Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Weizman
Patrick A. Weizman 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).
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Patent number: 11871955Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments and surgical systems comprising articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to comprising an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. The hollow shaft may comprise a rigid portion and a flexible portion at a first position on the longitudinal axis distal from the rigid portion. A waveguide may extend through the shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a flexible portion at the first position on the longitudinal axis such that the end effector is pivotable away from the longitudinal axis from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Foster B. Stulen, Zhifan F. Huang, Patrick A. Weizman, Steven P. Smolik, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230088531Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair
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Publication number: 20220361911Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly includes a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Elizabeth DeBenedictis, William D. Kelly, Michael R. Lamping, Timothy G. Dietz, Patrick A. Weizman, Jacob S. Gee, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Douglas J. Turner, Eric B. Smith, Sean P. Conlon, Richard W. Timm, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke
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Publication number: 20220313297Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Patent number: 11389190Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly includes a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Craig N. Faller, Elizabeth DeBenedictis, William D. Kelly, Michael R. Lamping, Timothy G. Dietz, Patrick A. Weizman, Jacob S. Gee, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Douglas J. Turner, Eric B. Smith, Sean P. Conlon, Richard W. Timm, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke
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Publication number: 20220168005Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Patent number: 11324527Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Publication number: 20210100553Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Mark H. Ransick, Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 10835250Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a firing member, an end effector, a closure member, and a shaft including an attachment interface is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly is configured to be attached to a surgical instrument interface by way of the attachment interface. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples configured to be ejected by the firing member. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position, a fully-clamped position, and a collapsed position. The end effector further comprises an interconnection between the first jaw and the second jaw defining a rotational axis about which the second iaw is movable relative to the first iaw. The rotational axis is shiftable toward and away from the first iaw as the second iaw is moved between the open position, the fully-clamped position, and the collapsed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Mark H. Ransick, Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, Charles J. Scheib, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20200315625Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair
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Patent number: 10716568Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a staple cartridge carrier, an anvil, an outer surface, a closure member, a staple cartridge, and a firing system is disclosed. The anvil is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The closure member is slideable along the outer surface to hold the anvil in the second position. The closure member comprises a clearance opening. The staple cartridge is positioned within the staple cartridge carrier. The staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein. The staple cartridge and the anvil define a tissue gap therebetween when the anvil is in the second position. The clearance opening is aligned with the tissue gap when the anvil is in the second position. The firing system is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. The firing system engages the staple cartridge carrier and the anvil during the staple firing stroke.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Charles J. Scheib, Kevin R. Doll, Bret W. Smith, William D. Kelly, Ronald J. Kolata, Joshua R. Uth, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Mark H. Ransick, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Thomas W. Huitema, Glen A. Armstrong, Shailendra K. Parihar, Donna L. Korvick, Richard W. Timm
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Patent number: 10524854Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a first jaw and second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw to capture tissue having a tissue thickness. A tissue cutting force monitor is configured to determine the tissue thickness of the captured tissue and communicate the tissue thickness to a controller, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the speed of a tissue-cutting element during a cutting portion of a firing stroke based on the tissue thickness communicated from the tissue cutting force monitor. The controller is configured to reduce the speed of the tissue-cutting element when the tissue cutting force monitor communicates a thicker tissue thickness to the controller. The controller is configured to increase the speed of the tissue-cutting element when the tissue cutting force monitor communicates a thinner tissue thickness to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Scott A. Woodruff, Patrick A. Weizman, Gwendolyn P. Payne, Donna L. Korvick, David K. Norvell, Aron O. Zingman
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Publication number: 20190350616Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly includes a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Elizabeth DeBenedictis, William D. Kelly, Michael R. Lamping, Timothy G. Dietz, Patrick A. Weizman, Jacob S. Gee, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Douglas J. Turner, Eric B. Smith, Sean P. Conlon, Richard W. Timm, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke
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Patent number: 10470792Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly includes a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Craig N. Faller, Elizabeth DeBenedictis, William D. Kelly, Michael R. Lamping, Timothy G. Dietz, Patrick A. Weizman, Jacob S. Gee, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Douglas J. Turner, Eric B. Smith, Sean P. Conlon, Richard W. Timm, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke
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Patent number: 10459740Abstract: Systems, devices and methods manage surgical instruments throughout their lifecycle by reprogramming a device to account for operational displacement of ultrasonic components based upon a diagnostic test. A diagnostic test tip is used with a surgical instrument to simulate device usage and capture capacitance and phase margin of the device. This information is used to calculate an optimal current to supply to the device during future procedures.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William D. Dannaher, Patrick A. Weizman, Eitan T. Wiener
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Publication number: 20190201048Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to treat tissue, where the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. A waveguide may extend through the shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a distally positioned flange positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the blade and may be held stationary at a first pivot point positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the flange. A reciprocating wedge may be positioned within the hollow shaft such that distal motion of the wedge pushes the wedge between the flange and the hollow shaft, causing the ultrasonic blade to pivot about the first pivot point in a first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, Zhifan F. Huang, Patrick A. Weizman, Steven P. Smolik, Carl J. Draginoff, JR.
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Patent number: 10335182Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments and surgical systems comprising articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to treat tissue, where the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. A waveguide may extend through the hollow shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a distally positioned flange positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the ultrasonic blade and may be held stationary at a first pivot point positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the flange. A reciprocatable wedge may be configured to interact with the flange to cause the ultrasonic blade to pivot about the first pivot point in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Foster B. Stulen, Zhifan F. Huang, Patrick A. Weizman, Steven P. Smolik, Carl J. Draginoff, Jr.
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Patent number: 10226246Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kevin D. Felder, John F. Cummings, Joseph P. Schowalter, Patrick J. Swindon, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick A. Weizman, Cory G. Kimball, Edward G. Chekan, Joseph E. Young, Christopher C. Miller, Barry T. Jamison, John V. Hunt, Kent P. Baker, Cortney E. Henderson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Carl J. Shurtleff, Julia F. Serber
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Patent number: 10058327Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Kyle P. Moore, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Publication number: 20180132851Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Steven G. Hall, Randall J. Tanguay, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Galen C. Robertson, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Mark S. Ortiz, Douglas B. Hoffman, Patrick A. Weizman, Dean B. Bruewer, Gregory B. Blair