Patents by Inventor John A. Hibner

John A. Hibner 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: 20240008890
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section. The distal end of the shaft assembly is configured to receive an end effector. The articulation section is configured to deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes a first articulation control member, a second articulation control member, and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a high ratio drive and a low ratio drive. The high ratio drive is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector at a high rate of articulation in response to actuation of the first articulation control member. The low ratio drive is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector at a low rate of articulation in response to actuation of the second articulation control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20230371942
    Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Crews, Michael Chirumbolo, John A. Hibner, Rudolph H. Nobis
  • Patent number: 11806039
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section. The distal end of the shaft assembly is configured to receive an end effector. The articulation section is configured to deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes a first articulation control member, a second articulation control member, and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a high ratio drive and a low ratio drive. The high ratio drive is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector at a high rate of articulation in response to actuation of the first articulation control member. The low ratio drive is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector at a low rate of articulation in response to actuation of the second articulation control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20230320712
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section that is configured to deflect a distal end portion from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes an articulation control member and a transmission assembly. The articulation control member is rotatably mounted relative to the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is operatively connected between the articulation control member and the articulation section of the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is configured to transmit selective manipulation of the articulation control member to the articulation section and selectively actuate the articulation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Barry C. Worrell, Gregory W. Johnson, Benjamin D. Dickerson, David T. Martin, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Patent number: 11744607
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Richard C. Smith, Catherine A. Corbett, Craig N. Faller, David A. Witt
  • Publication number: 20230270486
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11737750
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    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
  • Patent number: 11717282
    Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Andrew Crews, Michael Chirumbolo, John Hibner, Rudolph Nobis
  • Patent number: 11712228
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section that is configured to deflect a distal end portion from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes an articulation control member and a transmission assembly. The articulation control member is rotatably mounted relative to the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is operatively connected between the articulation control member and the articulation section of the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is configured to transmit selective manipulation of the articulation control member to the articulation section and selectively actuate the articulation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Barry C. Worrell, Gregory W. Johnson, Benjamin D. Dickerson, David T. Martin, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Publication number: 20230225753
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Sitler, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 11642163
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Chad P. Boudreaux, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Davison, David C. Yates, John A. Hibner, Jill A. Inkrott-Smith
  • Publication number: 20230112022
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin J. Danziger, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Brian D. Black, Cara L. Shapiro, Charles J. Scheib, Craig N. Faller, Daniel J. Mumaw, David J. Cagle, David T. Martin, David A. Monroe, Disha V. Estera, Foster B. Stulen, Frederick L. Estera, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory W. Johnson, Jacob S. Gee, Jason R. Sullivan, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jeffrey S. Swayze, John A. Hibner, John B. Schulte, Joseph E. Hollo, Kristen G. Denzinger, Kristen L. D'Uva, Matthew C. Miller, Michael R. Lamping, Richard W. Timm, Rudolph H. Nobis, Ryan M. Asher, Stephen M. Leuck, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, William B. Weisenburgh, II, William A. Olson
  • Patent number: 11607240
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, David A. Monroe, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Richard C. Smith, Ashvani K. Madan, Craig T. Davis, Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Amy L. Benchek, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Sean P. Conlon, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 11589890
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer via an acoustic waveguide that extends through the shaft assembly. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along a first angular path from a first position to a second position to thereby provide a tissue sealing mode of operation. The clamp arm is further configured to pivot about a second pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along second angular path from the second position to a third position to thereby provide a tissue cutting and sealing mode of operation. The second pivot point is proximal to the first pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Richard W. Timm, Paul F. Riestenberg, Craig N. Faller, Richard C. Smith, David A. Witt, Benjamin D. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20230030629
    Abstract: A surgical tool for a robotic surgical system includes a tool housing having a mounting portion for releasably securing the surgical tool to a carriage of the robotic surgical system, tool circuity included in the tool housing and configured to communicate with corresponding circuitry of the robotic surgical system, and an indicator provided on the tool housing and electrically connected to the tool circuitry. The indicator is activatable upon communicably coupling the tool circuitry with the corresponding circuitry of the robotic surgical system, and the indicator provides a visual indication of remaining useful life of the surgical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Daniel MUMAW, Niko MURRELL, James HOFFMASTER, John A. HIBNER
  • Patent number: 11559347
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11547431
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is acoustically coupled with the acoustic waveguide. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the inner tube. The outer tube and the inner tube are configured to removably couple with the body such that the outer tube, the inner tube, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Thomas B. Remm
  • Patent number: 11497570
    Abstract: A surgical tool harvests power from a robotic surgical system having one or more robotic manipulators when a housing of the surgical tool is installed within a carriage of one of the robotic manipulators. The surgical tool harvests power via inductive coupling between an inductor of the surgical tool and a corresponding inductor of the carriage. The surgical tool may include an indicator that provides a user with an indication of remaining life of the surgical tool. The indicator may be an LED indicator that is illuminated with power generated via the inductive coupling. The indicator may also be an electro-chromic indicator that changes color when exposed to power generated via the inductive coupling. The indicator may also be a photo-chromic indicator that changes color when exposed to light from a light source powered via the inductive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Daniel Mumaw, Niko Murrell, James Hoffmaster, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20220354471
    Abstract: An exemplary ultrasound biopsy device includes a probe and a holster. The probe is insertable into the holster to form a completed assembly. To assemble the probe to the holster, the probe is initially slid laterally onto the holster and then slid forward to latch the probe into engagement with the holster. The holster is coupled to a vacuum control module by one or more conduits and a power cable. The conduits and/or power cable may be retracted into the vacuum control module. The probe of the biopsy device includes a blade assembly at the distal end. The blade assembly comprises a blade that snaps onto a nosecone via a pair of resilient notched ends. A frictional fitting needle cover can be inserted over the needle and blade assembly to protect the user from the sharp blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin M. Fiebig, John A. Hibner, Edward A. Rhad, John S. Ehlert, Morgan R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11484333
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Benjamin J. Danziger, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Brian D. Black, Cara L. Shapiro, Charles J. Scheib, Craig N. Faller, Daniel J. Mumaw, David J. Cagle, David T. Martin, David A. Monroe, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Foster B. Stulen, Frederick L. Estera, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Gregory W. Johnson, Jacob S. Gee, Jason R. Sullivan, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jeffrey S. Swayze, John A. Hibner, John B. Schulte, Joseph E. Hollo, Kristen G. Denzinger, Kristen L. D'Uva, Matthew C. Miller, Michael R. Lamping, Richard W. Timm, Rudolph H. Nobis, Ryan M. Asher, Stephen M. Leuck, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, William B. Weisenburgh, II, William A. Olson