Patent Applications published on May 19, 2011

Explore the 6,281 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 20th week of 2011, including 4,214 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.

Featured patent applications from May 19, 2011

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC., Ethicon Endo-Surgery.
US20110118761A1
Human necessities
Application 20110118761, fig. 01

Circular stapler introducer with rigid distal end portion

Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise a hollow flexible sheath that has a distal end and an open proximal end that is sized to receive a stapling head portion of the circular stapler therein. A rigid cap assembly is attached to the distal end of the hollow flexible sheath. The rigid cap assembly may be configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered when inserted therein and an open position wherein the cap assembly may be withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft. A release arrangement interfaces with the rigid cap assembly such that upon an application of a release motion thereto, the rigid cap is movable from the closed position to the open position.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110114700A1
Human necessities
Application 20110114700, fig. 01

Devices and methods for introducing a surgical circular stapling instrument into a patient

Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise cover members that are applied over a stapling head portion of the circular stapler. In some embodiments, the cover members are fabricated from a flexible stretchable material and have a bumper portion that protrudes distally beyond the distal face of the stapling head. The staples may be fired through the cover member and the balance of the cover member is withdrawn from the patient with the stapling head. Other cover embodiments are selectively movable from a position wherein the distal face of the stapling head is covered and other positions wherein the distal face of the stapling head is exposed.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc..
US20110118754A1
Human necessities
Application 20110118754, fig. 01

Motor interface for parallel drive shafts within an independently rotating member

Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods incorporating the use of an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member are provided. An example mechanism includes a base and a main shaft mounted to rotate relative to the base, a first drive shaft mounted inside the main shaft, and a first drive feature engaged with the first drive shaft. The main shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main shaft rotational axis defined therebetween. The first drive shaft is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. A first drive feature rotational axis is defined for the first drive feature and is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The first drive feature rotates the first drive shaft.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110114699A1
Human necessities
Application 20110114699, fig. 01

Circular stapler introducer with radially-openable distal end portion

Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise a hollow flexible sheath that has a distal end and an open proximal end that is sized to receive a stapling head portion of the circular stapler therein. A radially-openable barrel member is attached to a distal end of the hollow flexible sheath to define an opening for receiving the stapling head therein. A rigid cap member is hingably attached to the radially-openable barrel member and is movable between a closed position wherein the rigid cap member covers a distal end of the opening in the barrel member and open position wherein the rigid cap member is movable to a position wherein the distal end of the opening is exposed. A releasable latch member is provided to engage and release opposed ends of the radially-openable barrel member.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110114698A1
Human necessities
Application 20110114698, fig. 01

Circular stapler introducer with rigid cap assembly configured for easy removal

Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise a hollow flexible sheath that has a distal end and an open proximal end that is sized to receive a stapling head portion of the circular stapler therein. A rigid cap assembly may be attached to the distal end of the hollow flexible sheath The rigid cap assembly may be configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered and an open position wherein the distal face of the stapling head is exposed. A portion of the rigid cap assembly has a shape that substantially matches a perimetrical shape of a portion of the stapling head to enable the rigid cap assembly to pass proximally over the stapling head when the introducer is withdrawn from the patient.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110114697A1
Human necessities
Application 20110114697, fig. 01

CIRCULAR STAPLER INTRODUCER WITH MULTI-LUMEN SHEATH

Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise a sheath that defines a first lumen that has a closed end and an open end. The first lumen may be sized to receive at least a distal end portion of the stapling head of the stapler within the closed end. The sheath may have a weakened area therein such that upon an application of a release motion thereto, the weakened area ruptures to permit the hollow sheath to be removed from the stapler.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc..
US20110118778A1
Human necessities
Application 20110118778, fig. 01

End effector with redundant closing mechanisms

End effectors with redundant closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods are disclosed. The disclosed end effectors may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a tool body disposed at the distal end of the shaft, a jaw movable relative to the tool body between a clamped configuration and an open configuration, a first actuation mechanism coupled with the jaw and operable to vary the position of the jaw relative to the tool body between the clamped configuration and the open configuration, and a second actuation mechanism coupled with the jaw. The second actuation mechanism has a first configuration where the jaw is held in the clamped configuration and a second configuration where the position of the jaw relative to the tool body is unconstrained by the second actuation mechanism.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP.
US20110114701A1
Human necessities
Application 20110114701, fig. 01

Pouch used to deliver medication when ruptured

An anvil assembly for a circular stapling device includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon, a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a rod member of the circular stapling device, an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, wherein the anvil plate includes an inner diametral edge, and wherein the anvil plate defines a plurality of staple forming pockets therein at a location radially outward of the inner diametral edge, a recess formed in the anvil head, wherein the recess is defined by the inner diametral edge of the anvil plate and a rear surface of the anvil head, and a wound treatment material disposed substantially within the recess.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc..
US20110118709A1
Human necessities
Application 20110118709, fig. 01

Surgical tool with a two degree of freedom wrist

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Published: 2011-05-19 Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc., Intuititve Surgical Operations, Inc..
US20110118707A1
Human necessities
Application 20110118707, fig. 01

Wrist articulation by linked tension members

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.