Patents by Inventor Robert L. Koch, Jr.

Robert L. Koch, Jr. 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: 20200078609
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10542982
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, and an articulation driver configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint. The end effector further comprises a first articulation lock configured to engage the end effector and a second articulation lock configured to engage the articulation driver which co-operatively prevent the end effector from rotating relative to the shaft, when actuated. The actuation and/or de-actuation of the first articulation lock and the second articulation lock can be contemporaneous or, in certain instances, staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Jeffrey S. Swayze, Mark S. Zeiner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10517595
    Abstract: A surgical end effector including a first jaw that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw between open and closed positions. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the first jaw along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position. A firing member lockout system is movable between an unlocked position wherein the firing member lockout system is out of engagement with the firing member and a locked position wherein the firing member lockout system is configured to prevent the firing member from being distally advanced from the starting position unless an unfired staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw. The firing member lockout system is configured to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the second jaw is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Morgan R. Hunter, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Austin E. Wise, James A. Vandewalle, Darwin L. Schultz, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10492785
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed comprising a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positionable in the cartridge channel, and a firing assembly configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge is not positioned in the cartridge channel. Moreover, the firing assembly is configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge has been at least partially spent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20190328416
    Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods are provided for resisting torque in articulating surgical tools. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft having at a distal end thereof an end effector configured to engage tissue. The end effector can be configured to articulate relative to the elongate shaft. The surgical tool can include a cutting element configured to translate longitudinally along the end effector to cut the engaged tissue. When the end effector is articulated, the longitudinal translation of the cutting element along the end effector exerts a torque force on the end effector that urges the end effector away from its current angled orientation. The surgical tool can be configured to have a corrective tension or force applied thereto that counteracts the torque force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Robert L. Koch, JR., Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20190282292
    Abstract: A control circuit configured to receive a control signal that defines a first phase and a second phase from a surgical generator. The control circuit may include a first resistor, a second resistor in parallel with the first resistor, and a switch in series with the second resistor. The switch may be configured to transition between an open state and a closed state corresponding to an operational mode of a surgical instrument. In the first phase of the control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to the surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and in the open state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a first output. In the second phase of the control signal and in the closed state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20190239886
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half and a cartridge half. The anvil half includes an anvil channel member and an anvil surface. The cartridge half releasably couples with the anvil half and includes a cartridge channel member having a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge, and a latching member coupled to the cartridge channel member and movable between open and closed positions. A resilient member is arranged at a proximal end of one of the anvil half or the cartridge half, and a projection is arranged at a proximal end of the other of the anvil half or the cartridge half. The resilient member is configured to contact and releasably couple with the projection to thereby couple the proximal end of the anvil half with the proximal end of the cartridge half while the latching member is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Jason Jones, Michael J. Stokes, Chester O. Baxter, III, Andrew T. Beckman, Anil K. Nalagatla, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Patent number: 10357270
    Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods are provided for resisting torque in articulating surgical tools. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft having at a distal end thereof an end effector configured to engage tissue. The end effector can be configured to articulate relative to the elongate shaft. The surgical tool can include a cutting element configured to translate longitudinally along the end effector to cut the engaged tissue. When the end effector is articulated, the longitudinal translation of the cutting element along the end effector exerts a torque force on the end effector that urges the end effector away from its current angled orientation. The surgical tool can be configured to have a corrective tension or force applied thereto that counteracts the torque force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 10335614
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190183594
    Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configured to be operably attached to and detached from a surgical robot interface is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly comprises a shaft assembly comprising an end effector and a closure drive member configured to move a second jaw relative to a first jaw of the end effector. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a control assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is operably coupled with the control assembly, and wherein the control assembly comprises a housing, a closure drive system configured to actuate the closure drive member, and an exterior closure drive actuator exterior to the housing and configured to be actuated by a clinician to manually rotate a rotary input drive of the closure drive system to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw when the surgical instrument assembly is not operably attached to the surgical robot interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Mark D. Overmyer, Vincenzo Barbato, Robert L. Koch, JR., Nathan D. Grubbs
  • Patent number: 10285695
    Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a housing, a shaft assembly, and an end effector is disclosed. The housing comprises a plurality of electric motors. The shaft assembly comprises a plurality of rotatable shafts. The electric motors are simultaneously coupled to the rotatable shafts as the shaft assembly is connected to the housing. The shaft assembly further comprises an articulation joint including an electrically conductive articulation joint conductor that traverses the articulation joint, an electrically conductive shaft conductor in communication with the articulation joint conductor, and a distal coupler. The end effector is releasably connectable to the distal coupler and comprises an electrically conductive end effector conductor. The distal coupler comprises an electrically conductive coupler pathway from the end effector conductor to the articulation joint conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Michael D. Auld, John S. Kimsey, Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20190110793
    Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a motor, and a shaft extending from the handle. The handle and/or the shaft can define a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners, a closure drive configured to move the anvil toward and away from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and a firing drive configured to deploy the fasteners from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a transmission comprising a first operating configuration which connects the motor to the closure drive and a second operating configuration which connects the motor to the firing drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, JR., Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10263171
    Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20190105043
    Abstract: A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, JR., Michael D. Auld
  • Patent number: 10226249
    Abstract: A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: ETHICON LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Michael D. Auld, John S. Kimsey, Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 10159483
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed which comprises a handle module and a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, one or more sensors, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors and the electric motor. The handle module processor circuit is programmed to control the electric motor. The handle module processor circuit is also programmed to track and/or count an end-of-life parameter for the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Anil K. Nalagatla, Robert L. Koch, Jr., John A. Hibner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10149680
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a gap setting system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, John S. Kimsey, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Anil K. Nalagatla, Anthony T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20180249999
    Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a motor, and a shaft extending from the handle. The handle and/or the shaft can define a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners, a closure drive configured to move the anvil toward and away from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and a firing drive configured to deploy the fasteners from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a transmission comprising a first operating configuration which connects the motor to the closure drive and a second operating configuration which connects the motor to the firing drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, JR., Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180214168
    Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods are provided for resisting torque in articulating surgical tools. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft having at a distal end thereof an end effector configured to engage tissue. The end effector can be configured to articulate relative to the elongate shaft. The surgical tool can include a cutting element configured to translate longitudinally along the end effector to cut the engaged tissue. When the end effector is articulated, the longitudinal translation of the cutting element along the end effector exerts a torque force on the end effector that urges the end effector away from its current angled orientation. The surgical tool can be configured to have a corrective tension or force applied thereto that counteracts the torque force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Robert L. Koch, JR., Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 10022567
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, compare the resonant frequency to a threshold frequency, and trigger a first response of the generator when the resonant frequency crosses the threshold frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.