Publication number: 20210196334
    Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: John M. Sarley, Chad P. Boudreaux, Tyler N. Brehm, Ellen E. Burkart, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Craig N. Faller, Robert S. Bishop, Michael A. Keenan, William A. Olson, Richard W. Flaker, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Frederick L. Estera, Bruce Brunson, JR., Guion Y. Lucas, Demetrius N. Harris, Stephen M. Leuck, Nina Mastroianni, John E. Brady, Wei Guo, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Joseph S. Salguero, Lauren M. Valente, Joseph H. Kemper
  • Publication number: 20210196306
    Abstract: An end-effector and a surgical instrument including the end-effector are disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm incudes a clamp jaw, a cantilever electrode, and a clamp arm. The cantilever electrode is biased in a direction toward the clamp jaw and the clamp arm includes a retainer to oppose a biasing force and maintain the cantilever electrode in a substantially flat configuration relative to the ultrasonic blade. A skirt may be disposed around the clamp jaw. The clamp arm pad may include multiple support elements arranged in multiple rows to support the cantilever electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick L. Estera, Bruce Brunson, JR., Guion Y. Lucas, Demetrius N. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, VI
  • Patent number: 10945755
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Waters
  • Publication number: 20200345389
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm movably coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly extends between the body and the end effector and includes an acoustic waveguide, a rotational driver, and a driver wrench. The rotational driver is configured to be received within the rotational drive channel and rotate the shaft assembly relative to the body. The acoustic waveguide includes a notch and the driver wrench includes a key, wherein the first notch of the acoustic waveguide is configured to receive the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Burkart, Guion Y. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20200345391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a clamp actuator, and a blade cooling system. The end effector has a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to selectively move from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position thereby directing movement of the clamp arm from the open position toward the closed position, respectively. The cooling system is operable to deliver fluid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade while the clamp actuator remains in the first actuator position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Bruns, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Troy Q. Le, Guion Y. Lucas, Alexander S. O'Leary, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Amrita S. Sawhney, Laura A. Schoettmer, Christopher Q. Seow, Jeffrey C. Souder
  • Publication number: 20190314055
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Cameron D. McLain, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Waters
  • Publication number: 20190314056
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a handle assembly including at least one user input feature; an ultrasonic transducer supported by the handle assembly, a shaft assembly configured to removably couple with the handle assembly, and a mechanical lockout assembly. The shaft assembly includes a distal end portion. The shaft assembly further includes an end effector extending distally from the distal end portion, and an ultrasonic waveguide configured to be acoustically coupled with the ultrasonic transducer. The mechanical lockout assembly is configured to move between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the handle assembly and the shaft assembly are only partially coupled together physically preventing the user from activating the instrument using the user input feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: John E. Brady, Alexander R. Cuti, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Demetrius N. Harris, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Guion Y. Lucas, Andrew S. Meyers, Candice Otrembiak, Grace E. Waters