Patents by Inventor Prudence A. Vulhop

Prudence A. Vulhop 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: 12349899
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark D. Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 12161335
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason L Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib
  • Patent number: 11849940
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 11832819
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason L Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib
  • Patent number: 11801048
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 11779341
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, V, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark Zeiner, Charles Scheib
  • Publication number: 20230113152
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20230072574
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark D. Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Publication number: 20210330323
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Publication number: 20210204947
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20210196277
    Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Mark S. Zeiner, Charles J. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20210169471
    Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Trevor J. Barton, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Emily A. Schellin, Prudence A. Vulhop, Steven G. Hall, Victoria Dalessandro, Jackie Donners, Mark Timmer, Rao S. Bezwada, Aidan Craigwood, Caroline Hagerman, Ashley Easter, Kathrin Holtzmann, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 10631860
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The includes a power source, while the shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is capable of electrically coupling the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an insulating membrane. The first electrical contact is associated with the channel assembly while the second electrical contact is associated with the cartridge assembly. The insulating membrane is associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory G. Scott, Stephen D. Geresy, Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Amy M. Krumm, Grace E. Waters, Prudence A. Vulhop, Nichole Y. Kwee, John E. Brady, Scott A. Jenkins, Laura A. Schoettmer, Andrew Kolpitcke, Joshua P. Morgan, Sarah A. Worthington, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Alexander R. Cuti
  • Publication number: 20190290270
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The includes a power source, while the shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is capable of electrically coupling the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an insulating membrane. The first electrical contact is associated with the channel assembly while the second electrical contact is associated with the cartridge assembly. The insulating membrane is associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory G. Scott, Stephen D. Geresy, Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Amy M. Krumm, Grace E. Waters, Prudence A. Vulhop, Nichole Y. Kwee, John E. Brady, Scott A. Jenkins, Laura A. Schoettmer, Andrew Kolpitcke, Joshua P. Morgan, Sarah A. Worthington, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Alexander R. Cuti
  • Patent number: D904612
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Carol J. Wynn, Michael E. Setser, Prudence A. Vulhop
  • Patent number: D904613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Carol J. Wynn, Michael E. Setser, Prudence A. Vulhop
  • Patent number: D932621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Pamela M. Ridgley, Michael J. Vendely, Emily A. Schellin, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Trevor J. Barton
  • Patent number: D959662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Pamela M. Ridgley, Michael J. Vendely, Emily A. Schellin, Jason L. Harris, Prudence A. Vulhop, Trevor J. Barton