Patents by Inventor Ellen M. Nienhaus

Ellen M. Nienhaus 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: 10702329
    Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a first jaw, a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end. A second jaw of the end effector includes a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end. The end effector also includes an electrically conductive gap setting member which defines a distal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. At least one pivot is fixed to one of the jaws to set a proximal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. A method for making an end effector and a method for assembling an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Strobl, William D. Shaw, Jr., Ellen M. Nienhaus, Barry C. Worrell
  • Patent number: 10646269
    Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a first jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end; and a second jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, wherein the first energy delivery surface comprises a first curved portion that is outwardly curved, and the second energy delivery surface comprises a second curved portion that is inwardly curved. The first jaw or the second jaw is configured for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first and second distal ends are separated apart. In the closed position, the first and second distal ends are in proximity. The end effector also comprises an electrically conductive member which protrudes from either the first or second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Ellen M. Nienhaus, Gregory D. Bishop
  • Patent number: 10485607
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an end effector having first and second jaws defining an electrically conductive gap setting member configured to maintain a gap between energy delivery surfaces of the first and second jaws. The first jaw comprises a first energy delivery surface, a first body, a first distal end, a first proximal end, and a first electrically conductive member protruding from the first body at the first distal end. The second jaw comprises a second energy delivery surface further comprising an aperture, a second body, a second distal end, a second proximal end, and a second electrically conductive member protruding from the second body at the second distal end. The second jaw further comprises an electrically insulative member extending through the aperture. At least one electrically conductive gap setting member is configured to maintain a gap between energy delivery surfaces of the first and second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Strobl, Randolph C. Stewart, Ellen M. Nienhaus
  • Publication number: 20170312015
    Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a first jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end; and a second jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, wherein the first energy delivery surface comprises a first curved portion that is outwardly curved, and the second energy delivery surface comprises a second curved portion that is inwardly curved. The first jaw or the second jaw is configured for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first and second distal ends are separated apart. In the closed position, the first and second distal ends are in proximity. The end effector also comprises an electrically conductive member which protrudes from either the first or second jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Ellen M. Nienhaus, Gregory D. Bishop
  • Publication number: 20170312016
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an end effector having first and second jaws defining an electrically conductive gap setting member configured to maintain a gap between energy delivery surfaces of the first and second jaws. The first jaw comprises a first energy delivery surface, a first body, a first distal end, a first proximal end, and a first electrically conductive member protruding from the first body at the first distal end. The second jaw comprises a second energy delivery surface further comprising an aperture, a second body, a second distal end, a second proximal end, and a second electrically conductive member protruding from the second body at the second distal end. The second jaw further comprises an electrically insulative member extending through the aperture. At least one electrically conductive gap setting member is configured to maintain a gap between energy delivery surfaces of the first and second jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Strobl, Randolph C. Stewart, Ellen M. Nienhaus
  • Publication number: 20170312014
    Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a first jaw, a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end. A second jaw of the end effector includes a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end. The end effector also includes an electrically conductive gap setting member which defines a distal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. At least one pivot is fixed to one of the jaws to set a proximal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. A method for making an end effector and a method for assembling an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Strobl, William D. Shaw, JR., Ellen M. Nienhaus, Barry C. Worrell