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: 20180168677
    Abstract: Various embodiments of tool assemblies are provided having at least one rotary input coupling and at least one linear input coupling for allowing either a rotary output or a linear output (e.g., from a tool driver on a surgical robot) to activate at least one mechanism of the tool assembly. For example, mechanisms of the tool assembly can include a clamping assembly, a firing assembly, an articulation assembly, and a roll assembly. The clamping assembly can open and close jaws of an end effector, the firing assembly can translate a knife assembly through the end effector to fire staples and cut tissue, the articulation assembly can articulate the end effector, and the roll assembly can rotate the elongate shaft and/or the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168744
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, JR., Jeffery Kirk, Andrew Beckman, Jeffery S. Swayze, Mark D. Overmyer, Eric W. Thompson, Kenneth Miller
  • Publication number: 20180168595
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed comprising a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positionable in the cartridge channel, and a firing assembly configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge is not positioned in the cartridge channel. Moreover, the firing assembly is configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge has been at least partially spent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Robert L. Koch, JR., Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180168590
    Abstract: A shaft assembly is disclosed which is selectively attachable to a variety of surgical systems, such as a handle of a surgical instrument and an arm of a robotic system, for example. The shaft assembly comprises, one, a firing member operably couplable with the surgical systems which is configured to perform a firing stroke and, two, a manually-operable crank for retracting the firing member after a portion of the firing stroke has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20180168625
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Sol A. Posada, Mark D. Overmyer, Raymond E. Parfett, Brian D. Schings, Brett E. Swensgard, Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kharyl Evenson George Stephens, Jason M. Rector
  • Publication number: 20180168671
    Abstract: Various embodiments of tool assemblies are provided having at least one rotary input coupling and at least one linear input coupling for allowing either a rotary output or a linear output (e.g., from a tool driver on a surgical robot) to activate at least one mechanism of the tool assembly. For example, mechanisms of the tool assembly can include a clamping assembly, a firing assembly, an articulation assembly, and a roll assembly. The clamping assembly can open and close jaws of an end effector, the firing assembly can translate a knife assembly through the end effector to fire staples and cut tissue, the articulation assembly can articulate the end effector, and the roll assembly can rotate the elongate shaft and/or the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168754
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems are provided for control of an end effector in response to actuation of a user interface device based upon different control states. In each control state, selected movement directions of the user interface device are either coupled to or decoupled from corresponding movements directions of the end effector. Decoupled movement directions can be recoupled by positioning the user interface device within a range of where the user interface device and the end effector were decoupled. To assist with such recoupling, a graphical image estimating a position of the end effector that would be achieved, based upon a current position of the user interface device, if the decoupled movement direction was recoupled can be overlaid upon a current position of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168592
    Abstract: A shaft assembly is disclosed which is usable with a surgical system, such as a surgical robot and/or a handle of a surgical instrument, for example. The shaft assembly is configured to receive a rotary input motion from the surgical system and a transmission, or clutch, which is shiftable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode to selectively transmit the rotary input motion to a first drive system and a second drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180168593
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising an end effector, a frame, an articulation system configured rotate the end effector relative to the frame, and a firing system configured to perform a firing stroke within the end effector. The firing system is selectively engageable with the articulation system to rotate the end effector. In such instances, the firing system cannot perform the firing stroke until the firing system has been operably decoupled from the articulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20180168745
    Abstract: Various embodiments of tool assemblies are provided having at least one rotary input coupling and at least one linear input coupling for allowing either a rotary output or a linear output (e.g., from a tool driver on a surgical robot) to activate at least one mechanism of the tool assembly. For example, mechanisms of the tool assembly can include a clamping assembly, a firing assembly, an articulation assembly, and a roll assembly. The clamping assembly can open and close jaws of an end effector, the firing assembly can translate a knife assembly through the end effector to fire staples and cut tissue, the articulation assembly can articulate the end effector, and the roll assembly can rotate the elongate shaft and/or the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch
  • Publication number: 20180168597
    Abstract: Methods for resetting a fuse in a surgical instrument are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Adam D. Hensel, Jason M. Rector, Bingshi Wang, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168582
    Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft that has an end effector coupled thereto for selective articulation relative to the shaft. At least one articulation link operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions and is coupled to the end effector for applying articulation motions thereto. An articulation lock member corresponds to each articulation link and is configured to laterally move into locking engagement with the corresponding articulation link from an unlocked position that is laterally adjacent to the corresponding articulation link. An actuation system operably interfaces with each of the articulation lock members to selectively laterally move each articulation lock member from the unlocked position into locking engagement with the corresponding articulation link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168609
    Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed which comprise a firing assembly configured to apply a firing load to an end effector of the surgical instrument during a firing stroke. The firing assembly comprises a fuse configured to interrupt the firing stroke and/or prevent the firing load from being applied to the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Adam D. Hensel, Jason M. Rector, Bingshi Wang, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Publication number: 20180168576
    Abstract: A surgical end effector including a first jaw that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw between open and closed positions. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the first jaw along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position. A firing member lockout system is movable between an unlocked position wherein the firing member lockout system is out of engagement with the firing member and a locked position wherein the firing member lockout system is configured to prevent the firing member from being distally advanced from the starting position unless an unfired staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw. The firing member lockout system is configured to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the second jaw is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Morgan R. Hunter, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Austin E. Wise, James A. Vandewalle, Darwin L. Schultz, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch, JR., Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180168591
    Abstract: A shaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an end effector configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration, a closure system configured to transition the end effector toward the closed configuration during a closure stroke, a firing member movable through a firing stroke, and a frame. In various instances, the shaft assembly comprises a first bailout configured to shift the frame in order to open the end effector and a second, independent, bailout configured to retract the firing member during and/or after the firing stroke. In certain instances, the closure system is expandable to perform the closure stroke. In at least one such instance, the closure system comprises a proximal portion mounted to the frame and a distal portion movable relative to the proximal portion. In at least one instance, the firing member engages the closure member to expand the closure system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch, JR., Mark D. Overmyer, Fredrick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180161109
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20180161111
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20180161118
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20180161110
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Joshua Young, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Publication number: 20180132850
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument comprises a housing, a first sensor configured to detect a condition of the surgical instrument, and a second sensor configured to detect the condition of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further comprises a processor, wherein the processor is located within the housing. The first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor. The processor receives a first signal from the first sensor and a second signal from the second sensor. The processor is configured to utilize the first signal and the second signal to determine the condition and communicate instructions to the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure in view of the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV