Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Butcher

Dennis W. Butcher 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: 8679140
    Abstract: At least on aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surgical clamping device, comprising first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, a gripping member disposed on the first shaft member, and a gear system disposed on the second shaft member and configured to receive the gripping member and incrementally lock the gripping member in at least one predefined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Dennis W. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20130325043
    Abstract: At least on aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surgical clamping device, comprising first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, a gripping member disposed on the first shaft member, and a gear system disposed on the second shaft member and configured to receive the gripping member and incrementally lock the gripping member in at least one predefined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventor: Dennis W. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20130232753
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly is provided. The method includes grasping a gap-setting gauge between first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second position proximate tissue and setting the first and second jaw members such that in the approximated position the jaw members cooperate to define a gap distance between the jaw members equivalent to the thickness of the gap-setting gauge such that when positioning tissue between the jaw members full approximation of the jaws is limited to the gap distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: JOANNA ACKLEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, RYAN C. ARTALE, KIM V. BRANDT, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, GARY M. COUTURE, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, DAVID M. GARRISON, KEIR HART, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, GLENN A. HORNER, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, DUANE E. KERR, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PETER M. MUELLER, JESSICA E.C. OLSON, SEAN T. O'NEILL, JASON T. SANDERS, ROBERT M. SHARP, JOHN R. TWOMEY, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • Publication number: 20130178852
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical pencil with integrated ligasure tweezers. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure the electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing having an open distal end and including an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. At least one of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. At least one switch is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Stephen M. Kendrick, Dennis W. Butcher, Daniel A. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20130085491
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft formed via extrusion. The shaft has one or more lumens extending therethrough. The lumen(s) each define a cross-sectional configuration. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. One or more components are coupled to the end effector assembly. The component(s) extend proximally from the end effector into the lumen(s) of the shaft. One or more of the components is formed via stamping. The component(s) define a cross-sectional configuration substantially complementary to the cross-section configuration of the lumen into which they extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Dennis W. Butcher, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Jessica E.C. Olson, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20130072919
    Abstract: An end effector assembly having first and second jaw members is provided where 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 an inwardly-facing surface having a slot defined therein and a wire having an insulative coating. A seal plate has at least one protrusion that is configured to be disposed in the slot. The at least one protrusion of the seal plate is configured to displace the insulative coating from the wire thereby forming an electrical connection therewith when the at least one protrusion is disposed in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Dennis W. Butcher, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Jessica E.C. Olson, Jason T. Sanders, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20130072927
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Kim V. Brandt, Dennis W. Butcher, Edward M. Chojin, Keir Hart, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Daniel A. Joseph, Duane E. Kerr, Dylan R. Kingsley, Peter M. Mueller, Jessica E. C. Olson, John R. Twomey, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20120083786
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20120083827
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Thomas Meiser, William J. Dickhans, Steven E. Butcher, Dennis W. Butcher