Patents by Inventor William E. Clem
William E. Clem 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: 20240105306Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Cory G. Kimball, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Amy L. Marcotte, Danius P. Silkaitis, John B. Schulte, Michael R. Lamping, Stephen J. Balek
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Patent number: 11925378Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device is disclosed including a surgical tool including a proximal transducer mounting portion defining a surface, a distal end effector end, and a waveguide disposed therebetween, the waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic surgical device further includes a transducer is in mechanical communication with the surface of the transducer mounting portion. The transducer is configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Upon activation by an electrical signal having a predetermined frequency component, the transducer is configured to induce a standing wave in the surgical tool to cause the end effector to vibrate, the standing wave having a wavelength proportional to the predetermined frequency component of the electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Black, William A. Olson, Foster B. Stulen, Frederick Estera, William E. Clem, Jerome R. Morgan, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Stephen M. Leuck, Kevin L. Houser
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Patent number: 11848093Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Cory G Kimball, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Amy L. Marcotte, Danius P. Silkaitis, John B Schulte, Michael R. Lamping, Stephen J. Balek
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Patent number: 11786289Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam N. Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 11602364Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic waveguide extending through a body assembly. An ultrasonic blade connects to the ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly of the surgical instrument is able to move from an opened position for receiving a tissue toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp body and a clamp pad facing the ultrasonic blade. A clamp arm actuator of the surgical instrument is able to move from a first position toward a second position to direct the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. A modular coupling of the surgical instrument connects to the clamp pad such that at least the clamp pad can be disconnected relative to the ultrasonic blade for replacement thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Gregory D. Bishop, Brian D. Black, Chad P. Boudreaux, David J. Cagle, William E. Clem, Joseph Dennis, Kristen G. Denzinger, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Kevin M. Fiebig, Ellen Burkart, Christina M. Hough, John V. Hunt, Cody R. Jackson, Cory G. Kimball, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Gabriel I. Myers, Ion V. Nicolaescu, William A. Olson, Candice Otrembiak, John K. Swain, Gregory A. Trees, John A. Weed, III, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Eitan T. Wiener, Barry C. Worrell, David C. Yates, Monica L. Zeckel
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Patent number: 11589887Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body assembly, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft assembly, a motor, and a locking feature. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises a waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations. The motor is operable to rotate the ultrasonic transducer to thereby selectively couple the ultrasonic transducer with the waveguide. The locking feature is configured to selectively prevent rotation of at least a portion of the shaft assembly relative to the body assembly. The locking feature and the motor may be activated automatically in response to an operator positioning a proximal portion of the shaft assembly in a distal portion of the body assembly. The surgical apparatus may include a feature configured to alert a user when the waveguide has been adequately secured to the ultrasonic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Foster B. Stulen, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Cory G. Kimball, Timothy G. Dietz, Kevin L. Houser
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Publication number: 20220415474Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Cory G. Kimball, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Amy L. Marcotte, Danius P. Silkaitis, John B. Schulte, Michael R. Lamping, Stephen J. Balek
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Publication number: 20220346824Abstract: A method of fabricating an ultrasonic medical device is presented. The method includes machining a surgical tool from a flat metal stock, contacting a face of a first transducer with a first face of the surgical tool, and contacting a face of a second transducer with an opposing face of the surgical tool opposite the first transducer. The first and second transducers are configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal portion of the surgical tool. Upon activation, the first transducer and the second transducer are configured to induce a standing wave in the surgical tool and the induced standing wave comprises a node at a node location in the surgical tool and an antinode at an antinode location in the surgical tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Black, William A. Olson, Frederick L. Estera, William E. Clem, Jerome R. Morgan, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Stephen M. Leuck
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Patent number: 11456068Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Cory G. Kimball, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Amy L. Marcotte, Danius P. Silkaitis, John B. Schulte, Michael R. Lamping, Stephen L. Balek
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Publication number: 20220240971Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Cory G. Kimball, David A. Witt, William E. Clem, Nathan D. Grubbs, Daniel J. Prenger
