Patents by Inventor Duane E. Kerr, JR.

Duane E. Kerr, JR. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ultrasonic surgical instruments
    Patent number: 9375230
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing. The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Jr., William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Publication number: 20140012297
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing, The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, JR., William H. Nau, JR., Arlen K. Ward