Patents by Inventor Curt D. Hammill

Curt D. Hammill 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: 9554841
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end and movable about a pivot from a first position and disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one jaw member conducts electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot and includes a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop the proximal ends of the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Charles Schryver
  • Publication number: 20140221995
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end and movable about a pivot from a first position and disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one jaw member conducts electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot and includes a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop the proximal ends of the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: PAUL GUERRA, CURT D. HAMMILL, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, CHARLES SCHRYVER
  • Patent number: 8696667
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end and movable about a pivot from a first position and disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one jaw member conducts electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot and includes a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop the proximal ends of the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Charles Schryver
  • Patent number: 8679114
    Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Troy J. Chapman, Curt D. Hammill, Chelsea Shields, David A. Schechter, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 8382754
    Abstract: Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed. The forceps includes a shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes 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 tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a sealing plate that communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. One or more of the sealing plates includes one or more springs, the sealing plate is configured to slowly flex to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of tissue type and tissue thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Darren Odom, Curt D. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20120303021
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end and movable about a pivot from a first position and disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one jaw member conducts electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot and includes a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop the proximal ends of the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Charles Schryver
  • Patent number: 8241283
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end and movable about a pivot from a first position and disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one jaw member conducts electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot, and includes a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop the proximal ends of the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Charles Schryver
  • Patent number: 8235992
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that is movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible boot includes one or more mechanically reinforcing elements operatively coupled thereto that is configured enhance the rigidity of the insulating boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Dylan Hushka, Jeffrey R. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20100204698
    Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Troy J. Chapman, Curt D. Hammill, Chelsea Shields, David A. Schechter, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 7708735
    Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Troy J. Chapman, Curt D. Hammill, Chelsea Shields, David A. Schechter, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Publication number: 20090131934
    Abstract: Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed. The forceps includes a shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes 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 tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a sealing plate that communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. One or more of the sealing plates includes one or more biasing members, the sealing plate is configured to slowly flex to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of tissue type and tissue thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Darren Odom, Curt D. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20090088740
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that is movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible boot includes one or more mechanically reinforcing elements operatively coupled thereto that is configured enhance the rigidity of the insulating boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Dylan Hushka, Jeffrey R. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20090088748
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible boot includes a woven mesh-like base material that is covered with a layer of flexible silicone configured to reduce stray currents emanating from the jaw members and the pivot during electrical activation of the forceps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Dylan Hushka
  • Publication number: 20090088738
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members includes at least one mechanical interface and at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot, the flexible boot including a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Guerra, Curt D. Hammill, James S. Cunningham, Charles Schryver
  • Patent number: 7491202
    Abstract: An Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed which includes at least one shaft member having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are 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 tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the sealing plates includes one or more adjustable stop members coupled to one or more controllers. The adjustable stop member(s) are adapted for separating the sealing plates by a predetermined gap distance and the controller(s) adapted for adjusting the adjustable stop member(s) to close the sealing plates at a predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Darren Odom, Curt D. Hammill