Patents by Inventor Scott A. Nield
Scott A. Nield 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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Publication number: 20220313297Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Publication number: 20220168005Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Patent number: 11324527Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Patent number: 11179582Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including a handle including a pivoting handle portion, an end effector configured to treat tissue, a waveguide extending to the end effector, a battery and a vibration generating system selectively operable in a plurality of energizing operating states. The plurality of energizing operating states consists of a first operating state in which a first power is supplied to the end effector and a second operating state in which a second power is supplied to the end effector. The first power is different than the second power. The vibration generating system includes a transducer selectively attachable to the handle and a switch configured to operably switch the vibration generating system between the first operating state and the second operating state. The switch is further configured to operably switch the vibration generating system between the plurality of energizing operating states and a non-energizing operating state.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 11000707Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 10709906Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic end effector comprising a proximal end formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a waveguide configured to transmit ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic end effector. The waveguide includes an attachment portion formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The attachment portion is configured to be selectively expandable into an acoustically coupled retaining engagement with the ultrasonic end effector by expanding faster than the proximal end of the ultrasonic end effector when heat is applied to establish an interference fit therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventor: Scott A. Nield
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Patent number: 10512795Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20190381340Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20190381339Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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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: 20170209167Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide may have a distal end that is sized to be inserted into a cavity in a proximal end of the surgical tool and then selectively expanded to retain the distal end within the cavity to couple the surgical tool to the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Scott A. Nield
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Patent number: 9700339Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide may have a distal end that is sized to be inserted into a cavity in a proximal end of the surgical tool and then selectively expanded to retain the distal end within the cavity to couple the surgical tool to the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventor: Scott A. Nield
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Publication number: 20170056058Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 9498245Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Publication number: 20150164538Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Craig N. Faller, Kevin D. Felder, Jacob S. Gee, William D. Kelly, Robert J. Laird, Amy L. Marcotte, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Emily H. Monroe, Scott A. Nield, Daniel W. Price, Patrick J. Scoggins, John B. Schulte, Geoffrey S. Strobl, James W. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Patrick A. Weizman, John W. Willis
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Publication number: 20150088178Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, Michael R. Lamping, Scott A. Nield, Timothy G. Dietz, Cory G. Kimball, John B. Schulte, Sora Rhee, Jacob S. Gee, Stephen J. Balek, William D. Dannaher, Gavin M. Monson
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Publication number: 20140243864Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 8754570Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Scott A. Nield, Foster B. Stulen, Shan Wan
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Patent number: 8734476Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Sora Rhee, Samantha L. Sheets, Daniel J. Mumaw, John A. Weed, III, Craig T. Davis, Scott A. Nield
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Patent number: 8650728Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce a standing wave of vibrations along a longitudinal axis having a node and an anti-node at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a method of assembling the transducer for the ultrasonic surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the method comprises selecting piezoelectric elements and arranging the piezoelectric elements relative to the node to minimize the difference in magnitude between the currents drawn by the piezoelectric elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Shan Wan, Scott A. Nield, Shawn D. Bialczak, Ashvani K. Madan