Patents by Inventor Allan J. Evans
Allan J. Evans 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).
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Publication number: 20150133929Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: ALLAN J. EVANS, PETER M. MUELLER, PETER D. GADSBY
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Patent number: 9028495Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans
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Patent number: 9028492Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, Allan J. Evans, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, William H. Nau, Jr., Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman
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Publication number: 20150066076Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: DUANE E. KERR, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, ALLAN J. EVANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, GLENN A. HORNER, MARK J. HUSEMAN, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, ARLEN J. RESCHKE, ROBERT M. SHARP
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Patent number: 8968307Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the first and second jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a longitudinally-extending blade channel defined therein. An electrical cutting insert is releasably engageable within the blade channel of the jaw member such that the jaw member is transitionable between a mechanical cutting mode, wherein the electrical cutting insert is disengaged from the jaw member to permit reciprocation of a knife blade through the blade channel for mechanically cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members, and an electrical cutting mode, wherein the electrical cutting insert is engaged within the blade channel of the jaw member for electrically cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Patent number: 8968317Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Patent number: 8864795Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20140221999Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided. The electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventors: JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN J. EVANS, PETER M. MUELLER, NATHAN WHITE, DAVID A. SCHECHTER, STEPHEN EVANS
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Patent number: 8685056Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame and a replaceable component engageable with the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes one or more engagement members configured to engage a corresponding engagement member(s) disposed on the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The engagement member(s) is transitionable from a new state to a used state, wherein, in the used state, the engagement member(s) is incapable of reengaging the corresponding engagement member(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Publication number: 20130138129Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: David M. Garrison, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans, James D. Allen, IV
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Publication number: 20130085516Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20130046337Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame and a replaceable component engageable with the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes one or more engagement members configured to engage a corresponding engagement member(s) disposed on the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The engagement member(s) is transitionable from a new state to a used state, wherein, in the used state, the engagement member(s) is incapable of reengaging the corresponding engagement member(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Publication number: 20130046295Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, Allan J. Evans, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, William H. Nau, JR., Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman
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Publication number: 20130046303Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the first and second jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a longitudinally-extending blade channel defined therein. An electrical cutting insert is releasably engageable within the blade channel of the jaw member such that the jaw member is transitionable between a mechanical cutting mode, wherein the electrical cutting insert is disengaged from the jaw member to permit reciprocation of a knife blade through the blade channel for mechanically cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members, and an electrical cutting mode, wherein the electrical cutting insert is engaged within the blade channel of the jaw member for electrically cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Publication number: 20130046306Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Publication number: 20110319888Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans
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Patent number: 4976065Abstract: A speed control apparatus for controlling the rate of motion of a door is disclosed which includes a shaft connected with the door by a gear train for causing rotation of the shaft at a preselected relative rate of rotation related to the rate of motion of the door by a preselected ratio, a braking assembly including a brake drum spaced from the shaft and first and second brake shoes pivotably connected at one end thereof with a carrying member attached to the shaft and having a single biasing spring adjustably connected between the other ends thereof, the brake shoes having a contact surface made of a non-asbestos friction material for contacting the brake drum when a selected rate of rotation of the shaft is exceeded, and an improved housing which is more efficiently sealable against invasion of moisture into the housing and the escape of lubricants from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1989Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: BC Research and Development, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Beran, Allan J. Evans
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Patent number: D369417Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignee: Boral Resources (QLD) Pty. LimitedInventor: Allan J. Evans