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: 20180168591
    Abstract: A shaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an end effector configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration, a closure system configured to transition the end effector toward the closed configuration during a closure stroke, a firing member movable through a firing stroke, and a frame. In various instances, the shaft assembly comprises a first bailout configured to shift the frame in order to open the end effector and a second, independent, bailout configured to retract the firing member during and/or after the firing stroke. In certain instances, the closure system is expandable to perform the closure stroke. In at least one such instance, the closure system comprises a proximal portion mounted to the frame and a distal portion movable relative to the proximal portion. In at least one instance, the firing member engages the closure member to expand the closure system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch, JR., Mark D. Overmyer, Fredrick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180168744
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coupling a robotic surgical tool with a tool driver of a robotic surgical system via a sterile barrier disposed between the tool and the driver. The tool has an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled thereto, as well as a mating interface member having a plurality of independently movable portions and a plurality of coupling features disposed about a perimeter of an outer wall of the mating interface member. The coupling features are configured to reversibly engage with a proximal end of a corresponding actuation member from a plurality of actuation members of the tool driver. The coupling features reversibly engage with the proximal ends of the actuation members so as to allow the actuation members to move in proximal and distal directions independently from one another to thereby control operation of the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, JR., Jeffery Kirk, Andrew Beckman, Jeffery S. Swayze, Mark D. Overmyer, Eric W. Thompson, Kenneth Miller
  • Publication number: 20180168576
    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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    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
  • Publication number: 20180168589
    Abstract: Methods for selectively attaching a shaft assembly to a handle of a surgical instrument and an arm of a surgical robot are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch, JR., Mark D. Overmyer, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180168760
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coupling a robotic surgical tool with a tool driver of a robotic surgical system via a sterile barrier disposed between the tool and the tool driver. The sterile barrier can have a housing configured to accommodate proximal portions of a plurality of actuation members of the tool driver when the sterile barrier is coupled to the tool driver. The housing can have at least partially disposed within it substantially cylindrical, longitudinally expandable bellows, each being configured to encompass and mate with a proximal portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuation members. In some cases, the sterile barrier can have a plurality of sterile barrier couplers each having a first portion configured to engage with an actuation member of a tool driver, and a second portion configured to engage with a tool actuation member of a surgical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, JR., Jeffery Kirk, Andrew Beckman, Kenneth Miller
  • Publication number: 20180116706
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    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
  • Patent number: 9867612
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9826976
    Abstract: Motor driven surgical instruments that include a first rotary drive system and a second rotary drive system. Various forms include a transmission assembly that is selectively shiftable between a first drive position wherein rotary motion generated by the motor is transferred to the first rotary drive system and a second drive position wherein rotary motion generated by the motor is transferred to the second rotary drive system. Various forms further include a locking assembly configured to mechanically prevent rotation of the second rotary drive system when the transmission assembly is in the first drive position as well as to prevent rotation of the first rotary drive system when the transmission assembly is in the second drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9801626
    Abstract: Coupling systems for removably coupling dual rotary drive shafts of a surgical instrument to corresponding driven shafts of a surgical end effector. The surgical instrument may include a first rotary drive shaft that includes a first drive shaft axis and a second rotary drive shaft that includes a second drive shaft axis. The second drive shaft axis may be offset from and parallel with the first drive shaft axis. The coupling systems may facilitate simultaneous operable attachment of the first and second drive shafts of the surgical instrument with corresponding first and second driven shafts of a surgical end effector such that rotation of the first drive shaft rotates the first driven shaft and rotation of the second drive shaft rotates the second driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Shailendra K. Parihar, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9795808
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    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, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9700309
    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: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Michael D. Auld
  • Publication number: 20170095267
    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: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    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.
  • Publication number: 20170007347
    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: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, JR., Michael D. Auld
  • Publication number: 20170007254
    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: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, JR., Michael D. Auld
  • Publication number: 20170007255
    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: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, JR., Michael D. Auld
  • Publication number: 20160249917
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beckman, Anil K. Nalagatla, Robert L. Koch, JR., John A. Hibner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9386985
    Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member movably supported relative to the first jaw member for selective movement between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue therebetween upon application of a closing motion thereto, and a cutting member comprising a tissue cutting edge to cut the tissue clamped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member upon application of a retraction motion to the cutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, Jr., Andrew T. Beckman, Eric W. Thompson, Rachel M. Clair
  • Patent number: 9326767
    Abstract: A joy stick control assembly for operating a motor driven surgical instrument. In at least one form, the joystick control assembly comprises a first switch assembly that is movably supported by a housing. The first switch assembly may include a joystick that is movably mounted thereto such that pivotal movement of the joystick relative to the first switch assembly causes at least one corresponding control signal to be sent to at least one motor communicating therewith. The joystick control assembly may further include a second switch assembly that comprises a first sensor and a second sensor that is movable with the first switch assembly such that movement of the second sensor relative to the first sensor causes at least one other control signal to be sent to another one of the surgical instrument motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Koch, Jr., Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach
  • Publication number: 20150327883
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    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.
  • Publication number: 20150328484
    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, calculate a frequency slope between frequency data points of the time varying electrical signal, where the frequency slope is the change in resonant frequency over time, compare the frequency slope to a threshold frequency slope, and trigger a first response of the generator when the frequency slope crosses the threshold frequency slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    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.