Patents by Inventor Jeffery T. Kirk
Jeffery T. Kirk 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: 11944347Abstract: A trocar assembly can include a cannula, a seal cartridge, and an obturator. The seal cartridge is configured to be releasably coupled to the cannula and to be disposed at least partially within the cannula in a coupled configuration of the seal cartridge. The obturator is configured to directly latch to the cannula and to extends through the cannula and the seal cartridge in a coupled configuration of the obturator.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Joseph Mozloom, Jr., Christopher Brock Stone, Andrew S. Berkowitz, Steven G. Hall, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Richard Patrick Chesnes, Jeffery T. Kirk, Aren Calder Hill
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Publication number: 20230329752Abstract: In examples, a method of operating a surgical device comprises disengaging an obturator from a funnel portion of a cannula; removing a shaft portion of the obturator from a cannula lumen of the cannula; disengaging a seal cartridge from the funnel portion of the cannula; and removing the seal cartridge from the funnel portion after removing the shaft portion of the obturator from the cannula lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Joseph MOZLOOM, JR., Christopher Brock STONE, Andrew S. BERKOWITZ, Steven G. HALL, Jeffrey P. WILEY, Richard Patrick CHESNES, Jeffery T. KIRK, Aren Calder HILL
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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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Patent number: 11553954Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector may include: a blade that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, a shielded portion enclosing a back edge of the blade, a high-friction surface coupled to the shielded portion and positioned between the shielded portion and the back edge of the blade. A space is defined between the high-friction surface and the back edge of the blade when the end effector is in a cutting configuration. In a sealing configuration, the high-friction surface contacts the back edge of the blade, which generates heat based on ultrasonic vibrations of the blade rubbing against the high-friction surface. The shielded portion can coagulate bleeding tissue based on heat transfer from the high-friction surface to the shielded portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Sean P. Conlon, John B. Schulte, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Kristen G. Denzinger, Jeffery T. Kirk
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Patent number: 11529164Abstract: 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 shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Foster B. Stulen, John B. Schulte, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffery T. Kirk, Randal T. Byrum, Douglas J. Turner, John M. Sarley, David A. Witt, William A. Olson, Kyle P. Moore
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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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Publication number: 20210315608Abstract: A trocar assembly can include a cannula, a seal cartridge, and an obturator. The seal cartridge is configured to be releasably coupled to the cannula and to be disposed at least partially within the cannula in a coupled configuration of the seal cartridge. The obturator is configured to directly latch to the cannula and to extends through the cannula and the seal cartridge in a coupled configuration of the obturator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Joseph Mozloom, JR., Christopher Brock Stone, Andrew S. Berkowitz, Steven G. Hall, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Richard Patrick Chesnes, Jeffery T. Kirk, Aren Calder Hill
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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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Publication number: 20200008857Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector may include: a blade that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, a shielded portion enclosing a back edge of the blade, a high-friction surface coupled to the shielded portion and positioned between the shielded portion and the back edge of the blade. A space is defined between the high-friction surface and the back edge of the blade when the end effector is in a cutting configuration. In a sealing configuration, the high-friction surface contacts the back edge of the blade, which generates heat based on ultrasonic vibrations of the blade rubbing against the high-friction surface. The shielded portion can coagulate bleeding tissue based on heat transfer from the high-friction surface to the shielded portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, John B. Schulte, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Kristen G. Denzinger, Jeffery T. Kirk
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Patent number: 10517627Abstract: 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: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Richard W. Timm, Emron J. Henry, James W. Voegele, Gregory W. Johnson, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig T. Davis
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Publication number: 20190247082Abstract: 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 shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, John B. Schulte, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffery T. Kirk, Randal T. Byrum, Douglas J. Turner, John M. Sarley, David A. Witt, William A. Olson, Kyle P. Moore
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Patent number: 10357303Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector may include: a blade that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, a shielded portion enclosing a back edge of the blade, a high-friction surface coupled to the shielded portion and positioned between the shielded portion and the back edge of the blade. A space is defined between the high-friction surface and the back edge of the blade when the end effector is in a cutting configuration. In a sealing configuration, the high-friction surface contacts the back edge of the blade, which generates heat based on ultrasonic vibrations of the blade rubbing against the high-friction surface. The shielded portion can coagulate bleeding tissue based on heat transfer from the high-friction surface to the shielded portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Sean P. Conlon, John B. Schulte, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Kristen G. Denzinger, Jeffery T. Kirk
