David C. Yates

Bio: David C. Yates is an academic researcher from Ethicon Inc.. The author has contributed to research in topics: Surgical instrument & Robot end effector. The author has an hindex of 73, co-authored 266 publications receiving 29305 citations. Previous affiliations of David C. Yates include Hess Corporation & Charles Stark Draper Laboratory.

Surgical tissue treating device with locking mechanism

Abstract: A locking mechanism for ensuring proper sequential usage of a surgical instrument is provided for an instrument utilizing a tissue treating energy, particularly a tissue heating energy, such as, for example, electrosurgical, ultrasonic, thermal, laser, infrared light, or other heating energies. One embodiment includes a cutting element to be used after heat treatment of tissue is completed to a desired degree. The instrument of the preferred embodiment includes a feedback monitor arranged to provide a signal indicating completion of tissue treatment. One embodiment includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism responsive to the tissue treatment complete feedback signal and arranged to unlock when tissue treatment is complete.

Electrosurgical stapling device

Abstract: An surgical stapling instrument is provided which uses a thermogenic energy preferably bipolar radiofrequency energy for cauterization and/or welding tissue. The instrument compresses tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy sources contained on a first interfacing surface and a second pole of a bipolar energy source contained on a second interfacing surface. Staples and thermogenic energy are applied to the compressed tissue. In a preferred embodiment a cutting means for cutting tissue is incorporated into the instrument.

Electrosurgical hemostatic device with adaptive electrodes

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedance, thickness, compressibility, density, vascularity, etc., especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument provides two electrodes of different electrical potentials. One electrode is moveable with respect to the other electrode to vary the distances between the electrodes and thus the impedance of the tissue as presented to the generator. The electrode distances may be varied by an automated or user controlled device.

Surgical instrument with automatically reconfigurable articulating end effector

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, with an automatically articulatable end effector. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector, a shaft, and an articulatable joint assembly connected between the end effector and the shaft. The joint assembly comprises at least one motor for articulating the end effector relative to the shaft. The joint assembly comprises at least one articulation sensor for sensing articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft. The instrument further comprises a control unit in communication with the articulation sensor and the motor. The control unit comprises at least one memory unit for storing articulation data from the at least one articulation sensor. When activated, the control unit sends control signals to the motor of the joint assembly to articulate automatically the end effector to a desired position based on the articulation data from the articulation sensor that is stored in the memory unit of the control unit.

Robotically-controlled motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.

Surgical Stapling Apparatus

Abstract: A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device

Electrosurgical hemostatic device

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Vessel sealer and divider

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Surgical stapling device

Abstract: A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile.

Surgical stapling instrument

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a body portion (2, 3), a handle (4) and a staple fastening assembly (8). The staple fastening assembly (8) includes a curved cartridge (10), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil (22), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge (10) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge (10). The staple fastening assembly (8) is adapted to allow unobstructed access towards the concave inner faces of the cartridge (10) and the anvil (22). The cartridge (10) can be moved towards the anvil (22) from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue. Preferably, a knife is contained within the cartridge (10) and is positioned such that there is at least one row of staples on at least one side of the knife.