Patents by Inventor John R. Twomey

John R. Twomey 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: 20150245866
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each of the jaw members includes a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each of the proximal flanges defines a bifurcated configuration having first and second spaced-apart flange components. The first flange component of the first jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the second jaw member via a first protrusion-aperture coupling. The first flange component of the second jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the first jaw member via a second protrusion-aperture coupling different from the first protrusion-aperture coupling. One or both of the jaw members is pivotable relative to the other about the first and second protrusion-aperture couplings between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, KIM V. BRANDT, KEIR HART, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • Patent number: 9113891
    Abstract: A clip-over disposable assembly includes a switch assembly and a disposable body. The disposable body includes a first disposable member, a second disposable member including first and second wall portions, and a third disposable member. The first wall portion defines a first aperture therethrough and a first cavity configured to receive therein a first portion of the switch assembly. The third disposable member includes a third wall portion, wherein a body of the second disposable member and the third wall portion define an opening configured to allow a shaft of a hemostat-style surgical instrument to pass therethrough. The second wall portion and the third wall portion cooperatively define a chamber in communication with the opening and configured to receive therein at least a portion of the shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument, wherein the at least a portion of the shaft is received in the chamber from an off-axis position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: John R. Twomey
  • Patent number: 9113909
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each jaw member includes an elongated proximal segment and a distal segment. The distal segments are configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaw members are biased towards a spaced-apart position relative to one another. A sliding unit is disposed about the first and second jaw members and is slidable relative to the jaw members between a first position, wherein the sliding unit is disposed about the elongated proximal segments of the jaw members, and a second position, wherein the sliding unit is disposed about the distal segments of the jaw members. The sliding unit is configured to transition the jaw members against the bias from the spaced-apart position to an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween upon sliding of the sliding unit from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Monte S. Fry
  • Patent number: 9113940
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, a blade, a lever member operably coupled to the end effector, a trigger member operably coupled to the blade and defining an actuation path therealong. A trigger safety member is pivotably coupled to the lever member such that, when the lever member is disposed in an initial position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position blocking the trigger member. When the lever member is disposed in a compressed position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position, wherein the trigger safety member is displaced from the actuation path to permit movement of the trigger member, wherein the safety member rotates relative to the lever member as a function of movement of the lever member to block/unblock the trigger member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: John R. Twomey
  • Patent number: 9113882
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pair of jaw members configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps is provided. One or more pairs of seal plates are stamped from a sheet metal. The seal plates are positioned into respective mold cavities. An insulative substrate is introduced into the respective mold cavities. The insulative substrate is allowed to harden in the respective mold cavities to form respective jaw housings with seal plates secured thereto. The jaw housings are removed from the respective mold cavities to form a pair of jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 9060780
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft formed via extrusion. The shaft has one or more lumens extending therethrough. The lumen(s) each define a cross-sectional configuration. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. One or more components are coupled to the end effector assembly. The component(s) extend proximally from the end effector into the lumen(s) of the shaft. One or more of the components is formed via stamping. The component(s) define a cross-sectional configuration substantially complementary to the cross-section configuration of the lumen into which they extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Dennis W. Butcher, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Jessica E. C. Olson, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20150164582
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • 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: 9034009
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each of the jaw members includes a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each of the proximal flanges defines a bifurcated configuration having first and second spaced-apart flange components. The first flange component of the first jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the second jaw member via a first protrusion-aperture coupling. The first flange component of the second jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the first jaw member via a second protrusion-aperture coupling different from the first protrusion-aperture coupling. One or both of the jaw members is pivotable relative to the other about the first and second protrusion-aperture couplings between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV, Kim V. Brandt, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20150133993
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a lever moveable from an initial position to an actuated position for moving an end effector assembly from a first to a second state. A pin extends from the lever. A cantilever spring is operably engaged to the housing of the instrument. A pin track member is operably engaged to the cantilever spring at a free end thereof. The pin track member is configured to permit translation of the pin therealong between a first position corresponding to the initial position of the lever and a second position corresponding to the actuated position of the lever. The pin is configured to translate from the first to the second position along a first path and from the second position back to the first position along a second path and is configured to be releasably retained in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: JOHN R. TWOMEY
  • Publication number: 20150133931
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade translatable within the first and second jaw members. A knife blade lockout mechanism is in operative communication with the knife blade assembly and includes an elongated cam slot with a cam pin translatable therein from a distal end of the elongated cam slot corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism engaged with the knife blade assembly, to a proximal position corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism disengaged from the knife blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, EDWARD M. CHOJIN
  • Publication number: 20150127000
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable with respect to the other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife is longitudinally translatable with respect to the first and second jaw members between a retracted position, an intermediate position, and an extended position. The knife coupled to one or both of the jaw members via a pin-slot engagement such that, upon translation of the knife from the retracted position to the intermediate position, the first and second jaw members are moved to the approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween and such that, upon translation of the knife from the intermediate position to the extended position, the knife is extended between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: JOHN R. TWOMEY
  • Publication number: 20150112337
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, SEAN T. O'NEILL, JEFFREY M. ROY
  • Publication number: 20150088126
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: TERRY M. DUFFIN, JOHN R. TWOMEY, JESSICA E.C. OLSON, GRANT T. SIMS, KENNETH E. NETZEL, MONTE S. FRY, DANIEL MERCIER
  • Publication number: 20150073410
    Abstract: A clip-over disposable assembly includes a switch assembly and a disposable body. The disposable body includes a first disposable member, a second disposable member including first and second wall portions, and a third disposable member. The first wall portion defines a first aperture therethrough and a first cavity configured to receive therein a first portion of the switch assembly. The third disposable member includes a third wall portion, wherein a body of the second disposable member and the third wall portion define an opening configured to allow a shaft of a hemostat-style surgical instrument to pass therethrough. The second wall portion and the third wall portion cooperatively define a chamber in communication with the opening and configured to receive therein at least a portion of the shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument, wherein the at least a portion of the shaft is received in the chamber from an off-axis position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: JOHN R. TWOMEY
  • Patent number: 8968310
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade translatable within the first and second jaw members. A knife blade lockout mechanism is in operative communication with the knife blade assembly and includes an elongated cam slot with a cam pin translatable therein from a distal end of the elongated cam slot corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism engaged with the knife blade assembly, to a proximal position corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism disengaged from the knife blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Edward M. Chojin
  • Patent number: 8968298
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a housing. An outer shaft extends from the housing. The outer shaft includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of first spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of first spaced-apart members configured to receive tissue therebetween. An inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of second spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of second spaced-apart members is configured to receive tissue therebetween. Each of the pairs of the first and second spaced apart members includes one or more electrodes thereon. The inner shaft is rotatable from an initial configuration for positioning tissue between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members to a subsequent configuration for compressing the tissue disposed between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: John R. Twomey
  • 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: 8961515
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members each having jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. The moveable jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the moveable jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the movable jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the first and second jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Dylan R. Kingsley, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20150051640
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: JOHN R. TWOMEY, JESSICA E.C. OLSON, GRANT T. SIMS, LOREN TOTH, MONTE S. FRY, MICHAEL B. LYONS