Patents by Inventor Richard L. Leimbach

Richard L. Leimbach 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).

  • Publication number: 20210000466
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument can include one or more sensors that are configured to detect or measure parameters associated with the use of the instrument and a display. A control circuit can be configured to detect whether the instrument is articulating, firing, clamping, and so on according to relationships between the detected parameters. The control circuit can further cause the display to display an image or sequences of images according to the particular operational state of the instrument. The images can provide alerts, instructions on how to use the instrument, or information detected by the one or more sensors, such as the position of the knife during transection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Mark D. Overmyer, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20210000470
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a powered surgical instrument for cutting and fastening tissue. The instrument may comprise an end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member may be coupled to move relative to the first jaw member from an open position, where the jaw members are apart from one another, to a closed position. The end effector may also comprise a firing bar positioned to fire by translating within the end effector when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. Additionally, the surgical instrument may comprise a drive device, a clamping trigger and a control circuit. The drive device may be mechanically coupled to the firing bar. The clamping trigger may be mechanically coupled to the end effector such that actuation of the clamping trigger causes the second jaw member to pivot towards the first jaw member. The control circuit may comprise a firing switch, a clamp switch, a latching device and an end-of-stroke sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Richard F. Schwemberger, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Patent number: 10863981
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Shane R. Adams, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Richard L. Leimbach, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10828032
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system can comprise a surgical instrument, a first end effector, and a second end effector, wherein the end effectors are attachable to the surgical instrument. The first end effector can comprise a first set of stored data pertaining to the first end effector, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to ascertain the first set of data and enter a first operating state. The second end effector can comprise a second set of stored data pertaining to the second end effector, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to ascertain the second set of data and enter a second operating state. The surgical instrument is further configured to enter a default operating state if said surgical instrument is unable to ascertain a set of stored data from an end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Emily A. Schellin
  • Publication number: 20200345356
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a firing member driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a control system configured to evaluate the duty cycle of the electric motor and adjust the speed of the firing member based on the detected duty cycle of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Michael J. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20200345359
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising tissue stops is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Richard L. Leimbach, Zhifan F. Huang, Geoffrey C. Hueil
  • Publication number: 20200345355
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle, a shaft rotatable relative to the handle, and an articulation joint rotatable relative to the shaft. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven articulation system including articulation controls which are flipped by a control system of the surgical instrument when the shaft is rotated upside down relative to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Richard L. Leimbach, Michael J. Stokes, Cory G. Kimball, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Matthew S. Corbin, Pierre R. Mesnil, Nicholas J. Ross, Shane R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20200345354
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle, a shaft rotatable relative to the handle, and an end effector articulatable relative to the shaft about an articulation joint is disclosed. The shaft comprises a grip and at least one articulation control on the grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Cory G. Kimball, Geoffrey C. Hueil, Bret W. Smith, Matthew S. Corbin
  • Publication number: 20200345345
    Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Richard F. Schwemberger, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Brian F. DiNardo, Jason M. Rector
  • Publication number: 20200345357
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a firing member driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a control system configured to evaluate the duty cycle of the electric motor and adjust the speed of the firing member based on the detected duty cycle of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Michael J. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20200345360
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft and an articulatable end effector is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system configured to articulate the end effector and means for retaining the articulation drive system in engagement with the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Zhifan F. Huang, Bret W. Smith, Gary S. Jaworek, Robbin B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200345353
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a firing member driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a control system configured to evaluate the duty cycle of the electric motor and adjust the speed of the firing member based on the detected duty cycle of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 10796471
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. In one aspect, the surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position, a sensor configured to detect the position of the displacement member, and a display. The surgical instrument is configured to determine whether the surgical instrument is in a firing state and cause the display to display the position of the displacement member upon the surgical instrument being in the firing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20200305881
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 10786249
    Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Richard F. Schwemberger, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Christopher C. Miller, Brian F. DiNardo, Jason M. Rector
  • Patent number: 10765429
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument to provide alerts according to the operational state of the instrument and the velocity of a displacement member are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position and a sensor configured to detect a position of the displacement member and provide a signal indicative thereof. The surgical instrument is configured to determine a velocity of the displacement member and, upon the velocity being equal to zero, provide an alert according to the operational state of the instrument and the relative position of the displacement member in its stroke. The alert can include an image that is displayed on the display of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10743872
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument can include one or more sensors that are configured to detect or measure parameters associated with the use of the instrument and a display. A control circuit can be configured to detect whether the instrument is articulating, firing, clamping, and so on according to relationships between the detected parameters. The control circuit can further cause the display to display an image or sequences of images according to the particular operational state of the instrument. The images can provide alerts, instructions on how to use the instrument, or information detected by the one or more sensors, such as the position of the knife during transection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Mark D. Overmyer, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10729501
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of selecting a display language for a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a module, such as a shaft assembly, that is interchangeably connectable to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a first memory configured to store a language parameter and a control circuit that is operably coupled to the memory. The module includes a second memory configured to store a textual phrase in a plurality of languages. When the module and the handle assembly are connected together, the control circuit is configured to retrieve, from the second memory, the textual phrase in a language corresponding to the language parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: D907647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, Richard L. Leimbach, John V. Hunt, Douglas E. Withers, Raymond E. Parfett, Kevin D. Sackett, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: D907648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Tony C. Siebel, Sol A. Posada, Richard L. Leimbach, Raymond E. Parfett, Kevin D. Sackett, John V. Hunt, Douglas E. Withers, Mark D. Overmyer, Shane R. Adams