Patents by Inventor Jason M. Rector
Jason M. Rector 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: 11432819Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
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Publication number: 20220192659Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft has a longitudinal axis. The end effector is operable to staple tissue. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector. The end effector is pivotable at the articulation joint to selectively deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation drive assembly is operable to pivot the end effector at the articulation joint. The articulation drive assembly comprises a first link and a second link. The first link is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft assembly. The distal end of the first link is pivotably coupled with the proximal end of the second link. The distal end of the second link is pivotably coupled with the end effector. The articulation drive assembly articulates the end effector in response to longitudinal translation of the first link.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, John C. Schuckmann, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Jason M. Rector, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11324504Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector configured to receive a staple cartridge. The end effector is actuatable between an open state for receiving tissue and a closed state for clamping the tissue. A closure system operatively coupled with the end effector is operable to actuate the end effector from the open state to the closed state. A firing system operatively coupled with the end effector is actuatable to fire the end effector to staple and cut the clamped tissue. A lockout member operatively coupled with the closure system and the firing system is configured to inhibit actuation of the closure system to prevent closure of the end effector when an unspent staple cartridge is absent from the end effector. The lockout member is also configured to inhibit actuation of the firing system to prevent repeated firing with the same staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jesse L. Hontz, Jason M. Rector, Nicholas Fanelli
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Patent number: 11278288Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
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Patent number: 11234696Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft has a longitudinal axis. The end effector is operable to staple tissue. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector. The end effector is pivotable at the articulation joint to selectively deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation drive assembly is operable to pivot the end effector at the articulation joint. The articulation drive assembly comprises a first link and a second link. The first link is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft assembly. The distal end of the first link is pivotably coupled with the proximal end of the second link. The distal end of the second link is pivotably coupled with the end effector. The articulation drive assembly articulates the end effector in response to longitudinal translation of the first link.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Charles J. Scheib, John C. Schuckmann, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Jason M. Rector, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11202629Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector is actuatable between an open state for receiving tissue and a closed state for clamping the tissue. A closure system is operable to actuate the end effector from the open state to the closed state. A firing system is operable to actuate the end effector in the closed state to staple the clamped tissue. A firing lockout mechanism is movable between a lockout state that inhibits actuation of the firing system, and a bypass state that permits actuation of the firing system. The firing lockout mechanism is configured to maintain the lockout state until the end effector assumes the closed state, and is further configured to transition from the lockout state to the bypass state in response to the end effector assuming the closed state.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason M. Rector, Nicholas Fanelli
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Publication number: 20210330322Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Jason M. Rector, Robert J. Simms, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli, Douglas B. Hoffman, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20210267595Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Sol A. Posada, Mark D. Overmyer, Raymond E. Parfett, Brian D. Schings, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kharyl Evenson George Stephens, Jason M. Rector
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Publication number: 20210267596Abstract: Methods for resetting a fuse in a surgical instrument are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Adam D. Hensel, Jason M. Rector, Bingshi Wang, Mark D. Overmyer
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Patent number: 11090048Abstract: Methods for resetting a fuse in a surgical instrument are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Adam D. Hensel, Jason M. Rector, Bingshi Wang, Mark D. Overmyer
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Publication number: 20210212690Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
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Publication number: 20210196276Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
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Patent number: 11033263Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Jason M. Rector, Robert J. Simms, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli, Douglas B. Hoffman, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20210007742Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Jason M. Rector, Douglas B. Hoffman, Robert J. Simms, John C. Schuckmann, Ryan J. Laurent, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli
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Publication number: 20200375596Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, an end effector, and a shaft assembly. The body assembly includes at least one electrical connection. The end effector is operable to treat tissue. The shaft assembly extends between the body assembly and the end effector along a shaft axis. The shaft assembly includes a nozzle, a closure tube, and a fluid blocker. The nozzle includes at least one housing. The at least one housing includes a recess. The closure tube is configured to rotate relative to the body assembly about the shaft axis. The fluid blocker is disposed within the recess of the nozzle. The fluid blocker is configured to contact the closure tube to prevent fluid from entering the nozzle and reaching the at least one electrical connection disposed within the body assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Laura R. Corsetto, Nicholas Fanelli, Daniel L. Baber, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jason M. Rector, James Bernar Ogzewalla
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Publication number: 20200345345Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Richard F. Schwemberger, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Brian F. DiNardo, Jason M. Rector
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Publication number: 20200337700Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector configured to receive a staple cartridge. The end effector is actuatable between an open state for receiving tissue and a closed state for clamping the tissue. A closure system operatively coupled with the end effector is operable to actuate the end effector from the open state to the closed state. A firing system operatively coupled with the end effector is actuatable to fire the end effector to staple and cut the clamped tissue. A lockout member operatively coupled with the closure system and the firing system is configured to inhibit actuation of the closure system to prevent closure of the end effector when an unspent staple cartridge is absent from the end effector. The lockout member is also configured to inhibit actuation of the firing system to prevent repeated firing with the same staple cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Jesse L. Hontz, Jason M. Rector, Nicholas Fanelli
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Publication number: 20200337699Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector is actuatable between an open state for receiving tissue and a closed state for clamping the tissue. A closure system is operable to actuate the end effector from the open state to the closed state. A firing system is operable to actuate the end effector in the closed state to staple the clamped tissue. A firing lockout mechanism is movable between a lockout state that inhibits actuation of the firing system, and a bypass state that permits actuation of the firing system. The firing lockout mechanism is configured to maintain the lockout state until the end effector assumes the closed state, and is further configured to transition from the lockout state to the bypass state in response to the end effector assuming the closed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Jason M. Rector, Nicholas Fanelli
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Patent number: 10786249Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Richard F. Schwemberger, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Brian F. DiNardo, Jason M. Rector
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Patent number: 10695055Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed which comprise a firing assembly configured to apply a firing force to an end effector. The surgical instruments further comprise a firing force lockout configured to stop and/or prevent a firing stroke of the firing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Daniel L. Baber, Jason M. Rector, Nicholas Fanelli, Jason E. Zerkle, Gregory J. Bakos