Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Minnelli
Patrick J. Minnelli 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: 11666353Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica Rivard
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Publication number: 20220257310Abstract: Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto at least when the conductive member is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Darcy Greep, Ion Nicolaescu, John Brady, Chad Frampton, Matthew Schneider, Richard W. Timm, Mark Glassett
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Patent number: 11376063Abstract: Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto at least when the conductive member is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Darcy Greep, Ion Nicolaescu, John Brady, Chad Frampton, Matthew Schneider, Richard W. Timm, Mark Glassett
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Patent number: 11350960Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable assembly having an inner tube and an ultrasonic blade positioned within the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one opening to receive a sterilization fluid therethrough for sterilizing the ultrasonic blade within the inner tube. The surgical instrument further includes a sterilization detection system to determine whether the reusable assembly has been sterilized during a sterilization cycle. A seal is selectively couplable with the at least one opening of the inner tube to fluidly seal the at least one opening for inhibiting bodily fluid from entering the at least one opening during a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Stephen M. Leuck, Ellen Burkart, Diana M. Castillo Sanchez, Andrew W. Carroll, Sean P. Conlon, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Demetrius N. Harris, Patrick J. Minnelli
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Publication number: 20220143331Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 11235111Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 11116879Abstract: Surgical tools are provided herein that are configured to apply suction and irrigation at a surgical site during the course of a surgical procedure. A surgical tool can include a handle that has a suction flow path configured to provide suction therethrough and an irrigation flow path configured to provide irrigation therethrough. The suction flow path and the irrigation flow path can share a common path along at least partial lengths thereof. An elongate shaft can extend distally from the handle and can have an inner lumen that is in communication with the suction flow path and the irrigation flow path. The inner lumen can thus be configured to provide suction from the suction flow path to a surgical site to remove matter therefrom and to provide irrigation from the irrigation flow path to the surgical site to provide fluid thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Rudolph H. Nobis, Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 11116531Abstract: A surgical instrument has a first modular assembly and a second modular assembly. The first modular assembly has a body, an ultrasonic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade connected to a distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and a coupling member that movably couples with the body. The second modular assembly has a clamp arm assembly with a first pivot coupling, a clamp pad assembly with a second pivot coupling, and a distal outer sheath that selectively couples to the body of the first modular assembly via the coupling member. The distal outer sheath has an interior surface that houses a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide, and this interior surface also houses the first pivot coupling and the second pivot coupling.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Chad P. Boudreaux, Joseph Dennis, Wei Guo, Bryce L. Heitman, James A. McCrea, Patrick J. Minnelli, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel, Junhua Zhu
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Publication number: 20200375619Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica Rivard
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Publication number: 20200345880Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable assembly having an inner tube and an ultrasonic blade positioned within the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one opening to receive a sterilization fluid therethrough for sterilizing the ultrasonic blade within the inner tube. The surgical instrument further includes a sterilization detection system to determine whether the reusable assembly has been sterilized during a sterilization cycle. A seal is selectively couplable with the at least one opening of the inner tube to fluidly seal the at least one opening for inhibiting bodily fluid from entering the at least one opening during a surgical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Stephen M. Leuck, Ellen Burkart, Diana M. Castillo Sanchez, Andrew W. Carroll, Sean P. Conlon, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Demetrius N. Harris, Patrick J. Minnelli
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Publication number: 20200315691Abstract: Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto at least when the conductive member is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Darcy Greep, Ion Nicolaescu, John Brady, Chad Frampton, Matthew Schneider, Richard W. Timm, Mark Glassett
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Patent number: 10736648Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel
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Publication number: 20190038816Abstract: Surgical tools are provided herein that are configured to apply suction and irrigation at a surgical site during the course of a surgical procedure. A surgical tool can include a handle that has a suction flow path configured to provide suction therethrough and an irrigation flow path configured to provide irrigation therethrough. The suction flow path and the irrigation flow path can share a common path along at least partial lengths thereof. An elongate shaft can extend distally from the handle and can have an inner lumen that is in communication with the suction flow path and the irrigation flow path. The inner lumen can thus be configured to provide suction from the suction flow path to a surgical site to remove matter therefrom and to provide irrigation from the irrigation flow path to the surgical site to provide fluid thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Rudolph H. Nobis, Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 10136939Abstract: Devices and methods for applying energy to tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical device includes a monopolar end effector, a cannulated, insulated outer sheath, a translating nozzle coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, and a handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the end effector. Various translating means, such as switches, thumbwheels, rings, and buttons, are associated with the handle portion, and are effective to advance the outer sheath to cover a distal end of the end effector and retract the outer sheath to expose the distal end of the end effector. The translating means are configured in a manner that allows a user to operate the translating means without having to adjust a location of the user's hand on the device. A variety of translating means are provided for, as are methods for cutting, coagulating, irrigating, and suctioning tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Adam Brown, Terry McFarland
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Publication number: 20180132883Abstract: A surgical instrument has a first modular assembly and a second modular assembly. The first modular assembly has a body, an ultrasonic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade connected to a distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and a coupling member that movably couples with the body. The second modular assembly has a clamp arm assembly with a first pivot coupling, a clamp pad assembly with a second pivot coupling, and a distal outer sheath that selectively couples to the body of the first modular assembly via the coupling member. The distal outer sheath has an interior surface that houses a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide, and this interior surface also houses the first pivot coupling and the second pivot coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Chad P. Boudreaux, Joseph Dennis, Wei Guo, Bryce L. Heitman, James A. McCrea, Patrick J. Minnelli, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel, Junhua Zhu
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Publication number: 20180132884Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Qinlin Gu, Wei Guo, Timothy S. Holland, Patrick J. Minnelli, Daniel J. Mumaw, Yachuan Yu, Monica L. Zeckel
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Publication number: 20180104423Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 9827383Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery
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Patent number: 9358041Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Cesar E. Moreno, Jr., Patrick J. Minnelli, Thomas A. Gilker, Daniel J. Mumaw, Rebecca J. Mollere, Randall Tanguay, Paul T. Franer
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Patent number: D878606Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Inventors: Patrick J. Minnelli, Kevin M. Montgomery