John D Cummings

US Patent:

20020111624, Aug 15, 2002

Filed:

Jan 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/055534

Inventors:

David Witt - Maineville OH, US
Craig Faller - Milford OH, US
Chester Baxter - Loveland OH, US
John Cummings - Madeira OH, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/051000

Abstract:

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a pair of relatively moveable jaws, each of which includes a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surfaces of the jaws are in face-to-face relation with one another, and adjacent each of the tissue contacting surfaces are first and second spaced-apart electrodes that are adapted for connection to the opposite terminals of a bipolar RF generator so as to generator a current flow between the electrodes. The first and second electrodes of one jaw are in offset opposed relation, respectively, with the first and second electrodes of the other jaw. A cutting portion is provided between the jaws. The cutting portion is moveable to provide the instrument with a scissors-like capability or a grasper-like capability, depending on the position of the cutting portion. A tissue dam is included on at least one jaw to help contain tissue within the desired coagulation area, and thereby help contain current density between the electrodes, thereby decreasing lateral tissue thermal damage and increasing hemostasis.

US Patent:

20050004569, Jan 6, 2005

Filed:

Apr 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/832615

Inventors:

David Witt - Maineville OH, US
Craig Faller - Milford OH, US
Chester Baxter - Loveland OH, US
John Cummings - Madeira OH, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606051000

Abstract:

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a pair of relatively moveable jaws, each of which includes a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surfaces of the jaws are in face-to-face relation with one another, and adjacent each of the tissue contacting surfaces are first and second spaced-apart electrodes that are adapted for connection to the opposite terminals of a bipolar RF generator so as to generator a current flow between the electrodes. The first and second electrodes of one jaw are in offset opposed relation, respectively, with the first and second electrodes of the other jaw. A cutting portion is provided between the jaws. The cutting portion is moveable to provide the instrument with a scissors-like capability or a grasper-like capability, depending on the position of the cutting portion. A tissue dam is included on at least one jaw to help contain tissue within the desired coagulation area, and thereby help contain current density between the electrodes, thereby decreasing lateral tissue thermal damage and increasing hemostasis.

US Patent:

20080081948, Apr 3, 2008

Filed:

Oct 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/542060

Inventors:

William B. Weisenburgh - Maineville OH, US
Robert P. Gill - Mason OH, US
Christopher J. Hess - Cincinnati OH, US
John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US

International Classification:

A61B 1/12

US Classification:

600121, 600157

Abstract:

A first apparatus for cleaning a distal end of a medical scope includes an annular sheath surroundingly attachable to the scope wherein the distal scope end is in fluid communication with the distal end of a lumen of the attached sheath with the proximal lumen end fluidly connectable to an irrigation fluid source and/or vacuum source. A second apparatus includes a motor-driven rotatable cannula having a closed distal end. A third apparatus includes an annular sheath and a lens which closes off the sheath, wherein the scope is insertable into the sheath, and wherein the lens is exposed to a distal lumen end of a lumen of the attached sheath. A fourth apparatus includes an annular sheath and a transparent shield rotatable attachable to the sheath to seal the distal sheath end. A fifth apparatus includes a sleeve attachable to and slidable along a scope.

US Patent:

20110282339, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

May 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/781243

Inventors:

Patrick A. Weizman - Liberty Township OH, US
Jeffrey L. Aldridge - Lebanon OH, US
Raymond M. Banks - Cupertino CA, US
Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US
John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Timothy G. Dietz - Terrace Park OH, US
Craig N. Faller - Milford OH, US
James R. Giordano - Milford OH, US
Jason L. Harris - Mason OH, US
Zhifan F. Huang - Mason OH, US
Gregory W. Johnson - Milford OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
Prasanna Malaviya - Mason OH, US
Matthew C. Miller - Cincinnati OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US
David K. Norvell - Monroe OH, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US
Foster B. Stulen - Mason OH, US
Jeffrey S. Swayze - Hamilton OH, US
Bradley E. White - Cincinnati OH, US
Tamara Widenhouse - Clarksville OH, US
David A. Witt - Maineville OH, US
Steve G. Bernath - Gilroy CA, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 18/14
A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 33, 606 41, 606 45

Abstract:

Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.

US Patent:

20110306968, Dec 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/797866

Inventors:

Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US
Bradley E. White - Cincinnati OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US
Jeffrey L. Aldridge - Lebanon OH, US
Timothy G. Dietz - Terrace Park OH, US
David A. Witt - Maineville OH, US
Mary E. Mootoo - Cincinnati OH, US
Zhifan F. Huang - Mason OH, US
Raymond M. Banks - Cupertino CA, US
Tamara Widenhouse - Clarksville OH, US
Jason L. Harris - Mason OH, US
Jeffrey S. Swayze - Hamilton OH, US
Foster B. Stulen - Mason OH, US
Prasanna Malaviya - Mason OH, US
Gregory W. Johnson - Milford OH, US
Paul Guerra - Los Gatos CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 41

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20110306973, Dec 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/797844

Inventors:

John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US
Bradley E. White - Cincinnati OH, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 48

Abstract:

An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed to capture tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaws can comprise a plurality of electrodes which can be sequentially activated. The electrodes can be activated in a pre-determined order in connection with a cutting member being advanced through the tissue. In various embodiments, the electrodes can be deactivated in a predetermined order. In certain embodiments, the electrodes can be comprised of a positive temperature coefficient material which can allow the electrodes to be sequentially deactivated.

US Patent:

20120010615, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Jul 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/832361

Inventors:

John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 51

Abstract:

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft extending between the handle and the effector and means for articulating the end effector relative to the shaft. The articulating means can comprise a portion of the shaft which is rotatable about a first axis in order to articulate the end effector about a second axis. In at least one embodiment, the shaft can comprise a first portion including a cam and a second portion including a cam follower, wherein the rotation of the second portion and the interaction of the cam and cam follower can cause the second portion to pivot relative to the first portion.

US Patent:

20120010616, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Jul 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/832345

Inventors:

Zhifan F. Huang - Mason OH, US
David A. Witt - Maineville OH, US
Raymond M. Banks - Cupertino CA, US
Timothy G. Dietz - Terrace Park OH, US
Mary E. Mootoo - Cincinnati OH, US
Gregory W. Johnson - Milford OH, US
Jeffrey S. Swayze - Hamilton OH, US
Jason L. Harris - Mason OH, US
Foster B. Stulen - Mason OH, US
Prasanna Malaviya - Mason OH, US
Richard W. Timm - Cincinnati OH, US
John V. Hunt - Cincinnati OH, US
Suzanne E. Thompson - West Chester OH, US
Gavin M. Monson - Oxford OH, US
Robert J. Laird - Morrow OH, US
Omar J. Vakharia - Cincinnati OH, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US
John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 52

Abstract:

An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector.