Patents by Inventor James W. Voegele
James W. Voegele 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: 20250127536Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
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Patent number: 12167866Abstract: A system configured to control operation of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed. The system comprises a generator configured to generate a signal, and a computer communicably coupled to the generator. The computer is configured to receive a first set of variables corresponding to a first signal at a first power level of the instrument, evaluate the first set of variables with a model to generate a first output, wherein the first output comprises a value between the first set of variables and a condition set, and wherein the condition set comprises a plurality of conditions that correspond to a plurality of responses, determine the first output meets a first threshold value for a first condition; determine a first response corresponding to the first condition, wherein the first response is a second power level for the instrument, and transmit the second power level to the generator for a second signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
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Patent number: 12137901Abstract: A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
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Patent number: 11801071Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Publication number: 20230329704Abstract: A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
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Patent number: 11678876Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
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Patent number: 11633182Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
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Publication number: 20230038162Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
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Publication number: 20220313297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11419626Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Richard W. Timm, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson
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Patent number: 11406379Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes an anvil with at least one staple pocket that defines a longitudinal axis. The staple pocket comprises a first cup and a second cup. The end effector also includes a staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
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Publication number: 20220168005Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11324527Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: 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
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Patent number: 10695053Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes an anvil with at least one staple pocket that defines a longitudinal axis. The staple pocket comprises a first cup and a second cup. The end effector also includes a staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
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Publication number: 20200179003Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Patent number: 10668104Abstract: Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Lee M. Kaplan, Nicholas Stylopoulos, Jason L. Harris, Dwight Henninger, Taylor W. Aronhalt, James W. Voegele
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Patent number: 10595862Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a surgical staple, and a compressible member is disclosed. The surgical staple is movable from an unfired position to a fired position. The surgical staple is deformable from a first shape in the unfired position to a second shape in the fired position during a firing stroke. The surgical staple is ejected from the cartridge body during the firing stroke. The surgical staple comprises a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and a second deformable member extending from the crown. The compressible member is positioned intermediate the first deformable member, the second deformable member, and the crown after the surgical staple has been deformed into the second shape. The compressible member is at least partially positioned between the first deformable member and the second deformable member of the surgical staple when the surgical staple is in the unfired position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Jeffrey S. Swayze
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Publication number: 20200085465Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 10588661Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Christopher W. Widenhouse, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David K. Norvell, Robert P. Gill, James W. Voegele, Michael A. Murray, Christopher J. Hess, Michael S. Cropper
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Publication number: 20200038017Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs