Patents by Inventor Michael L. Stokes

Michael L. 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).

  • Electrosurgical device with disposable shaft having translating gear and snap fit
    Patent number: 9980777
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface assembly and a shaft assembly. The interface assembly is configured for use with a robotic system and includes a first drive assembly and a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes an opening. The first drive assembly is positioned within the opening such that the first drive assembly is laterally translatable within the opening from a first position to a second position. The shaft assembly is removably coupled with the interface assembly. The shaft assembly includes an end effector and a first coupling feature. The first drive assembly of the interface assembly actuates the end effector of the shaft assembly. The first coupling feature is longitudinally aligned with the first drive assembly. The first drive assembly engages the first coupling feature of the shaft assembly when the first drive assembly is laterally translated from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon, LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, David T. Martin, Gregory W. Johnson, William J. White, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael L. Stokes, Omar J. Vakharia
  • ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE WITH DISPOSABLE SHAFT HAVING TRANSLATING GEAR AND SNAP FIT
    Publication number: 20160067001
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface assembly and a shaft assembly. The interface assembly is configured for use with a robotic system and includes a first drive assembly and a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes an opening. The first drive assembly is positioned within the opening such that the first drive assembly is laterally translatable within the opening from a first position to a second position. The shaft assembly is removably coupled with the interface assembly. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a first coupling feature. The first drive assembly of the interface assembly actuates the end effector of the shaft assembly. The first coupling feature is longitudinally aligned with the first drive assembly. The first drive assembly engages the first coupling feature of the shaft assembly when the first drive assembly is laterally translated from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, David T. Martin, Gregory W. Johnson, William J. White, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael L. Stokes, Omar J. Vakharia
  • Method of and apparatus for communicating and scheduling change requests
    Patent number: 6611275
    Abstract: A method for communicating and scheduling maintenance requests, utilizing a program storage device readable by a server machine, which includes the steps of providing a maintenance request form having fields where information about a maintenance request can be set forth, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Zey, Michael L. Stokes