Patents by Inventor Nicholas D. Courtwright

Nicholas D. Courtwright 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: 11801049
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20230309998
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck defined by the curved body and configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot is formed in the deck and is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. The deck includes a sloped deck portion that slopes away from the arcuate slot in a direction transverse to a length of the arcuate slot. The sloped deck portion is configured to provide varied compression of tissue across a width of the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11701109
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck defined by the curved body and configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot is formed in the deck and is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. The deck includes a sloped deck portion that slopes away from the arcuate slot in a direction transverse to a length of the arcuate slot. The sloped deck portion is configured to provide varied compression of tissue across a width of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20230007859
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a staple cartridge unit having a housing and an anvil configured to form staples ejected from the housing into tissue. The end effector also includes a cartridge retaining member having an opposed pair of jaws configured to cooperate to grip the housing of the staple cartridge unit. The end effector further includes a deflectable retention member configured to removably secure the housing of the staple cartridge unit to the cartridge retaining member. The deflectable retention member is presented by one of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member, and is configured to be deflected relative to a portion of the one of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member from an undeflected state to a deflected state by the other of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas E. Adams, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Daniel A. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20220330941
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an anvil, a backing member, and a concave surface. The housing has a plurality of staples and the anvil is opposed from the housing such that the anvil and the housing are configured to cooperate to clamp tissue. The anvil is configured to form staples ejected from the housing into the clamped tissue. The backing member is coupled with the anvil and the concave surface defines a gap between the backing member and an adjacent component of the apparatus. The anvil is configured to deflect in a direction towards the gap in response to actuation of the apparatus to at least one of clamp tissue or staple tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Patent number: 11464508
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The first elongate member includes a distal portion that supports an anvil surface that includes a plurality of staple forming pockets. The second elongate member includes a distal portion that is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator. The slider includes a first coupling feature. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The actuator includes a second coupling feature that is configured to generally surround the first coupling feature of the slider when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Patent number: 11432815
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an anvil, a backing member, and a concave surface. The housing has a plurality of staples and the anvil is opposed from the housing such that the anvil and the housing are configured to cooperate to clamp tissue. The anvil is configured to form staples ejected from the housing into the clamped tissue. The backing member is coupled with the anvil and the concave surface defines a gap between the backing member and an adjacent component of the apparatus. The anvil is configured to deflect in a direction towards the gap in response to actuation of the apparatus to at least one of clamp tissue or staple tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Publication number: 20220047263
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot formed in the deck is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. An opening formed in the deck adjacent to an end of the arcuate slot is configured to slidably receive a pin therethrough. The cartridge further includes a raised surface offset from the deck and extending circumferentially about at least a portion of the opening. The raised surface is configured to clamp tissue against the anvil to thereby fix the tissue relative to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20220039794
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20220031317
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an anvil, a backing member, and a concave surface. The housing has a plurality of staples and the anvil is opposed from the housing such that the anvil and the housing are configured to cooperate to clamp tissue. The anvil is configured to form staples ejected from the housing into the clamped tissue. The backing member is coupled with the anvil and the concave surface defines a gap between the backing member and an adjacent component of the apparatus. The anvil is configured to deflect in a direction towards the gap in response to actuation of the apparatus to at least one of clamp tissue or staple tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Jason E. Zerkle
  • Patent number: 11202628
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot formed in the deck is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. An opening formed in the deck adjacent to an end of the arcuate slot is configured to slidably receive a pin therethrough. The cartridge further includes a raised surface offset from the deck and extending circumferentially about at least a portion of the opening. The raised surface is configured to clamp tissue against the anvil to thereby fix the tissue relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11166715
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20200360015
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20200360014
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The first elongate member includes a distal portion that supports an anvil surface that includes a plurality of staple forming pockets. The second elongate member includes a distal portion that is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator. The slider includes a first coupling feature. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The actuator includes a second coupling feature that is configured to generally surround the first coupling feature of the slider when the actuator moves relative to the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Courtwright, Barry Thomas Jamison, Michael S. Cropper, Bradley A. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20200205810
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot formed in the deck is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. An opening formed in the deck adjacent to an end of the arcuate slot is configured to slidably receive a pin therethrough. The cartridge further includes a raised surface offset from the deck and extending circumferentially about at least a portion of the opening. The raised surface is configured to clamp tissue against the anvil to thereby fix the tissue relative to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20200205811
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument includes a curved body and a deck defined by the curved body and configured to clamp tissue against an anvil. A plurality of staple openings is formed in the deck and is configured to house a plurality of staples. An arcuate slot is formed in the deck and is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough. The deck includes a sloped deck portion that slopes away from the arcuate slot in a direction transverse to a length of the arcuate slot. The sloped deck portion is configured to provide varied compression of tissue across a width of the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: D926317
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: D926318
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: D983971
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: D983972
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan P. Posey, Nicholas D. Courtwright, Stephen D. Geresy, Kevin D. Sackett, Frederick E. Shelton, IV