Patents by Inventor James R. Giordano

James R. Giordano 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: 20170007251
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano
  • Publication number: 20170007250
    Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 9522029
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a cordless instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue is provided. The cordless instrument comprises a handle comprising a power supply system, wherein the power supply system comprises a battery, an oscillator, and an amplifier. The cordless instrument further comprises an end effector comprising a battery-powered electrode and a moveable cutting member. The cordless instrument further comprises a conductor extending between the power supply system and the battery-powered electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, James R. Giordano, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9504855
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch
  • Publication number: 20160183939
    Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20160120563
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. A generator may generate at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal may be monitored against a first set of logic conditions. When an ultrasonic impedance of the surgical instrument exceeds a threshold impedance, a resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal may be stored as a baseline frequency. A first response of the generator may be triggered upon the occurrence of either the first set of logic conditions being met or the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal differing from the baseline frequency by a baseline deviation threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke, Karalyn R. Tellio, Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Foster B. Stulen, James R. Giordano
  • Patent number: 9320520
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises a pair of jaws comprising a distal end, a motor-powered firing member configured to move longitudinally along the pair of jaws toward the distal end, and a sensor configured to sense a fully-closed state of the pair of jaws. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises, one, a control circuit electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent a longitudinal movement of the firing member toward the distal end if the pair of jaws is not in the fully-closed state and, two, a remote user-controlled console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20160058443
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano
  • Patent number: 9237921
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. A generator may generate at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal may be monitored against a first set of logic conditions. When an ultrasonic impedance of the surgical instrument exceeds a threshold impedance, a resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal may be stored as a baseline frequency. A first response of the generator may be triggered upon the occurrence of either the first set of logic conditions being met or the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal differing from the baseline frequency by a baseline deviation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke, Karalyn R. Tellio, Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano
  • Publication number: 20160000437
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20160000431
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20150374378
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20150351755
    Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20150340586
    Abstract: A method for controlling a waveform shape of a motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of a surgical device. The method may comprise generating a transducer drive signal by selectively recalling, using a direct digital synthesis (DDS) algorithm, drive signal waveform samples stored in a look-up table (LUT), generating samples of current and voltage of the transducer drive signal when the transducer drive signal is communicated to the surgical device, determining samples of the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and a frequency of the transducer drive signal, comparing each sample of the motional branch current to a respective target sample of a target waveform to determine an error amplitude, and modifying the drive signal waveform samples stored in the LUT such that an amplitude error between subsequent samples of the motional branch current and respective target samples is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Foster B. Stulen, Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20150327883
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, compare the resonant frequency to a threshold frequency, and trigger a first response of the generator when the resonant frequency crosses the threshold frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150328484
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, calculate a frequency slope between frequency data points of the time varying electrical signal, where the frequency slope is the change in resonant frequency over time, compare the frequency slope to a threshold frequency slope, and trigger a first response of the generator when the frequency slope crosses the threshold frequency slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Patent number: 9179912
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano
  • Patent number: 9113874
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed including a surgical instrument and a remote user-controlled actuation console for controlling the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 9089360
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Daniel J. Abbott, Matthew C. Miller, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price
  • Publication number: 20150196318
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR.