Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Netzel

Kenneth E. Netzel 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: 20220000512
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated body operably connected to a jaw member and a blade. The elongated body includes an inner tube and an outer tube configured to move laterally with respect to one another. A drive arm has a first end engaged to the outer tube and a second end pivotably coupled to the jaw member configured to move laterally in tandem with the outer tube such that motion of the outer tube in a first direction pulls the jaw member away from the blade, and motion of the outer tube in a second direction pushes the jaw member towards the blade. The drive arm includes a semi-rigid material configured to flex when compressed, such that flexion of the drive arm can offload excess force exerted by the outer tube on the jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Jason L. Craig
  • Patent number: 11123093
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated body operably connected to a jaw member and a blade. The elongated body includes an inner tube and an outer tube configured to move laterally with respect to one another. A drive arm has a first end engaged to the outer tube and a second end pivotably coupled to the jaw member configured to move laterally in tandem with the outer tube such that motion of the outer tube in a first direction pulls the jaw member away from the blade, and motion of the outer tube in a second direction pushes the jaw member towards the blade. The drive arm includes a semi-rigid material configured to flex when compressed, such that flexion of the drive arm can offload excess force exerted by the outer tube on the jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20210282837
    Abstract: A tissue resection device includes a handpiece and an end effector assembly extending distally from the handpiece. The end effector assembly includes an outer shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a window defined therethrough towards a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly further includes an inner member rotationally disposed within the outer shaft. The inner member includes a proximal body portion and a distal cutting portion. The proximal body portion is coaxially disposed on the longitudinal axis and rotatable thereabout. The distal cutting portion includes an offset portion that is radially offset from the longitudinal axis and is configured to orbit about the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the distal cutting portion is a thermal cutting element configured to heat in response to application of electrical energy thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Daniel A. Joseph, John A. Hammerland, III, Daniel W. Mercier, Devon E. Scott-Drechsel, Mark A. Johnston, David M. Garrison, Jing Zhao, Yanzhu Zhao
  • Patent number: 11076910
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20210212750
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Patent number: 10987124
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Jason L. Craig
  • Publication number: 20210106353
    Abstract: A method of testing a jaw force of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes securing a blade of an end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, clamping a jaw member of the end effector against the blade such that a sensor is received within a notch of the jaw member of the end effector, and measuring the jaw force of the end effector using the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Lester, Jeremy P. Green, Kenneth E. Netzel
  • Patent number: 10966779
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly has electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. An electrically conductive cutting element is disposed on at least one of the electrodes and is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held between the electrodes to effect a tissue cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Keir Hart, Rebecca J. Coulson, Gary M. Couture, Geneva Ladtkow, Weng-Kai K. Lee, Kenneth E. Netzel, Prakash Manley, Arlen J. Reschke, Anthony D. Ricke, Jeffrey R. Townsend
  • Patent number: 10966746
    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: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jason L. Craig, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Clifford D. Owens, James R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 10959770
    Abstract: A method of assembling an electrosurgical instrument includes coupling first and second shafts to each other about a pivot. Each of the shafts has an interior side facing the other shaft and an exterior side opposite the interior side. The method also includes disposing a knife blade at least partially through a passageway defined through the pivot from the exterior side of the first shaft and coupling a knife actuation mechanism to the first shaft from the exterior side of the first shaft. The knife actuation mechanism is configured to move the knife blade through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Raghavendra L. Bhandari, Peixiong Yi
  • Publication number: 20210007763
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated body operably connected to a jaw member and a blade. The elongated body includes an inner tube and an outer tube configured to move laterally with respect to one another. A drive arm has a first end engaged to the outer tube and a second end pivotably coupled to the jaw member configured to move laterally in tandem with the outer tube such that motion of the outer tube in a first direction pulls the jaw member away from the blade, and motion of the outer tube in a second direction pushes the jaw member towards the blade. The drive arm includes a semi-rigid material configured to flex when compressed, such that flexion of the drive arm can offload excess force exerted by the outer tube on the jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: KENNETH E. NETZEL, JASON L. CRAIG
