Patents by Inventor John Kevin Bruce

John Kevin Bruce 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).

  • Patent number: 11896217
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, and an articulation drive is disclosed. The articulation drive comprises a lock configured to hold the end effector in position when the articulation drive is not being operated. The articulation lock self-unlocks when the articulation drive is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Richard L. Leimbach, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Publication number: 20230380834
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Nina Mastroianni, Craig P. Siders, Timothy L. Guest, Zhifan F. Huang, Thomas A. Stoughton, Nicholas J. Ross, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 11723662
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Nina Mastroianni, Craig P. Siders, Timothy L. Guest, Zhifan F. Huang, Thomas A. Stoughton, Nicholas J. Ross, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 11723633
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, and a cutter drive mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter is movable relative to the needle to sever a tissue sample. The cutter drive mechanism is driven by a rotary drive cable and is configured to both rotate and translate the cutter. The cutter drive mechanism is further configured to reverse the transition direction of the cutter wile the drive provided by the rotary drive cable is in a continuous rotary direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Mark Graham
  • Patent number: 11666339
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil defining a plurality of staple forming pockets and a stapling head assembly configured to drive a plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil. The stapling head assembly comprises a coupling member configured to actuate the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly, a firing assembly configured to drive the plurality of staples against the staple forming pockets of the anvil, and a deck member. The deck member includes a deck surface extending radially between an inner circular edge and an outer circular edge, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the deck surface. The plurality of staple openings define at least one cross shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, John Scott Kimsey, Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Morgan R. Hunter, Cory Kimball, Gregory J. Bakos, Christopher Q. Seow, Pierre Mesnil, Laura S. Downing, Jeffery Bruns, Ryan W. McGhee, Chester O. Baxter, III, John E. Feds, Michael J. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20230034865
    Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a control module, and a tissue transport tube. The biopsy device includes a probe, a needle, a cutter, and a transport valve. The needle extends distally from the probe. The cutter is movable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The holster is configured to couple to the probe. The transport valve is in communication with the cutter lumen. The control module is in communication with the biopsy device and includes a sample management assembly configured to receive one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter. The transport tube extends between the sample management assembly and the biopsy device. The transport tube is in communication with the transport valve such that the transport tube is configured to receive the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan R. Keller, John Kevin Bruce, Peter Shadix, Rachel Yoon Choung, David Shuart, Jordan Rebellino, Andrew Paul Nock, Bryan Superville
  • Publication number: 20220409190
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a probe lock. The probe includes a probe body and a needle extending distally from the probe body. The probe is releasably couplable to the holster. The probe lock includes a lock member configured to move laterally relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the needle to selectively lock the probe to the holster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Graham, Douglas Hartman, Andrew P. Nock, Andrew T. Robinson, John Kevin Bruce
  • Publication number: 20220378420
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Nina Mastroianni, Craig P. Siders, Timothy L. Guest, Zhifan F. Huang, Thomas A. Stoughton, Nicholas J. Ross, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 11504101
    Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a control module, and a tissue transport tube. The biopsy device includes a probe, a needle, a cutter, and a transport valve. The needle extends distally from the probe. The cutter is movable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The holster is configured to couple to the probe. The transport valve is in communication with the cutter lumen. The control module is in communication with the biopsy device and includes a sample management assembly configured to receive one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter. The transport tube extends between the sample management assembly and the biopsy device. The transport tube is in communication with the transport valve such that the transport tube is configured to receive the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Keller, John Kevin Bruce, Peter Shadix, Rachel Yoon Choung, David Shuart, Jordan Rebellino, Andrew Paul Nock, Bryan Superville
  • Publication number: 20220071733
    Abstract: A biopsy site marker includes a carrier and a marker element. The marker element is disposed within the carrier. The carrier including a first marker material and a second marker material. The first marker material and the second marker material are each configured to expand in the presence of moisture. The first marker material is configured to expand at a rapid rate relative to the second marker material in the presence of moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Elijah Kreider, Peter Shadix, Emmanuel V. Tanghal, Jordan Rebellino, Andrew Small, Ramon Alberto Ramos, Taylor Vohland, Jack A. Randall, David C. McBreen, LeRonda Perry, Edward A. Rhad, Jessica P. Leimbach, Sarah Payne, Anne E. Storer, Andrew T. Robinson, John Kevin Bruce, Rachel Yoon Choung
  • Patent number: 11202621
    Abstract: A targeting set for use with positioning a biopsy device within a patient. The targeting set includes an obturator and an actuator. The actuator includes a housing and a lock array. The lock array extends inwardly within a hollow interior defined by the housing. The obturator is configured for insertion into the housing of the actuator such that at least a portion of the obturator engages the lock array. The lock array is configured to selectively lock the obturator in a plurality of axial positions relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products
    Inventors: Rachel Yoon Choung, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 11160538
    Abstract: A cutter actuation assembly for actuating a cutter of a biopsy device includes a cutter sleeve, a receiving member, and a linear actuator. The cutter sleeve is fixedly secured to the cutter of the biopsy device. The receiving member is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutter sleeve. The linear actuator is configured to translate the cutter sleeve. The receiving member is configured to rotate the cutter sleeve as the cutter sleeve is translated relative to the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Householder, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 11090033
    Abstract: A bi-directional depth stop for use with biopsy instrument including a body and a pair of blades. The body defines a channel sized to receive a cannula associated with the biopsy instrument. The channel includes a first pair of opposing concave surfaces and a second pair of opposing concave surfaces. The first pair and second pair of opposing concave surfaces together form a superimposed bi-oval-shaped cross-section. Each blade of the pair of blades projects inwardly into a concave surface of the first pair of opposing concave surfaces such the pair of blades are disposed on an opposing side of the body. In some instances, the concave surfaces may be beneficial to provide rotation of the dept stop in two directions rather than a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Rebellino, John Kevin Bruce
  • Publication number: 20200015795
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, and a cutter drive mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter is movable relative to the needle to sever a tissue sample. The cutter drive mechanism is driven by a rotary drive cable and is configured to both rotate and translate the cutter. The cutter drive mechanism is further configured to reverse the transition direction of the cutter wile the drive provided by the rotary drive cable is in a continuous rotary direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Mark Graham
  • Publication number: 20190150900
    Abstract: A targeting set for use with positioning a biopsy device within a patient. The targeting set includes an obturator and an actuator. The actuator includes a housing and a lock array. The lock array extends inwardly within a hollow interior defined by the housing. The obturator is configured for insertion into the housing of the actuator such that at least a portion of the obturator engages the lock array. The lock array is configured to selectively lock the obturator in a plurality of axial positions relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Rachel Yoon Choung, John Kevin Bruce
  • Publication number: 20190083071
    Abstract: A bi-directional depth stop for use with biopsy instrument including a body and a pair of blades. The body defines a channel sized to receive a cannula associated with the biopsy instrument. The channel includes a first pair of opposing concave surfaces and a second pair of opposing concave surfaces. The first pair and second pair of opposing concave surfaces together form a superimposed bi-oval-shaped cross-section. Each blade of the pair of blades projects inwardly into a concave surface of the first pair of opposing concave surfaces such the pair of blades are disposed on an opposing side of the body. In some instances, the concave surfaces may be beneficial to provide rotation of the dept stop in two directions rather than a single direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Jordan Rebellino, John Kevin Bruce
  • Publication number: 20190029758
    Abstract: A targeting set for use with positioning a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The targeting set includes an obturator, a side notch, and a neck. The obturator includes an elongate shaft extending between a distal tip and a hub. The side notch is defined by the elongate shaft and is configured to receive tissue for visualization under MRI. The neck is defined by the elongate shaft and disposed proximate of the side notch. The neck has a tapered portion tapering radially inwardly towards the distal tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Robert M. Householder, Rachel Yoon Choung, John Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 10077133
    Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a nestable pallet can include an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck can forms a product support region. The upper deck can include a plurality of foot members each formed as a cavity within the product support region of the upper deck. Each of the foot members can include a base portion offset downward from the from the product support region of the upper deck. The lower deck can be joined to the upper deck and can be disposed downwards from the upper deck. The lower deck can include a plurality of foot strengthening orifices. Each of the foot strengthening orifices can include a support rim. The foot members of the upper deck can be received by the foot strengthening orifices and constrained by the support rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: BUCKHORN, INC.
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Paul J. Ficker
  • Publication number: 20180116644
    Abstract: A cutter actuation assembly for actuating a cutter of a biopsy device includes a cutter sleeve, a receiving member, and a linear actuator. The cutter sleeve is fixedly secured to the cutter of the biopsy device. The receiving member is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutter sleeve. The linear actuator is configured to translate the cutter sleeve. The receiving member is configured to rotate the cutter sleeve as the cutter sleeve is translated relative to the receiving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Householder, John Kevin Bruce
  • Publication number: 20170081075
    Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a nestable pallet can include an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck can forms a product support region. The upper deck can include a plurality of foot members each formed as a cavity within the product support region of the upper deck. Each of the foot members can include a base portion offset downward from the from the product support region of the upper deck. The lower deck can be joined to the upper deck and can be disposed downwards from the upper deck. The lower deck can include a plurality of foot strengthening orifices. Each of the foot strengthening orifices can include a support rim. The foot members of the upper deck can be received by the foot strengthening orifices and constrained by the support rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Buckhorn Inc.
    Inventors: John Kevin Bruce, Paul J. Ficker