Patents by Inventor Richard Lech

Richard Lech 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: 11547512
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Patent number: 11523509
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a nexus and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth circuit board. Each of the first and second circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the nexus, and each of the third and fourth circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the second circuit board. The integrated circuit is transitionable between a first, open configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are substantially coplanar, and a second configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are coupled to one another to define a cavity therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Michael Zemlok, Mark Macleod
  • Patent number: 11510747
    Abstract: A drape for covering a robotic surgical system includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portion. The first end portion defines a cavity therein and has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an inlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The cavity is dimensioned for receipt of an instrument drive unit and is in fluid communication with the inlet. The second end portion has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an outlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The second end portion defines a cavity therein that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The intermediate portion defines an elongated conduit therethrough dimensioned for receipt of a surgical robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Mark MacLeod, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech
  • Publication number: 20220170809
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a torque sensor for a motor with a controller includes determining a gain of the torque sensor, zeroing a torque reading of the torque sensor, accelerating the motor at a known rate, and determining an inertia of the motor in response to accelerating the motor. Zeroing the torque reading occurs when the motor is in an unloaded and unactivated condition and accelerating the motor occurs when the motor is in an unloaded condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod, Chi Min Seow, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 11344359
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electromechanical surgical system having an end effector and an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. A one-wire bidirectional serial communications interface or bus extends through the end effector, the adapter assembly, and the hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes a master circuit coupled to the bus and configured to identify or control the adapter assembly or the end effector. A power source is couplable to the bus and configured to provide power to the adapter assembly or the end effector. A first switch connects the master circuit to the bus and a second switch connects the power source to the bus. A processor controls operation of the hand-held surgical instrument. The controller has a wake-up pin connected to the bus and is configured to receive a presence pulse from the adapter or end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Richard Lech
  • Patent number: 11272992
    Abstract: An instrument drive unit includes a housing configured to be coupled to a surgical robotic arm, a motor assembly, and a flex spool assembly. The motor assembly is rotatably disposed within the housing. The flex spool assembly includes a first printed circuit board mounted to the housing, a second printed circuit board configured to be non-rotatably coupled to and electrically connected to the motor assembly, and a first flex circuit. The first flex circuit has a first end portion connected to the first printed circuit board, a second end portion connected to the second printed circuit board, and an intermediate portion coiled about the second printed circuit board such that rotation of the motor assembly relative to the housing effects movement of the second end portion of the first flex circuit along an annular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Richard Lech, Michael Zemlok, Jaimeen Kapadia, Mark MacLeod
  • Publication number: 20210322122
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Patent number: 11051898
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Publication number: 20210195747
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a nexus and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth circuit board. Each of the first and second circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the nexus, and each of the third and fourth circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the second circuit board. The integrated circuit is transitionable between a first, open configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are substantially coplanar, and a second configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are coupled to one another to define a cavity therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Michael Zemlok, Mark Macleod
  • Publication number: 20200305955
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electromechanical surgical system having an end effector and an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. A one-wire bidirectional serial communications interface or bus extends through the end effector, the adapter assembly, and the hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes a master circuit coupled to the bus and configured to identify or control the adapter assembly or the end effector. A power source is couplable to the bus and configured to provide power to the adapter assembly or the end effector. A first switch connects the master circuit to the bus and a second switch connects the power source to the bus. A processor controls operation of the hand-held surgical instrument. The controller has a wake-up pin connected to the bus and is configured to receive a presence pulse from the adapter or end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Lech
  • Publication number: 20200297441
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided including an energy harvesting device configured to harvest energy from a sterilization device to provide power to at least one of a sensor or a computing device. The sensor is configured to measure an energy output applied to the surgical device by a sterilization device. The computing device includes a processor or logic circuit and a memory and is configured to determine when a threshold energy output applied to the surgical device is met and to store in the memory an amount of times the threshold energy output applied to the surgical device is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Lech
  • Patent number: 10779818
    Abstract: An end effector includes first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another. Each of the first and second jaw members including a tissue contacting surface opposing the tissue contacting surface of the other jaw member. The end effector includes a detection assembly that is disposed within the first or second jaw member that is configured to detect an attribute of tissue between the first and second jaw members. The detection assembly may include a light source configured to emit light towards tissue between the first and second jaw members or may include an ultrasound transducer configured to emit ultrasound energy towards tissue between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Richard Lech, Saumya Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20200268466
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Patent number: 10736704
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod
  • Patent number: 10736219
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a nexus and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth circuit board. Each of the first and second circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the nexus, and each of the third and fourth circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the second circuit board. The integrated circuit is transitionable between a first, open configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are substantially coplanar, and a second configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are coupled to one another to define a cavity therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 10722290
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electromechanical surgical system having an end effector and an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. A one-wire bidirectional serial communications interface or bus extends through the end effector, the adapter assembly, and the hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes a master circuit coupled to the bus and configured to identify or control the adapter assembly or the end effector. A power source is couplable to the bus and configured to provide power to the adapter assembly or the end effector. A first switch connects the master circuit to the bus and a second switch connects the power source to the bus. A processor controls operation of the hand-held surgical instrument. The controller has a wake-up pin connected to the bus and is configured to receive a presence pulse from the adapter or end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien, LP
    Inventor: Richard Lech
  • Publication number: 20200093556
    Abstract: A drape for covering a robotic surgical system includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portion. The first end portion defines a cavity therein and has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an inlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The cavity is dimensioned for receipt of an instrument drive unit and is in fluid communication with the inlet. The second end portion has an outer surface and an inner surface and defines an outlet through the outer and inner surfaces. The second end portion defines a cavity therein that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The intermediate portion defines an elongated conduit therethrough dimensioned for receipt of a surgical robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Mark MacLeod, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech
  • Patent number: 10498269
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly, an end effector, a firing rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, a drive motor coupled to the firing rod, a sensor, and a controller. The end effector includes a first and second jaw member moveable relative to one another. The first jaw member includes a surgical fastener and the second jaw member includes an anvil. The drive motor is configured to advance the firing rod to cause the first and second jaw members to clamp tissue and to eject a surgical fastener. The surgical stapler includes a sensor that is configured measure a clamping force exerted on tissue by the first and second jaw members. The controller control a speed of the drive motor based on the measured clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Richard Lech, Saumya Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20190223291
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a nexus and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth circuit board. Each of the first and second circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the nexus, and each of the third and fourth circuit boards is coupled to opposing sides of the second circuit board. The integrated circuit is transitionable between a first, open configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are substantially coplanar, and a second configuration, in which the first, second, third and fourth circuit boards and the nexus are coupled to one another to define a cavity therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod, Michael Zemlok
  • Publication number: 20190151038
    Abstract: A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Chi Min Seow, Jaimeen Kapadia, Richard Lech, Mark MacLeod