  • Publication number: 20200305925
    Abstract: A jaw member, end effector assembly including the jaw member and an ultrasonic blade, and an ultrasonic surgical instrument including the end effector assembly are provided. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner. The structural body includes a pair of proximal flanges and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flanges. The elongated distal portion includes spaced-apart side rails defining an elongated opening therebetween and interconnected at distal ends thereof via a distal cap. The jaw liner is engaged within the elongated opening and includes a base and first and second arms extending from the base. Each arm defines an inwardly-angled tissue contacting surface. The jaw liner defines a jaw liner compliance feature extending longitudinally therealong between the inwardly-angled tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second arms to facilitate outward deflection of the first and second arms relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, David J. Van Tol
  • Publication number: 20200214734
    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: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jason L. CRAIG, Kenneth E. NETZEL
  • Publication number: 20200155193
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a waveguide. The ultrasonic transducer assembly extends through a proximal opening into the housing and includes a horn disposed within the housing defining a first engagement member. The ultrasonic transducer assembly further includes an inner housing extending through the proximal opening and an outer knob disposed externally of the housing and slidably positioned about the inner housing in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto. The outer knob is selectively translatable relative to the inner housing from a proximal, unlocked position and a distal, locked position to rotationally lock the ultrasonic transducer relative to the housing. The waveguide defines a blade at a distal end and a second engagement member at a proximal end. The second engagement member is configured to releasably engage the first engagement member to thereby engage the waveguide with the ultrasonic transducer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Netzel
  • Publication number: 20200107852
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and generator (TAG) assembly of a surgical instrument includes generator components and transducer components. The generator components are disposed within a first cavity cooperatively defined by a body portion and a cover. The generator components are covered in a thermally insulative material. The transducer components are disposed within a second cavity cooperatively defined by a proximal housing and a spinner housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Michael Clifton, James R. Fagan, Titus Horton, Keith W. Malang, Kenneth E. Netzel, Daniel Simmons, Christopher T. Tschudy, David J. Van Tol
  • Patent number: 10603065
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jason L. Craig, Kenneth E. Netzel
  • Patent number: 10603102
    Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Keir Hart, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Weng-Kai K. Lee, Prakash Manley, Geneva Ladtkow, Arlen J. Reschke, Diana Gunnarson, Scott N. Lacosta, Kelley D. Goodman, Kenneth E. Netzel, Susan Hiebert
  • Patent number: 10582944
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a waveguide. The ultrasonic transducer assembly extends through a proximal opening into the housing and includes a horn disposed within the housing defining a first engagement member. The ultrasonic transducer assembly further includes an inner housing extending through the proximal opening and an outer knob disposed externally of the housing and slidably positioned about the inner housing in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto. The outer knob is selectively translatable relative to the inner housing from a proximal, unlocked position and a distal, locked position to rotationally lock the ultrasonic transducer relative to the housing. The waveguide defines a blade at a distal end and a second engagement member at a proximal end. The second engagement member is configured to releasably engage the first engagement member to thereby engage the waveguide with the ultrasonic transducer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Netzel
  • Publication number: 20190262028
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a waveguide. The ultrasonic transducer assembly extends through a proximal opening into the housing and includes a horn disposed within the housing defining a first engagement member. The ultrasonic transducer assembly further includes an inner housing extending through the proximal opening and an outer knob disposed externally of the housing and slidably positioned about the inner housing in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto. The outer knob is selectively translatable relative to the inner housing from a proximal, unlocked position and a distal, locked position to rotationally lock the ultrasonic transducer relative to the housing. The waveguide defines a blade at a distal end and a second engagement member at a proximal end. The second engagement member is configured to releasably engage the first engagement member to thereby engage the waveguide with the ultrasonic transducer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: KENNETH E. NETZEL
  • 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