Patents by Inventor Mark D. Overmyer

Mark D. Overmyer 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: 20190099224
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of selecting a display language for a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a module, such as a shaft assembly, that is interchangeably connectable to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a first memory configured to store a language parameter and a control circuit that is operably coupled to the memory. The module includes a second memory configured to store a textual phrase in a plurality of languages. When the module and the handle assembly are connected together, the control circuit is configured to retrieve, from the second memory, the textual phrase in a language corresponding to the language parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20190099180
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument can include one or more sensors that are configured to detect or measure parameters associated with the use of the instrument and a display. A control circuit can be configured to detect whether the instrument is articulating, firing, clamping, and so on according to relationships between the detected parameters. The control circuit can further cause the display to display an image or sequences of images according to the particular operational state of the instrument. The images can provide alerts, instructions on how to use the instrument, or information detected by the one or more sensors, such as the position of the knife during transection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Mark D. Overmyer, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20190099183
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft, and a housing extending proximally from the shaft. The surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft, a firing assembly configured to fire a plurality of staples, for example, and a locking member movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The housing is removably couplable to the shaft when the locking member is in the unlocked configuration and the housing includes a motor configured to drive at least one of the firing assembly and the articulation assembly. The housing also includes a controller in communication with the motor, wherein the controller is configured to activate the motor to reset at least one of the firing assembly and the articulation assembly to a home state when the locking member is moved between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Kevin D. Sackett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 10245033
    Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle including a battery cavity and electrical contacts and, in addition, a battery removably positionable in the battery cavity. The battery is configured to engage and supply power to the electrical contacts when the battery is operably seated in the battery cavity. The handle further comprises diagnostic means for assessing whether the handle is in a suitable operating and a battery lockout configured to permit the battery from being operably seated in the battery cavity if the diagnostic means determines that the handle is not in a suitable operating condition. Additionally or alternatively, the handle can comprise a battery lock configured to prevent the battery from being disengaged from the electrical contacts when the handle is transmitting an operating motion to a shaft assembly attached to the handle, for example. Either one system or two systems can comprise the battery lockout and battery lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Michael D. Auld, Shane R. Adams, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10238386
    Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes an H-bridge circuit, an electrically resistive element and an electrically inductive element. The H-bridge circuit includes a high side and a low side. The low side of the H-bridge circuit includes first and second switching devices. The electrically resistive element is electrically connected in series with the first switching device. The electrically inductive element is electrically connected to the electrically resistive element. The control system is configured to control a force applied to the drive system based on a current downstream of the electrically resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ETHICON LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Richard L. Leimbach
  • Patent number: 10238391
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an interchangeable shaft assembly is disclosed. The interchangeable shaft assembly comprises a shaft portion, an end effector configured to receive a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, a firing assembly movable from a firing home state to deploy the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge, and an articulation assembly movable from an articulation home state to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft portion. The surgical instrument further comprises a housing detachable from the shaft portion, a circuit configured to transmit a home state input signal in response to an action performed to decouple the housing from the shaft portion, and a controller configured to cause the firing assembly to return to the firing home state and the articulation assembly to return to the articulation home state in response to the home state input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Kevin D. Sackett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20190069960
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a robotic surgical assembly and a control assembly. The robotic surgical assembly includes a robotic actuation assembly, a processing device, and a first communication device. The robotic actuation assembly includes a robotic arm. The processing device is configured to instruct the robotic actuation assembly to perform a task based on a set of instructions. The first communication device is operable to transfer the set of instructions to the processing device. The control assembly includes a second communication device and a user input device. The second communication device is operable to communicate the set of instructions to the first communication device. The user input device assembly is configured to generate the set of instructions and send the set of instruction to the second communication device. At least a portion of the instructions are based on positioning of the user input device within three-dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Omar J. Vakharia, James G. Lee, Matthew S. Corbin, Mark D. Overmyer, Cory G. Kimball
  • Publication number: 20190059890
    Abstract: Surgical stapling systems and methods for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system is provided for controlling at least one motor coupled to a drive system on a surgical stapling device for driving one or more drive assemblies. The control system can be configured to communicate with the drive system of the stapling tool and to control and modify movement of one or more drive assemblies based on certain feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III, Mark D. Overmyer, Kris E. Kallenberger, Vincenzo Barbato
  • Publication number: 20190059889
    Abstract: Surgical stapling systems and methods for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system is provided for controlling at least one motor coupled to a drive system on a surgical stapling device for driving one or more drive assemblies. The control system can be configured to communicate with the drive system of the stapling tool and to control and modify movement of one or more drive assemblies based on certain feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III, Mark D. Overmyer, Vincenzo Barbato
  • Publication number: 20190059891
    Abstract: Surgical stapling systems and methods for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system is provided for controlling at least one motor coupled to a drive system on a surgical stapling device for driving one or more drive assemblies. The control system can be configured to communicate with the drive system of the stapling tool and to control and modify movement of one or more drive assemblies based on certain feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Vincenzo Barbato, Mark D. Overmyer, Andrew Beckman
  • Patent number: 10206605
    Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20190033955
    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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    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: 10188385
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a handle and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector, a release actuator, and a latch. The release actuator comprises a lock engaged with the handle when the release actuator is in a proximal position and disengaged from the handle when the release actuator is in a distal position. The latch is operably engaged with the release actuator and movable between a first position and a second position. The release actuator is configured to rotate the latch from the first position to the second position when the release actuator is moved toward the distal position. The latch comprises a catch configured to engage the handle when the latch is moved toward the second position. The catch is disengaged from the handle upon an additional manipulation of the release actuator. The additional manipulation is in a proximal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ETHICON LLC
    Inventors: Wendy A. Kerr, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Kevin D. Sackett, Richard L. Leimbach, Kevin L. Houser, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10182813
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a handle assembly, and a latch system configured to operatively couple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch system includes shaft and a handle lock members respectively connected to the shaft and handle assemblies for inhibiting operative uncoupling of the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member has a cam surface and a latch member. The latch member is configured to selectively move from a locked position to a released position such that movement of the latch member causes the shaft and handle lock members to disengage and uncouple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member is further configured to selectively move from the released position to a removal position such that further movement of the latch member causes the cam surface of the latch member to engage the cam base and urge the shaft assembly in a removal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L Leimbach, Tony Siebel, Brett E. Swensgard, Bryce Hansen, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane Adams, Brian Schings, Sol Posada
  • Publication number: 20190008511
    Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Wendy A. Kerr, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Kevin D. Sackett
  • Publication number: 20180353170
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Shane R. Adams, Thomas W. Lytle, Richard L. Leimbach, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10149732
    Abstract: Various exemplary surgical tool and robotic surgical system interfaces are provided. In general, a sterile barrier can be positioned between a robotic surgical system and a surgical tool releasably coupled to the robotic surgical system. The surgical tool can be in a sterile environment on one side of the sterile barrier, and the robotic surgical system can be in a non-sterile environment on the other, opposite side of the sterile barrier. The robotic surgical system can be configured to control movement of the surgical tool releasably coupled thereto using a magnetic field that extends across the sterile barrier between the surgical tool and the robotic surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10149727
    Abstract: Various exemplary surgical tool and robotic surgical system interfaces are provided. In general, a sterile barrier can be positioned between a robotic surgical system and a surgical tool releasably coupled to the robotic surgical system. The surgical tool can be in a sterile environment on one side of the sterile barrier, and the robotic surgical system can be in a non-sterile environment on the other, opposite side of the sterile barrier. The robotic surgical system can be configured to control movement of the surgical tool releasably coupled thereto using a magnetic field that extends across the sterile barrier between the surgical tool and the robotic surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10143524
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coupling a robotic surgical tool with a tool driver of a robotic surgical system via a sterile barrier disposed between the tool and the driver. The tool has an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled thereto, as well as a mating interface member having a plurality of independently movable portions and a plurality of coupling features disposed about a perimeter of an outer wall of the mating interface member. The coupling features are configured to reversibly engage with a proximal end of a corresponding actuation member from a plurality of actuation members of the tool driver. The coupling features reversibly engage with the proximal ends of the actuation members so as to allow the actuation members to move in proximal and distal directions independently from one another to thereby control operation of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, Jeffery Kirk, Andrew Beckman, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Mark D. Overmyer, Eric W. Thompson, Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 10143514
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. For instance, a surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongated shaft having first and second jaws. The device includes a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A motor is included to drive the cutting assembly, and a processor is coupled to the motor. An actuator on the device is configured to receive an input from a user that causes power to be supplied to the motor. The device has a normal mode in which the processor controls the motor, and the device has a bailout mode in which the processor is bypassed and power is delivered directly to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Rudolph H. Nobis, Aaron C. Voegele, Catherine A. Corbett, David C. Yates, Chad P. Boudreaux