Patents by Inventor Jacob S. Gee

Jacob S. Gee 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: 11389188
    Abstract: A method of determining an initial temperature of an ultrasonic blade may include measuring a resonant frequency of an ultrasonic blade prior to activating an ultrasonic transducer, in which the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the blade via an ultrasonic waveguide, comparing the measured resonant frequency to a baseline resonant frequency, determining an initial temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on a difference between the measured resonant frequency and the baseline resonant frequency, and applying a power level to the blade based on the initial temperature of the blade. The method may further include applying a high power level to the transducer when the initial temperature of the ultrasonic blade is low or applying a low power level to the transducer when the initial temperature of the blade is high. The baseline resonant frequency may be stored in a memory look up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Cameron R. Nott
  • Publication number: 20220168005
    Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
  • Patent number: 11324527
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
  • Patent number: 11259830
    Abstract: A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Cameron R. Nott, Fergus P. Quigley, Amrita S. Sawhney, Stephen M. Leuck, Brian D. Black, Eric M. Roberson, Kristen G. Denzinger, Patrick J. Scoggins, Craig N. Faller, Madeleine C. Jayme, Jacob S. Gee
  • Publication number: 20210346048
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The trigger includes a compliant feature configured to limit the amount of force delivered to tissue by the clamp arm. The flexible feature may comprise a flexible band, living hinge, a series of living hinges, or a flexible tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, Randal T. Byrum, Jose D. Vasquez, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Benjamin M. Boyd, Amy L. Marcotte, Jacob S. Gee, Jonathan T. Batross, Jeffrey D. Messerly
  • Publication number: 20210315605
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic transmission waveguide extending from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transmission waveguide. The ultrasonic blade includes a base and a curved body extending distally from the base. The curved body includes a tissue-treating surface extending on a first side of the curved body and a curved edge extending on a second side of the curved body opposite the first side. The curved edge has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a first direction, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Amy L. Marcotte, John A. Weed, III
  • Publication number: 20210282890
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system that includes a surgical table that is configured to hold a patient and a magnetic latch. The magnetic latch has a ferromagnetic plate, a permanent magnet that produces a first magnetic field and that attracts the ferromagnetic plate to thereby couple a robotic arm to the surgical table, and a cancelling coil, which when energized, produces a second magnetic field that opposes the first magnetic field to thereby uncouple the robotic arm from the surgical table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Robert T. Wiggers
  • Patent number: 11103270
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The trigger includes a compliant feature configured to limit the amount of force delivered to tissue by the clamp arm. The flexible feature may comprise a flexible band, living hinge, a series of living hinges, or a flexible tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, Randal T. Byrum, Jose D. Vasquez, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Benjamin M. Boyd, Amy L. Marcotte, Jacob S. Gee, Jonathan T. Batross, Jeffrey D. Messerly
  • Publication number: 20210259724
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
  • Publication number: 20210236151
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a pivoting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distal to the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade. One or both of the shaft assembly or the pivoting member comprise a guide feature. The guide feature is configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: John B. Schulte, Craig N. Faller, Eric B. Smith, Patrick J. Scoggins, JoAnn M. Stegeman, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, William D. Dannaher, Michael R. Lamping, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Brian D. Bertke
  • Publication number: 20210236157
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Steven P. Smolik, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher
  • Publication number: 20210236195
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 11051835
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a pivoting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distal to the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade. One or both of the shaft assembly or the pivoting member comprise a guide feature. The guide feature is configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John B. Schulte, Craig N. Faller, Eric B. Smith, Patrick J. Scoggins, JoAnn M. Stegeman, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, William D. Dannaher, Michael R. Lamping, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Brian D. Bertke
  • Publication number: 20210196353
    Abstract: An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Michael A. Keenan, Joshua D. Raker, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Joseph S. Salguero, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 11020140
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic transmission waveguide extending from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transmission waveguide. The ultrasonic blade includes a base and a curved body extending distally from the base. The curved body includes a tissue-treating surface extending on a first side of the curved body and a curved edge extending on a second side of the curved body opposite the first side. The curved edge has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a first direction, wherein the proximal end is offset from the distal end in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Amy L. Marcotte, John A. Weed, III
  • Publication number: 20210145531
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaft including a distal portion and an articulatable portion is disclosed. The articulatable portion, positioned proximal to the distal portion, includes a plurality of joint members. A first articulation cable extends through each first channel of each of the plurality of joint members and a second articulation cable extends through each second channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion. The first and second articulation cables are transitionable between: (i) an unlocked state, where the first and second articulation cables are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from a longitudinal axis, and (ii) a locked state, where translation of the first and second articulation cables is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Foster B. Stulen, Kevin L. Houser, Craig N. Faller, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Sora Rhee, William D. Dannaher, Barry C. Worrell, Gregory W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10973541
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Groene, Benjamin M. Boyd, Craig N. Faller, Jacob S. Gee, Paul F. Riestenberg
  • Patent number: 10966744
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Steven P. Smolik, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher
  • Patent number: 10952788
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector, a generator configured to deliver adaptive energy, a mode selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes, a closure switch configured to control the end effector, and a counter configured to count a number of closure switch activations. The surgical instrument is configured to communicate a selected surgical mode of the mode selector switch and the number of closure switch activations from the counter to the generator. The surgical instrument is configured to receive the adaptive energy from the generator based on the selected surgical mode and the number of closure switch activations. The generator is configured to deliver the adaptive energy to the surgical instrument closer to a start of an activation cycle for the selected surgical mode as the number of closure switch activations increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20210000462
    Abstract: Bowel retractor devices. In various forms, the bowel retractor devices are configurable from a collapsed position wherein the retractor may be inserted through a trocar cannula or other opening in a patient's body to a second expanded position wherein at least a portion of the patient's bowel may be advantageously supported in a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Tamara Widenhouse, Andrew Yoo, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Katherine J. Schmid, Aron O. Zingman, Richard W. Timm, Jacob S. Gee, Steven G. Hall, Daniel J. Mumaw, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Gregory W. Johnson, Michael J. Vendely, Andrew T. Beckman, James R. Janszen