Patent Applications published on May 10, 2012

Explore the 6,986 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 19th week of 2012, including 4,712 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.

Featured patent applications from May 10, 2012

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Ethicon LLC.
US20120116391A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116391, fig. 01

Surgical instrument with sensor and powered control

A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20120116379A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116379, fig. 01

Motor driven electrosurgical device with mechanical and electrical feedback

An electrosurgical device comprises an end effector, a cutting member, and en electromechanical driver. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws that clamp tissue. The jaws include electrodes that deliver RF energy to clamped tissue. The cutting member cuts tissue clamped between the jaws. The electromechanical driver drives the cutting member. A control module commands the electromechanical driver, and regulates the delivery of RF energy to the electrodes, based on a combination of user input and feedback signals from the electrodes and from the electromechanical driver. The device may provide tactile feedback to the user through the user input feature, based on a load encountered by the cutting member. The device may alert the user when the exterior of end effector makes incidental contact with tissue, to avoid inadvertently burning the tissue. The device may include a removable battery pack to power the electromechanical driver and the electrodes.

Published: 2012-05-10
US20120116265A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116265, fig. 01

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CHARGING DEVICES

A surgical instrument includes a first power source and a second power source. The first power source is configured to deliver power to a surgical instrument at a first rate of discharge. The second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source at a second rate of discharge. The first power source and the second power source are positioned within the surgical instrument. The first power source and the second power source are further configured to communicate with a control module. The control module may rely on power from the first power source to drive an end effector of the surgical instrument. The end effector may comprise a harmonic/ultrasonic blade, RF electrosurgical electrodes, powered cutting/stapling features, and/or various other types of components.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20120110810A1
Human necessities
Application 20120110810, fig. 01

Medical device with feature for sterile acceptance of non-sterile reusable component

An apparatus maintains the sterility of a medical device while providing for the insertion of an insertable component into the medical device. The apparatus includes a medical device having a housing sized to contain the insertable component, an active feature, a cap, and a hinge member. A container encases the medical device within a device recess, a cap recess, and a container cover. The insertable component may be inserted into the housing while limiting potential contact with the exterior of the medical device. An alternative assembly comprises an insertion assembly having a handle and the insertable component detachably attached thereto. The medical device comprises a housing, an active feature, and a flexible member. An insertion tube is insertable within the flexible member to limit contact when the insertable component is inserted into the housing. Yet another configuration includes a resiliently hinged door assembly releasable by a release button.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC..
US20120116394A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116394, fig. 01

Surgical instrument with pivoting coupling to modular shaft and end effector

A surgical instrument comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes an energy source such as an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a transmission member such as an acoustic waveguide. The end effector may include a harmonic blade and a pivoting clamp member. One or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature. The pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot feature may include a bar defining a pivot axis about which the shaft assembly pivots to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly. The pivot feature may also include a pivoting cover configured to cover a recess in the body in which a proximal portion of the shaft assembly is received.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC.
US20120116395A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116395, fig. 01

Surgical instrument with modular shaft and transducer

An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a detachable transducer module, a handle, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an end effector having a harmonic blade. The transducer module is removably coupled with the shaft assembly to form an active assembly. The active assembly is removably coupled with the handle. The handle may include a resilient wall structure that deflects outwardly to receive the active assembly in a snap fit. The handle may include a pivoting latch feature to selectively retain the active assembly relative to the handle.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC.
US20120112687A1
Human necessities
Application 20120112687, fig. 01

Recharge system for medical devices

An apparatus comprises a base and at least one indicator in communication with the base. The base comprises a housing and at least one slot. The at least one slot is shaped to receive a reusable component from a surgical instrument. The at least one indicator is in communication with the at least one slot. The base is configured to detect at least one characteristic related to the reusable component when the reusable component is placed into the at least one slot. Wherein the at least one indicator is configured to provide a signal to the user regarding the at least one characteristic.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC.
US20120116380A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116380, fig. 01

Sterile medical instrument charging device

A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC.
US20120116364A1
Human necessities
Application 20120116364, fig. 01

User feedback through handpiece of surgical instrument

A surgical instrument includes a handpiece having a user input feature and a user feedback feature. A shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece. An end effector is disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an active feature responsive to actuation of the user input feature. The active feature is operable to operate on tissue in response to actuation of the user input feature. The user feedback feature is operable to provide feedback to the user that indicates information relating to operation of the end effector. The feedback may include haptic, visual, and/or auditory feedback.

Published: 2012-05-10 Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP, TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP.
US20120111920A1
Human necessities
Application 20120111920, fig. 01

Staple formed over the wire wound closure procedure

An anvil assembly is provided and includes an anvil member having a plurality of staple bending pockets formed in a face of the anvil member and a length of reinforcing material suspended across the staple bending pockets. Longitudinal channels are provided in the face of the anvil member to releasably retain the reinforcing material. The longitudinal channels transect the staple bending pockets and support and suspend the reinforcing material over the staple bending pockets such that a leg of a surgical staple can be bent around the reinforcing material. Various configurations of fully formed staples are also disclosed and include a backspan having first and second legs extending from the backspan. First portions of each of the first and legs extend from the backspan and define a plane with the backspan. Second portions of each of the first and second legs extend from the first portions and project outwardly from the plane defined by the backspan and the first second portions.