Patents by Inventor Jason L. Craig

Jason L. Craig 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: 20190223939
    Abstract: A jaw member for a surgical instrument includes a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion. The elongated distal portion includes a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion. A jaw liner is engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion and defines a tissue-contacting surface. The first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the jaw liner and are configured to facilitate gripping tissue between the structural body and an opposed structure. A surgical instrument including such a jaw member is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: KENNETH E. NETZEL, JASON L. CRAIG
  • Patent number: 10278762
    Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly powering an electrosurgical device using a generator to generate a radio frequency (RF) energy field. A switch on the electrosurgical device sends a wireless signal to the generator, where the generator allows a current to pass through an inductive coil to generate the RF energy field. The RF energy field induces a current to flow across an inductive coil within the electrosurgical device. The current flow is then processed through a RF conditioning circuit and outputted to the end effector assembly of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Tony Moua, Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20190105075
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KENNETH E. NETZEL, CLIFFORD D. OWENS, JAMES R. FAGAN
  • Patent number: 10159507
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jason L. Craig, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Clifford D. Owens, James R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 10070915
    Abstract: A hernia repair system includes a surgical mesh, one or more electrosurgical instruments, and one or more return electrodes. The one or more electrosurgical instruments are configured to position the surgical mesh adjacent tissue in an underlying tissue site. The one or more return electrodes are positionable adjacent the tissue and externally relative to the underlying tissue site. The one or more electrosurgical instruments and the one or more return electrodes are configured to selectively apply an effective amount of pressure and electrosurgical energy to the surgical mesh such that upon the application of electrosurgical energy and pressure, the surgical mesh seals to one side of the tissue at the underlying tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20180140352
    Abstract: A jaw member for use with a surgical instrument includes a support base, a jaw liner, and an elongated plate. The support base defines a cavity therein configured for receipt of the jaw liner. The elongated plate is configured to be seated in the cavity of the support base adjacent the jaw liner to secure the jaw liner relative to the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: KENNETH E. NETZEL, JASON L. CRAIG
  • Publication number: 20180042637
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The movable handle includes first and second cantilever spring arms and is movable relative to the housing between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. The first cantilever spring arm is flexed upon movement of the movable handle from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position to bias the movable handle towards the spaced-apart position. The drive assembly is operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector such that movement of the movable handle from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position moves the end effector from an open position towards a clamping position for clamping tissue. The second cantilever spring arm is flexed upon application of a threshold pressure to tissue clamped by the end effector to control an amount of pressure applied to tissue clamped by the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, ROLAND JEFFREY WYATT
  • Publication number: 20170319229
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an elongated assembly releasably engagable with an ultrasonic transducer and including a waveguide having a blade at a distal end and a torque adapter towards a proximal end. Fixed and movable sleeves are disposed about the waveguide and support and operably couple to a jaw member at the respective distal ends thereof. A drive tube is fixed to the movable sleeve such that translation of the drive tube pivots the jaw member relative to the blade. A torque housing is slidably disposed about the drive tube, longitudinally fixed about the fixed sleeve, and fixedly about the torque adapter. A rotation knob is longitudinally fixed about the torque housing and operably coupled to the torque housing such that the torque housing and the rotation knob cooperate to define a torque wrench inhibit application of additional torque to the waveguide above a torque limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. BROWN, JASON L. CRAIG
  • Publication number: 20170238959
    Abstract: A jaw member for use with a surgical instrument includes a support base, a jaw liner, and a jaw overmold. The support base has a proximal portion configured to be pivotably coupled to a surgical instrument, and a distal portion. The support base defines a channel that extends longitudinally between the proximal and distal portions and an aperture disposed in communication with the channel. The jaw liner includes an elongate body configured for receipt in the channel of the support base, and a projection extending from the elongate body and configured for receipt in the aperture of the support base. The jaw overmold overlaps at least a portion of the support base and the jaw liner to fix the jaw liner to the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, KENNETH E. NETZEL
  • Patent number: 9713493
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical instrument having a housing that includes a generator configured to output electrosurgical energy and a controller configured to control the output of the generator. The instrument also includes a switch coupled to the controller and configured to provide a signal to the controller to select the energy modality of the electrosurgical energy. An indicator is also included to provide an indication of the selected energy modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, William E. Robinson, Jason L. Craig, Diana Gunnarson
  • Publication number: 20170112525
    Abstract: A removable component configured for insertion into an internal compartment of a surgical instrument is provided including a housing defining first and second ends, a grasping member, and a biasing member. The grasping member is operably coupled to the housing at the second end thereof and is movable relative to the housing between a presented position, wherein at least a portion of the grasping member is spaced-apart from the second end of the housing, and a stored position, wherein the grasping member is approximated relative to the second end of the housing. The biasing member is disposed between the grasping member and the second end of the housing and is configured to bias the grasping member towards the presented position. Systems including a surgical instrument and such a removable component and methods of assembling a surgical instrument using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, SCOTT N. LACOSTA, KENNETH E. NETZEL, CLIFFORD D. OWENS, JAMES R. FAGAN
  • Patent number: 9554820
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing. A shaft is supported on the housing and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft supports a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe includes proximal and distal ends. The distal end has an active blade thereon configured to effect tissue when the jaw member is in the clamping configuration. The proximal end has at least one mating feature thereon. A rotating assembly operably supported on the housing is configured to rotate the shaft. The rotating assembly includes a torque adapter that is engageable with the at least one mating feature to selectively and releasably couple the probe to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Jason L. Craig
  • Patent number: 9241732
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft operably supported thereon and a jaw member supported at a distal end of the shaft. The jaw member is movable between open and clamping configurations. The surgical instrument also includes a probe that has proximal and distal ends. The distal end has an active blade thereon that is configured to treat tissue when the jaw member is in a clamping configuration. The proximal end of the probe is configured to selectively engage a generator that is configured to selectively couple to the housing. An adjusting assembly is operably supported on the housing and is configured to selectively rotate the probe to engage the proximal end of the probe to the generator to secure the generator to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Covdien LP
    Inventor: Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20150164581
    Abstract: A portable surgical instrument (PSI) includes a shaft extending therefrom. An end effector operably supported at the distal end of the shaft includes a pair of jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is activatable to treat tissue. A selectively removable generator pivotally couples to the housing to energize the activatable jaw member. The generator defining one or more apertures at a distal end thereof and a pivot member disposed at a proximal end thereof. A locking mechanism configured to operably couple to the elongated shaft of the housing includes one or more locking fingers configured to releasably couple to the one or more apertures disposed at the distal end of the generator such that generator is selectively and removably engageable with the housing of the portable surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, JASON L. CRAIG
  • Patent number: 9028484
    Abstract: A fingertip-mountable electrosurgical instrument includes a monopolar electrode capable of directing energy into tissue, and a holder configured to be operably coupled to the monopolar electrode. The holder is also configured to be operably coupled to an energy source. The holder includes a housing body and one or more attachment members coupled to the housing body. The one or more attachment members are configured to be removeably attachable to a user's finger. The housing body includes a distal end and a proximal end. The monopolar electrode is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20150082624
    Abstract: A method of preparing a surgical system for surgery includes inserting a battery assembly into an inner chamber of an aseptic bag through an open end of the aseptic bag, positioning a portion of a housing of a surgical instrument through the open end of the aseptic bag, coupling the battery assembly to the surgical instrument, and sealing the open end of the aseptic bag. The battery assembly is coupled to the surgical instrument while the battery assembly is within the inner chamber of the aseptic bag. When the open end of the aseptic bag is sealed the battery assembly is encapsulated within the inner chamber of the aseptic bag. A generator of the surgical system may additionally or alternatively be encapsulated similarly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, NICOLAS F. ROUSSEAU
  • Publication number: 20150088127
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a battery assembly, and an aseptic bag. The battery assembly is configured to removably couple to the surgical instrument. The aseptic bag is sized and configured to encapsulate and seal the battery assembly within an inner chamber. The aseptic bag can cooperate with a fixed handle of the surgical instrument to encapsulate and seal the battery assembly within the aseptic bag. The aseptic bag may additionally or alternatively encapsulate a generator of the surgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, NICOLAS F. ROUSSEAU
  • Patent number: 8968285
    Abstract: A portable surgical instrument (PSI) includes a shaft extending therefrom. An end effector operably supported at the distal end of the shaft includes a pair of jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is activatable to treat tissue. A selectively removable generator pivotally couples to the housing to energize the activatable jaw member. The generator defining one or more apertures at a distal end thereof and a pivot member disposed at a proximal end thereof. A locking mechanism configured to operably couple to the elongated shaft of the housing includes one or more locking fingers configured to releasably couple to the one or more apertures disposed at the distal end of the generator such that generator is selectively and removably engageable with the housing of the portable surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, William E. Robinson, Jason L. Craig
  • Patent number: 8945122
    Abstract: A system and method for powering a wireless electrosurgical device using a powered glove. The powered glove includes at least a conductive pad on a finger and a thumb. The glove is connected to a generator and supplies power to the wireless electrosurgical device when at least two conductive pads touch conductive buttons on the wireless device. The user selects the operating mode by selecting different combination of conductive buttons and/or switches on the wireless device. The generator senses a voltage drop across a circuit within the electrosurgical device to determine the operating mode. The generator then supplies the RF energy based on the selected operating mode via the glove to the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Tony Moua, Jason L. Craig
  • Patent number: 8945124
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided, which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery electrode supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery electrode is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing and electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy for controlling intensity, frequency, and/or mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrocautery electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Jason L Craig