With Means To Assemble Plural Pieces Of Work Patents (Class 227/19)
  • Patent number: 11076850
    Abstract: An adapter assembly of a surgical instrument includes a cam member defining a proximal cam slot and a distal cam slot, a first articulation shaft, and a second articulation shaft. The first articulation shaft has a proximal end portion received in the proximal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to a surgical loading unit. The second articulation shaft has a proximal end portion received in the distal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to the surgical loading unit. The first and second articulation shafts are configured to move in opposing longitudinal directions in response to a rotation of the cam member to articulate the surgical loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth Whitfield, Thomas Casasanta, John Beardsley
  • Patent number: 11071561
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hand held electromechanical powered surgical handle assemblies for use with surgical end effectors capable of clamping, cutting and/or stapling tissue and methods of use thereof. The surgical device includes a handle assembly and a drive unit assembly removably and selectively connectable to a selected first connecting feature and second connecting feature of the handle assembly. The drive unit assembly includes a motor and a drive shaft driven by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Peter T. Collings, Xingrui Chen, Luis Dussan, Kelly Valentine
  • Patent number: 11071544
    Abstract: A medical instrument having a tool assembly including a pair of opposing tissue engaging surfaces for clamping tissue therebetween. The medical instrument includes a housing having a fixed handle and a movable handle mounted to the housing and selectively movable relative to the fixed handle from a first position in spaced relation relative to the fixed handle to a second position closer to the fixed handle to actuate the clamping of tissue. The medical instrument includes a selectively activatable drive assembly including a power source and a motor which is operatively coupled to the movable handle, wherein upon actuation the motor actuates the pair of opposing tissue engaging surfaces. The drive assembly includes a controller configured to variably control the rate at which the motor actuates the pair of opposing tissue engaging surfaces in response to the force exerted on the movable handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Patent number: 11051817
    Abstract: A method for forming a staple against an anvil of a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple comprises a base defining a drive plane, a first leg, and a second leg. The first leg and the second leg are in a forming plane. The method comprises deploying the first leg from a staple cavity defined in a staple cartridge positioned in the surgical stapling instrument into a first forming pocket of the anvil, supporting the first leg by a first cavity extension, forming the first leg in the first forming pocket along a first path which is outside of the drive plane, deploying the second leg from the staple cavity into a second forming pocket of the anvil, supporting the second leg by a second cavity extension, and forming the second leg in the second forming pocket along a second path which is outside of the drive plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 11045196
    Abstract: A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Lee Ann Olson, Ralph Stearns
  • Patent number: 11035136
    Abstract: A self-propelled robot for rebar binding including wheel units that travel on intersecting rebars; frame units mounted multiply aligned on right and left of the wheel units corresponding to an array interval of the rebars on which the wheel unit travels, binder holding units positioned between a front wheel and rear wheel of the wheel unit and by which rebar binders that bind intersecting rebars are detachably mounted per each wheel unit; driving units each having a binder driving portion that drives the binder holding unit up and down; and a control unit that controls travel motion of the wheel units and binding motion of the rebar binder. The driving units each include a trigger driving pin, and the control unit having a binding control portion that causes the trigger driving pins of the driving units to simultaneously and respectively press the triggers of the rebar binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: Ken Robotech Corp., SUN-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Manabe, Haruhisa Inoue, Yoshimasa Kimura, Kan Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11013502
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Augustus Felix
  • Patent number: 11007030
    Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft towards a distal fastener deployment position. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a removable preload lock-out attached to the elongated shaft to prevent the follower from applying a preload to the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Davol Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti, Derek Affonce, Justin Lewis, Augustus Felix, Talia D'Ambruoso
  • Patent number: 10973521
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Adams, Anil K. Nalagatla, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Barry T. Jamison, Mary R. Towers
  • Patent number: 10966723
    Abstract: A surgical staple includes a backspan and a pair of deformable legs extending from the backspan and terminating in a penetrating end. The backspan and deformable legs are formed from a wire having a curvilinear cross-section defining a major axis and a minor axis with a portion of the wire above the major axis defining a first curved surface and a portion of the wire below the major axis defining a second curved surface, and a portion of the wire to the left of the minor axis defining a third curved surface and a portion to the right of the minor axis defining a fourth curved surface being different than the first, second, and third curved surfaces. One or more of the curved surfaces is different than the remaining curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Anthony Sgroi
  • Patent number: 10945726
    Abstract: The invention provides a fastening device for laparoscopic hernia repair. The coordinated operation of two insertion members stabilizes a fastener during closure and locking to ensure that the fastener is locked in the intended location before the device releases from the fastener. One of the insertion members includes a pair of prongs that exhibit a closed configuration when they are disposed in a recess at an end of the fastener. The fastener has a hook at one end and a loop at the other end. The insertion members push the fastener out from the device and through the tissue. A curvature in at least one of the insertion members pushes the hook through the loop all while the prongs are in the recess in the fastener, thereby stabilizing the fastener with respect to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Via Surgical LTD
