Patents by Inventor Glenn HORNER

Glenn HORNER 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).

  • Multi-circuit seal plates
    Patent number: 8968308
    Abstract: An end effector assembly adapted to couple to an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members pivotably attached about a pivot member and moveable from a first spaced position to a second grasping position. Each jaw member includes a jaw housing and a seal plate formed on an inner surface of the jaw member including at least two seal plate segments extending along a substantial portion of the length of the jaw members. An insulating member is positioned between adjacent seal plate segments and configured to provide electrical isolation between adjacent seal plate segments. Each sealing plate segment is adapted to selectively connect to an electrosurgical energy source and form part of an electrosurgical energy delivery circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Glenn A. Horner, Christina A. Oliver, Kim V. Brandt
  • High productivity Kolbe reaction process for transformation of fatty acids derived from plant oil and animal fat
    Patent number: 8961775
    Abstract: Oils from plants and animal fats are hydrolyzed to fatty acids for a Kolbe reaction. The invention relates to a high productivity Kolbe reaction process for electrochemically decarboxylating C4-C28 fatty acids using small amounts of acetic acid to lower anodic passivation voltage and synthesizing C6-C54 hydrocarbons. The C6-C54 undergo olefin metathesis and/or hydroisomerization reaction process to synthesize heavy fuel oil, diesel fuel, kerosene fuel, lubricant base oil, and linear alpha olefin products useful as precursors for polymers, detergents, and other fine chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Altranex Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar H. Joshi, Graham Thomas Thornton Gibson, Dzmitry Malevich, Michael Glenn Horner
  • Luminous Systems
    Publication number: 20150041683
    Abstract: A luminous system comprising one or more illumination sources, a multilayer structure, and one or more diffuse reflection layers being optically decoupled from the multilayer structure, wherein the emission and the reflection of the luminous system produce a first observed visible color when the one or more illumination sources are powered and a second observed visible color when the one or more illumination sources are non-powered is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of creating the inventive luminous system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Performance Indicator, LLC
    Inventors: M. Glenn Horner, Edward D. Kingsley, Satish Agrawal, Louis Cincotta
  • External cooling devices and systems for surgical instruments
    Patent number: 8945112
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURE
    Publication number: 20150032097
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: DUANE E. KERR, PETER D. GADSBY, GLENN A. HORNER
  • SEAL PLATE WITH INSULATION DISPLACEMENT CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20150018824
    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 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    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
  • Surgical forceps
    Patent number: 8906018
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. A knife channel having a body and a base is defined within each jaw member. A knife assembly includes a knife having a bifurcated distal end. The bifurcated end includes first and second cutting members each defining an opposed cutting surface and having a tab at a free end thereof for translation through the base of a knife channel. The knife is translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the cutting members are approximated when translated through the channels. The knife is also translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the open position such that the cutting members are flexed apart when translated through the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kathy E. Rooks, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Jeffrey R. Townsend, William H. Nau, Jr., David M. Garrison, Edward M. Chojin
  • Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
    Patent number: 8883455
    Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • HIGH PRODUCTIVITY KOLBE REACTION PROCESS FOR TRANSFORMATION OF FATTY ACIDS DERIVED FROM PLANT OIL AND ANIMAL FAT
    Publication number: 20140323784
    Abstract: Oils from plants and animal fats are hydrolyzed to fatty acids for a Kolbe reaction. The invention relates to a high productivity Kolbe reaction process for electrochemically decarboxylating C4-C28 fatty acids using small amounts of acetic acid to lower anodic passivation voltage and synthesizing C6-C54 hydrocarbons. The C6-C54 undergo olefin metathesis and/or hydroisomerization reaction process to synthesize heavy fuel oil, diesel fuel, kerosene fuel, lubricant base oil, and linear alpha olefin products useful as precursors for polymers, detergents, and other fine chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar H. Joshi, Graham Thomas Thornton Gibson, Dzmitry Malevich, Michael Glenn Horner
  • Surgical forceps
    Patent number: 8864795
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
  • Apparatus, system, and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure
    Patent number: 8858554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Peter D. Gadsby, Glenn A. Horner
  • Seal plate with insulation displacement connection
    Patent number: 8845636
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien 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
  • SURGICAL TISSUE SEALER
    Publication number: 20140284841
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    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, DUANE E. KERR, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PETER M. MUELLER, JESSICA E. C. OLSON, SEAN T. ONEILL, JASON T. SANDERS, ROBERT M. SHARP, JOHN R. TWOMEY, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • METHOD FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A NUCLEIC ACID IN A SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20140248619
    Abstract: An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. AMMANN, Ralph E. BURNS, Ernest V. HANSBERRY (Deceased), Glenn A. HORNER, Cheryl A. JAKUB, John E. KLING, Donald J. NIEGLOS, Robert E. SCHNEIDER, Robert J. SMITH
  • Surgical tissue sealer
    Patent number: 8752264
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien 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
  • SURGICAL FORCEPS FOR SEALING AND DIVIDING TISSUE
    Publication number: 20140155893
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: EDWARD M. CHOJIN, DAVID M. GARRISON, JENNIFER S. HARPER, GLENN A. HORNER, DUANE E. KERR, JESSICA E.C. OLSON, KATHY E. ROOKS, GENEVA LADTKOW
  • VESSEL SEALING INSTRUMENT WITH CUTTING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20140081265
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, VICTOR K. APPEL, GLENN A. HORNER
  • APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING AN ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURE
    Publication number: 20140074092
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: GLENN A. HORNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV
  • Surgical forceps for sealing and dividing tissue
    Patent number: 8647343
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Edward M. Chojin, David M. Garrison, Jennifer S. Harper, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Jessica E. C. Olson, Kathy E. Rooks, Geneva Ladtkow
  • Electrosurgical pencil including improved controls
    Patent number: 8632536
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical devices having a plurality of hand-accessible variable controls. An electrosurgical device configured for connection to a source of electrosurgical energy is provided and includes a housing; an electrical circuit supported within the housing, the electrical circuit being connectable to the source of electrosurgical energy; and a controller slidably supported on the housing, wherein the controller is configured to exert a force on the electrical circuit to affect a change in the electrical circuit and to exert a force on a surface of the housing to provide a tactile feedback to a user of the electrosurgical device as the controller is moved relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane Kerr, Monte Fry, Glenn A. Horner