Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110114697 | 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. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114698 | 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of the stapling head to enable the rigid cap assembly to pass proximally over the stapling head when the introducer is withdrawn from the patient. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114699 | 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. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114700 | 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. | 05-19-2011 |
20110118761 | 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. | 05-19-2011 |
20110278346 | Methods and Apparatus for Delivering Tissue Treatment Compositions to Stapled Tissue - A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a reservoir configured to hold a tissue treatment composition. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. The reservoir may be provided in a handle portion of the surgical stapler, and a fluid conduit may be used to communicate the tissue treatment composition from the reservoir. An end effector lumen may selectively communicate with the fluid conduit. The lumen may also be in communication with openings to further communicate the tissue treatment composition to tissue or to a scaffold material positioned adjacent to tissue. A reservoir may alternatively be provided in one of the clamping members. A knife member may pierce a housing defining the reservoir, and a resilient member may then urge a tissue treatment composition from the housing. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282242 | Instrument for Applying Therapeutic Cells, with Proximal Portion for Processing Therapeutic Cells - A tissue harvesting and processing apparatus comprises a body and a distally extending needle. The needle includes an aperture configured to receive tissue. A tissue cutting member is movable relative to the needle to sever a specimen from tissue protruding through the aperture. A tissue processor is operable to mince tissue severed by the tissue cutting member. The minced tissue may be mixed with a medical fluid component contained in a reservoir. The medical fluid mixture may be expelled through an applier tip coupled with the body. The tissue processor may comprise a mincing die such that tissue specimens are minced upon being extruded through the mincing die. The tissue processor may comprise a blade that cooperates with a sliding press. The tissue processor may comprise auger blade sections that cooperate with inwardly extending pins. A mixing piston may mix the minced tissue with the medical fluid component. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282354 | Fistula Cleaning and Repair Device and Method - A fistula cleaning and repairing device comprises a device for cleaning a fistula and a device for repairing a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning a fistula comprise a rotary device with ah head configured to debride a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise an abrasive catheter. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise a plurality of abrasive beads. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable stent. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable mesh. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise a swab configured to deliver a medical fluid. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282381 | Therapeutic Cell Applicator Instrument with Modular Tips - A surgical device comprises a housing, a bioprocessing module, an end effector, and a pumping device. The bioprocessing module comprises media reservoirs, fluid conduits in communication with the reservoirs, and a port through which media is expelled. The end effector is configured for insertion into a lumen and delivering a tissue repair composition into that lumen. The end effector has at least one fluid conduit extending therethrough and at least one orifice in communication with the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit in the first end effector is in fluid communication with the port on the bioprocessing module. The pumping device is operable to urge a tissue repair composition comprising at least a portion of the contents of the media reservoirs through the fluid conduit of the first end effector such that the tissue repair composition is expelled from the at least one orifice. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282446 | Methods and Apparatus for Delivering Tissue Treatment Compositions to Stapled Tissue - A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a knife member. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. A tissue treatment member is positionable between the first and second tissue clamping members. The tissue treatment member comprises a rupturable pouch or baffle that is configured to receive a medical fluid including at least one tissue cell. The tissue treatment member may have a spiral shape, an annular disc shape, or an elongate sleeve shape. The tissue treatment member may also include outwardly extending tabs. The tissue treatment member may also include an injection port. In use, the staples and/or the knife pierce the tissue treatment member to release at least a portion of the medical fluid held by the tissue treatment member. | 11-17-2011 |
20120116363 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDPIECE WITH RESILIENTLY BIASED COUPLING TO MODULAR SHAFT AND END EFFECTOR - An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable transmission assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, a button disposed on a top surface of the housing, and a biasing member in communication with the button. The transmission assembly includes a proximal shaft, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a distal shaft assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft, and an end effector at the distal end of the distal shaft assembly. The biasing member of the handle assembly is adjustably coupled to the coupling feature of the transmission assembly. Another version includes a movable yoke configured to engage an inner tube of the transmission assembly. Yet another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer via a biasing force. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116394 | 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. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116396 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MODULAR END EFFECTOR - A surgical instrument may include a reusable body assembly, a reusable transducer and blade assembly, and a disposable end effector. The transducer and blade assembly may be latched into the body assembly. One version may include an electrical connector on the latch member to electrically couple the body assembly to the transducer. The end effector may include an outer sheath portion coupleable to an outer sheath of the body assembly via a bayonet connection and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the outer sheath portion. In some versions, an inner tubular member of the body assembly may also couple to an inner tube portion via a bayonet connection. The inner tubular member may include a key to align with a slot on the transducer and blade assembly to align the clamp arm with the blade. The end effector may alternatively couple via threading or ratcheting teeth having a slip feature. | 05-10-2012 |
20130103065 | ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING - An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. The assembly includes a blade having a first and second tissue contact surface and a clamping mechanism, including a first and second clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument for clamping tissue between first and second tissue contact surfaces, respectively. | 04-25-2013 |
20130253480 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT USAGE DATA MANAGEMENT - A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use. | 09-26-2013 |
20130289592 | ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING - A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus. | 10-31-2013 |
20130296843 | ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING - An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a first arm, a second arm, a firing beam, a lockout feature, and a scissor grip portion. The first and second arms include first and second jaws, respectively. The jaws each include a respective electrode operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue. The firing beam is operable to translate distally through the first and second jaws to sever tissue captured between the first and second jaws. The lockout feature is operable to selectively prevent translation of the firing beam. The scissor grip portion is operable to pivot the first arm toward the second arm. The apparatus may include a disposable cartridge assembly removably coupled with a reusable grip assembly. The cartridge assembly may include the first and second jaws. A sliding actuator may be used to translate a firing beam. A lockout feature may selectively restrict translation of the sliding actuator. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296908 | TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - Various forms are directed to a method for operating an ultrasonic surgical instrument. The ultrasonic surgical instrument may be activated by generating a drive signal provided to the ultrasonic drive system to drive the end effector. A plurality of input variables may be applied to a multi-variable model to generate a multi-variable model output, where the multi-variable model output corresponds to an effect of the ultrasonic instrument on tissue. The plurality of input variables may comprise at least one variable describing the drive signal and at least one variable describing a property of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. When the multi-variable model output reaches a threshold value, feedback may be generated indicating a corresponding state of at least one of the ultrasonic surgical instrument and tissue acted upon by the ultrasonic surgical instrument. | 11-07-2013 |
20130324991 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH STRESS SENSOR - An apparatus includes an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module. The directional force assembly can include a piezoelectric disc, a piezoresistive element, an accelerometer, and/or a Hall Effect sensor. The end effector of the apparatus can include ultrasonic blade, an RF electrode, or a staple driving assembly. In some versions, the energy component includes an ultrasonic transducer. The control module may be configured to operate the energy component at a first energy setting in response to a first detected force and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force. The apparatus may also include an activation feature to be operated by a user. In some versions the piezoelectric disc may include a plurality of segments and may be configured to induce movement in at least part of the energy component. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324999 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ORIENTATION SENSING - A surgical instrument comprises a body assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a control module, an orientation sensor communicatively coupled to the control module, and an energy component. The energy component is operable to activate the end effector at a plurality of energy settings. A storage device is communicatively coupled to the control module and includes a plurality of gesture profiles and corresponding energy settings. The control module is configured to set the energy setting of the energy component to a corresponding energy setting in response to a correlation between the output of the orientation sensor and a gesture profile. In some versions, the control module modifies the energy setting based upon output from a force sensor that measures the force on the end effector. The control module may also decrease the energy setting in response to an anomalous acceleration or deceleration detected by an accelerometer. | 12-05-2013 |
20140330298 | CLAMP ARM FEATURES FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The shaft assembly comprises an inner tube configured to longitudinally translate to thereby pivot the clamp arm toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. A distal portion of the inner tube is operable to flex to thereby accommodate pivoting of the clamp arm. | 11-06-2014 |
20150080876 | INTEGRATED SYSTEMS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL STEAM OR SMOKE CONTROL - A medical device includes an end effector and a fluid control system configured to control fluid generated when the end effector applies energy to target tissue and includes a fluid path element having one or more fluid paths. The one or more fluid paths include a distal fluid port positioned adjacent to a working portion of the end effector and a proximal fluid port fluidically coupled to a supply and transport element. The supply and transport element is configured to one of evacuate and supply fluid adjacent to the working portion of the end effector. The supply element may be operatively coupled to an activation element configured to activate the supply and transport element when end effector applies energy to the target tissue. | 03-19-2015 |
20150080879 | INTEGRATED SYSTEMS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL STEAM OR SMOKE CONTROL - A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid. | 03-19-2015 |
20150080925 | ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An ultrasonic instrument comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a pivoting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distal to the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade. One or both of the shaft assembly or the pivoting member comprise a guide feature. The guide feature is configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position. | 03-19-2015 |
20150088178 | TRANSDUCER FEATURES FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic blade, and an acoustic assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body. The blade is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The acoustic assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide coupled with the blade, a piezoelectric transducer element, a fastener, and a coupling member. The transducer element defines an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. The fastener is configured to secure the transducer element relative to the waveguide. The coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the fastener and the inner diameter surface of the transducer element. The outer diameter surface of the transducer element includes an annular recess. Another coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the annular recess of the piezoelectric transducer element and a power source while permitting the piezoelectric transducer element to rotate relative to the body. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080249491 | Absorbent articles having cuffs with skin care composition disposed thereon - An absorbent article, such as a diaper, containing cuffs with a skin care composition disposed thereon. In one embodiment the cuff is a nonwoven leg cuff comprising spunbonded nonwoven material and characterized by the lack of a meltblown component, the nonwoven material having a basis weight of about 17 gsm and a hydrostatic head of at least about 95 mm. The spunbonded material comprises metallocene polypropylene fibers having a denier of less than about 1.3. In another embodiment, small amounts of meltblown fibers, for example, up to about 10% by weight, can be added to the metallocene polypropylene spunbonded material to increase production rates of the nonwoven material, without an unacceptable decrease in skin health benefits. The skin care composition disposed on the cuffs is transferable to the wearer's skin by normal contact and/or wearer motion and/or body heat. The skin care compositions disclosed in the present invention are selected to maintain and/or improve the skin health of the wearer upon transfer during use, for example, to provide a skin protective barrier or a therapeutic benefit; to minimize the abrasion between the cuffs and skin in the area where the cuffs contact the wearer's skin, resulting in less skin irritation; to improve BM clean up on the skin, or to improve the barrier properties of the cuffs. | 10-09-2008 |
20110260369 | Method for Making A Personal Care Product - A method of making a personal care product that is capable of dispensing a composition onto a surface in the form of a film without the use of an additional applicator. The method includes providing a collapsible bag at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable member and, optionally, an outer container body. Potential energy is generated by stretching the elastically deformable member, which is used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant or pump. The personal care composition may be a skin care composition, an antifungal, or an enzyme inhibiting composition. | 10-27-2011 |
20110262550 | METHOD FOR TREATING A SKIN AILMENT - A method for treating a skin ailment by applying a personal composition from a collapsible dispenser. The collapsible dispenser includes a collapsible bag at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable member and, optionally, an outer container body. Potential energy is generated by stretching the elastically deformable member, which is used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant or pump. The personal care composition may be a skin care composition, an antifungal, or an enzyme inhibiting composition. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264059 | Personal Care Product - A personal care product that includes a personal care composition disposed in a collapsible bag at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable member and, optionally, an outer container body. The elastic member is constructed of an elastically extensible material that permits the transfer of infrared radiation through at least a portion of the elastic member. Potential energy is generated by stretching the elastically deformable member, which is used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant or pump. The container may also include a actuatable valve for dispensing the composition. | 10-27-2011 |
20130253452 | Personal Care Product - A personal care product that includes a personal care composition disposed in a collapsible bag at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable member and, optionally, an outer container body. The elastic member is constructed of an elastically extensible material that permits the transfer of infrared radiation through at least a portion of the elastic member. Potential energy is generated by stretching the elastically deformable member, which is used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant or pump. The container may also include a actuatable valve for dispensing the composition. | 09-26-2013 |