Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Smith

Kevin W. Smith 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: 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
  • Patent number: 12096933
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprised of an end effector having two opposing tissue-compression surfaces, wherein at least one of the tissue-compressing surfaces is movable with respect to the other of the tissue-compressing surfaces, and a handle connected to the end effector. The handle comprises a power source, an electric motor supplied with power from the power source, and a closure assembly comprising a drive part that is selectively moved by the motor along a drive-part axis and is operatively connected to the end effector such that, when the motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the movable tissue-compressing surface towards the opposing tissue-compressing surface at a differential rate of speed dependent upon a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Cllag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Carlos Rivera, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 12064601
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for inter-app communications between software applications on a mobile communications device. In one aspect, a computer-readable medium on a mobile computing device comprising an inter-application communication data structure to facilitate transitioning and distributing data between software applications in a shared app group for an operating system of the mobile computing device includes a scheme field of the data structure providing a scheme id associated with a target software app to transition to from a source software app, wherein the scheme id is listed on a scheme list stored with the source software app; and a payload field of the data structure providing data and/or an identification where to access data in a shared file system accessible to the software applications in the shared app group, wherein the payload field is encrypted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Morris, Scott M. Belliveau, Esteban Cabrera, Jr., Anna Leigh Davis, Rian W. Draeger, Laura J. Dunn, Timothy Joseph Goldsmith, Hari Hampapuram, Christopher Robert Hannemann, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Katherine Yerre Koehler, Patrick Wile McBride, Michael Robert Mensinger, Francis William Pascual, Philip Mansiel Pellouchoud, Nicholas Polytaridis, Philip Thomas Pupa, Kevin Shoemaker, Brian Christopher Smith, Benjamin Elrod West, Atiim Joseph Wiley
  • Patent number: 12059150
    Abstract: A method for operating a medical device, comprising: (1) providing a surgical end effector at a distal end of an instrument shaft and a rotating actuator at a proximal end of the instrument shaft, and (2) operating the rotating actuator to perform at least one of actuating the surgical end effector by sliding the rotating actuator in a proximal direction and rotating the surgical end effector with respect to the instrument shaft and about a shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer, Korey Kline, Derek Dee Deville
  • Patent number: 12009166
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11974745
    Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises a surgical end effector, a handle that is connected to the surgical end effector and has a controller, and an interchangeable part removably connected to the surgical end effector and having an encryption device in electrical communication with the controller. The encryption device is programmed to authenticate the interchangeable part when the interchangeable part is at the surgical end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CILAG GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Carlos Rivera, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11877742
    Abstract: A compression-self-adjusting staple that comprises a substantially U-shaped staple having a bridge, two legs extending from the bridge at an angle thereto, and a compression device. The compression device is at least partly disposed between the legs and has a bias portion with a compression surface that is movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor. The compression resistor is connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed into a plurality of bends that resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a pre-set compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer, Korey Kline, Derek Dee Deville
  • Patent number: 11806682
    Abstract: Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SCIDEV ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230338140
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can comprise a stent frame radially movable between a contracted configuration and a maximum expanded configuration. The stent assembly can comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending jack strut assemblies, wherein each jack strut assembly comprises a proximal jack strut comprising a distal surface, a distal jack strut comprising a proximal surface, and a jack screw connecting the proximal jack strut and the distal jack strut. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut does not contact the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the contracted configuration. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut contacts the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the maximum expanded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Patent number: 11759203
