Patents by Inventor Duane E. Kerr

Duane E. Kerr 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: 20250143778
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The end effector is movable between open and closed configurations. The elongated shaft includes a distal portion that is movable between aligned and articulated configurations. The surgical instrument further includes a driving assembly that induces motion in the end effector between open and closed configuration and maintains a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between aligned and articulated configurations of the elongated shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 12279814
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignees: Covidien LP, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Nathaniel M. Fried, Thomas C. Hutchens, Thomas W. Meiser, Luke A. Hardy
  • Patent number: 12251155
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes jaw members having a cutting element extending therebetween and a generator configured to: provide minimal power to the cutting element to maintain a pre-dissection temperature thereof; sense a change in resistance of the cutting element and ramp up power to a dissection temperature; regulate the temperature of the cutting element by regulating power; and terminate power to the cutting element to allow the cutting element to cool to the pre-dissection temperature before providing power back to the cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, William D. Faulkner, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 12239337
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20250009412
    Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, James D. Allen, IV, Jeffrey R. Unger, Duane E. Kerr, Sean T. O'Neill, Peter M. Mueller, Kim V. Brandt, James S. Cunningham, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Jason Sanders, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 12167886
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The end effector is movable between open and closed configurations. The elongated shaft includes a distal portion that is movable between aligned and articulated configurations. The surgical instrument further includes a driving assembly that induces motion in the end effector between open and closed configuration and maintains a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between aligned and articulated configurations of the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 12114913
    Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, James D. Allen, IV, Jeffrey R. Unger, Duane E. Kerr, Sean T. O'Neill, Peter M. Mueller, Kim V. Brandt, James S. Cunningham, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Jason Sanders, Robert M. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20240252233
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, Jeffrey M. Roy, Duane E. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20240180608
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a motion sensor, and a computing device. The surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector assembly distally-spaced from the housing, and a movable component movable relative to the housing. The motion sensor is disposed on or within the housing and configured to sense a vibration signature associated with movement of the movable component relative to the housing. The computing device communicates with the motion sensor, is configured to receive the vibration signature therefrom, and is configured to determine a condition of the movable component based on the vibration signature. A method of monitoring a surgical instrument includes sensing a vibration signature generated from movement of a movable component of a surgical instrument relative to a housing of the surgical instrument, and determining, based on the sensed vibration signature, a condition of the movable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Christopher K. Gibbs, Michelle P. Romero, Michael A. Mercer, Brett C. Walker, Lucas M. Lastoczy, Cameron P. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 11957402
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, Jeffrey M. Roy, Duane E. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20240041523
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: William H. Nau, JR., Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Nathaniel M. Fried, Thomas C. Hutchens, Thomas W. Meiser, Luke A. Hardy
  • Patent number: 11826090
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 11819270
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Craig A. Keller, Duane E. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20230346410
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Patent number: 11730504
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20230200886
    Abstract: A surgical forceps including a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position is disclosed. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp, William H. Nau, JR.
  • Patent number: 11622782
    Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Jeffrey R. Townsend, Jeffrey R. Unger, David M. Garrison, Dylan R. Kingsley
  • Patent number: 11596465
    Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp, William H. Nau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11596476
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Covidien LP, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CARLOINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Nathaniel M. Fried, Thomas C. Hutchens, Thomas W. Meiser, Luke A. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20230057732
    Abstract: A forceps includes a drive assembly and an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The drive assembly includes a drive housing and a drive bar. The proximal end of the drive bar is coupled to the drive housing, while the distal end of the drive bar is coupled to at least one of the jaw members. The drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in conjunction with one another between a first position and a second position to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. The drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar independent of the drive housing from the second position to a third position to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: William H. Nau, JR., Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV