Patents by Inventor Eric R. Larson

Eric R. Larson 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: 20150165240
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20150150584
    Abstract: A method of cutting tissue includes providing a surgical instrument including an end-effector assembly including first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to a third jaw member disposed therebetween to at least one second position closer to the third jaw member wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically-conductive sealing plate. A cutting member is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the third jaw member. The method also includes positioning the first, second and third jaw members about tissue, applying energy to the electrically-conductive sealing plates so that energy passes between the electrically-conductive sealing plates and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, and activating the cutting member to cut through tissue overlying the upper surface of the third jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: DAVID J. VAN TOL, ANTHONY B. ROSS, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20150150573
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes movable first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: DAVID J. VAN TOL, ANTHONY B. ROSS, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20150150581
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The surgical device also includes a knife operatively coupled to the elongated shaft. A channel defined along a length of an upper surface of the third jaw member is configured to slideably receive a portion of the knife therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: DAVID J. VAN TOL, ANTHONY B. ROSS, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20150133932
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members one of which being movable from an open configuration for positioning tissue therebetween, to a clamping configuration for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade that is translatable within the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping configuration. The knife blade assembly includes a medial portion defining an opening therethrough having proximal and distal ends. A knife blade stop in operative communication with the knife blade assembly includes a pair of leading and trailing stops thereon that are configured to contact respective distal and proximal ends of the opening to limit translation of the knife blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: ERIC R. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20150133980
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: ANTHONY B. ROSS, ROBERT B. STODDARD, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, ERIC R. LARSON, DUANE E. KERR, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ARLEN K. WARD
  • Patent number: 9028515
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. A selectively removable laminate liner is positionable over the tissue contacting surface of the jaw member and configured to prevent contact between the tissue contacting surface and the cutting blade when the cutting blade is treating tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Publication number: 20150073458
    Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes ultrasonically treating tissue by oscillating a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument in contact with tissue and activating a fluid control system to pump cooling fluid through a blade conduit of the blade to cool the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, Eric R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20150073457
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Patent number: 8974478
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 8974479
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 8968313
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members one of which being movable from an open configuration for positioning tissue therebetween, to a clamping configuration for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade that is translatable within the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping configuration. The knife blade assembly includes a medial portion defining an opening therethrough having proximal and distal ends. A knife blade stop in operative communication with the knife blade assembly includes a pair of leading and trailing stops thereon that are configured to contact respective distal and proximal ends of the opening to limit translation of the knife blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Eric R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20140288557
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: ERIC R. LARSON, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, JOHN J. KAPPUS
  • Publication number: 20140222052
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, JOHN J. KAPPUS, DUANE E. KERR, ERIC R. LARSON, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ANTHONY B. ROSS
  • Patent number: 8747434
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Eric R. Larson, Russell D. Hempstead, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20140031860
    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: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: 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: 20140017118
    Abstract: A battery autoclaving system is provided including a battery pack having a housing, a battery cell disposed within the housing, and an isolation region disposed between the housing and the battery cell. The isolation region may be formed at least partially from at least one of a thermal insulating material, a phase change material or any combination thereof. The system may include a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of a temperature of the battery cell temperature of the isolation region. The system may include and an autoclave configured to receive a temperature indication from the temperature sensor and to inhibit autoclaving when the temperature indication exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempsetad, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20140012297
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing, The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, JR., William H. Nau, JR., Arlen K. Ward
  • Publication number: 20140012298
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. The jaw member includes a tissue contacting surface having at least one laminate liner disposed thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jams S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russel D. Hempstead, John J. Kappus, Duane E. Kerr, Eric R. Larson, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20140012299
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. At least one sensor is configured to sense at least one operational parameter of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. At least one controller in operable communication with the at least one sensor is configured to terminate delivery of ultrasonic energy to the cutting blade when the at least one sensor senses the at least one operational parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempsetad, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus