Patents by Inventor Janna B. Volz
Janna B. Volz 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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Patent number: 11957344Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge including: a longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples positioned adjacent the longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples; and a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples. The longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples being positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot intermediate the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples. The first lateral spacing being defined between the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11918215Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument that includes a cartridge body, a longitudinal row of first staple cavities, a longitudinal row of second staple cavities, a third staple cavity, a first staple driver and a second staple driver. The cartridge body has a longitudinal slot that defines a longitudinal axis. The first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities are obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis and a third staple cavity is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The staple cavities positioned in the first and second rows are configured to receive staples. The first and second staple drivers include staple supports and ramps. The first ramp of the first staple driver is positioned beneath at least one first staple support and the second ramp is laterally offset relative to the second staple support.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11883019Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising an end effector and a system configured to feed staples into the end effector is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Lauren S. Weaner, Janna B. Volz, Jerome R. Morgan, Sarah A. Worthington
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Patent number: 11766260Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11701115Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11684363Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Robert J. Simms, Douglas B. Hoffman, Jason E. Zerkle, Charles J. Scheib, Janna B. Volz
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Patent number: 11317917Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a completely replaceable cartridge jaw is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Janna B. Volz, Jerome R. Morgan
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Publication number: 20220079588Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20220079590Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20220079589Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20210307748Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11134942Abstract: An anvil for a surgical end effector is disclosed. The anvil can include a staple-forming surface, wherein pockets are defined in the staple-forming surface. The pockets can be aligned with staples in a staple cartridge. Moreover, the pockets can define a perimeter in the staple-forming surface, and the perimeter of at least one pocket can be nested with the perimeter of at least one other adjacent pocket. For example, an extended landing zone of a first pocket can extend into a receiving peninsula of a second, adjacent pocket.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Janna B. Volz, Mark S. Zeiner
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Publication number: 20210290232Abstract: An anvil for a surgical end effector is disclosed. The anvil can include a staple-forming surface, wherein pockets are defined in the staple-forming surface. The pockets can be aligned with staples in a staple cartridge. Moreover, the pockets can define a perimeter in the staple-forming surface, and the perimeter of at least one pocket can be nested with the perimeter of at least one other adjacent pocket. For example, an extended landing zone of a first pocket can extend into a receiving peninsula of a second, adjacent pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Janna B. Volz, Mark S. Zeiner
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Patent number: 10893864Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body having a plurality of staple cavities defined therein. The staple cavities can be obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge. The staple cavities can be arranged in a plurality of rows including an inner row, an intermediate row, and an outer row. The lateral and/or longitudinal spacing and/or overlap between the staples in adjacent rows can vary to optimize the flexibility and/or sealing properties of the staple line. The size and orientation of the staples can also vary row-to-row and/or longitudinally.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: EthiconInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10835246Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can have a longitudinal axis and a cartridge body having a deck, wherein a plurality of staple cavities can be defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities can be arranged in a plurality of patterns, and the patterns can include a first pattern and a second pattern longitudinally offset from the first pattern. The second pattern can be different than the first pattern. The first pattern can consist of a longitudinally-repetitive pattern of angularly-oriented staple cavities and/or the second pattern can consist of parallel staple cavities.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Janna B. Volz, Jordan B. Wong
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Publication number: 20200297342Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Simms, Douglas B. Hoffman, Jason E. Zerkle, Charles J. Scheib, Janna B. Volz
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Publication number: 20200275930Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10687807Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Robert J. Simms, Douglas B. Hoffman, Jason E. Zerkle, Charles J. Scheib, Janna B. Volz
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Patent number: 10675026Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Janna B. Volz, Nichole Y. Kwee, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20200138435Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a completely replaceable cartridge jaw is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Janna B. Volz, Jerome R. Morgan