Patents by Inventor Tracy D. Lopes
Tracy D. Lopes 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).
-
Patent number: 10722261Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing, a transducer supported within the housing, an end-effector engaged with the transducer, and a clamp including a jaw member movably supported relative to the end-effector between an open position and a closed position. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations. The end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip. The distal tip is movable relative to the axis by vibrations produced by the transducer. The end-effector is configured to be detached from the transducer. The transducer is configured to receive a different end-effector.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Publication number: 20180168680Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Patent number: 9801648Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Patent number: 9504483Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Matthew C. Miller, Tracy D. Lopes
-
Publication number: 20160166275Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Nicholas I. Kroscher, Tracy D. Lopes, Terry A. McFarland, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Neurohr, Daniel W. Price, Kip M. Rupp, Aaron C. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, Scott A. Woodruff
-
Publication number: 20150045819Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Patent number: 8900259Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can enable the sheath to act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Publication number: 20140222054Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Nicholas I. Kroscher, Tracy D. Lopes, Terry A. McFarland, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Neurohr, Daniel W. Price, Kip M. Rupp, Aaron C. Voegele, John A. Weed, III, Scott A. Woodruff
-
Publication number: 20120269676Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Matthew C. Miller, Tracy D. Lopes
-
Publication number: 20120259353Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can enable the sheath to act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Patent number: 8226675Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Matthew C. Miller, Tracy D. Lopes
-
Patent number: 8142461Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Publication number: 20080234711Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Foster B. Stulen, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Matthew C. Miller, Tracy D. Lopes
-
Publication number: 20080234708Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Kevin L. Houser, Andrew M. Zwolinski, Tracy D. Lopes, Prasanna Malaviya, Daniel W. Price, Louis T. DeLuca
-
Publication number: 20080200940Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Nicholas I. Kroscher, Tracy D. Lopes, Terry A. Mcfarland, Matthew C. Miller, Mark A. Neurohr, Daniel W. Price, Kip M. Rupp, Aaron C. Voegele, John A. Weed, Scott A. Woodruff, Cory G. Kimball