Patents by Inventor Robert B. Stoddard

Robert B. Stoddard 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: 20170281216
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade at a distal end thereof and a lumen extending through a portion of the blade. The blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue. The instrument further includes first and second conduits each defining a proximal end and a distal end. The second conduit is coaxially disposed about the first conduit. The distal ends of the first and second conduits extend into the lumen. The distal end of the first conduit extends further distally into the lumen than the distal end of the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, ERIC R. LARSON, SCOTT E.M. FRUSHOUR, DAVID N. HEARD
  • Publication number: 20170265936
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, RYAN C. ARTALE, GLENN A. HORNER, DUANE E. KERR, PETER M. MUELLER, ARLEN J. RESCHKE, ROBERT M. SHARP, ROBERT B. STODDARD
  • Patent number: 9764166
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, Eric R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20170172616
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Patent number: 9668810
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 9655641
    Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes ultrasonically treating tissue by oscillating a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument in contact with tissue and activating a fluid control system to pump cooling fluid through a blade conduit of the blade to cool the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, Eric R. Larson
  • Patent number: 9636166
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 9622767
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, Eric R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20160374711
    Abstract: The ultrasonic surgical device includes a power source configured to generate power, an ultrasonic transducer having a first resonant frequency, the ultrasonic transducer electrically coupled to the power source and configured to generate ultrasonic motion in response to the generated power, an ultrasonic probe configured to be mechanically couplable to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic probe having a second resonant frequency when the ultrasonic probe is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a controller configured to determine whether the ultrasonic probe is properly coupled to the ultrasonic transducer based on the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID J. VAN TOL, ROBERT B. STODDARD
  • Publication number: 20160302821
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing. The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: ANTHONY B. ROSS, ROBERT B. STODDARD, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, ERIC R. LARSON, DUANE E. KERR, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ARLEN K. WARD
  • Patent number: 9472966
    Abstract: A surgical tray assembly for storing, charging, and/or communicating with battery powered surgical instruments and other communication-enabled devices. The surgical tray assembly includes a stand, a surgical instrument tray supported on the stand, an electrical connector coupled to the tray, and one or more electrical transmission devices. The electrical connector is configured to be inserted into an electrical outlet. The electrical transmission device(s) is in electrical communication with the electrical connector. The surgical tray assembly may further include a wireless communication system capable of capturing data from a battery powered surgical instrument and transmitting such data. The surgical tray may further include a user interface display for displaying captured data from a battery powered surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Scott E. M. Frushour, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20160268653
    Abstract: A battery autoclaving system is provided including a battery pack having a housing, a battery cell disposed within the housing, and an isolation region disposed between the housing and the battery cell. The isolation region may be formed at least partially from at least one of a thermal insulating material, a phase change material or any combination thereof. The system may include a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of a temperature of the battery cell temperature of the isolation region, The system may include and an autoclave configured to receive a temperature indication from the temperature sensor and to inhibit autoclaving when the temperature indication exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, ERIC R. LARSON, DUANE E. KERR, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ANTHONY B. ROSS, JOHN J. KAPPUS
  • Publication number: 20160262787
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, JOHN J. KAPPUS, DUANE E. KERR, ERIC R. LARSON, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ANTHONY B. ROSS
  • Publication number: 20160206365
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: DUANE E. KERR, GLENN A. HORNER, PAUL HRENCHIR, PETER M. MUELLER, ROBERT B. STODDARD, LUKE WAALER
  • Patent number: 9375230
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing. The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Jr., William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 9351755
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 9345506
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, John J. Kappus, Duane E. Kerr, Eric R. Larson, William H. Nau, Jr., Anthony B. Ross
  • Patent number: 9339290
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. A selectively removable laminate liner is positionable over the tissue contacting surface of the jaw member and configured to prevent contact between the tissue contacting surface and the cutting blade when the cutting blade is treating tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempstead, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, Jr., Arlen K. Ward
  • Patent number: 9326812
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft. The housing includes a docking portion that includes one or more apertures defined therein and electrical circuitry disposed therein. An end effector is operably supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft. A battery assembly is selectively and pivotably engageable with the docking portion of the housing and configured to generate electrical energy. The battery assembly includes one or more protrusions that are configured to releasably engage the aperture(s) on the docking portion and a latch mechanism that is movable from an initial position for latching the battery assembly to the docking portion to a subsequent position for unlatching the battery assembly from the docking portion. The battery assembly is adapted to communicate with the electrical circuitry of the docking member upon insertion of the battery assembly into the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, Duane E. Kerr, Diana Gunnarson, Robert B. Stoddard, Sean T. O'Neill, Steven E. Butcher, William E. Robinson, Cody C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9301799
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler