Patents by Inventor Grant T. Sims

Grant T. Sims 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: 10478245
    Abstract: An energizable surgical attachment is configured for positioning about a shaft of a surgical instrument. The energizable surgical attachment includes an outer sheath defining a lumen extending longitudinally through the outer sheath, an energizable rod member coupled to the outer sheath, a connector attachment electrically coupled to the energizable rod member, and at least one o-ring disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath. At least a portion of the energizable rod member extends distally from the distal end of the outer sheath. The o-ring(s) are configured to establish a fluid-tight seal between the outer sheath and the shaft of the surgical instrument and to bias the outer sheath towards a stationary position relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Townsend, Grant T. Sims
  • Publication number: 20190274753
    Abstract: A connection mechanism and manufacturing method for a surgical instrument includes an inner shaft member that extends at least partially through an elongated shaft member of the instrument and defines proximal and distal ends and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated shaft member and includes at least one aperture that extends partially along the longitudinal direction and disposed distally from the proximal end. The inner shaft member enables a drive collar member to slide on the inner shaft member and reciprocate along the longitudinal direction. A drive collar stop member slides on the inner shaft member and moves along the longitudinal direction. The drive collar stop member then moves in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis to engage the aperture and limit further longitudinal motion of the drive collar member. An inner shaft stop member limits movement of the inner shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Michael B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10405874
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. A movable handle is coupled to the housing and is configured to approximate a pair of jaw members toward and away from one another. A latch mechanism operably couples to the movable handle and includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to selectively engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the housing to lock and unlock the jaw members in an approximated configuration. When the movable handle is in a jammed position, the mechanical interface(s) of the latch mechanism is/are configured to deform and separate from the corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the housing when the movable handle is moved from the jammed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Jessica E. C. Olson, Grant T. Sims, Loren Toth, Monte S. Fry, Michael B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10299852
    Abstract: A connection mechanism and manufacturing method for a surgical instrument includes an inner shaft member that extends at least partially through an elongated shaft member of the instrument and defines proximal and distal ends and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated shaft member and includes at least one aperture that extends partially along the longitudinal direction and disposed distally from the proximal end. The inner shaft member enables a drive collar member to slide on the inner shaft member and reciprocate along the longitudinal direction. A drive collar stop member slides on the inner shaft member and moves along the longitudinal direction. The drive collar stop member then moves in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis to engage the aperture and limit further longitudinal motion of the drive collar member. An inner shaft stop member limits movement of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Michael B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10245100
    Abstract: A connection mechanism and manufacturing method for a surgical instrument includes an inner shaft member that extends at least partially through an elongated shaft member of the instrument and defines proximal and distal ends and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated shaft member and includes at least one aperture that extends partially along the longitudinal direction and disposed distally from the proximal end. The inner shaft member enables a drive collar member to slide on the inner shaft member and reciprocate along the longitudinal direction. A drive collar stop member slides on the inner shaft member and moves along the longitudinal direction. The drive collar stop member then moves in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis to engage the aperture and limit further longitudinal motion of the drive collar member. An inner shaft stop member limits movement of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Michael B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10231772
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing including an elongated shaft. A stationary actuation member is axially disposed within the elongated shaft and includes a cam pin. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the elongated shaft and is moveable relative to the housing to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft. An end effector includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled about a common pivot. One or both of the jaw members includes a camming slot configured to engage the cam pin. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A knife blade is supported in the elongated shaft and moveable in a longitudinal direction to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. A wire retention unit is supported within the housing and includes a plurality of wire clasps and a plurality of guide ribs configured to define at least one wire path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Terry M. Duffin, John R. Twomey, Jessica E. C. Olson, Grant T. Sims, Kenneth E. Netzel, Monte S. Fry, Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 9987078
    Abstract: A forceps includes a pair of shaft members, a pair of jaw members each including a distal body and a proximal flange, and a pair of electrode plates. The proximal flanges are engaged with the respective shaft members and pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the shaft members pivots the distal jaw bodies. The electrode plates each includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal body of the respective jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending at least partially through the proximal flange of the respective jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other. Likewise, the tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Reid T. Thomson, Grant T. Sims, Jeffrey R. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20180103973
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E. C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9861378
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E. C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9820806
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a switch assembly that includes a supporting member, a flexible membrane circuit having snap dome switch contacts operably fixed thereto, and ergonomically-contoured keytops. The switch assembly provides at least one monopolar activation switch, and a bipolar activation switch. The forceps also include a drive mechanism which causes the jaw members to move relative to one another for manipulating tissue. A monopolar safety switch is incorporated into the switch assembly which cooperates with the drive mechanism to inhibit the monopolar activation switch when the jaw members are in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Scott N. LaCosta, Jason T. Sanders, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9820765
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E. C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9668807
    Abstract: A connection mechanism and manufacturing method for a surgical instrument includes an inner shaft member that extends at least partially through an elongated shaft member of the instrument and defines proximal and distal ends and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated shaft member and includes at least one aperture that extends partially along the longitudinal direction and disposed distally from the proximal end. The inner shaft member enables a drive collar member to slide on the inner shaft member and reciprocate along the longitudinal direction. A drive collar stop member slides on the inner shaft member and moves along the longitudinal direction. The drive collar stop member then moves in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis to engage the aperture and limit further longitudinal motion of the drive collar member. An inner shaft stop member limits movement of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Michael B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9592089
    Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes inserting a knife into a knife guide and positioning the knife and the knife guide within an inner shaft. The method also includes moving a drive collar stop along a longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft, engaging a pair of opposing projections of the drive collar stop within a corresponding first pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft, and moving a drive collar along the inner shaft. The method also includes moving a spring along the inner shaft, compressing the spring, moving an inner shaft stop transverse to the longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft, and engaging a pair of opposing projections of the inner shaft stop within a corresponding second pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft proximal to the first pair of opposing apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael B. Lyons, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9510896
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. One (or both) of the first and second jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a jaw frame fixedly engaged to the first shaft member and a disposable jaw housing releasably engageable with the jaw frame. The disposable jaw housing includes a knife assembly disposed therein. The knife assembly includes a knife blade biased toward an initial position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within the jaw housing. The knife blade is moveable between the initial position and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends at least partially from the jaw housing to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Chase Collings, Jeffrey R. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20160151082
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E. C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: D750245
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Shu Kuen Chang, Stephan Merkle, Subrat K. Samantray, Grant T. Sims, Sean T. O'Neill
  • Patent number: D799038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Shu Kuen Chang, Stephan Merkle, Subrat K. Samantray, Grant T. Sims, Sean T. O'Neill, Ryan C. Artale, Tony Moua, Robert M. Sharp, Roland J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: RE46962
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the first and second 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 a jaw frame a disposable jaw housing and an elastomeric ring member. The disposable jaw housing is releasably engageable with the jaw frame. The elastomeric ring member is removably positionable about a distal end of the jaw housing. The elastomeric ring member is configured to define a gap distance between the first and second jaw members upon movement of the first and second jaw members to the approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Townsend, Grant T. Sims, Chase Collings
  • Patent number: D854149
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier, Craig V. Krastins, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: D854684
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier, Craig V. Krastins, Duane E. Kerr, Kelley D. Goodman, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, Jr.