Patents by Inventor Robert H. Knapp
Robert H. Knapp 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: 20230389920Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument includes a handle housing, a shaft portion extending distally from the handle housing, and an articulation shaft. The articulation shaft may be configured to axially move within the shaft portion to articulate an end effector via a manual activation or a motor activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, David A. Zeichner, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20230338108Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to clamp tissue, a motor configured to actuate the end effector, and a controller in communication with the motor and configured to determine a stress and strain of the tissue, identify a tissue type of the tissue based on the determined stress and strain of the tissue, and set an operational parameter of the surgical instrument based on the identified tissue type of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Matthew Eschbach, Robert H. Knapp, Alexander W. Caulk
-
Patent number: 11737747Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument includes a handle housing, a shaft portion extending distally from the handle housing, and an articulation shaft. The articulation shaft may be configured to axially move within the shaft portion to articulate an end effector via a manual activation or a motor activation.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, David A. Zeichner, Robert H. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11737759Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector configured to accommodate prolapsed tissue to perform an anastomosis externally of a body cavity. The surgical stapling device has an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly includes an anvil plate and anvil rods that extend proximally from the anvil shaft and are positioned about the shell assembly. The anvil plate has a proximally facing surface that defines staple forming pockets. The shell assembly includes a shell housing that defines a cavity, an annular pusher that is movable within the cavity from a retracted position to an advanced position, an annular staple cartridge, and an annular knife blade. The staple cartridge includes staple receiving pockets that receive staples, and the knife blade is secured to the pusher radially outwardly of the staple receiving pockets.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Robert H. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11690694Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to clamp tissue, a motor configured to actuate the end effector, and a controller in communication with the motor and configured to determine a stress and strain of the tissue, identify a tissue type of the tissue based on the determined stress and strain of the tissue, and set an operational parameter of the surgical instrument based on the identified tissue type of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Matthew Eschbach, Robert H. Knapp, Alexander W. Caulk
-
Patent number: 11684362Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having: a power source, a motor coupled to the power source, and a controller configured to control the motor. The device also includes an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes a clamping transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device also includes a reload configured to selectively couple to a distal portion of the adapter assembly, the reload including a plurality of staples ejectable from the reload. The device further includes an anvil assembly selectively couplable to the distal portion of the adapter assembly and movable relative to the reload. The controller is further configured to control the motor to move the clamping transmission assembly to move the anvil assembly from a distal clamp position to a proximal clamp position and then distally from the proximal clamp position to reduce clamp force.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Robert H. Knapp, Alexander J. Hart, Alexander W. Caulk, Haley E. Strassner
-
Publication number: 20230041791Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector configured to accommodate prolapsed tissue to perform an anastomosis externally of a body cavity. The surgical stapling device has an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly includes an anvil plate and anvil rods that extend proximally from the anvil shaft and are positioned about the shell assembly. The anvil plate has a proximally facing surface that defines staple forming pockets. The shell assembly includes a shell housing that defines a cavity, an annular pusher that is movable within the cavity from a retracted position to an advanced position, an annular staple cartridge, and an annular knife blade. The staple cartridge includes staple receiving pockets that receive staples, and the knife blade is secured to the pusher radially outwardly of the staple receiving pockets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventor: Robert H. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11547411Abstract: A wound protector includes a tubular body that is configured to protect a cut site of an anastomosis. The wound protector can be secured to the anastomotic site after formation of the anastomosis or, alternatively, secured to the anastomotic site during formation of the anastomosis. The tubular body of the wound protector is positioned and configured to shield the anastomosis from waste material passing through a digestive tract of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Robert H. Knapp, Stanislaw Marczyk, Sachin Budhabhatti, Matthew Eschbach
-
Publication number: 20220387022Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having: a power source, a motor coupled to the power source, and a controller configured to control the motor. The device also includes an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes a clamping transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device also includes a reload configured to selectively couple to a distal portion of the adapter assembly, the reload including a plurality of staples ejectable from the reload. The device further includes an anvil assembly selectively couplable to the distal portion of the adapter assembly and movable relative to the reload. The controller is further configured to control the motor to move the clamping transmission assembly to move the anvil assembly from a distal clamp position to a proximal clamp position and then distally from the proximal clamp position to reduce clamp force.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Robert H. Knapp, Alexander J. Hart, Alexander W. Caulk, Haley E. Strassner
-
