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).

  • 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
  • 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: 10231772
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Terry M. Duffin, John R. Twomey, Jessica E. C. Olson, Grant T. Sims, Kenneth E. Netzel, Monte S. Fry, Daniel Mercier
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180235690
    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: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    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: 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
  • Patent number: 9962221
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    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: 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
  • Publication number: 20170143407
    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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    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
  • 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: 9566109
    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: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    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
  • Publication number: 20160157922
    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: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    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
  • Publication number: 20160143687
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    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: D736920
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Scott N. LaCosta, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: D744644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: D774190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Kelley D. Goodman, Keir Hart, Duane E. Kerr, Scott N. LaCosta, Geneva Ladtkow, Kenneth E. Netzel, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: D818584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Weng-Kai K. Lee, Scott N. Lacosta, Kenneth E. Netzel, Robert M. Sharp, Peixiong Yi