Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Hopkins
Timothy M. Hopkins 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: 20240115001Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper including a chamber, a compressible component disposed within the chamber and operable between a relaxed state and a constricted state, a sole structure including a recess forming a cavity, and a pump device disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the chamber, the pump device operable to transition the compressible component from the relaxed state to the constricted state by removing fluid from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Timothy P. Hopkins, Nicholas R. Long, Nadia M. Panian, Aaron K. Seid, Richard Kristian Hansen
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Patent number: 11937815Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Erik D. Nelson, Jonathan R. Nash, Timothy M. Hopkins, Kevin Hudson, Andy Pham, Zachary W. Gyugyi, Joshua A. Spalding, Christian A Halvorsen
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Publication number: 20240032921Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a jaw assembly at a distal end connected to a handle assembly that is configured to control the stapler and actuate the deployment of staples. The surgical stapler successfully eliminates intermediate caming portions commonly known as pushers that are located between the staples and a translating slider. The staples are located in pockets at an angle such that the base of the staple is parallel to an angled caming surface of the slider. The translating slider comes into direct contact with staples during deployment as the slider moves through each staple pocket where staples are partially supported by recesses along the slider pathway. The staples are deployed at an angle against the anvil surface. Because there are no pushers, a great deal of space is saved resulting in a much smaller diameter surgical stapler that is particularly suitable for laparoscopic stapling applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Timothy M. Hopkins, Donald L. Gadberry, Matthew M. Becerra, Babak Jasemian, Gary M. Johnson, Steven E. Decker
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Publication number: 20230371948Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Thomas M.B. Roberts, Timothy M. Hopkins, Quinton A. Quintana
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Patent number: 11812963Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a jaw assembly at a distal end connected to a handle assembly that is configured to control the stapler and actuate the deployment of staples. The surgical stapler successfully eliminates intermediate caming portions commonly known as pushers that are located between the staples and a translating slider. The staples are located in pockets at an angle such that the base of the staple is parallel to an angled caming surface of the slider. The translating slider comes into direct contact with staples during deployment as the slider moves through each staple pocket where staples are partially supported by recesses along the slider pathway. The staples are deployed at an angle against the anvil surface. Because there are no pushers, a great deal of space is saved resulting in a much smaller diameter surgical stapler that is particularly suitable for laparoscopic stapling applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Timothy M. Hopkins, Donald L. Gadberry, Matthew M. Becerra, Babak Jasemian, Gary M. Johnson, Steven E. Decker
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Publication number: 20230338025Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Babak Jasemian, Steve E. Decker, Atal C. Patel, Erik Nelson, Andrew J. McCarthy, Scott Zimmerman, Timothy M. Hopkins, Joshua M. Schober, Eric J. Weiss, Matthew M. Becerra, Christina N. Reed
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Publication number: 20230329714Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include a jaw assembly with one jaw defining a reload support capable of receiving and firing multiple disposable reload cartridges in a single surgical procedure. The reload cartridge can be protected by a reload cover engageable therewith. The reload cover can include snap features configured to prevent manual removal of the reload cover from the reload cartridge before proper positioning and installation in the reload support. The reload cover can desirably maintain a plurality of staples within staple pockets in the reload cartridge and can maintain a staple deployment mechanism in an unfired position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Jeffrey Weidner, Nicholas Humphreys, Timothy M. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11751871Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Thomas M. B. Roberts, Timothy M. Hopkins, Quinton A. Quintana
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Publication number: 20230263526Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler employs circumferential channels through which staples are deployed along an arc pathway against an anvil surface. The curved channels allow staples with relatively longer legs to be used in the stapler having a smaller diameter at the jaws. Also, by utilizing a curved path, a much larger staple can be placed in the same diameter device. Specialized curved staples for use with the stapler of the present invention are also provided. To further enable the benefits of the stapler with circumferential channels and method of staple deployment, novel jaw reinforcement structures are provided in the present invention. The jaw reinforcement structures are located towards the center or bladeline of the device instead of around the circumference as in conventional staplers, thereby clearing the outer area near the circumference of the device to provide room for longer staples and staple firing components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Timothy M. Hopkins, Atal C. Patel, Donald L. Gadberry, Matthew M. Becerra
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Patent number: 11717293Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include a jaw assembly with one jaw defining a reload support capable of receiving and firing multiple disposable reload cartridges in a single surgical procedure. The reload cartridge can be protected by a reload cover engageable therewith. The reload cover can include snap features configured to prevent manual removal of the reload cover from the reload cartridge before proper positioning and installation in the reload support. The reload cover can desirably maintain a plurality of staples within staple pockets in the reload cartridge and can maintain a staple deployment mechanism in an unfired position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Weidner, Nicholas Humphreys, Timothy M. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11684366Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Babak Jasemian, Steven E. Decker, Atal C. Patel, Erik Nelson, Andrew J. McCarthy, Scott Zimmerman, Timothy M. Hopkins, Joshua M. Schober, Eric J. Weiss, Matthew M. Becerra, Christina N. Reed
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Patent number: 11666336Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler employs circumferential channels through which staples are deployed along an arc pathway against an anvil surface. The curved channels allow staples with relatively longer legs to be used in the stapler having a smaller diameter at the jaws. Also, by utilizing a curved path, a much larger staple can be placed in the same diameter device. Specialized curved staples for use with the stapler of the present invention are also provided. To further enable the benefits of the stapler with circumferential channels and method of staple deployment, novel jaw reinforcement structures are provided in the present invention. The jaw reinforcement structures are located towards the center or bladeline of the device instead of around the circumference as in conventional staplers, thereby clearing the outer area near the circumference of the device to provide room for longer staples and staple firing components.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Timothy M. Hopkins, Atal C. Patel, Donald L. Gadberry, Matthew M. Becerra
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Publication number: 20230072443Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided that includes a spring loaded lift that automatically adjusts a staple cartridge and/or staple formation between a range of sizes. The lift is automatically released as the staple firing mechanism begins its forward translation of the firing sequence. The automatic one-way adjustment also adjusts the staple cartridge while maintaining the cartridge parallel to the anvil to provide consistent staple formations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Matthew M. Becerra, Steven E. Decker, Timothy M. Hopkins, Atal C. Patel, Babak D. Jasemian
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Patent number: 11523825Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided that includes a spring loaded lift that automatically adjusts a staple cartridge and/or staple formation between a range of sizes. The lift is automatically released as the staple firing mechanism begins its forward translation of the firing sequence. The automatic one-way adjustment also adjusts the staple cartridge while maintaining the cartridge parallel to the anvil to provide consistent staple formations.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Matthew M. Becerra, Steven E. Decker, Timothy M. Hopkins, Atal C. Patel, Babak D. Jasemian
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Publication number: 20220218331Abstract: A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include an articulation mechanism including a ball screw to selectively articulate the jaw assembly relative to an elongate shaft. The handle assembly can include a mechanism to lock out selection of the staple firing mode and actuation of the articulation mechanism if a reload shaft is not securely coupled to the handle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Stephen Eldridge, Timothy M. Hopkins, Eric J. Weiss, Bruno Vu, Jonathan R. Nash, Andrew Krasts, Isabella Hidalgo, Anay Pandit
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Publication number: 20220211370Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Thomas M.B. Roberts, Timothy M. Hopkins, Quinton A. Quintana
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Publication number: 20220133315Abstract: Surface preparation for sliding surfaces can enhance wear performance for surgical instruments such as surgical staplers which include reusable mechanisms that are used multiple times with single use reload cartridges. To reduce the potential for galling wear in a metal-to-metal sliding engagement, a combination of surface hardening, surface finish, and surface coatings can be applied to metallic components of a surgical instrument. Surface hardening techniques can allow further manufacturing operations such as welding without compromising the strength of the underlying metal substrate. With stainless steel metal substrates, as surface or case hardening techniques can reduce corrosion resistance, a surface coating can be applied to inhibit surface oxidation as well as provide a barrier to metal-to-metal contact. A further lubricious coating layer such as a bone wax coating layer can enhance galling resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Andrew Krasts, Darci Darnall, Eric J. Weiss, Timothy M. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11311293Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Thomas M. B. Roberts, Timothy M. Hopkins, Quinton A. Quintana
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Publication number: 20210290234Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Erik D. Nelson, Jonathan R. Nash, Timothy M. Hopkins, Kevin Hudson, Andy Pham, Zachary W. Gyugyi, Joshua A. Spalding, Christian A. Halvorsen
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Publication number: 20210244413Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler employs circumferential channels through which staples are deployed along an arc pathway against an anvil surface. The curved channels allow staples with relatively longer legs to be used in the stapler having a smaller diameter at the jaws. Also, by utilizing a curved path, a much larger staple can be placed in the same diameter device. Specialized curved staples for use with the stapler of the present invention are also provided. To further enable the benefits of the stapler with circumferential channels and method of staple deployment, novel jaw reinforcement structures are provided in the present invention. The jaw reinforcement structures are located towards the center or bladeline of the device instead of around the circumference as in conventional staplers, thereby clearing the outer area near the circumference of the device to provide room for longer staples and staple firing components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Timothy M. Hopkins, Atal C. Patel, Donald L. Gadberry, Matthew M. Becerra