Patents by Inventor Craig Keller
Craig Keller 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).
-
Publication number: 20190389435Abstract: A device and method for dispensing air and/or sealant to a tire of a vehicle. Power supply for the air compressor is obtained via powered USB instead of the typical 12 V cigarette lighter connector. The position of the tire which is being inflated can also be determined via the data interface of the USB port. By communication between compressor and the vehicle systems interface, the compressor can automatically switch off when the recommended tire pressure has been reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Martin Patrick Spindler, William Craig Keller
-
Publication number: 20190269206Abstract: A locking slide clip includes a C-shaped body and a door. The C-shaped body defines an opening in communication with a slot. The door is pivotably engaged with the C-shaped body opposite the slot and includes a protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Scott David Kolasa, Steven Craig Keller, Michael Wesley Havran, Eric William Millward
-
Patent number: 10342601Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members cooperate to define a tissue grasping area. One or both of the jaw members includes an inner electrode. One or both of the jaw members includes first and second outer electrodes disposed on either side of the inner electrode. The inner and outer electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue. The inner and outer electrodes define different configurations such that, upon conduction of energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area, tissue disposed adjacent the outer electrodes is boiled before boiling of tissue disposed adjacent the inner electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Craig A. Keller, Guillaume Lessard, Richard M. Ferrell
-
Patent number: 10278768Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members define opposed tissue-contacting surfaces that cooperate to define a tissue grasping area within which tissue is grasped when the jaw members are moved to the approximated position. At least one of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and at least one of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue. The interior electrodes are disposed interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area, while the exterior electrodes are disposed exteriorly. As a result, upon conduction of energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes is boiled before boiling of tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Craig A. Keller, Guillaume Lessard, Richard M. Ferrell
-
Publication number: 20190076182Abstract: A method of sealing tissue includes providing an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and one or both of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes disposed on either side of the interior electrode. The method further includes grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members and conducting energy between the interior and exterior electrodes to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. During tissue sealing, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes boils faster than tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: CRAIG A. KELLER, GUILLAUME LESSARD, RICHARD M. FERRELL
-
Patent number: 10154872Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Craig A. Keller, Robert B. Smith
-
Patent number: 10123835Abstract: A method of sealing tissue includes providing an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and one or both of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes disposed on either side of the interior electrode. The method further includes grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members and conducting energy between the interior and exterior electrodes to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. During tissue sealing, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes boils faster than tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Craig A. Keller, Guillaume Lessard, Richard M. Ferrell
-
Publication number: 20180296272Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., CRAIG A. KELLER, DUANE E. KERR
-
Publication number: 20180250067Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members include tissue-contacting surfaces that define a tissue grasping area. One of the jaw members includes an electrically-insulating body, an interior electrode, and an exterior electrode. The interior electrode is positioned interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. A portion of the interior electrode forms part of the tissue-contacting surface. The exterior electrode is positioned exteriorly of the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. At least one portion of the exterior electrode: extends along the outer back surface of the body, is disposed within the body, and is positioned adjacent the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: CRAIG A. KELLER, GUILLAUME LESSARD, RICHARD M. FERRELL
-
Patent number: 10058377Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members include tissue-contacting surfaces that define a tissue grasping area. One of the jaw members includes an electrically-insulating body, an interior electrode, and an exterior electrode. The interior electrode is positioned interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. A portion of the interior electrode forms part of the tissue-contacting surface. The exterior electrode is positioned exteriorly of the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. At least one portion of the exterior electrode: extends along the outer back surface of the body, is disposed within the body, and is positioned adjacent the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Craig A. Keller, Guillaume Lessard, Richard M. Ferrell
-
Publication number: 20180193096Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., CRAIG A. KELLER, DUANE E. KERR
-
Patent number: 9925008Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Craig A. Keller, Duane E. Kerr
-
Publication number: 20170281257Abstract: A medical device includes an energy-generating unit configured to produce energy for conduction through tissue to treat tissue. Waste heat produced by the energy-generating unit during energy production is conducted to tissue to facilitate treating tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventor: CRAIG A. KELLER
-
Patent number: 9724157Abstract: A system for monitoring the target tissue during a tissue sealing procedure is disclosed. The system includes a forceps having opposing jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp the tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a sealing member. The system also includes a generator coupled to the sealing members so that therapeutic energy is delivered to the target tissue. The generator includes an output stage configured to generate therapeutic energy and a microwave detector configured to measure reflected and/or absorbed microwave signals. The monitored microwave signals may be either the therapeutic energy signal or a separate non-therapeutic microwave monitoring signal. The generator also includes a controller operatively coupled to the microwave detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Craig A. Keller
-
Publication number: 20170181797Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., CRAIG A. KELLER, DUANE E. KERR
-
Patent number: 9687290Abstract: A medical device includes an energy-generating unit configured to produce energy for conduction through tissue to treat tissue. Waste heat produced by the energy-generating unit during energy production is conducted to tissue to facilitate treating tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Craig A. Keller
-
Patent number: 9610121Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Craig A. Keller, Duane E. Kerr
-
Publication number: 20170065328Abstract: Controlling a level of electrosurgical energy provided to tissue based on detected arcing patterns or impedance changes. The drag force imposed on an electrode or blade of an electrosurgical instrument may be controlled by adjusting the level of electrosurgical energy based on the arcing patterns or impedance changes. The arcing patterns or impedance changes may be detected by sensing and analyzing voltage and/or current waveforms of the electrosurgical energy. The current and/or voltage waveform analysis may involve calculating impedance based on the voltage and current waveforms and calculating changes in impedance over time. The waveform analysis may involve detecting harmonic distortion using FFTs, DFTs, Goertzel filters, polyphase demodulation techniques, and/or bandpass filters. The waveform analysis may involve determining a normalized difference or the average phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: ROBERT H. WHAM, JAMES A. GILBERT, CRAIG A. KELLER, BRIAN L. ROBERTS
-
Publication number: 20160338756Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: CRAIG A. KELLER, ROBERT B. SMITH
-
Patent number: 9498275Abstract: Controlling a level of electrosurgical energy provided to tissue based on detected arcing patterns or impedance changes. The drag force imposed on an electrode or blade of an electrosurgical instrument may be controlled by adjusting the level of electrosurgical energy based on the arcing patterns or impedance changes. The arcing patterns or impedance changes may be detected by sensing and analyzing voltage and/or current waveforms of the electrosurgical energy The current and/or voltage waveform analysis may involve calculating impedance based on the voltage and current waveforms and calculating changes in impedance over time. The waveform analysis may involve detecting harmonic distortion using FFTs, DFTs, Goertzel filters, polyphase demodulation techniques, and/or bandpass filters. The waveform analysis may involve determining a normalized difference or the average phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Robert H. Wham, James A. Gilbert, Craig A. Keller, Brian L. Roberts