Patents by Inventor S. Gee
S. Gee 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).
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Patent number: 10231747Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic blade, and an acoustic assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body. The blade is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The acoustic assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide coupled with the blade, a piezoelectric transducer element, a fastener, and a coupling member. The transducer element defines an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. The fastener is configured to secure the transducer element relative to the waveguide. The coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the fastener and the inner diameter surface of the transducer element. The outer diameter surface of the transducer element includes an annular recess. Another coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the annular recess of the piezoelectric transducer element and a power source while permitting the piezoelectric transducer element to rotate relative to the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Foster B. Stulen, Michael R. Lamping, Scott A. Nield, Timothy G. Dietz, John B. Schulte, Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher, Gavin M. Monson
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Publication number: 20190029707Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, William D. Dannaher, Craig T. Davis, Glenn W. Ellison, Frederick L. Estera, Jacob S. Gee, Geni Giannotti, Timothy S. Holland, Kevin L. Houser, Gregory W. Johnson, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Stephen M. Leuck, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Candice Otrembiak, Amelia A. Pierce, Eric Roberson, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20190021783Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
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Publication number: 20190000499Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Scott R. Bingham, Ryan M. Asher, Charles J. Scheib, Rudolph H. Nobis, Frederick L. Estera, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Carl J. Draginoff, JR., Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Omar E. Rios Perez, Chester O. Baxter, III, Karalyn R. Tellio, Benjamin M. Boyd, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Joël Fontannaz, Lukas Glutz, Amir Feriani, Emmanuel Gremion
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Patent number: 10154852Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade with improved cutting and coagulation features is disclosed. The blade includes a solid body, a longitudinal portion having a proximal end configured to couple to an ultrasonic transmission waveguide and a transverse portion extending crosswise from the distal end of the longitudinal portion. At least one dissection edge and at least one hemostasis surface is provided on the blade. The transverse portion defines a hook having a free end configured to pull and dissect tissue. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical blade that also includes a sharp central ridge and an end mass for acoustic balance.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Sean P. Conlon, Jacob S. Gee, Foster B. Stulen, William D. Dannaher, William A. Olson
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Publication number: 20180310953Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Jacob S. Gee, Kevin D. Felder, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Patrick J. Scoggins, Craig N. Faller, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 10085762Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. The assembly includes a blade having a first and second tissue contact surface and a clamping mechanism, including a first and second clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument for clamping tissue between first and second tissue contact surfaces, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Richard W. Timm, Charles J. Scheib, Amy L. Marcotte, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, Jacob S. Gee
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Patent number: 10034685Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a wetting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade that is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The wetting member is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The wetting member is configured to be spaced away from the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The wetting member is configured to contact the ultrasonic blade in the second position and thereby apply a cooling fluid to the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Jacob S. Gee, David J. Cagle, Jeffrey D. Messerly, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Patent number: 10034683Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation lock assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer and includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft and encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation lock comprises a tensioning feature, which is configured to selectively apply tension to at least one of the first member and the second member of the articulation section to thereby increase rigidity in the articulation section.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David A. Monroe, Richard W. Timm, Craig N. Faller, Kristen L. Pirozzi, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey D. Messerly, John B. Schulte, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Ryan M. Asher, Cara L. Shapiro
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Patent number: 10034704Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Craig N. Faller, Charles J. Scheib, Paul F. Riestenberg, Jacob S. Gee, Benjamin M. Boyd, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, John A. Hibner
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Patent number: 10004529Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Michael J. Stokes, Scott R. Bingham, Ryan M. Asher, Charles J. Scheib, Rudolph H. Nobis, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, Jacob S. Gee, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Omar E. Rios Perez, Chester O. Baxter, III, Karalyn R. Tellio, Benjamin M. Boyd, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Joël Fontannaz, Lukas S. Glutz, Amir Feriani, Emmanuel Gremion
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Patent number: 10004527Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm comprises a clamp pad. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue between the clamp pad and the ultrasonic blade in two stages. During the first stage, the clamp arm is configured to compress tissue with only a distal portion of the clamp pad. During the second stage, the clamp arm is configured to compress tissue with the distal portion and a proximal portion of the clamp pad. Thus, the tissue compression begins at the distal portion and subsequently progresses toward the proximal portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jacob S. Gee, David J. Cagle, Frederick L. Estera, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Craig N. Faller, Shan Wan, David A. Monroe, Jeffrey D. Messerly, William A. Olson, Richard W. Timm
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Patent number: 9993260Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Michael J. Stokes, Jacob S. Gee, Kevin D. Felder, Taylor C. Muhlenkamp, Patrick J. Scoggins, Craig N. Faller, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David J. Cagle, William B. Weisenburgh
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Publication number: 20180153574Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The trigger includes a compliant feature configured to limit the amount of force delivered to tissue by the clamp arm. The flexible feature may comprise a flexible band, living hinge, a series of living hinges, or a flexible tab.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, Randall T. Byrum, Jose D. Vasquez, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Benjamin M. Boyd, Amy L. Marcotte, Jacob S. Gee, Jonathan T. Batross, Jeffrey D. Messerly
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Patent number: 9943325Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The trigger includes a compliant feature configured to limit the amount of force delivered to tissue by the clamp arm. The flexible feature may comprise a flexible band, living hinge, a series of living hinges, or a flexible tab.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Craig N. Faller, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, Randal T. Byrum, Jose D. Vasquez, Thomas C. Gallmeyer, Benjamin M. Boyd, Amy L. Marcotte, Jacob S. Gee, Jonathan T. Batross
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Publication number: 20180070976Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a body assembly, a power source, and a control module. The end effector is operable for use in a surgical procedure and can deliver energy to a surgical site. The end effector comprises at least one sensor. The sensor is able to measure at least one physical characteristic associated with the surgical site. The body assembly is in communication with the end effector. The power source is in communication with the body assembly and is operable to deliver power to the end effector. The control module is in communication with the sensor and is operable to change delivery of power to the end effector based on data from the sensor indicating a change in tissue density.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: William D. Dannaher, Daniel W. Price, Cory G. Kimball, William D. Kelly, Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Brian D. Bertke, Alissa L. Welling
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Publication number: 20180055534Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly comprises a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Craig N. Faller, Elizabeth DeBenedictis, William D. Kelly, Michael R. Lamping, Timothy G. Dietz, Patrick A. Weizman, Jacob S. Gee, John B. Schulte, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Douglas J. Turner, Eric B. Smith, Sean P. Conlon, Richard W. Timm, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Bertke
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Publication number: 20180049767Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaft including a distal portion and an articulatable portion is disclosed. The articulatable portion, positioned proximal to the distal portion, includes a plurality of joint members. A first articulation cable extends through each first channel of each of the plurality of joint members and a second articulation cable extends through each second channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion. The first and second articulation cables are transitionable between: (i) an unlocked state, where the first and second articulation cables are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from a longitudinal axis, and (ii) a locked state, where translation of the first and second articulation cables is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Jacob S. Gee, Foster B. Stulen, Kevin L. Houser, Craig N. Faller, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Sora Rhee, William D. Dannaher, Barry C. Worrell, Gregory W. Johnson
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Publication number: 20180028182Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Robert A. Kemerling, James R. Giordano, Vincent P. Battaglia, JR., Daniel W. Price, Sean P. Conlon, Gregory W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Shan Wan, Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Jacob S. Gee, Jeffrey A. Bullock, John A. Hibner, William B. Weisenburgh, II
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Publication number: 20180014846Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Steven P. Smolik, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher, Foster B. Stulen