    Inventors: Arie Levy, Yehonatan Levin, Lena Levin, Ofek Levin
  • Patent number: 10932774
    Abstract: An end effector comprising an anvil, a staple cartridge jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The an anvil comprises staple forming pockets. Each staple forming pocket comprises a pocket base. The staple cartridge jaw comprises a staple cartridge comprising a longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a first staple, a first staple driver, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second staple, and a second staple driver. The first staple comprises a first unformed height and the second staple comprises a second unformed height that is the same as the second unformed height. The firing member is configured to lift the first staple driver and the second staple driver toward the anvil during a staple firing stroke. The first staple is deformed to a first formed height. The second staple is deformed to a second formed height that is different than the first formed height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10932782
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion; an actuation assembly operatively supported at a proximal end of the body portion; an anvil assembly movably mounted at the distal end of the body portion for movement toward and away from the body portion; an approximation assembly extending between the body portion and the anvil assembly for moving the anvil toward and away from the tubular body portion; a dispersion assembly operatively associated with the approximation assembly, the dispersion assembly including at least one angled surface defining at least one channel interposed between the anvil assembly and the body portion and being configured to dispense a fluid therefrom; and at least one conduit for conducting wound treatment material to the dispersion assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael J. Bettuchi, Christopher J. Criscuolo
  • Patent number: 10918382
    Abstract: An intraoral surgical stapling apparatus. The intraoral surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly having a trigger for actuation of a surgical staple. A barrel section extends outward from the handle assembly and includes a staple firing mechanism for loading and advancing the surgical staple in a loading position towards a forward end of the intraoral surgical stapling apparatus. A fixed body forms a channel to receive an advancing unit. The advancing unit is connected to the trigger such that a sliding plate positioned within the channel slides forward and backward by actuating the trigger. A pair of splay arms have a forward end opposite a rearward end. The forward end engages the staple and cycles through a between the loading position, a forward advancing position, and a staple open biasing position. The engaged staple is biased and configured to be applied to a tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Shahram Valiani
  • Patent number: 10912564
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a housing and a plurality of cartridges that are coupled together to form a barrel that is rotatably supported within the housing. Each of the cartridges defines a plurality of staple pockets, each supporting a staple. An anvil is coupled to the housing and is movable in relation to the barrel between an open position and a clamped position. A guide shaft extends through the housing and through the barrel. The guide shaft supports a sled and a clamping member. The sled is configured to translate through the barrel to eject the staples from an active cartridge of the plurality of cartridges in response to actuation of a push rod. After firing staples from the active cartridge, the sled and the guide shaft are configured to index or rotate the barrel within the housing to move a second cartridge of the plurality of cartridges to the active position upon retraction and subsequent movement of the sled through a second firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Simon R. Grover, Alistair Ward, Gary Stacey
  • Patent number: 10912559
    Abstract: An anvil for a surgical stapler. In various arrangements, the anvil comprises an anvil body that is fabricated from a first material and a tip member that is fabricated from a second material that differs from the first material. The tip member may comprise a flexible attachment portion that is configured to be received within an opening in a distal end of the anvil body. A second attachment member is configured to non-removably engage the first flexible attachment portion to bias the first flexible attachment portion into retaining engagement with corresponding portions of the distal end of the anvil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Gregory J. Bakos, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10881398
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Patent number: 10881404
    Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Frank J. Viola, Gregg Krehel, Guido Pedros
  • Patent number: 10869664
    Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a firing member. The staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, a first row of staple cavities, a second row of staple cavities, a third row of staple cavities, first staple drivers, and second staple drivers. The firing member is movable toward the distal end of the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. The firing member is configured to lift the first staple drivers and the second staple drivers toward the anvil during the staple firing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10842499
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes an elongate body and a clip track provided within the body and containing one or more surgical clips. Each surgical clip includes a crown and a pair of legs extending longitudinally from the crown and diverging from each other at a diverging opening angle. A pre-forming region is provided within the body and arranged to receive and deform the one or more surgical clips from a first state, where the pair of legs diverge at the diverging opening angle, and a second state, where the diverging opening angle is minimized. First and second jaw members are positioned at a distal end of the body and arranged to receive the one or more surgical clips from the pre-forming region in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott, Michael J. Stokes, Disha Labhasetwar
  • Patent number: 10835260
    Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a housing, a movable handle, a plunger, a first linkage, and a second linkage. The movable handle is pivotably mounted to the housing about a handle pin. The plunger is disposed at least partially within the housing. Distal translation of the plunger relative to the housing is configured to affect a function of the surgical instrument. The first linkage is disposed at least partially within the housing. A first portion of the first linkage is pivotable about the housing, and a second portion of the first linkage is slidable relative to the handle pin. The second linkage is disposed at least partially within the housing. A first portion of the second linkage is pivotable about the plunger, and a second portion of the second linkage is pivotable about a third portion of the first linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jacob C. Baril, Brian J. Creston, Thomas A. Zammataro, Matthew A. Dinino
  • Patent number: 10821626
    Abstract: A refill includes a peripheral wall defining a space capable of accommodating staples therein. The peripheral wall includes a bottom wall having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a third side connecting end portions of the first side and the second side, a first side wall standing from the first side, a second side wall standing from the second side and opposing the first side wall, and a front wall positioned above the third side and connecting the first side wall and the second side wall. A first opening is formed on the first side wall and the front wall to extend across a boundary between the first side wall and the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Shimizu, Futoshi Kameda, Katsunori Manabe, Kiichi Haramiishi
  • Patent number: 10806456
    Abstract: An implantable tissue connector comprises a conduit and at least one bulge extending outwardly from the conduit's outer surface in a circumferential direction. At least one blocking ring loosely fitting over the outer surface with a clearance between the outer surface and the blocking ring is provided for mounting tubular living tissue within the clearance. The blocking ring has an inner diameter which is sized relative to an outer diameter of the bulge to prevent the blocking ring from slipping over the bulge when living tissue is mounted within the clearance. During implantation, the conduit is inserted into the tubular part of living tissue and over the bulge. Then, the blocking ring is pushed over the free end of the living tissue against the bulge. The living tissue is secured to the conduit with a self-enhancing effect when the tissue tends to be pulled off of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 10779821
    Abstract: Anvils for surgical devices designed to cut and staple tissue. The anvils include tissue stop arrangements for positioning the tissue to be cut and stapled in the device so that the tissue is stapled prior to being cut. The anvils are moved between open and closed positions by a corresponding closure member. The tissue stops and/or closure members are configured to avoid adjacent tissue from being pinched between the closure member and tissue stops when the anvil is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 10779819
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Holcomb, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Stokes, Mark S. Zeiner, Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 10772632
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device is described having a tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge having a series of tri-staples which are supported and configured to be rotatably ejected from the staple cartridge into the anvil assembly to suture tissue. The manner in which the staples are supported and ejected from within the staple cartridge facilitates the use of a tool assembly of reduced diameter that includes staples capable of suturing thicker tissues than would normally be associated with tool assemblies with such a reduced diameter. A tri-staple is also described that can be ejected from the surgical stapling device. In embodiments, the tri-staple includes three legs of different lengths. Each of the legs is configured to provide a different degree of compression when applied to tissue. In addition, each of the staple legs has a D-shaped configuration when deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 10772613
    Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument including an actuation lockout system as well as its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a trigger and a driveshaft coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes the driveshaft to move from a first position to a second position, thereby resulting in deployment of a surgical fastener. An actuation lockout system restrains distal movement of the driveshaft until a force greater than or equal to a threshold force is applied to the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci, Nathan Stewart Cauldwell, Donald E. Ziniti
  • Patent number: 10758235
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector including at least one axially translatable drive member and a powered actuator device including at least one rotatable drive shaft is provided. The adapter assembly includes an actuation shaft configured to convert rotation of a first drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a first drive member of the surgical end effector. The adapter assembly further includes an elongate tube configured to convert rotation of a second drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a second drive member of the surgical end effector. The actuation shaft is disposed within the elongate tube, and the actuation shaft and the elongate tube translate axially independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Teddy R. Bryant
  • Patent number: 10709445
    Abstract: A loading unit including a shipping assembly is provided. The shipping assembly is operably received adjacent the cartridge assembly to retain staples with the cartridge assembly. The shipping assembly includes a shipping member selectively secured to loading unit and a locking member slidably disposed within the shipping member. The locking member is movable between a proximal position wherein the shipping member is secured to the housing and a distal position wherein the shipping member is removable from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Justin Williams, Patrick Mozdzierz, Christopher Penna
  • Patent number: 10702277
    Abstract: A surgical clip for a clip applier to ligate vessels. The clip contains two opposing legs connected in parallel by an apex to form a U-shape. Each leg has an outer surface with a half-round cross-sectional configuration for minimizing tissue damage by preventing clip scissoring during ligation. Each leg has an inner surface with a flat central surface, two concave grooves on opposing sides of the central surface, and two convex ridges on opposing sides of the each groove. As a vessel is ligated, vessel tissue moves into the concave grooves while remaining frictionally engaged by the compressive forces applied by the central surfaces and convex ridges of each leg so that the clip does not move on the vessel. The edges of the grooves and the edges of the ridges of each leg are rounded to prevent any cutting of the ligated vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pavel Menn
  • Patent number: 10687804
    Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft, and an elongated conduit extending through the elongated shaft. A firing system is disposed within the housing. The firing system has an insertion tool having a top surface that extends proximal and distal ends thereof and a stripper ramp that projects above the top surface. An actuator activates the firing system to commence a firing cycle. During the firing cycle, the firing system drives the insertion tool toward the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated conduit has a top wall with a top notch formed therein. The stripper ramp slides through the top notch for guiding movement of the insertion tool as the firing system drives the insertion tool toward the distal end of the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Kenyon, Michael Nordmeyer, Michael Cardinale, Simon Cohn, Jianxin Guo, Doug Souls, Danial Paul Ferreira
  • Patent number: 10675108
    Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes an elongate body, a clip forming system positioned within the body and arranged to receive an unformed surgical clip, and an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the clip forming system to actuate the clip forming system and thereby bend the unformed surgical clip into a tissue-ready surgical clip. First and second jaw members are positioned at a distal end of the body and arranged to receive the tissue-ready surgical clip for crimping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Stokes, Matthew Kuhn, Jeffery Bruns, Joshua Young, Alex Cuti, John Brady, Gregory Scott, Disha Labhasetwar
  • Patent number: 10639045
    Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Thomas W. Huitema
  • Patent number: 10624630
    Abstract: A multiple-fire securing device includes a hollow outer shaft, a reloader, a reloader movement assembly, a rail, and securing structures each defining an inner securing orifice. The reloader longitudinally moves within the outer shaft and has a distal end shaped to temporarily contact one of the securing structures. The rail is disposed within the reloader and has an installing location. The securing structures are disposed on the rail. The reloader movement assembly moves the reloader longitudinally in a distal direction to deliver a first securing structure to the installing location from a first proximal position and moves the reloader proximally away from the installing location without the first securing structure to a position in which the distal end of the reloader temporarily contacts a second one of the securing structures. The second and successive securing structures are moved one at a time to the installing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences AG
    Inventors: Derek Dee Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Michael Walter Kirk, Carlos Rivera, George Nunez, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Korey Kline, Matthew A. Palmer, M. Sean McBrayer, Richard Cartledge, Max Pierre Mendez, Kevin K. Dang, Bryan A. Janish, Manouchehr A. Miraki
  • Patent number: 10624661
    Abstract: A shaft for a micro-invasive surgical instrument includes a shaft tube with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a coupling device for detachable mechanical coupling of the shaft with a tool, and a rotation bearing, which mechanically connects the coupling device with the distal end portion of the shaft tube. The rotation bearing is configured in order to allow rotation of the coupling device with respect to the shaft tube about the longitudinal axis of the shaft on the distal end portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Bacher, Daniel Kaercher, Jochen Stefan
  • Patent number: 10610223
    Abstract: A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley Wellman, William Burbank, Grant Duque, Patrick Flanagan
  • Patent number: 10588634
    Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Matthias, Kevin L. Hudelson, Nicholas J. Terzulli, Thomas J. Palermo, Julian N. Nikolchev
  • Patent number: 10575848
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism configured to be selectively manipulated by an operator, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue of a patient. The end effector includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a guide pin. The guide pin extends from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion and is connected thereto. Thereby, the guide pin is configured to secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion and inhibit deflection of the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Adams, Anil K. Nalagatla, Barry T. Jamison
  • Patent number: 10548613
    Abstract: A medical shaft-type instrument includes an instrument head for applying clamps, the instrument head connectable via an instrument shaft to an instrument handle for actuating the instrument head. The instrument also includes a clip magazine having a housing, in which magazine a plurality of clamps are bunkered at a predetermined storage position spacing to each other according to the storage principle. All of the clamps can be moved forward by one storage position by a reciprocating transport and entraining rail within the scope of a single delivery stroke. The transport and entraining rail has one clamp entraining element per clamp. The relative distance of the individual clamp entraining elements differs from the respective storage position distances of the clamps in such a way that the entrainment of the bunkered clamps is carried out within the scope of one single delivery stroke in a clocked way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Thomas Scholten, Gunnar Wanke, Jörg Hinrich Timmermann, Michael Benk, Rainer Wursthorn
  • Patent number: 10542991
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge including a circular array of staple cavities defined therein and an anvil configured to deform the staples. The stapling instrument further comprises a closure drive configured to position the anvil relative to the staple cartridge and a firing drive configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The closure drive includes a shaft which is extendable above the staple cartridge to permit the anvil to be attached to the shaft. In various instances, the stapling instrument is configured and arranged such that the anvil cannot be attached to the shaft unless the shaft is moved into a fully-extended position above the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher C. Miller, Jason L. Harris, Brian Dinardo, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Patent number: 10542980
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus for applying fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes a clamping lever including a cantilevered locking member for engaging a catch member positioned at the proximal portion of a cartridge receiving half-section of the apparatus to retain the clamping lever in a clamped position. The clamping lever can include a protrusion which is receivable in a depression on the cartridge receiving half-section. The apparatus includes a disposable firing assembly and cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mangesh Patankar, Arvind Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 10470766
    Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, Gary M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10463362
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a handle, an elongate body, an actuator and a needle holder. The handle includes a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. The elongate body connects with the handle and includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The actuator includes a manually operated member including an operator contact surface spaced from the proximal handle end in a direction toward the distal handle end. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip and defines a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The needle passage is configured to receive at least a portion of an associated needle when the actuator is in the first operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DURASTAT LLC
    Inventors: Mark F. Kurd, David Greg Anderson, Jens Johnson, Jay Tapper
  • Patent number: 10441278
    Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Opus KSD Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Danielson, Charles H. Rogers, Peter L. Stokes, Edward R. Hall
  • Patent number: 10413292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linear stapler having a multi-functional retaining pin subassembly. The linear stapler comprises a handle stem connecting an anvil to a handle, and the retaining pin subassembly is movably supported on the handle stem and comprises a connecting cover having a retaining pin extending from the connecting cover. The present invention also provides a multi-functional retaining pin subassembly. The retaining pin subassembly can achieve cartridge alignment and tissue retention during the firing of the stapler and protect tissue from unintended damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Wan, Xiangchun Hong, Lian Xu, Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 10405854
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge assembly includes a plurality of fasteners and a layer configured to be captured by the fasteners. In addition, the layer includes a tissue contacting surface which includes a plurality of cleats, and/or any other suitable structures, configured to reduce slippage between the layer and the patient tissue. In various embodiments, the layer can include traction features extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Katherine J. Schmid, John L. Stammen, Bret W. Smith, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10383627
    Abstract: A surgical staple-clip including a clip component and a securing member is used in a wide range of surgical procedures. The staple-clip may be introduced to a surgical site in an un-assembled condition through a small port or trocar. An applier for the staple-clip comprising a pair of opposed jaw-like channels is provided to position and apply the clip component and the securing member. The clip component is positioned around a target tissue and is compressed or clamped upon the tissue using only the force required for a specific surgical procedure such as occlusion, ligation or fixation. When the clip component is properly applied, the securing member is urged forward and over the clip component to secure the staple-clip. The clip component may include traction enhancement features such as surface interruptions, bumps, valleys and ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Hart
  • Patent number: 10368862
    Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Balbierz, Pablo R. Hambly, Jason S. Stewart, David Cole
  • Patent number: 10327770
    Abstract: A linear cutting stapler comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw capable of being closed or open relative to each other. The upper jaw includes an anvil and the lower jaw includes a staple cartridge frame. The proximal end of the anvil is provided with a positioning pin or a pin slot, and the proximal end of the staple cartridge frame is configured with a pin slot or a positioning pin. Wherein, the pin slot is engaged with said positioning pin, and the positioning pin comprises a first slot position and a second slot position relative to the pin slot. After the upper jaw and the lower jaw are open, the positioning pin is held in the second slot position, by this time the operator can lift up the whole stapler by holding upper jaw or lower jaw, which is convenient for re-locating the tissue and simplifies the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Suzhou Touchstone International Medical Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wangdong Chen, Tuo Shu, Kaifen Fu, Sumei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10321908
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge component, an anvil component, a buttress component and a fastening member. The staple cartridge component includes a plurality of surgical staples arranged in an annular array. The anvil component is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp the organ sections between the staple cartridge and anvil components. The buttress component is configured and dimensioned to be positioned on a distal surface of the staple cartridge component. In particular, the buttress component includes a buttress member and a plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs extending proximally from the buttress member. The fastening member is configured and dimensioned to engage the plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs to securely position the buttress component on the staple cartridge component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Sally Carter, Richard Stevenson