Patents by Inventor Ryan A. Bledsoe

Ryan A. Bledsoe 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: 20220240923
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 11284881
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10912543
    Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering end effectors through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes a housing having a distal-facing first portion configured to couple with a proximal end of a surgical trocar, and an elongate second portion protruding distally from the first portion. The second portion can include a lumen formed therein and can be configured to extend into a working channel of the surgical trocar when the housing is coupled thereto. The device can also include at least one mating element coupled to the housing and configured to interface with a complementary mating element of the surgical trocar to restrict movement of the housing relative to the trocar, as well as an end effector retainer coupled to the housing and configured to selectively couple a surgical end effector to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Patent number: 10675009
    Abstract: Devices and methods for organizing a plurality of end effectors and selectively delivering them through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes at least one mating element to interface with a surgical trocar, a deployment lumen positioned to align with a working channel of a surgical trocar, an end effector repository having a plurality of end effector lumens formed therein to receive end effectors, the repository being configured to selectively align any of the plurality of end effector lumens with the deployment lumen, and an advancer coupled to the repository and configured to advance an end effector from the repository through the deployment lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Publication number: 20200046342
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10426461
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10420544
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10342520
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described. The loading devices can include an elongate shaft extending distally from a housing and a hinge can be disposed between the elongate shaft and an articulating distal portion. The articulating distal portion can hold an end effector to be loaded onto a surgical device. The loading device can have features for stabilizing and holding the distal portion at a particular angular position relative to the elongate shaft, such as washers having protrusions that seat in corresponding recesses formed in the hinge. During articulation of the distal portion, an articulation rack can be advanced which can deform the protrusions on the washers. The washers can rotate and seat in the recesses at the next angular position and change the degree of articulation. The deformable washer and corresponding recesses can apply a biasing force that holds the articulating distal portion in a desired angled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Monica L. Zeckel, Jeffrey L. Savage
  • Patent number: 10299785
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10285688
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Patent number: 10251638
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170281154
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170281228
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170281226
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170281229
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170281227
    Abstract: Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Douglas E. Withers, Craig T. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170119361
    Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering end effectors through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes a housing having a distal-facing first portion configured to couple with a proximal end of a surgical trocar, and an elongate second portion protruding distally from the first portion. The second portion can include a lumen formed therein and can be configured to extend into a working channel of the surgical trocar when the housing is coupled thereto. The device can also include at least one mating element coupled to the housing and configured to interface with a complementary mating element of the surgical trocar to restrict movement of the housing relative to the trocar, as well as an end effector retainer coupled to the housing and configured to selectively couple a surgical end effector to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Publication number: 20170119360
    Abstract: Devices and methods for organizing a plurality of end effectors and selectively delivering them through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes at least one mating element to interface with a surgical trocar, a deployment lumen positioned to align with a working channel of a surgical trocar, an end effector repository having a plurality of end effector lumens formed therein to receive end effectors, the repository being configured to selectively align any of the plurality of end effector lumens with the deployment lumen, and an advancer coupled to the repository and configured to advance an end effector from the repository through the deployment lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Jeffrey L. Savage, Craig T. Gates, Douglas E. Withers
  • Publication number: 20170055971
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described. The loading devices can include an elongate shaft extending distally from a housing and a hinge can be disposed between the elongate shaft and an articulating distal portion. The articulating distal portion can hold an end effector to be loaded onto a surgical device. The loading device can have features for stabilizing and holding the distal portion at a particular angular position relative to the elongate shaft, such as washers having protrusions that seat in corresponding recesses formed in the hinge. During articulation of the distal portion, an articulation rack can be advanced which can deform the protrusions on the washers. The washers can rotate and seat in the recesses at the next angular position and change the degree of articulation. The deformable washer and corresponding recesses can apply a biasing force that holds the articulating distal portion in a desired angled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Ryan A. Bledsoe, Monica L. Zeckel, Jeffrey L. Savage