Publication number: 20220346777Abstract: A surgical device includes an end effector having a pair of opposing jaw members and a drive beam movable longitudinally through the pair of opposing jaw members thereby approximating the pair of opposing jaw members relative to each other. The device also includes an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the end effector. The adapter assembly includes an actuation assembly configured to mechanically engage the drive beam and to move the drive beam longitudinally. The device also includes a handle assembly configured to selectively couple to the adapter assembly. The handle assembly includes: a power source, a motor coupled to the power source, a sensor configured to measure a force imparted on the drive beam, and a motor controller configured to control the motor to maintain constant force on the drive beam based on the force measured by the sensor during longitudinal movement of the drive beam approximating the pair of opposing jaw members closer relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Christopher K. Evans, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20220304692Abstract: A staple cartridge is adapted to enhance cell migration towards a wound site when staples are placed in tissue. In order to enhance cell migration, the staples in the staple cartridge are adapted to create an electrical potential within the tissue in the area of a wound or cut line. More specifically, the staples are arranged in spaced rings, wherein the staples in the spaced rings are formed of dissimilar metals having different anodic indexes to create a voltage gradient in the tissue to enhance cell migration toward the cut line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Robert H. Knapp, Matthew S. Eschbach, Matthew J. Chowaniec, Johana M. Marinelli
-
Patent number: 11439392Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of second staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially Y-shaped staples which minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Robert H. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11406383Abstract: A handle assembly includes a trigger assembly, a motor, and a drive assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger, a head portion, and a deflection member interconnecting the trigger and the head portion such that a load applied to the trigger causes the deflection member to flex to define a gap between the trigger and the head portion. The motor is configured to be activated based on a size of gap defined by the trigger and the head portion. The drive assembly includes a clamping gear, a firing gear assembly, a drive gear, and a rack. When a button of the trigger assembly engages the clamping gear, actuation of the trigger advances the rack by a first distance, and when the button engages the firing gear assembly, actuation of the trigger advances the rack by a second distance greater than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Justin Williams, Robert H. Knapp, Matthew Eschbach, David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
-
Publication number: 20220031318Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of second staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially Y-shaped staples which minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20220000477Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tool assembly having an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are movable in relation to each other between an open position and a clamped position to clamp tissue between the anvil and the cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge and/or the anvil includes a tissue contact surface that is formed of or includes a compliant material to allow the tool assembly to adapt to the topography of the tissue being clamped to uniformly compress the tissue along the length of the tool assembly and minimize trauma inflicted on the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2020Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Haley Strassner, Mallory A. Pille, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20210361376Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to clamp tissue, a motor configured to actuate the end effector, and a controller in communication with the motor and configured to determine a stress and strain of the tissue, identify a tissue type of the tissue based on the determined stress and strain of the tissue, and set an operational parameter of the surgical instrument based on the identified tissue type of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Matthew Eschbach, Robert H. Knapp, Alexander W. Caulk
-
Publication number: 20210290228Abstract: A handle assembly includes a trigger assembly, a motor, and a drive assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger, a head portion, and a deflection member interconnecting the trigger and the head portion such that a load applied to the trigger causes the deflection member to flex to define a gap between the trigger and the head portion. The motor is configured to be activated based on a size of gap defined by the trigger and the head portion. The drive assembly includes a clamping gear, a firing gear assembly, a drive gear, and a rack. When a button of the trigger assembly engages the clamping gear, actuation of the trigger advances the rack by a first distance, and when the button engages the firing gear assembly, actuation of the trigger advances the rack by a second distance greater than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Justin Williams, Robert H. Knapp, Matthew Eschbach, David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic
-
Publication number: 20210259684Abstract: A surgical stapler deploys staples made of selectively degradable materials. Tissue resected with a stapler of the present disclosure, including staples made of the selectively degradable materials, may be subjected to treatment in the lab to degrade those materials forming the staples. In this way, a pathologist or similar hospital personnel may rapidly degrade the staples, thereby permitting testing of the entire resected tissue sample for the presence of disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Gerald N. Hodgkinson, Stanislaw Z. Marczyk, Andrew M. Miesse, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20210177406Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument includes a handle housing, a shaft portion extending distally from the handle housing, and an articulation shaft. The articulation shaft may be configured to axially move within the shaft portion to articulate an end effector via a manual activation or a motor activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: David A. Nicholas, Russell Pribanic, David A. Zeichner, Robert H. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20200315648Abstract: A method for removing diseased tissue from a tubular organ includes receiving a distal end portion of a tubular body of a surgical stapling device within a tubular organ of a patient. The method further includes retracting a diseased section of tissue of the tubular organ within a lumen of the tubular body. Proximal and distal margin lines of the tubular organ are then positioned adjacent a cylindrical anvil member disposed on the distal end portion of the tubular body. A cartridge assembly is then received within the tubular body in alignment with the anvil member such that sections of healthy tissue are disposed between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. A plurality of staples is then ejected radially outward from within the cartridge assembly through the sections of healthy tissue disposed between the cartridge assembly and the anvil member, and into the anvil member. The diseased tissue is removed through the tubular body of the surgical stapling device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventor: Robert H. Knapp