Patent Applications published on Dec 1, 2011

Explore the 6,932 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 48th week of 2011, including 4,768 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.

Featured patent applications from Dec 1, 2011

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110295270A1
Human necessities
Application 20110295270, fig. 01

Surgical instrument with wireless communication between a control unit of a robotic system and remote sensor

A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290855A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290855, fig. 01

Robotically-controlled disposable motor-driven loading unit

A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a robotic system configured to generate control systems therefor. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the robotic system to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290853A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290853, fig. 01

Robotically-driven surgical instrument with E-beam driver

A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. Various embodiments are configured to be operably attached to a robotic system to receive actuation/control motions therefrom.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290854A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290854, fig. 01

Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instruments

A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290851A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290851, fig. 01

Robotically-controlled surgical stapling devices that produce formed staples having different lengths

A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector that is configured to receive various control motions from a robotic system.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC.
US20110295269A1
Human necessities
Application 20110295269, fig. 01

Robotically-controlled motorized surgical instrument

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized and configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110295242A1
Human necessities
Application 20110295242, fig. 01

Robotically-controlled endoscopic accessory channel

Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290856A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290856, fig. 01

ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH FORCE-FEEDBACK CAPABILITIES

A surgical instrument. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument include an end effector that has a moveable cutting implement. A main drive shaft assembly operably interfaces with the end effector for transmitting an actuation motion to the movable cutting implement therein. A gear drive train is connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The gear drive train is actuated by a motor that is configured to receive control signals from a robotic system. Various embodiments include a sensor arrangement that operably interfaces the end effector to communicate forces experienced by the end effector to the robotic system.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110295295A1
Human necessities
Application 20110295295, fig. 01

ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. An third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

Published: 2011-12-01 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20110290857A1
Human necessities
Application 20110290857, fig. 01

Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with tactile position feedback

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.