Patents by Inventor David W. Hixson
David W. Hixson 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: 8734443Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps include a drive assembly that moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position to a second position for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot. A knife assembly is also included having a movable knife rod to operatively engage a knife blade, the knife rod having a first longitudinal section having a first predetermined shape, and a second longitudinal section having a second predetermined shape. The first predetermined shape is different than the second predetermined shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: David W. Hixson, Jeremy James, Jeffrey R. Unger, Chelsea Shields
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Patent number: 8241282Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis. A cutting assembly is included having at least one blade element disposed within one of the jaw members. The blade element is selectively moveable from a first recessed position within the jaw member to a second extended position for cutting tissue. The cutting assembly also includes a remote actuator which reciprocates a camming element to move the blade element between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, David W. Hixson, Robert M. Sharp, James D. Allen, IV, Jessica E. Olson
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Patent number: 7877852Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface. The method also includes the steps of: coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of one or both jaw members with an insulative material, the coating having a thickness within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; allowing the insulative material to cure onto the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; removing a portion of the insulative material from the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface to form a series of stop members arranged thereacross; and assembling the pair of first and second jaw members about a pivot such that the two inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surfaces are substantially opposed to each other in pivotal relation relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Robert M. Sharp, David W. Hixson, Chelsea Shields, Darion Peterson, Jeremy James, David M. Garrison, Michael R. Warzecha, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr
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Patent number: 7877853Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates; allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and allowing the insulative material to cure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Robert M. Sharp, David W. Hixson, Chelsea Shields, Darion Peterson, Jeremy James, David M. Garrison, Michael R. Warzecha, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr
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Publication number: 20090082766Abstract: A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes at least one shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second opposing jaw members movable relative to one another 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. At least the first jaw member includes proximal and distal ends which define a cavity along a length thereof which houses an insulative member therein. The insulative member includes an electrically conductive sealing surface mounted thereto which resides in substantial opposition with a second electrically conductive sealing surface disposed on the second jaw member. One end of the first jaw member which defines the cavity extends a fixed distance toward the second jaw member to form a gap between electrically conductive surfaces when the jaw members are closed to grasp tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Robert M. Sharp, David W. Hixson, Chelsea Shields, Darion Peterson, Jeremy James, David M. Garrison, Michael R. Warzecha, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr
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Publication number: 20090082769Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates; allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and allowing the insulative material to cure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Robert M. Sharp, David W. Hixson, Chelsea Shields, Darion Peterson, Jeremy James, David M. Garrison, Michael R. Warzecha, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr
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Publication number: 20090082767Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface. The method also includes the steps of: coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of one or both jaw members with an insulative material, the coating having a thickness within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; allowing the insulative material to cure onto the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; removing a portion of the insulative material from the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface to form a series of stop members arranged thereacross; and assembling the pair of first and second jaw members about a pivot such that the two inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surfaces are substantially opposed to each other in pivotal relation relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Robert M. Sharp, David W. Hixson, Chelsea Shields, Darion Peterson, Jeremy James, David M. Garrison, Michael R. Warzecha, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr
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Publication number: 20090012520Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps include a drive assembly that moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position to a second position for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot. A knife assembly is also included having a movable knife rod to operatively engage a knife blade, the knife rod having a first longitudinal section having a first predetermined shape, and a second longitudinal section having a second predetermined shape. The first predetermined shape is different than the second predetermined shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: David W. Hixson, Jeremy James, Jeffrey R. Unger, Chelsea Shields
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Publication number: 20080319442Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis. A cutting assembly is included having at least one blade element disposed within one of the jaw members. The blade element is selectively moveable from a first recessed position within the jaw member to a second extended position for cutting tissue. The cutting assembly also includes a remote actuator which reciprocates a camming element to move the blade element between the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, David W. Hixson, Robert M. Sharp, James D. Allen, IV, Jessica E. Olson