Patents by Inventor David Nichols Heard
David Nichols Heard 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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Patent number: 7959633Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Joe Don Sartor, Arlen James Reschke, David Nichols Heard, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Steven Paul Buysse, Mark Huseman
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Patent number: 7156844Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Arlan James Reschke, Steven Paul Buysse, David Nichols Heard, Joe Don Sartor, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky
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Patent number: 7156842Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Joe Don Sartor, Arlen James Reschke, David Nichols Heard, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Steven Paul Buysse, Mark Huseman
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Publication number: 20030018332Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to an electrosurgical generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Dale Francis Schmaltz, Robert Luzzi, David Nichols Heard, Steven Paul Buysee, Kate Ryland Lawes, Daniel Lee Trimberger, Mathew Erle Mitchell, Jenifer Serafin Kennedy
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Patent number: 6464704Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to an electrosurgical generator.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Dale Francis Schmaltz, Robert Luzzi, David Nichols Heard, Steven Paul Buysee, Kate Ryland Lawes, Daniel Lee Trimberger, II, Mathew Erle Mitchell, Jenifer Serafin Kennedy
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Patent number: 6402747Abstract: A replaceable accessory cord and handswitch set adapted for use with an electrosurgical instrument that has a proximal end handle for holding by the surgeon and distal end effectors for delivery of electrosurgery to a patient. A replaceable accessory cord is adapted to electrically couple an electrosurgical generator to the instrument with two or more conductors. A handswitch with normally open contacts is near the proximal end. One of the contacts attaches to an active conductor and another of the conductors connected to the other contact. A receptacle on the handswitch connects electrically to the contact. An insulated support on the handswitch engages the instrument preventing relative movement. A button on the support is accessible to the surgeon, but remote from the receptacle land the terminal. The button is electrically isolated from the contacts, the receptacle, the terminal and the conductors.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Russell Wayne Lindemann, David Nichols Heard
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Patent number: 6325795Abstract: A replaceable accessory cord and hand switch set for an electrosurgical instrument wherein the accessory cord electrically couples an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical instrument. The hand switch is electrically coupled with the accessory cord. A button on the hand switch activates the flow of electrosurgical current in the instrument. An insulated mechanical connector on the hand switch conforms and adheres to the electrosurgical instrument, mounting the hand switch thereon, and preventing longitudinal, lateral, and circumferential movement therebetween. The hand switch is positioned on the electrosurgical instrument for easy access and control by the surgeon's finger.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Russell Wayne Lindemann, David Nichols Heard
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Publication number: 20010037110Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to an electrosurgical generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: Dale Francis Schmaltz, Robert Luzzi, David Nichols Heard, Steven Paul Buysee, Kate Ryland Lawes, Daniel Lee Trimberger, Mathew Erle Mitchell, Jenifer Serafin Kennedy
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Patent number: 6050996Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to electrosurgical generator.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Dale Francis Schmaltz, Robert Luzzi, David Nichols Heard, Steven Paul Buysee, Kate Ryland Lawes, Daniel Lee Trimberger, II, Mathew Erle Mitchell, Jenifer Serafin Kennedy
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Patent number: 5658281Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors has an improved coagulation capability. Both poles of electrosurgical energy are exposed on the exterior surfaces of each shearing member so that the scissors can be used to coagulate tissue using only one shearing member. There may be two or more electrically conductive regions on the exterior surface of each shearing member. The conductive regions may be formed by laminating, depositing, or inlaying electrically conductive material on the exterior surfaces. The conductive regions are electrically insulated from each other. In one embodiment, the shearing surfaces are also electrically conductive and are each connected to the same electrical pole. In another embodiment, the conductive material that forms one of the conductive regions on each exterior surface also extends through the shearing member to also form a conductive shearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Valleylab IncInventor: David Nichols Heard
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Patent number: D521641Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Arlan James Reschke, Steven Paul Buysse, David Nichols Heard, Joe Den Sartor, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky
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Patent number: D535396Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Arlan James Reschke, Steven Paul Buysse, David Nichols Heard, Joe Don Sartor, Dale Francis Schmaltz, Ronald J. Podhajsky