Patents by Inventor James D. Allen

James D. Allen 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: 20200268412
    Abstract: An access device configured for accommodating passage of an instrument with a curved end effector includes a housing assembly and a cannula member extending from the housing. The cannula member includes a length and a plurality of rigid portions alternating with a plurality of flexible portions. The cannula member is configured to maintain a circular cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the outside and to flex to an oblong cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, John A. Hammerland, III
  • Patent number: 10751824
    Abstract: A hardfacing metal composition and method of restoring worn work string tubing by application of a hardfacing metal to the worn regions of the work string tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Postle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Miller, James D. Allen, Steven L. Stefancic
  • Publication number: 20200249270
    Abstract: A hardfacing metal composition and method of restoring worn work string tubing by application of a hardfacing metal to the worn regions of the work string tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Robert F. Miller, James D. Allen, Steven L. Stefancic
  • Publication number: 20200246065
    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: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    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 T. Sanders, Robert M. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20200214729
    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: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E.C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 10702332
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. 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 a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Dylan R. Kingsley, James D. Allen, IV, Sean T. O'Neill, Jeffrey M. Roy
  • Patent number: 10695123
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, an actuator operably coupled to the housing, an actuation assembly, and a sensor module. The actuation assembly extends through the housing and the shaft and includes a distal end operably coupled to the end effector or a component associated therewith, a proximal end operably coupled to the actuator, and a spring. Actuation of the actuator manipulates the end effector or deploys the component relative thereto. The sensor module is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a property of the spring indicative of an amount the spring has been compressed. The sensor module is further configured, based upon the sensed property, to determine a condition of the end effector or the relative position of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James D. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 10682154
    Abstract: An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system includes first and second jaw members each including an outer jaw housing, a tissue-treating plate, and a longitudinally-extending channel therethrough. At least one of the first or second jaw members is pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A cutting mechanism is configured to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The cutting mechanism may include an activation member coupled to a knife and configured to advance the knife transversely between the jaw members, a heat-activated elongated sheet configured to un-roll to advance a cutting edge thereof transversely between the jaw members, or a clutch and spring mechanism configured to deploy a knife longitudinally between the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, David J. Van Tol, Duane E. Kerr, Gary M. Couture, James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10654364
    Abstract: An embodiment is a system including a first wireless charging pad coupled to a wireless charging system and an energy source, the first wireless charging pad being configured to transmit an energy by a magnetic field. The system further includes a second wireless charging pad coupled to a second system, the second wireless charging pad configured to receive at least a portion of the energy from the first wireless charging system for operating the second system. Further embodiments include a least one of an electronic compass configured to provide alignment data of the first and second wireless charging pads, and an interface configured to receive the alignment data and affect an alignment of the first and second wireless charging pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Logvinov, Bo Zhang, James D. Allen
  • Patent number: 10639095
    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 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    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 T. Sanders, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10624662
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a barrel defining an axis and a fixed handle extending from the barrel. The barrel includes at least one elongated indentation and the fixed handle defines a waist. A shaft extends from the barrel along the axis and couple to an end effector at a distal end thereof. A movable handle coupled to the housing is configured to manipulate the end effector. The movable handle includes a proximal leg, a distal tail, an arcuate segment defining a finger-retaining area, and a proximal foot. A deployable member is slidably disposed within the shaft. A trigger coupled to the housing is configured to deploy the deployable member. The trigger defines a saddle portion. The housing, movable handle, and trigger are configured to facilitate operable grasping by a hand of a user in at least first and second different grasping configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Jessica E. C. Olson, Jason G. Weihe
  • Publication number: 20200107880
    Abstract: A method of treating liver tissue includes progressively grasping liver tissue, applying a first energy to the grasped liver tissue during the progressive grasping to permanently close parenchyma of the liver tissue, fully grasping the liver tissue, and applying a second energy to the fully grasped liver tissue to permanently close large vessels of the fully grasped liver tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas E. Drochner, James D. Allen, IV, John A. Hammerland, III, Daniel A. Joseph, Rachael L. Kabala
  • Publication number: 20200107845
