Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Gagel

Jeffrey C. Gagel 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).

  • Publication number: 20140364852
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a handpiece, an elongate shaft, an end effector, a firing beam, and a modular motor. The end effector has a pair of jaws configured to open and close upon tissue. The firing beam comprises a blade insert with a sharp edge operable to sever tissue captured within the end effector. The modular motor is insertable into the handpiece. The modular motor comprises a drive gear that engages a plurality of components disposed within the handpiece. Rotation of the drive gear drives longitudinal translation of the firing beam within the elongate shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing beam opens and closes the jaws of the end effector relative to tissue. Longitudinal translation of the firing beam also severs tissue captured between closed jaws of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Matthew C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140243801
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is in communication with the body and comprises an end effector, first cam gear, second cam gear, and a lock bar. The end effector has an articulation joint. The first cam gear is rotatably positioned within the shaft assembly. The second cam gear is in communication with the end effector at the articulation joint. The lock bar is distally biased to lock against the second cam gear. The first cam gear is rotatable through a first range of motion to unlock the lock bar relative to the second cam gear. The first cam gear is rotatable through a second range of motion to rotate the end effector at the articulation joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Jeffrey C. Gagel
  • Publication number: 20140239040
    Abstract: A apparatus includes a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and a locking feature. The end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position. The end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the first position and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the second position. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector and pivots the end effector from the first position to the second position. The locking feature is coupled with the articulation joint and translates from a proximal position to a distal position. The locking feature locks the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Jason E. Zerkle, Robert J. Simms
  • Publication number: 20140239038
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector and a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a first jaw and second jaw. The first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The distal end of the shaft has an articulation joint that pivots the end effector from a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft to a second position angled from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation joint includes at least one articulation band that bends outwardly within the shaft when the end effector is in the first position. The articulation band then bends inwardly when the end effector is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The shaft includes an outer closure tube having a neck-down region that promotes a greater range of pivotal movement within a surgical passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Ryan J. Laurent, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Nicholas Fanelli, Jason E. Zerkle