Patents by Inventor Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz

Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz 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: 10820920
    Abstract: A variety of methods for managing a re-usable ultrasonic medical device may include a medical device control module capable of receiving functional data from a user assembled or reassembled ultrasonic medical device, and notifying the user if a value of the functional data lies within an acceptance range. If the value of the functional data does not lie within the acceptance range, the control module may prompt a user to reassemble the device or to clean or replace one or more components thereof. The functional data may relate to a clamp force of a jaw assembly, an impedance or resonant frequency value of an ultrasonic blade, or a mechanical displacement value of one or more moving components of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Scoggins, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, David C. Groene, William D. Dannaher, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Phillip H. Clauda, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew C. Miller, Kevin A. Bash
  • Patent number: 10813662
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic transducer, a waveguide, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. A rotation knob is rotatably coupled to the body and is configured to rotate the shaft, the waveguide, and the end effector together relative to the body. A torque transfer structure is positioned radially outwardly of and in direct contact with the waveguide at an acoustic node thereof. The torque transfer structure is rotationally fixed relative to the waveguide and is configured to rotationally couple the waveguide with the shaft and the rotation knob. The waveguide includes a first axial constraining feature defining a distally facing surface, and the torque transfer structure includes a second axial constraining feature defining a proximally facing surface configured to abut the distally facing surface to constrain the waveguide axially relative to the torque transfer structure and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Craig T. Davis, Stephen M. Leuck, Benjamin M. Boyd, Joseph Dennis, Joseph E. Hollo, Nathan Cummings, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Tony C. Siebel, Joseph Isosaki, Frederick L. Estera, John E. Brady, Bryce L. Heitman, Cory G. Kimball
  • Publication number: 20200330121
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Scott R. Bingham, Ryan M. Asher, Charles J. Scheib, Rudolph H. Nobis, Frederick L. Estera, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Carl J. Draginoff, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Omar E. Rios Perez, Chester O. Baxter, III, Karalyn R. Tellio, Benjamin M. Boyd, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Joël Fontannaz, Lukas S. Glutz, Amir Feriani, Emmanuel Gremion
  • Publication number: 20200315688
    Abstract: In general, surgical devices having monopolar functionality and bipolar functionality are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is configured to selectively apply each of bipolar energy and monopolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: John Brady, Michael Ehninger, Chad P. Boudreaux, Ellen Burkart, Tylor Muhlenkamp, Gregory Bakos, Brian Walter, Brian Bertke, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz
  • Patent number: 10743903
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic supported by the body, a shaft extending distally from the body and defining a shaft axis, a waveguide extending distally through the shaft, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and having a primary blade treatment surface configured to treat tissue, and a clamp arm coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The shaft and the waveguide are selectively rotatable relative to one another about the shaft axis through a predefined range of angular motion between an assembly state and an operational state. In the assembly state, the clamp arm and the primary blade treatment surface are rotationally offset from one another. In the operational state, the clamp arm and the primary blade treatment surface are rotationally aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Matthew C. Miller, Sean P. Conlon, Michael E. Boehm, Richard W. Flaker, Bryce Hansen, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz
  • Patent number: 10492885
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends along at least a portion of the shaft. A lateral opening is formed in the shaft at a longitudinal position between the proximal and distal ends. The lateral opening is in fluid communication with the lumen. The shaft assembly further includes a movable member that is configured to selectively cover the opening. The end effector is at the distal end of the shaft. The lumen and the lateral opening may be used to flush debris and bodily fluids from the lumen and other regions of the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Candice Otrembiak, Charles J. Scheib, Benjamin M. Boyd, Amelia A. Pierce, Rafael J Ruiz Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20190307528
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
  • Publication number: 20190290319
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a proximal inner tube member, a distal inner tube member, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the distal inner tube member. The outer tube is configured to removably couple with the body and the distal inner tube member is configured to removably couple with the proximal inner tube member such that the outer tube, the distal inner tube member, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Burkart, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Corbin, Matthew C. Miller
  • Patent number: 10368957
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger, Ashvani K. Madan, Cory G. Kimball, Robert A. Kemerling, John A. Hibner, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Catherine A. Corbett, Michael R. Lamping, Thomas B. Remm
  • Publication number: 20190201073
    Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z g ? ( t ) = V g ? ( t ) I g ? ( t ) . The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Cameron R. Nott, Foster B. Stulen, Fergus P. Quigley, John E. Brady, Gregory A. Trees, Amrita Singh Sawhney, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Patrick J. Scoggins, Kristen G. Denzinger, Craig N. Faller, Madeleine C. Jayme, Alexander R. Cuti, Matthew S. Schneider, Chad P. Boudreaux, Brian D. Black, Maxwell Rockman, Gregory D. Bishop, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 10327797
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a proximal inner tube member, a distal inner tube member, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the distal inner tube member. The outer tube is configured to removably couple with the body and the distal inner tube member is configured to removably couple with the proximal inner tube member such that the outer tube, the distal inner tube member, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Sean P. Conlon, Ellen Gentry, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Corbin, Matthew C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190059933
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic supported by the body, a shaft extending distally from the body and defining a shaft axis, a waveguide extending distally through the shaft, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and having a primary blade treatment surface configured to treat tissue, and a clamp arm coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The shaft and the waveguide are selectively rotatable relative to one another about the shaft axis through a predefined range of angular motion between an assembly state and an operational state. In the assembly state, the clamp arm and the primary blade treatment surface are rotationally offset from one another. In the operational state, the clamp arm and the primary blade treatment surface are rotationally aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew C. Miller, Sean P. Conlon, Michael E. Boehm, Richard W. Flaker, Bryce Hansen, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20190021783
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Publication number: 20190008543
    Abstract: A variety of methods for managing a re-usable ultrasonic medical device may include a medical device control module capable of receiving functional data from a user assembled or reassembled ultrasonic medical device, and notifying the user if a value of the functional data lies within an acceptance range. If the value of the functional data does not lie within the acceptance range, the control module may prompt a user to reassemble the device or to clean or replace one or more components thereof. The functional data may relate to a clamp force of a jaw assembly, an impedance or resonant frequency value of an ultrasonic blade, or a mechanical displacement value of one or more moving components of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick J. Scoggins, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, David C. Groene, William D. Dannaher, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Phillip H. Clauda, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew C. Miller, Kevin A. Bash
  • Publication number: 20190008546
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic transducer, a waveguide, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. A rotation knob is rotatably coupled to the body and is configured to rotate the shaft, the waveguide, and the end effector together relative to the body. A torque transfer structure is positioned radially outwardly of and in direct contact with the waveguide at an acoustic node thereof. The torque transfer structure is rotationally fixed relative to the waveguide and is configured to rotationally couple the waveguide with the shaft and the rotation knob. The waveguide includes a first axial constraining feature defining a distally facing surface, and the torque transfer structure includes a second axial constraining feature defining a proximally facing surface configured to abut the distally facing surface to constrain the waveguide axially relative to the torque transfer structure and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Craig T. Davis, Stephen M. Leuck, Benjamin M. Boyd, Muluken B. Terefe, Joseph Dennis, Joseph E. Hollo, Nathan Cummings, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Mark E. Tebbe, Tony C. Siebel, Joseph Isosaki, Frederick L. Estera, Ellen Burkart, John E. Brady, Bryce L. Heitman, Cory G. Kimball
  • Publication number: 20190000499
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Scott R. Bingham, Ryan M. Asher, Charles J. Scheib, Rudolph H. Nobis, Frederick L. Estera, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Carl J. Draginoff, JR., Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Omar E. Rios Perez, Chester O. Baxter, III, Karalyn R. Tellio, Benjamin M. Boyd, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Joël Fontannaz, Lukas Glutz, Amir Feriani, Emmanuel Gremion
  • Patent number: 10034704
    Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 10004529
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Scott R. Bingham, Ryan M. Asher, Charles J. Scheib, Rudolph H. Nobis, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Omar E. Rios Perez, Chester O. Baxter, III, Karalyn R. Tellio, Benjamin M. Boyd, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Joël Fontannaz, Lukas S. Glutz, Amir Feriani, Emmanuel Gremion
  • Publication number: 20180132888
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Zeckel, Fajian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180056095
    Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include an ultrasonic waveguide acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. Several techniques for acoustically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic waveguide are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Ryan M. Asher, Joseph D. Dennis, Brian D. Black, Craig T. Davis, Mark E. Tebbe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Frederick Estera, William A. Olson, Amelia Pierce, James Wilson, William D. Dannaher, Fajian Zhang, Foster B. Stulen