Patents by Inventor Jennifer L. Rich
Jennifer L. Rich 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).
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Patent number: 11944369Abstract: A forceps includes shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured move the jaw members between open and closed position. A knife deployment mechanism includes a trigger moveable along a longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between retracted and extended positions between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including links that cooperate to actuate the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is pivotably coupled to one link and is configured to engage a ramp disposed in a shaft member upon approximation of the shaft members, the knife kickout is configured to cooperate with the links to urge the knife back to an at rest position upon the opening of the shaft members.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Jennifer L. Rich, Craig V. Krastins, Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Grant T. Sims
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Publication number: 20230248418Abstract: A forceps includes shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured move the jaw members between open and closed position. A knife deployment mechanism includes a trigger moveable along a longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between retracted and extended positions between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including links that cooperate to actuate the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is pivotably coupled to one link and is configured to engage a ramp disposed in a shaft member upon approximation of the shaft members, the knife kickout is configured to cooperate with the links to urge the knife back to an at rest position upon the opening of the shaft members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Jennifer L. Rich, Craig V. Krastins, Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Grant T. Sims
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Patent number: 11628008Abstract: A forceps includes shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured move the jaw members between open and closed position. A knife deployment mechanism includes a trigger moveable along a longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between retracted and extended positions between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including links that cooperate to actuate the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is pivotably coupled to one link and is configured to engage a ramp disposed in a shaft member upon approximation of the shaft members, the knife kickout is configured to cooperate with the links to urge the knife back to an at rest position upon the opening of the shaft members.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Jennifer L. Rich, Craig V. Krastins, Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Grant T. Sims
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Patent number: 11622804Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts each having a jaw disposed at a distal end thereof configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaws between open and closed positions, the shafts defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A knife deployment mechanism including a rack and pinion mechanism or a series of links is disposed within the first shaft and includes a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between the jaws. A knife lockout is configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shafts between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is disposed within the first shaft in opposition to the second shaft and is configured to force the knife forward upon movement of the first and second shafts from an approximated position to a more open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Jennifer L. Rich, Craig V. Krastins, Kelley D. Goodman, Daniel W. Mercier, Grant T. Sims
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Patent number: 11617612Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts each having a jaw disposed at a distal end thereof configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaws between open and closed positions, the shafts defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A knife deployment mechanism including a rack and pinion mechanism or a series of links is disposed within the first shaft and includes a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between the jaws. A knife lockout is configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shafts between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is disposed within the first shaft in opposition to the second shaft and is configured to force the knife forward upon movement of the first and second shafts from an approximated position to a more open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Jennifer L. Rich, Craig V. Krastins, Kelley D. Goodman, Daniel W. Mercier, Grant T. Sims
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Publication number: 20230088000Abstract: A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11607267Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A proximal end portion of the second shaft member may be pivoted against a resilient bias of a spring element to apply a predetermined clamping pressure on tissue and ultimately engage an activation switch to delivery electrosurgical energy to the clamped tissue.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer L. Rich, Kelley D. Goodman
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Publication number: 20230076786Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, JR., Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20230023049Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11523861Abstract: A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11510725Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife, and a knife deployment mechanism. The knife deployment mechanism has one or more safety features that resist an inadvertent deployment of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 11497545Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20220331004Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11471211Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11419665Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife selectively translatable through the first shaft member and the end effector assembly, and a knife deployment mechanism. The second shaft member has a flange extending therefrom toward the first shaft member. The knife deployment mechanism includes a distal extension movably coupled to the first shaft member and configured to engage the flange of the second shaft member when the knife is an extended position and the end effector assembly is in a closed configuration. The engagement between the distal extension and the flange resists movement of the end effector assembly from the closed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Grant T. Sims
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Publication number: 20220257304Abstract: A coupling for an electrosurgical cable of a surgical instrument includes insulative contact collars arranged in a stack-like manner, each contact collar having a flange supporting a contact ring thereon. The contact rings configured for electrical engagement with electrical leads of the electrosurgical cable. Contact wires configured to engage corresponding contact rings at one end and a jumper wire at the other end thereof, the jumper wires, in turn, couple to an activation switch of the surgical instrument. A locking bobbin envelops the contact collars to lock contact wires in secure engagement with the contact rings. The locking bobbin locks within the surgical instrument preventing the contact wires from rotating within the surgical instrument while permitting the contact collars, the contact rings and the electrosurgical cable to rotate relative to the surgical instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer L. Rich, Riley A. Pepia, Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 11382685Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, and a resilient, compressible pivot assembly pivotably coupling the first and second shaft members to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer L. Rich, Kelley D. Goodman
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Patent number: 11376062Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11350982Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot member such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A knife is translatable between retracted and extended positions. The knife has a stop to prevent distal movement of the knife beyond the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 11304743Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife, and a biasing member. The biasing member is disposed about the knife and configured to resiliently bias the knife toward a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier