Patents by Inventor Hayden W. MAY

Hayden W. MAY 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).

  • Electrosurgical instruments including a jaw angle detection system
    Patent number: 11931097
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, an end effector, a drive shaft, and a switch assembly. The end effector is coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft and includes opposing first and second jaw members. The end effector is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The drive shaft is operably coupled to the end effector to move the end effector between the open and closed configurations. The switch assembly includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact is coupled to the drive shaft and configured to move with the drive shaft. The first electrical contact is configured to engage the second electrical contact in response to a movement of the drive shaft to determine a first angle between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fischvogt, Jenna Dancy, Hayden W. May
  • ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING A JAW ANGLE DETECTION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20210045801
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, an end effector, a drive shaft, and a switch assembly. The end effector is coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft and includes opposing first and second jaw members. The end effector is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The drive shaft is operably coupled to the end effector to move the end effector between the open and closed configurations. The switch assembly includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact is coupled to the drive shaft and configured to move with the drive shaft. The first electrical contact is configured to engage the second electrical contact in response to a movement of the drive shaft to determine a first angle between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory W. FISCHVOGT, Jenna DANCY, Hayden W. MAY