Patents by Inventor William R. Stager

William R. Stager 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).

  • Publication number: 20240374258
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a sequential logic device. The body includes a safety switch, a firing actuator, and a motor. The stapling assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue. The sequential logic device is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to detect an actuation of the safety switch and of the firing actuator. The sequential logic device is further operable to detect an order in which the safety switch and the firing actuator are actuated, compare the detected order to a predetermined order, and in response to determining that the detected order is equivalent to the predetermined order, transmit a motor activation signal to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode, Austin E. Wise
  • Patent number: 12102325
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 12082817
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a sequential logic device. The body includes a safety switch, a firing actuator, and a motor. The stapling assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue. The sequential logic device is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to detect an actuation of the safety switch and of the firing actuator. The sequential logic device is further operable to detect an order in which the safety switch and the firing actuator are actuated, compare the detected order to a predetermined order, and in response to determining that the detected order is equivalent to the predetermined order, transmit a motor activation signal to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode, Austin E. Wise
  • Patent number: 12035916
    Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Rodney V. Clingaman, Brian F. DiNardo, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard F. Schwemberger, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 12029427
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20230285026
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 11642134
    Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Rodney V. Clingaman, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard F. Schwemberger, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20220401102
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 11446025
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, a firing assembly, a motor, a user input feature, and an electrical circuit. The firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly to drive an annular array of staples through tissue toward the anvil. The motor actuates the firing assembly through an actuation stroke to thereby actuate the stapling head assembly. The electrical circuit includes a trigger switch and an electrical latching feature. The trigger transitions from an open state to a closed state in response to the user input feature transitioning from a non-actuated state to an actuated state. The electrical circuit activates the motor in response to closure of the trigger switch. The electrical latching feature maintains activation of the motor to complete the actuation stroke even if the trigger switch is transitioned back to the open state before completion of the actuation stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: William R. Stager, Matthew H. Bolton, Christopher C. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11446036
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20220022876
    Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Rodney V. Clingaman, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard F. Schwemberger, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 11224432
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft extending distally from the body, a motor, a stapling assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a timer circuit operatively coupled to the motor and the firing actuator. The body includes a firing actuator and the motor is configured to activate in response to a firing actuation of the firing actuator. The motor is further configured to deactivate after a first predetermined time period subsequent to the firing actuation. The stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue and is operable to drive a plurality of staples into the clamped tissue in response to activation of the motor. The timer circuit is configured to activate a timer in response to the firing actuation. The timer is configured to run for a second predetermined time period. The timer circuit is configured to ensure deactivation of the motor upon expiration of the second predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode, Austin E. Wise
  • Publication number: 20210290238
    Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Rodney V. Clingaman, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard F. Schwemberger, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20210228207
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, a firing assembly, a motor, a user input feature, and an electrical circuit. The firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly to drive an annular array of staples through tissue toward the anvil. The motor actuates the firing assembly through an actuation stroke to thereby actuate the stapling head assembly. The electrical circuit includes a trigger switch and an electrical latching feature. The trigger transitions from an open state to a closed state in response to the user input feature transitioning from a non-actuated state to an actuated state. The electrical circuit activates the motor in response to closure of the trigger switch. The electrical latching feature maintains activation of the motor to complete the actuation stroke even if the trigger switch is transitioned back to the open state before completion of the actuation stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: William R. Stager, Matthew H. Bolton, Christopher C. Miller, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20210068838
    Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Rodney V. Clingaman, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Richard F. Schwemberger, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20200305881
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Publication number: 20200281592
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft extending distally from the body, a motor, a stapling assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a timer circuit operatively coupled to the motor and the firing actuator. The body includes a firing actuator and the motor is configured to activate in response to a firing actuation of the firing actuator. The motor is further configured to deactivate after a first predetermined time period subsequent to the firing actuation. The stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue and is operable to drive a plurality of staples into the clamped tissue in response to activation of the motor. The timer circuit is configured to activate a timer in response to the firing actuation. The timer is configured to run for a second predetermined time period. The timer circuit is configured to ensure deactivation of the motor upon expiration of the second predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode, Austin E. Wise
  • Publication number: 20200281593
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a sequential logic device. The body includes a safety switch, a firing actuator, and a motor. The stapling assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue. The sequential logic device is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to detect an actuation of the safety switch and of the firing actuator. The sequential logic device is further operable to detect an order in which the safety switch and the firing actuator are actuated, compare the detected order to a predetermined order, and in response to determining that the detected order is equivalent to the predetermined order, transmit a motor activation signal to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Joseph D. Paulowski, William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode, Austin E. Wise
  • Patent number: 10729444
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, an activation circuit, and a user input feature. The activation circuit includes an end effector driver and a driver activation switch. The end effector driver is operable to drive the end effector to perform an operation on tissue. The driver activation switch is configured to transition between an open state and a closed state. The end effector driver is configured to activate in response to the driver activation switch transitioning to the open state. The user input feature is operable to transition between a non-actuated state and an actuated state. The driver activation switch remains in the closed state when the user input feature is in the non-actuated state. The driver activation switch is configured to transition to the open state in response to the user input feature transitioning from the non-actuated state to the actuated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: William R. Stager, Timothy E. Goode
  • Patent number: 10709452
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager