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: 10661422
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising an adapter assembly is disclosed. The adapter assembly selectively interconnects a loading unit and a device housing, and includes at least one drive converter assembly for interconnecting a rotatable drive shaft and an axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The at least one 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 at least one 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: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, John Beardsley, Russell Pribanic, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10660724
    Abstract: A jaw assembly including first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member, a light source, and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit light from an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member. The light detector is disposed within the opening and is configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light. A processor is operatively associated with the light detector and is configured to receive the signals from the light detector. The processor is also configured to analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to provide feedback to a user of the attribute of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Elizabeth Hufnagel, Xingrui Chen, Matthew Chowaniec, Peter T. Collings, Paul D. Richard, Michael A. Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20200155152
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a powered surgical instrument including a housing defining an inner cavity therein; at least one internal component disposed within the housing; and potting material injected into the inner cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one internal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20200155153
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting an end effector and the device housing. The adapter assembly includes at least one drive converter assembly that converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector. A first drive converter assembly includes a first drive element, a nut, an articulation sleeve, an articulation bearing, and an articulation link. Rotation of the rotatable drive shaft results in rotation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive element results in axial translation of the nut, the articulation sleeve, the articulation bearing, the articulation link, and the at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: David Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, John Beardsley, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20200155154
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a surgical instrument which includes a housing and an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is pivotally coupled to the cartridge assembly to be movable from a first actuation position to at least one other second actuation position. The surgical instrument further includes a firing rod having a shaft defining a second longitudinal axis, the shaft having a cam member which is in mechanical cooperation with the anvil assembly and is configured to move the anvil assembly from the first actuation position to the at least one other second actuation position upon rotation of the firing rod about the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, David C. Racenet
  • Patent number: 10653416
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, David Racenet
  • Publication number: 20200093556
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Mark MacLeod, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech
  • Patent number: 10561416
    Abstract: Adapter assemblies selectively interconnect a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector. The adapter assembly includes an adapter knob housing configured and adapted for connection with the surgical device and to be in operative communication with each of the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the surgical device. The adapter knob housing defines a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and a ring gear formed in an inner surface of the lumen of the adapter knob housing. The ring gear defines an internal array of gear teeth which are engaged with a spur gear of a rotatable drive shaft. The adapter knob housing may be a unitary member and may be formed of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ryan Williams, Stanislaw Marczyk, David Racenet, John Beardsley, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10542983
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a surgical instrument which includes a housing and an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is pivotally coupled to the cartridge assembly to be movable from a first actuation position to at least one other second actuation position. The surgical instrument further includes a firing rod having a shaft defining a second longitudinal axis, the shaft having a cam member which is in mechanical cooperation with the anvil assembly and is configured to move the anvil assembly from the first actuation position to the at least one other second actuation position upon rotation of the firing rod about the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, David C. Racenet
  • Patent number: 10542978
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a powered surgical instrument including a housing defining an inner cavity therein; at least one internal component disposed within the housing; and potting material injected into the inner cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one internal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Matthew Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10542984
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting an end effector and the device housing. The adapter assembly includes at least one drive converter assembly that converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector. A first drive converter assembly includes a first drive element, a nut, an articulation sleeve, an articulation bearing, and an articulation link. Rotation of the rotatable drive shaft results in rotation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive element results in axial translation of the nut, the articulation sleeve, the articulation bearing, the articulation link, and the at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Nicholas, John Beardsley, Russell Pribanic, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10524785
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, David Racenet
  • Patent number: 10500015
    Abstract: A surgical robotic arm support system may include a base and at least one post and/or a connection for coupling a robot arm to the support system. The base may be configured to at least partially surround a surgical table. The at least one post may have a first end supported on the base and a second end configured to support a robotic arm. The at least one post may be configured to be coupled to a surgical table. The connection may support a mechanical and/or electrical connectivity between the support system and a coupled robot arm. Electrical connectivity may be configured to identify at least one of the robot arm connections to which at least one robot arm is connected. Each robot arm connection may be configured to maintain a portion of a connected robot arm at a predetermined position from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Eric Taylor, Josh Snow, Peter Hathaway, Michael Stow, Russell Pribanic, Andrew Miesse, Christopher Switalski, Michael Zemlok, Jason Iceman
  • Patent number: 10498269
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly, an end effector, a firing rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, a drive motor coupled to the firing rod, a sensor, and a controller. The end effector includes a first and second jaw member moveable relative to one another. The first jaw member includes a surgical fastener and the second jaw member includes an anvil. The drive motor is configured to advance the firing rod to cause the first and second jaw members to clamp tissue and to eject a surgical fastener. The surgical stapler includes a sensor that is configured measure a clamping force exerted on tissue by the first and second jaw members. The controller control a speed of the drive motor based on the measured clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Richard Lech, Saumya Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20190343517
    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: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, David Racenet
  • Publication number: 20190321036
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, David C. Racenet
  • Publication number: 20190307449
    Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus, which is configured to engage tissue includes a handle assembly having proximal and distal portions, a movable portion operatively connected to the distal portion of the handle assembly, a tool assembly operatively coupled to the movable portion, a power source configured to supply electrical power, and a transmission system operatively associated with the power source. The movable portion is movable with respect to the handle assembly. The tool assembly is adapted to engage tissue. The transmission system is configured to transmit electrical power or signals between the handle assembly and the movable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Stanislaw Marczyk, Adam J. Ross, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 10383629
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a microcontroller coupled to a memory, the microcontroller is configured to control the surgical instrument and a usage counter stored in the memory that is incremented when the surgical instrument is activated, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to prevent actuation of the surgical instrument when the usage counter is above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Adam Ross, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10376338
    Abstract: A surgical robotic arm support system may include a base and at least one post and/or a connection for coupling a robot arm to the support system. The base may be configured to at least partially surround a surgical table. The at least one post may have a first end supported on the base and a second end configured to support a robotic arm. The at least one post may be configured to be coupled to a surgical table. The connection may support a mechanical and/or electrical connectivity between the support system and a coupled robot arm. Electrical connectivity may be configured to identify at least one of the robot arm connections to which at least one robot arm is connected. Each robot arm connection may be configured to maintain a portion of a connected robot arm at a predetermined position from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Eric Taylor, Josh Snow, Peter Hathaway, Michael Stow, Russell Pribanic, Andrew Miesse, Christopher Switalski, Michael Zemlok, Jason Iceman
  • Patent number: 10376262
    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: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, David C. Racenet