Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Houser

Kevin L. Houser 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: 12285166
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including an end effector, a drive member movable to effectuate a motion in said end effector, a motor operable to move the drive member to effectuate the motion in the end effector and a bailout assembly operable to perform a mechanical bailout of the surgical instrument in response to a bailout error. The bailout assembly includes a bailout door, a bailout handle accessible through the bailout door. The bailout handle is operable to move the drive member to effectuate a bailout motion in the end effector. A controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to detect the bailout error. The processor is programed to stop the motor in response to the detection of the bailout error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 12268900
    Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Kenneth S. Kramer, Foster B. Stulen, Kevin L Houser
  • Patent number: 12251124
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a control module. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, an electrode, and a sensor. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The electrode is operable to apply radiofrequency (RF) electrosurgical energy to tissue. The sensor is operable to sense a condition of tissue contacted by the end effector. The control module is operable to control delivery of ultrasonic power and RF electrosurgical energy through the end effector based on data from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20250082357
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for controlling an ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the location of tissue grasped within an end effector are disclosed. A control circuit can be configured to apply varying power levels, via a generator, to an ultrasonic transducer driving an ultrasonic electromechanical system to oscillate an ultrasonic blade. Further, the control circuit can measure impedances of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the varying power levels and determine a location of tissue positioned within the end effector according to a difference between the impedances of the ultrasonic transducer relative to a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 12239460
    Abstract: In general, systems and methods for controlling operation of drug administration devices using surgical hubs are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Steven Vesole, Peter Krulevitch, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 12239360
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a controller configured to control application of RF or ultrasonic energy at a low level when displacement or intensity of a button is above a first threshold but below a second threshold higher than the first threshold, and control application of RF or ultrasonic energy at a high level when the displacement or intensity exceeds the second threshold. In another aspect, a surgical instrument comprises a first sensor configured to measure a tissue characteristic at a first location, a second sensor configured to measure the tissue characteristic at a second location, and a controller configured to, based at least in part on the measured tissue characteristic at the first location and the second location, control application of RF or ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 12232723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20250049464
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Kevin L. Houser, David A. Monroe, David C. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Timothy P. Lessek, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Ryan M. Asher, Mary E. Mootoo, Eric B. Smith, Gregory W. Johnson, David M. Locke
  • Patent number: 12220143
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic end effector extends along a longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamping mechanism. A controller receives a feedback signal from the ultrasonic end effector and the feedback signal is measured by the controller. A lumen is adapted to couple to a pump. The controller is configured to control fluid flow through the lumen based on the feedback signal, and the lumen is located within the ultrasonic end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 12201339
    Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed including an end effector comprising a clamp arm, a tissue contacting surface, and a circuit defining a plurality of segmented sections. The plurality of segmented sections comprises a first segmented section comprising a first impedance sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with tissue positioned in the first segmented section and deliver electrosurgical energy to the tissue. A motor is configured to move the clamp arm. A current sensor is configured to sense a current draw of the motor. A control system is configured to interrogate the first impedance sensor to determine a value of the parameter, interrogate the current sensor to determine the current draw, compare the value of the parameter to a threshold value, compare the current draw to a threshold current draw, and divert the electrosurgical energy away from the first segmented section based on the comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jason L. Harris, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Patent number: 12193698
    Abstract: Provided is a system and medical device that includes self diagnosing control switches. The control switch may be slidable within a slot in order to control activation of some function of the medical device. Due to natural wear and tear of movement of a control switch, the distances along the sliding slot that correspond to how much energy is used for the function may need to be adjusted over time in order to reflect the changing physical attributes of the actuator mechanism. The self diagnosing control switches of the present disclosures may be configured to automatically adjust for these thresholds using, for example, Hall effect sensors and magnets. In addition, in some cases, the self diagnosing control switches may be capable of indicating external influences on the controls, as well as predict a time until replacement is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 12161356
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: John A. Hibner, Kevin L Houser, David A. Monroe, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Timothy P. Lessek, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Ryan M. Asher, Mary E. Mootoo, Eric B. Smith, Gregory W. Johnson, David M. Locke
  • Publication number: 20240374280
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni M. Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
  • Patent number: 12133660
    Abstract: An ultrasonic electromechanical system for an ultrasonic surgical instrument may include an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm disposed opposite the ultrasonic blade, an ultrasonic transducer configured to oscillate the ultrasonic blade in response to a drive signal, and a control circuit coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The control circuit can be configured to determine a temperature of the ultrasonic blade, increase an amount of power of the drive signal when the temperature of the ultrasonic blade is less than a first predetermined value, and decrease the amount of power of the drive signal when the temperature of the ultrasonic blade is greater than a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value may be greater than the first predetermined value. An ultrasonic generator connectable to the ultrasonic electromechanical system may include the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Cameron R. Nott, Fergus P. Quigley, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser, David C. Yates, Patrick J. Scoggins, Craig N. Faller, Madeleine C. Jayme
  • Patent number: 12108999
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system has an ultrasonic unit including an instrument operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator, wherein the instrument has an ultrasonic end effector on the distal end of a shaft. The system further includes a positioning unit including a movable arm adapted for releasably holding the instrument, whereby an operator may direct the positioning unit to position the end effector at a surgical site inside a body cavity of a patient for performing a plurality of surgical tasks. The system further includes a control unit operatively connected to the ultrasonic and positioning units, wherein the control unit is programmable with a surgical subroutine for performing the surgical tasks. The system further includes a user interface operatively connected to the control unit for initiating an operative cycle of the surgical subroutine such that the surgical tasks are automatically performed during the operative cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, William T. Donofrio, Foster B. Stulen
  • Patent number: 12102325
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20240307058
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, an end effector, and control system having a processor and a memory. The handle assembly is movable between a plurality of positions and includes an interface. The control system can cause the processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations each associated with one of the positions of the handle assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system can toggle the interface between a primary interface configuration with operational controls and a secondary interface configuration with navigation controls. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface can include a touchscreen configured to provide a firing input signal to the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, a surgical assembly can include the surgical instrument and a remote operating unit with a secondary interface configured to control the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: MARK D. OVERMYER, BRETT E. SWENSGARD, SHANE R. ADAMS, THOMAS W. LYTLE, IV, RICHARD L. LEIMBACH, FREDERICK E. SHELTON, IV, KEVIN L. HOUSER
  • Patent number: 12070239
    Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni M. Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Shan Wan
  • Patent number: 12059169
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for controlling an ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the location of tissue grasped within an end effector are disclosed. A control circuit can be configured to apply varying power levels, via a generator, to an ultrasonic transducer driving an ultrasonic electromechanical system to oscillate an ultrasonic blade. Further, the control circuit can measure impedances of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the varying power levels and determine a location of tissue positioned within the end effector according to a difference between the impedances of the ultrasonic transducer relative to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 12062423
    Abstract: In general, drug administration devices that communicate with surgical hubs and methods of using drug administration devices that communicate with surgical hubs are provided. In one aspect, a surgical system is provided that in one embodiment includes a drug administration device configured to administer a drug to a patient during performance of a surgical procedure. The drug administration device includes a first communications interface and a first processor configured to cause the first communications interface to transmit data regarding operation of the drug administration device during the performance of the surgical procedure. The surgical system also includes a surgical hub including a second processor and a second communications interface. The second communications interface is configured to receive the transmitted data from the first communications interface during the performance of the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James. Fleming, Michael Hutchinson, Francesco N. Albertini, Anthony DiUbaldi, Steven Vesole, Kevin L. Houser