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Patent number: 11350959Abstract: A method of fabricating an ultrasonic medical device is presented. The method includes machining a surgical tool from a flat metal stock, contacting a face of a first transducer with a first face of the surgical tool, and contacting a face of a second transducer with an opposing face of the surgical tool opposite the first transducer. The first and second transducers are configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal portion of the surgical tool. Upon activation, the first transducer and the second transducer are configured to induce a standing wave in the surgical tool and the induced standing wave comprises a node at a node location in the surgical tool and an antinode at an antinode location in the surgical tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Brian D. Black, William A. Olson, Frederick Estera, William E. Clem, Jerome R. Morgan, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Stephen M. Leuck
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Patent number: 11278306Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a control module, an orientation sensor communicatively coupled to the control module, and an energy component. The energy component is operable to activate the end effector at a plurality of energy settings. A storage device is communicatively coupled to the control module and includes a plurality of gesture profiles and corresponding energy settings. The control module is configured to set the energy setting of the energy component to a corresponding energy setting in response to a correlation between the output of the orientation sensor and a gesture profile. In some versions, the control module modifies the energy setting based upon output from a force sensor that measures the force on the end effector. The control module may also decrease the energy setting in response to an anomalous acceleration or deceleration detected by an accelerometer.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Daniel W. Price, Sora Rhee, Cory G. Kimball, Timothy G. Dietz, Ashvani K. Madan, Donna L. Korvick, Jeffrey D. Messerly, William E. Clem, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt, William D. Dannaher, John B. Schulte, Danius P. Silkaitis, Stephen J. Balek, Michael R. Lamping
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Patent number: 11272950Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Cory G. Kimball, David A. Witt, William E. Clem, Nathan D. Grubbs, Daniel J. Prenger, Ashvani K. Madan
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Publication number: 20220039861Abstract: An end effector of an instrument is positioned in a patient. An ultrasonic blade of the end effector is positioned against tissue in the patient. The ultrasonic blade is activated to vibrate ultrasonically while the ultrasonic blade is positioned against tissue. At least one electrode of the end effector is positioned against tissue in the patient. The at least one electrode is activated to apply RF electrosurgical energy to tissue against which the at least one electrode is positioned against tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson, Jason R. Lesko, Frederick L. Estera, Amy M. Krumm, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, John A. Hibner, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Joseph Isosaki, Craig N. Faller, Shan Wan, Adam N. Brown, Candice Otrembiak, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, Matthew C. Miller, William E. Clem
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Publication number: 20210128191Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments having angularly and/or linearly off-set blades are described. The angularly and/or linearly off-set blades may facilitate increased surgical site access, visibility, and manipulability.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cory G. Kimball, William E. Clem, Gregory W. Johnson, Frederick L. Estera, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Foster B. Stulen
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Patent number: 10952759Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include structures configured to indicate the cutting length of the instruments, detect when grasped tissue has extended beyond the cutting length of the instrument, and prevent tissue from extending beyond the cutting length. Several techniques for each types of structures are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, William E. Clem, John A. Weed, III, Eric Stout, Craig T. Davis, John E. Brady, Joseph D. Dennis, Phillip H. Clauda, Monica L. Z. Rivard
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Patent number: 10842522Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments having angularly and/or linearly off-set blades are described. The angularly and/or linearly off-set blades may facilitate increased surgical site access, visibility, and manipulability.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cory G Kimball, William E. Clem, Gregory W. Johnson, Frederick Estera, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Foster B. Stulen
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Publication number: 20200315686Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Chad P. Boudreaux, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam N. Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Patent number: 10660692Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jason R. Lesko, Catherine A. Corbett, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Mark A. Davison, Nathan Cummings, Ellen Burkart, William D. Dannaher, Christina M. Hough, Craig N. Faller, Adam Brown, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kai Chen, William E. Clem
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Publication number: 20200045132Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Cory G. Kimball, Daniel W. Price, William E. Clem, Amy L. Marcotte, Danius P. Silkaitis, John B. Schulte, Michael R. Lamping, Stephen L. Balek