Patents by Inventor Scott N. LaCosta

Scott N. LaCosta 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).

  • Patent number: 11826090
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 11806068
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a movable handle movable relative a housing to manipulate an end effector assembly, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a latch arm including a latch post, and a latch track defining an entry path, a latching path, a saddle, an un-latching path, and a return path. The latch post moves through the entry path, the latching path, and into the saddle upon movement of the movable handle from an un-actuated position to an over-actuated position and back to an actuated position to lock the movable handle. The latch post moves from the saddle through the un-latching path and the return path upon movement of the movable handle from actuated position to the over-actuated position and back to the un-actuated position. The return path includes a ramped surface configured to inhibit reverse travel of the latch post into the return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stephen J. Stamm, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Benjamin R. Arts, Alyssa M. Sawyer, Jessica E. C. Olson, Amir Roomi, Scott N. Lacosta, Terry M. Duffin, Mark E. Renner, John A. Hammerland, III, Michelle Esponda
  • Publication number: 20230050248
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft having a proximal end portion disposed within the housing, and an end effector assembly supported at a distal end portion of the shaft distally-spaced from the housing. A bobbin includes a body, a proximal rim, and a distal cylinder. The bobbin is disposed about the shaft such that at least one protrusion of the shaft is captured within a track defined within the distal cylinder. The bobbin is configured for positioning within the housing such that the body extends through a shaft aperture of a partition of the housing with the proximal rim disposed on a proximal side of the partition and the distal cylinder disposed within an interior cavity defined between the partition and a distal end of the housing on a distal side of the partition, thereby rotatably supporting the proximal end portion of the shaft within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen J. Stamm, Jessica E.C. Olson, Michelle Esponda, Scott N. Lacosta, Amir Roomi
  • Publication number: 20220183745
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger including a drive portion and a manipulation portion, a rocker, a linkage, and a slider. The trigger is pivotably coupled to the housing such that the drive and manipulation portions are moved in different directions in response to actuation of the trigger. The drive portion of the trigger is pivotably coupled to the rocker. The linkage is pivotably coupled to the rocker and the housing at opposing end portions thereof. The slider is pivotably coupled to the rocker and operably coupled to the deployable component. Actuation of the manipulation portion of the trigger moves the drive portion of the trigger distally to thereby urge the rocker distally, pivot the linkage about the second end portion thereof, and slide the slider distally to deploy the deployable component distally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen J. Stamm, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Benjamin R. Arts, Alyssa M. Sawyer, Jessica E.C. Olson, Amir Roomi, Scott N. Lacosta, Terry M. Duffin, Mark E. Renner, John A. Hammerland, III, Michelle Esponda
  • Publication number: 20220183744
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a movable handle movable relative a housing to manipulate an end effector assembly, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a latch arm including a latch post, and a latch track defining an entry path, a latching path, a saddle, an un-latching path, and a return path. The latch post moves through the entry path, the latching path, and into the saddle upon movement of the movable handle from an un-actuated position to an over-actuated position and back to an actuated position to lock the movable handle. The latch post moves from the saddle through the un-latching path and the return path upon movement of the movable handle from actuated position to the over-actuated position and back to the un-actuated position. The return path includes a ramped surface configured to inhibit reverse travel of the latch post into the return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen J. Stamm, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Benjamin R. Arts, Alyssa M. Sawyer, Jessica E.C. Olson, Amir Roomi, Scott N. Lacosta, Terry M. Duffin, Mark E. Renner, John A. Hammerland, III, Michelle Esponda
  • Publication number: 20220183746
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly at a distal end portion of the shaft, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a movable handle, a carriage operably coupled to the movable handle, an inner drive operably coupled to the end effector assembly, and a spring assembly operably coupling the carriage and the inner drive. The spring assembly includes inner and outer coil springs arranged in a nested configuration. Initial actuation of the movable handle slides the carriage such that the spring assembly transfers the sliding of the carriage into translation of the inner drive to apply a jaw force by the end effector assembly. Subsequent actuation of the movable handle slides the carriage to compress the spring assembly to substantially maintain a position of the inner drive, thereby controlling the jaw force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen J. Stamm, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Benjamin R. Arts, Alyssa M. Sawyer, Jessica E.C. Olson, Amir Roomi, Scott N. Lacosta, Terry M. Duffin, Mark E. Renner, John A. Hammerland, III, Michelle Esponda
  • Publication number: 20210212750
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 10966746
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jason L. Craig, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Clifford D. Owens, James R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 10959770
    Abstract: A method of assembling an electrosurgical instrument includes coupling first and second shafts to each other about a pivot. Each of the shafts has an interior side facing the other shaft and an exterior side opposite the interior side. The method also includes disposing a knife blade at least partially through a passageway defined through the pivot from the exterior side of the first shaft and coupling a knife actuation mechanism to the first shaft from the exterior side of the first shaft. The knife actuation mechanism is configured to move the knife blade through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 10603102
    Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Keir Hart, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Weng-Kai K. Lee, Prakash Manley, Geneva Ladtkow, Arlen J. Reschke, Diana Gunnarson, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Kenneth E. Netzel, Susan Hiebert
  • Publication number: 20190105075
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KENNETH E. NETZEL, CLIFFORD D. OWENS, JAMES R. FAGAN
  • Patent number: 10159507
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jason L. Craig, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Clifford D. Owens, James R. Fagan
  • Publication number: 20180235690
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: WENG-KAI K. LEE, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KELLEY D. GOODMAN, KEIR HART, DUANE E. KERR, GENEVA LADTKOW, KENNETH E. NETZEL, JEFFREY R. TOWNSEND, RAGHAVENDRA L. BHANDARI, PEIXIONG YI
  • Patent number: 9962221
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 9820806
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a switch assembly that includes a supporting member, a flexible membrane circuit having snap dome switch contacts operably fixed thereto, and ergonomically-contoured keytops. The switch assembly provides at least one monopolar activation switch, and a bipolar activation switch. The forceps also include a drive mechanism which causes the jaw members to move relative to one another for manipulating tissue. A monopolar safety switch is incorporated into the switch assembly which cooperates with the drive mechanism to inhibit the monopolar activation switch when the jaw members are in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Scott N. LaCosta, Jason T. Sanders, Grant T. Sims
  • Publication number: 20170143407
    Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: KEIR HART, JEFFREY R. TOWNSEND, WENG-KAI K. LEE, PRAKASH MANLEY, GENEVA LADTKOW, ARLEN J. RESCHKE, DIANA GUNNARSON, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KELLEY D. GOODMAN, KENNETH E. NETZEL, SUSAN HIEBERT
  • Publication number: 20170112525
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KENNETH E. NETZEL, CLIFFORD D. OWENS, JAMES R. FAGAN
  • Patent number: 9566109
    Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Keir Hart, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Weng-Kai K. Lee, Prakash Manley, Geneva Ladtkow, Arlen J. Reschke, Diana Gunnarson, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Kenneth E. Netzel, Susan Hiebert
  • Patent number: D774190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Scott N. LaCosta, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: D818584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Robert M. Sharp, Peixiong Yi