Patents by Inventor Michael J. Stokes

Michael J. Stokes 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: 20190239883
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half having an anvil channel member and a cartridge half having a cartridge channel member. A latching lever is coupled to the cartridge channel member and is pivotable between a closed position in which the lever fixes the anvil channel member relative to the cartridge channel member, and an open position in which the lever permits relative movement between the channel members. A locking member coupled to a proximal portion of the cartridge half is movable between a locked position when the lever is in the closed position and an unlocked position when the lever is in the open position. In the locked position the locking member captures the projection and locks the anvil half proximal portion to the cartridge half proximal portion. In the unlocked position the locking member releases the projection and permits separation of the proximal portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason Jones, Michael J. Stokes, Anil K. Nalagatla, Hector Chow, Matthew S. Corbin, Omar J. Vakharia, Wells D. Haberstich
  • Publication number: 20190239890
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a housing, and jaws that extend past a distal end of the housing and include opposed first and second jaw members each comprising an independent structure movable relative to the other. The first jaw member defines a first inner surface and the second jaw member defines a second inner surface opposite the first inner surface. An actuation mechanism is operatively coupled to the jaw members and operable to move the jaws between an open position and a closed position. The first and second inner surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the jaws move between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Gregory Scott, Disha Labhasetwar, John Brady
  • Publication number: 20190239889
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes jaws that comprise a one-piece body having opposed first and second jaw members. The first jaw member provides a first inner surface and the second jaw member provides a second inner surface opposite the first inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces remain parallel to each other as the first and second jaw members move from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Gregory Scott, Disha Labhasetwar, John Brady
  • Publication number: 20190239892
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes an elongate body and a clip track provided within the body and containing one or more surgical clips. Each surgical clip includes a crown and a pair of legs extending longitudinally from the crown and diverging from each other at an obtuse opening angle. A pre-forming region is provided within the body and arranged to receive and deform the one or more surgical clips from a first state, where the pair of legs diverge at the obtuse opening angle, and a second state, where the obtuse opening angle is minimized. First and second jaw members are positioned at a distal end of the body and arranged to receive the one or more surgical clips from the pre-forming region in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott, Michael J. Stokes, Disha Labhasetwar
  • Publication number: 20190239884
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes two arms and a latching lever. An end effector includes two jaws. A firing assembly includes an actuating beam, a proximal body, and two levers. The actuating beam is slidable relative to the handle assembly and the end effector. The proximal body is coupled to the actuating beam and is housed within either the first arm or the second arm. The first lever is configured to move between a first laterally extending position and a first non-obtrusive position. The first lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the first laterally extending position. The second lever is configured to move between a second laterally extending position and a second non-obtrusive position. The second lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the second laterally extending position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Michael J. Stokes, Jason Jones, Matthew S. Corbin, Carol J. Wynn
  • Publication number: 20190239970
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes an elongate body, a clip forming system positioned within the body and arranged to receive an unformed surgical clip, and an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the clip forming system to actuate the clip forming system and thereby bend the unformed surgical clip into a tissue-ready surgical clip. First and second jaw members are positioned at a distal end of the body and arranged to receive the tissue-ready surgical clip for crimping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Matthew Kuhn, Jeffery Bruns, Joshua Young, Alex Cuti, John Brady, Gregory Scott, Disha Labhasetwar
  • Publication number: 20190239888
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a clip cartridge coupled to the body and containing one or more surgical clips, and a head rotatably coupled to the distal end. First and second jaw members are mounted to the head such that rotation of the head correspondingly moves the first and second jaw members. The head is rotatable between a loading position, where the first and second jaw members are aligned to receive a distal-most surgical clip of the one or more surgical clips, and a clamping position, where the first and second jaw members are positioned to crimp a surgical clip interposing the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Chester Baxter, III, Tyler Brehm
  • Publication number: 20190239886
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half and a cartridge half. The anvil half includes an anvil channel member and an anvil surface. The cartridge half releasably couples with the anvil half and includes a cartridge channel member having a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge, and a latching member coupled to the cartridge channel member and movable between open and closed positions. A resilient member is arranged at a proximal end of one of the anvil half or the cartridge half, and a projection is arranged at a proximal end of the other of the anvil half or the cartridge half. The resilient member is configured to contact and releasably couple with the projection to thereby couple the proximal end of the anvil half with the proximal end of the cartridge half while the latching member is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Jason Jones, Michael J. Stokes, Chester O. Baxter, III, Andrew T. Beckman, Anil K. Nalagatla, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190239885
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil channel member, an anvil surface, and a cartridge channel member that releasably couples with the anvil channel member and includes a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge. The stapler further includes first and second latch features. The second latch feature moves between an open position and a closed position in which it engages the first latch feature and fixes the channel members together. A latch lockout member of the stapler is movable between a lockout state in which the lockout member locks the second latch feature in the open position, and a release state in which the lockout member permits the second latch feature to move to the closed position. The latch lockout member is configured to move from the lockout state to the release state in response to being engaged by the first latch feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Chester O. Baxter, III, Matthew S. Corbin, Disha V. Labhasetwar
  • Publication number: 20190239881
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, an end effector, a firing assembly, and a release assembly. The handle assembly includes first and second arms and a latching lever. The end effector includes first and second jaws. The firing assembly is configured to sever tissue captured between the jaws. The release assemble is configured to urge the latching lever away from the first arm to pivot the second jaw from a fully closed position to a partially closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Michael J. Stokes, Matthew S. Corbin
  • Patent number: 10350050
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient includes creating at least one incision to gain access to an peritoneal cavity, performing a gastric volume reduction procedure and introducing a device to prevent gastric contents from interacting with at least a portion of the duodenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Mark S. Zeiner, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 10350099
    Abstract: An endoluminal sleeve device for internally lining a section of the GI tract, comprises a sleeve configured for deployment inside a duodenum, the sleeve having walls of a flexible material defining a sleeve lumen, a proximal end defining a proximal lumen opening, and a distal end defining a distal lumen opening, an anchoring component having a slender transport configuration and a bulky deployed configuration, wherein the anchoring component is locatable at a distance from the proximal sleeve end and connected thereto by an elongated tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Albrecht, Mark S. Zeiner, Jason L Harris, Michael J. Stokes, Mark S. Ortiz, Kevin D. Felder, Michele D'Arcangelo, James W. Voegele
  • Publication number: 20190159778
    Abstract: A surgical device for clipping tissue is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a housing comprising a motor configured to output rotary motions, a shaft, and a clip applier head. The clip applier head comprises a clip magazine, an end effector, a jaw closure cam, and a clip advancing member. The clip magazine comprises a plurality of clips. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to each other between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The jaw closure cam is configured to move the first jaw and the second jaw toward the clamped position. The clip advancing member is operably attachable to the jaw closure cam. The clip advancing member is configured to move a clip from the clip magazine into a firing position. The jaw closure cam and the clip advancing member are configured to move in opposite directions at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Michael J. Stokes, Gregory G. Scott
  • Publication number: 20190125347
    Abstract: Surgical clip appliers are disclosed comprising a plurality of clips which are stored in a compressed state. When a stored clip is moved into the crimping chamber of the surgical clip applier, the clip can assume a configuration which is different than its stored configuration before it is crimped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, John E. Brady, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jeffery D. Bruns, Alexander R. Cuti, Andrew C. Deck
  • Publication number: 20190125361
    Abstract: A method for adjusting control parameters of a clip applier using a surgical hub is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during a first surgical procedure, evaluating the gathered data to determine the appropriate operation of a clip applier in a subsequent surgical procedure, gathering data during the operation of the clip applier in the subsequent surgical procedure, determining if the operation of the clip applier needs to be adjusted based on the data gathered during the subsequent surgical procedure, and adjusting the operation of the clip applier based on the data gathered during the subsequent surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Gregory G. Scott, Nicholas M. Morgan, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Publication number: 20190125357
    Abstract: A surgical device for clipping tissue is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a housing comprising an electric motor, a shaft defining a central shaft axis, a clip magazine, and a clip crimping system. The clip magazine comprises a plurality of clips removably stored therein. The clip crimping system comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a distal portion comprising a clip receiving chamber defined between said first jaw and said second jaw. The distal portion is offset from said central shaft axis. The clip crimping system further comprises a proximal connection portion connecting said first jaw and said second jaw. The proximal connection portion is positioned along said central shaft axis. The clip crimping system further comprises a clamp operably coupled with said electric motor. The clamp is movable distally by said electric motor to perform a crimping stroke and engage said first jaw and said second jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Michael J. Stokes, Gregory G. Scott
  • Publication number: 20190125454
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be mechanically advanced through a crimping stroke. The method further comprises analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the clip applier and adjusting the operation of the clip applier to improve the operation of the clip applier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jason L. Harris, John E. Brady, Matthew T. Kuhn, Jeffery D. Bruns, Alexander R. Cuti, Andrew C. Deck, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20190125339
    Abstract: A surgical device for clipping tissue is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a housing, a shaft defining a shaft axis, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a receiver. The first jaw and the second jaw are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. The receiver is at least partially defined between said first jaw and said second jaw. The surgical device further comprises a rotatable clip magazine configured to rotate about the shaft axis, a first advancing system, and a second advancing system. The clip magazine is configured to store at least two clips. The second advancing system is configured to operate sequentially with the first advancing system. The first advancing system and the second advancing system are configured to sequentially advance the clips into the receiver of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Michael J. Stokes, Gregory G. Scott, Nicholas M. Morgan, Disha V. Labhasetwar
  • Patent number: 10265065
    Abstract: A surgical staple and staple cartridge for removably storing the surgical staple. The surgical staple can comprise a plurality of separate and discrete staple drive surfaces. The staple drive surfaces can be configured to move along parallel paths in the staple cartridge. Additionally, the staple cartridge can comprise a staple cavity, and a plurality of lift planes can extend through the staple cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Charles J. Scheib, William D. Fox, Michael J. Stokes, John R. Dugan
  • Publication number: 20190046198
    Abstract: Jaws of a surgical clip applier with housings formed thereon and methods for manufacturing and use during a procedure to apply surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc. are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having jaws on a distal end thereof with a rigid internal frame and an outer housing formed around the internal frame. The jaws of the surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate placement of surgical clips, including features to align a clip with the jaws and to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Chester O. Baxter, III, Carol J. Wynn