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a first handle and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. An end effector is disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft and includes first and second jaw members, the first jaw member including a staple cartridge configured to house a series of staples therein. A second handle is operably coupled to the housing and is selectively moveable relative to the first handle to actuate the first and second jaw members between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue. A first switch is activatable to supply energy to one of the jaw members. A stapler mode switch is actuatable between an unactuated position wherein movement of the second handle moves the jaws to the second position and an actuated position wherein movement of the second handle moves the jaws to the second position and drives the staples through tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, James D. Allen, IV, Thomas E. Drochner, John A. Hammerland, III, Daniel A. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20200107876
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a first handle depending therefrom and an elongated shaft. An end effector is included having first and second jaw members each having an electrically conductive plate disposed thereon. The first jaw member includes one or more electrodes disposed at a distal end thereof. A second handle operably couples to the housing and is moveable relative to actuate the jaw members to grasp tissue disposed therebetween. A first switch is activatable to supply electrical energy to the electrically conductive plates to pre-coagulate tissue. A second switch is electrically coupled to the electrode and activatable to provide electrical energy to the one or more one electrodes. A third switch is configured to supply electrical energy to tissue disposed between the electrically conductive plates. An irrigation actuator is operable to selectively supply electrically conductive fluid to the first and second jaw members proximate the electrode(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, Thomas E. Drochner, Rachael Kabala, John A. Hammerland, III, Daniel A. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20200100834
    Abstract: A tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue clip configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue harpoon configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an active electrode device and a return electrode attachment configured to releasably engage the active electrode device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS E. DROCHNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PRAKASH MANLEY, TONY MOUA, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20200100835
    Abstract: A tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue guard configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return specimen bag configured to connect to the return electrode port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS E. DROCHNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PRAKASH MANLEY, TONY MOUA, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20200093535
    Abstract: An electrosurgical smoke evacuation pencil includes a handle housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the handle housing defining a first lumen therethrough. The electrosurgical pencil also includes a nozzle disposed within the first lumen and defining a second lumen, the nozzle being movable relative to and within the handle housing and extending proximally past the proximal end portion of the handle housing. The electrosurgical pencil may further include a swivel connector coupled to the distal end portion of the handle housing, the swivel connector configured to couple to a suction source. The electrosurgical pencil includes a hub assembly securedly disposed within the second lumen, the hub assembly including a conductive tube configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, and an electrode slidably disposed within the conductive tube, the electrode being movable relative to and within the conductive tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: PRAKASH MANLEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, TYLER J. BAGROSKY, CONOR N. BYRNE, JASON T. SANDERS, CHELSEA E. WALBRIDGE, CHANDLER E. LACY
  • Patent number: 10595928
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing supporting first and second actuators thereon, and an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing. First and second drive members extend through the elongated shaft to operatively couple respective actuators to respective jaw members such that independent manipulation of one of the actuators may induce pivotal movement of an individual jaw member. A locking member is operatively associated with the first and second drive members, and is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions. When the locking member is in the locked position, the first and second drive members are coupled to one another and move concurrently to drive the jaw members in a bilateral manner. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, the drive members are decoupled from one another and move independently to permit operation of the instrument in a unilateral manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: James D. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 10588651
    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: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    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: 10588686
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to facilitate access to interior components thereof for cleaning and refurbishment purposes includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft assembly and an end effector. The housing assembly includes an actuator, and the elongated shaft assembly includes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator. The elongated shaft assembly also includes outer cover including first and second cover members and a hinge coupling the first and second cover members to one another such that the outer cover may be selectively moved between a closed configuration wherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer cover and an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposed. The end effector is supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and is operatively associated with the interior control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp, Kristel L. Ambrosius, Glenn A. Horner, Daniel A. Joseph, Peter M. Mueller, Duane E. Kerr, Ryan C. Artale