Patents by Inventor Michael Zemlok

Michael Zemlok 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: 11944293
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, David C. Racenet
  • Patent number: 11896332
    Abstract: A surgical instrument holder includes a carriage and a drive coupler. The carriage is configured for movable engagement to a surgical robotic arm. The drive coupler includes an outer member and a first gear rotatably disposed therein. The outer member extends from the carriage and defines a lateral slot configured for lateral receipt of a surgical instrument. The first gear defines a lateral slot and is rotatable within the outer member to a first position, in which the lateral slot of the first gear is in alignment with the lateral slot of the outer member such that a surgical instrument is receivable within the drive coupler through the lateral slots of the outer member and the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Mark Macleod, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20230414304
    Abstract: An instrument drive unit includes a hub, a motor pack, and an annular member disposed between the hub and the motor pack. The hub and motor pack each have a surface feature. The motor pack is rotatably coupled to the hub. The annular member defines an upper annular channel, and a lower annular channel. The annular member has a stop formed in each of the upper and lower annular channels. Upon the motor pack achieving a threshold amount of rotation relative to the hub, the surface feature of the motor pack abuts the stop of the lower annular channel to rotate the annular member. Upon the annular member achieving a threshold amount of rotation relative to the hub, the stop of the upper annular channel abuts the surface feature of the hub stopping further rotation of the motor pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Mark MacLeod, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11832813
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael A. Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11826114
    Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument drive assembly, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20230301734
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical instrument defining a first longitudinal axis and a robotic surgical assembly defining a second longitudinal axis. The robotic surgical assembly includes an instrument drive unit configured for selectively receiving and driving the surgical instrument. The robotic surgical assembly defines a side opening having an insertion axis that is angled with respect to the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Elizabeth Gayle Shields, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric J. Taylor, Richard S. Lech, Mark Hamilton MacLeod, Michael Zemlok, Vipul Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11759273
    Abstract: An instrument drive unit includes a hub, a motor pack, and an annular member disposed between the hub and the motor pack. The hub and motor pack each have a surface feature. The motor pack is rotatably coupled to the hub. The annular member defines an upper annular channel, and a lower annular channel. The annular member has a stop formed in each of the upper and lower annular channels. Upon the motor pack achieving a threshold amount of rotation relative to the hub, the surface feature of the motor pack abuts the stop of the lower annular channel to rotate the annular member. Upon the annular member achieving a threshold amount of rotation relative to the hub, the stop of the upper annular channel abuts the surface feature of the hub stopping further rotation of the motor pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Mark MacLeod, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20230233277
    Abstract: A surgical assembly for use with a robotic arm includes an outer housing configured to be selectively coupled to a robotic arm, a power pack disposed within the outer housing, and an electric motor operably coupled to the power pack. The outer housing has a supercapacitor attached to an inner surface of the outer housing. The power pack is configured to non-rotatably couple to a surgical instrument such that the surgical instrument and power pack are configured to rotate together. The supercapacitor is in electric communication with the electric motor and configured to supply a direct current to the electric motor to generate a braking torque during a power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Ranjan K. Mishra, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11666399
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a slide rail, a surgical instrument, and a robotic surgical assembly. The robotic surgical assembly is coupled to the slide rail and translatable along the slide rail between a first position and a second position. The robotic surgical assembly is coupled to the surgical instrument. The robotic surgical assembly, or a portion thereof, is configured to automatically rotate to a predetermined orientation relative to the slide rail when the robotic surgical assembly is disposed at the first position to enable the surgical instrument to be selectively uncoupled from the robotic surgical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Elizabeth Gayle Shields, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric J. Taylor, Richard S. Lech, Mark Hamilton MacLeod, Michael Zemlok, Vipul Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11633844
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an adapter assembly that selectively interconnects a loading unit and a device housing. The adapter assembly includes a drive converter assembly for interconnecting a rotatable drive shaft and an axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The drive converter assembly converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of the axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The drive converter assembly includes a drive element, a drive nut, and a distal drive member. The drive element defines a longitudinal axis. The drive nut is disposed about the longitudinal axis, and the distal drive member is disposed along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, John Beardsley, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11630427
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining an end of life state for an electromechanical surgical system. The system includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function and a shaft assembly being arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with the shaft assembly. The hand-held surgical instrument also includes a motor assembly, a sensor array configured to obtain an operational parameter of the hand-held surgical instrument, and a controller configured to control operation of the hand-held surgical instrument based on the operational parameter obtained by the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Thomas Fitzsimmons, Michelle L. Grasso, Michael D. Ingmanson, Michael A. Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20230040311
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20230031403
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes an instrument drive unit, a surgical instrument drivingly coupled to the instrument drive unit, and a carriage for supporting the instrument drive unit and the attached surgical instrument. The carriage includes a drive assembly that drives a rotation of the surgical instrument about a longitudinal axis defined by the surgical instrument. The carriage further includes a locking assembly configured to selectively fix the surgical instrument in a rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Ranjan Kumar Mishra, Mark H. MacLeod, Jaimeen V. Kapadia
  • Patent number: 11547512
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Patent number: 11523509
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a nexus and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth circuit board. Each of the first and second circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the nexus, and each of the third and fourth circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the second circuit board. The integrated circuit is transitionable between a first, open configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are substantially coplanar, and a second configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are coupled to one another to define a cavity therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Michael Zemlok, Mark Macleod
  • Publication number: 20220378522
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a plurality of magneto sensors for measuring a torque, axial force, angle, position, or speed of various driven members in the surgical robotic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Alexander Nothhelfer, Richard S. Lech, Ranjan K. Mishra, Ulrich Hagn
  • Patent number: 11510747
    Abstract: A drape for covering a robotic surgical system includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portion. The first end portion defines a cavity therein and has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an inlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The cavity is dimensioned for receipt of an instrument drive unit and is in fluid communication with the inlet. The second end portion has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an outlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The second end portion defines a cavity therein that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The intermediate portion defines an elongated conduit therethrough dimensioned for receipt of a surgical robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Mark MacLeod, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech
  • Patent number: 11464509
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael A. Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20220265269
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, David Racenet
  • Patent number: 11406368
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Adam Ross, Michael Zemlok, Stanislaw Marczyk