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Patent number: 10238416Abstract: 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 shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Foster B. Stulen, John B. Schulte, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffery T. Kirk, Randal T. Byrum, Douglas J. Turner, John M. Sarley, David A. Witt, William A. Olson, Kyle P. Moore
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Publication number: 20170000512Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector may include: a blade that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, a shielded portion enclosing a back edge of the blade, a high-friction surface coupled to the shielded portion and positioned between the shielded portion and the back edge of the blade. A space is defined between the high-friction surface and the back edge of the blade when the end effector is in a cutting configuration. In a sealing configuration, the high-friction surface contacts the back edge of the blade, which generates heat based on ultrasonic vibrations of the blade rubbing against the high-friction surface. The shielded portion can coagulate bleeding tissue based on heat transfer from the high-friction surface to the shielded portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, John B. Schulte, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Kristen G. Denzinger, Jeffery T. Kirk
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Publication number: 20160374709Abstract: 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: September 9, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: 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: 9439668Abstract: Switch assemblies for handheld ultrasonic surgical instruments. The switch assemblies may include a first switch arrangement that is operably supported on a forward portion of a handle housing of the surgical instrument and is selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact. The switch assembles may further include a second switch arrangement that comprises at least one of a right switch button that is movably supported on a right side of the handle housing relative to at least one right contact and a left switch button that is movably supported on a left side of the handle housing that is selectively movable relative to at least one left contact.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: 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: 9241731Abstract: A connector module for an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having a spindle and a coupling rotatably mounted on the spindle. A first conductor is mechanically coupled to the housing. A first link is rotatable relative to the first conductor between a first position and a second position and includes a first contact positioned to electrically contact the first conductor and a second contact electrically coupled to the first contact and positioned to electrically contact an ultrasonic hand piece.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Richard W. Timm, Craig T. Davis
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Publication number: 20130296908Abstract: Various forms are directed to a method for operating an ultrasonic surgical instrument. The ultrasonic surgical instrument may be activated by generating a drive signal provided to the ultrasonic drive system to drive the end effector. A plurality of input variables may be applied to a multi-variable model to generate a multi-variable model output, where the multi-variable model output corresponds to an effect of the ultrasonic instrument on tissue. The plurality of input variables may comprise at least one variable describing the drive signal and at least one variable describing a property of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. When the multi-variable model output reaches a threshold value, feedback may be generated indicating a corresponding state of at least one of the ultrasonic surgical instrument and tissue acted upon by the ultrasonic surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: John B. Schulte, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Richard W. Timm, Craig T. Davis, Amy L. Marcotte, David A. Witt, Karalyn R. Tellio, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke, Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, James R. Giordano
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Publication number: 20130289591Abstract: A connector module for an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having a spindle and a coupling rotatably mounted on the spindle. A first conductor is mechanically coupled to the housing. A first link is rotatable relative to the first conductor between a first position and a second position and includes a first contact positioned to electrically contact the first conductor and a second contact electrically coupled to the first contact and positioned to electrically contact an ultrasonic hand piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Daniel W. Price, Jeffery T. Kirk, Jose Domingo Vasquez, Timothy G. Dietz, Richard C. Smith, Ryan M. Asher, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Richard W. Timm, Craig T. Davis, Daniel W. Price
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Publication number: 20130267975Abstract: Switch assemblies for handheld ultrasonic surgical instruments. The switch assemblies may include a first switch arrangement that is operably supported on a forward portion of a handle housing of the surgical instrument and is selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact. The switch assembles may further include a second switch arrangement that comprises at least one of a right switch button that is movably supported on a right side of the handle housing relative to at least one right contact and a left switch button that is movably supported on a left side of the handle housing that is selectively movable relative to at least one left contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: 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