Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Bullock
Jeffrey A. Bullock 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: 11963727Abstract: Mitigating a user interface display function of a modular energy system includes receiving formatted video data at a video data converter circuit, providing differential video signaling data to the display from the video data converter circuit, providing a copy of the differential video signaling data to a processor, and determining that the differential video signaling data is changing over time. Mitigating erroneous outputs from an isolated interface includes receiving a state of a first switch of a first footswitch coupled to a first comparator and a reference voltage coupled to the first comparator, receiving the state of the first switch coupled to the first duplicate comparator and the reference voltage coupled to the first duplicate comparator, comparing the output of the first comparator with the output of the first duplicate comparator, and determining activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Joshua M. Henderson, James M. Vachon, Eitan T. Wiener, Daniel C. Herman, Jonathan T. Samuel, Jeffrey A. Bullock
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Patent number: 11864786Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Patent number: 11737750Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is removably coupled with the shaft assembly in a connected state and separated from the shaft assembly in a disconnected state. The body includes a drive feature configured to drive operation of the active feature of the effector. The drive feature includes at least one of an ultrasonic drive feature or a mechanical drive feature. A proximal end portion of the shaft assembly is configured to be removed from the body to separate the at least one activation feature from the drive feature.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20220395317Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Mark E. Tebbe, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher, Craig T. Davis, Kevin Bash, Eric Roberson, John E. Brady, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Monica L. Zeckel, Shan Wan, Kristen L. D'Uva
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Publication number: 20220313370Abstract: Mitigating a user interface display function of a modular energy system includes receiving formatted video data at a video data converter circuit, providing differential video signaling data to the display from the video data converter circuit, providing a copy of the differential video signaling data to a processor, and determining that the differential video signaling data is changing over time. Mitigating erroneous outputs from an isolated interface includes receiving a state of a first switch of a first footswitch coupled to a first comparator and a reference voltage coupled to the first comparator, receiving the state of the first switch coupled to the first duplicate comparator and the reference voltage coupled to the first duplicate comparator, comparing the output of the first comparator with the output of the first duplicate comparator, and determining activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Joshua M. Henderson, James M. Vachon, Eitan T. Wiener, Daniel C. Herman, Jonathan T. Samuel, Jeffrey A. Bullock
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Publication number: 20220319685Abstract: A modular energy system includes modules, at least two having a transceiver timer. The modules communicate data messages over an internal bus. A first module obtains a transmission time from its transceiver timer, which it appends to the message, and transmits the appended message over the internal data bus. The second module receives the data message, obtains a receipt time from its transceiver timer, and extracts the transmission time from the message. A smart surgical system includes a plurality of surgical subsystems including a modular energy system all in mutual data communication over a system data bus. The components of the smart surgical system may each have a transceiver timer. The components of the smart surgical system transmit and receive data across the system data bus using the respective transceiver timers in a manner like the communications between the modular energy system modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: James M. Vachon, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey A. Bullock
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Patent number: 11413087Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Mark A. Davison, Mark E. Tebbe, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher, Craig T. Davis, Kevin Bash, Eric Roberson, John E. Brady, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Monica L. Zeckel, Shan Wan, Kristen L. D'Uva
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Publication number: 20200268408Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Publication number: 20200229817Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 10675027Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20200138472Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector portion, a data storage component, a reader, and a use control. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes a support portion. The end effector portion is configured to selectively couple with the support portion of the shaft assembly. The data storage component is associated with the end effector portion and contains data uniquely associated with the end effector portion. The reader is adapted to read the data from the data storage component. The use control is adapted to enable operation of the end effector portion if the data meets at least one usage parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Eric Roberson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Stephen M. Leuck
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Patent number: 10624667Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Patent number: 10555750Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector portion, a data storage component, a reader, and a use control. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes a support portion. The end effector portion is configured to selectively couple with the support portion of the shaft assembly. The data storage component is associated with the end effector portion and contains data uniquely associated with the end effector portion. The reader is adapted to read the data from the data storage component. The use control is adapted to enable operation of the end effector portion if the data meets at least one usage parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Sean P. Conlon, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Eric Roberson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge
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Publication number: 20190059988Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Mark E. Tebbe, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher, Craig T. Davis, Kevin Bash, Eric Roberson, John E. Brady, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Monica L. Zeckel, Shan Wan, Kristen L. D'Uva
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Publication number: 20180055533Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector portion, a data storage component, a reader, and a use control. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes a support portion. The end effector portion is configured to selectively couple with the support portion of the shaft assembly. The data storage component is associated with the end effector portion and contains data uniquely associated with the end effector portion. The reader is adapted to read the data from the data storage component. The use control is adapted to enable operation of the end effector portion if the data meets at least one usage parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Eric Roberson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Stephen M. Leuck
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Publication number: 20180028182Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20170333073Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Richard W. Timm, Ryan M. Asher, Timothy S. Holland, Craig T. Davis, Christina M. Hough, Cory G. Kimball, Ashvani K. Madan, David C. Yates, Shan Wan, Jacob S. Gee, Joseph E. Hollo, Chad P. Boudreaux, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Brian D. Black
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Publication number: 20140207124Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II