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprised of a stapling end effector having a staple-applying assembly with opposing stapling surfaces defining a closure distance therebetween, wherein at least one stapling surface is movable, and a handle connected to the stapling end effector and comprising a staple-firing assembly that causes the staple-applying assembly to staple tissue between the stapling surfaces. The handle further comprises a power source, electric motor, and closure assembly that has a drive part movable by the motor, detection mechanism, a controller. The drive part is connected to the stapling end effector. When the motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the movable stapling surface towards the opposing stapling surface. The detection mechanism detects a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis and the controller is configured to prevent stapling unless the drive part is at a position corresponding to a closure distance within a pre-defined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Carlos Rivera, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11751873
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising a surgical end effector, an actuation assembly having a part operable to move between a first position and a second position, an electrically-powered motor, a transmission mechanically connecting the motor to the part and being operable to selectively displace the part between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displace the part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Carlos Rivera, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11707356
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Richard George Cartledge, Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek Dee Deville, Korey Kline, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, Eric Petersen, M. Sean McBrayer
  • Publication number: 20230149869
    Abstract: Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230149868
    Abstract: Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230149867
    Abstract: Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230078376
    Abstract: A very light weight, noncompressible drilling fluid including a very light weight hydrocarbon base liquid, and a styrenic butadiene diblock copolymer is heated to achieve excellent rheology including thixotropicity, making an effective drilling fluid with a density of 8 pounds per gallon or less. Densities as low as 4 pounds per gallon are achieved with the addition of glass bubbles. The glass bubbles may, but normally will not, exceed 50% by volume. A method of making the drilling fluid includes passing the light weight liquid and the copolymer through a cavitation device. The invention includes drilling and with and recirculating the fluid to maintain the desired density, viscosity and rheology by adjusting the ingredients accordingly. A method of managed pressure drilling employs the novel fluid, enabling control of drill pressure and physical properties of the fluid including equivalent circulating density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230064549
    Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device comprises a shaft comprising an exterior surface, an interior receiving therein suture fixation clips, and a distal end opening shaped to eject a suture fixation clip therefrom. The shaft defines a lateral opening and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and the distal end opening. A shuttle moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body, a snare having a distal snare portion, and a snare extension slide movable from the shuttle body along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end. The shuttle extends at least the distal snare portion distally through the lateral opening from the environment into the interior, through the distal shaft portion, and through the distal end opening along a length that is at least equal to the slide distance when the snare extension slide moves to the distal end of the given extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Max Pierre Mendez, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Derek Dee Deville, Richard George Cartledge, Korey Kline, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez
  • Patent number: 11549045
    Abstract: A very light weight, noncompressible drilling fluid including a very light weight hydrocarbon base liquid, and a styrenic butadiene diblock copolymer is heated to achieve excellent rheology including thixotropicity, making an effective drilling fluid with a density of 8 pounds per gallon or less. Densities as low as 4 pounds per gallon are achieved with the addition of glass bubbles. The glass bubbles may, but normally will not, exceed 50% by volume. A method of making the drilling fluid includes passing the light weight liquid and the copolymer through a cavitation device. The invention includes drilling and with and recirculating the fluid to maintain the desired density, viscosity and rheology by adjusting the ingredients accordingly. A method of managed pressure drilling employs the novel fluid, enabling control of drill pressure and physical properties of the fluid including equivalent circulating density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220361946
    Abstract: A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Syn Variflex, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Thomas O. Bales, JR., Derek Dee Deville, Joe Abelleira
  • Patent number: 11485893
    Abstract: Heavy fluids are made from calcium bromide and at least one hydrogen bond donor such as a low molecular weight polyol or an organic acid. The combination of a hydrogen bond donor and calcium bromide as a hydrogen bond acceptor in an appropriate molar ratio forms a higher density clear completion fluid at a low temperature not otherwise obtainable with heavy aqueous solutions of calcium bromide such as are used in oilfield wells. A method of making the fluid comprises mixing calcium bromide with the polyol(s) in the presence of water and then reducing the water content, thus forming a heavy fluid. A crystallization inhibitor such as nitrilotriacetamide or a particulate silicate is included in the formulation. When the heavy fluid “freezes,” its physical form is somewhat amorphous and pumpable rather than crystalline. The heavy fluid is useful as a drilling fluid as well as a completion fluid and for other purposes in oil recovery processes where extreme density is beneficial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Highland Fluid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith