John E. Burbank

Bio: John E. Burbank is an academic researcher from Becton Dickinson. The author has contributed to research in topics: Drive shaft & Actuator. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 19 publications receiving 4505 citations. Previous affiliations of John E. Burbank include Mansfield University of Pennsylvania & Ethicon Inc..

A carriage assembly for controlling a steering wire steering mechanism within a flexible shaft

Abstract: A carriage assembly for controlling a steering wire steering mechanism within a flexible shaft, for use in gastrointestinal tract surgery, comprises a plurality of selectably engageable motors, including two drive motors for selectably rotating drive shafts of a surgical attachement, two steering motors mechanically communicating with corresponding pulleys around which are coiled directional steering wires communicating with a flexible shaft to enable the selective direction of the flexible shaft within a spatial plane, wherein within the assembly housing the steering motors travel on a steering motor carriage and the pulleys travel on a pulley carriage which is biased by a spring means away from the interior wall of the housing, which biases the steering wires toward a taut state. The bias can be overcome by a carriage motor mechanically communicating with the pulley carriage to cause the flexible shaft to go limp. Also disclosed are a series of surgical attachments which may be coupled to and utilized in conjunction with the carriage assembly.

Endoscopic multiple ligating clip applier

Abstract: An endoscopic clip applying system as described which contains a venting system and a clip applying support system which prevents closure of the mechanism before firing. Also, the system ensures proper loading of the clips and prevents them from falling out during loading. Further, the system describes an easily manufacturable, positively opening system which has minimized size requirements. Furthermore, a lock-out mechanism is provided so that the mechanism may not be inadvertently fired. The shaft resists excessive torque as well as holds the clip in place during firing. There are provisions for sealant and non back-up of the clips, as well as features which make the clip properly placed for closure.

Ligating clip applier

Abstract: There is described herein a ligating clip applier which contains: a handle assembly (20); a jaw assembly connected to the handle assembly and containing a shaft and a pair of jaws (12). The shaft defines a longitudinal axis which lies in a central horizontal plane. A magazine (18) of clips (14) is stored on one side of the plane. The jaws are positioned so that they are on the opposite side of the plane. This configuration allows the clip to be loaded into the jaws across the plane, resulting in greater visibility of the clips as they are loaded into the jaws. Further, there is provided a jaw closure mechanism operable in connection with the jaws of this device so that the jaws contact the legs of a ligating clip first distally and then proximally. Thereafter the jaws are parallel at least once during closure, and the closure of the clip legs is, indeed, distal and then proximal. This improved procedure insures that in virtually all instances, the angle included between the clip legs at the crown is 0°. Motion of the clip feeding and jaw closing mechanisms are accomplished without lost motion, via a pair of interengaged mechanisms connected by a single tension spring (40) to one another, and operating separately from the body of the device. This configuration results in a more efficient, easier to operate more reliable clip applying device.

Drive shaft for an electro-mechanical surgical device

Abstract: A flexible shaft (20) includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath (28), at least one drive shaft (30, 32) disposed within the outer sheath and a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. Another flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at lest one flexible drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a coupling connected to a distal end of the outer sheath configured to couple to a surgical attachment. A sleeve includes an elongated shaft configured to receive a flexible shaft therein and a securing arrangement configured to selectively and variably retain the elongated shaft in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible shaft. A surgical system includes an electro-mechanical driver, an elongated, flexible sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the flexible sheath, a surgical attachment coupled to the at least one drive shaft, the electro-mechanical driver configured to drive the surgical attachment, a shape-retaining sleeve, atleast a portion of the flexible sleeve being disposed in the shape retainging-sleeve, the shape-retaining sleeve configured to maintain the at least portion of the flexible sheath in a predetermined shpae, and an arrangement variably securing the shape-retaining member to the flexible sheath in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible sheath.

Medication delivery pen having an improved clutch assembly

Abstract: An improved medication delivery pen is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The medication delivery pen includes a mechanism that prevents the removal of a cartridge unless an injector button on the medication pen is in a predefined position, a bayonet attachment and an improved clutch assembly in a dose setting mechanism that provides improved control over the torque necessary to rotate a units counter ring in the medication delivery pen using a dose setting knob.

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

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.

Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface

Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.

Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Articulating surgical stapling instrument incorporating a two-piece e-beam firing mechanism

Abstract: 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. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.