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: 20150073457
    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: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: ROBERT B. STODDARD, ERIC R. LARSON
  • Patent number: 8974478
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    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: 8974479
    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: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    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: 8945112
    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: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • Publication number: 20140222052
    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: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140031860
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    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: 20140017118
    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: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempsetad, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20140012297
    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: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140012299
    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. At least one sensor is configured to sense at least one operational parameter of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. At least one controller in operable communication with the at least one sensor is configured to terminate delivery of ultrasonic energy to the cutting blade when the at least one sensor senses the at least one operational parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard, James S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russell D. Hempsetad, Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, John J. Kappus
  • Publication number: 20140012298
    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 a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. The jaw member includes a tissue contacting surface having at least one laminate liner disposed 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jams S. Cunningham, William J. Dickhans, Russel D. Hempstead, John J. Kappus, Duane E. Kerr, Eric R. Larson, William H. Nau, JR., Anthony B. Ross, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20130304059
    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: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP 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
  • Publication number: 20130190759
    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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group 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
  • Publication number: 20130085419
    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: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group 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
  • Publication number: 20130085490
    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: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • Publication number: 20130072950
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group 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
  • Publication number: 20130022495
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a generator, and a sterilization case. The surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly adapted to connect to a source of energy. The generator is configured to couple to the surgical instrument to supply energy to the end effector assembly of the surgical instrument. The sterilization case is configured to retain the surgical instrument therein and is configured to couple to the generator. The generator is further configured to supply energy to the sterilization case when coupled thereto to sterilize the surgical instrument disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Arlan J. Reschke, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20120253328
    Abstract: A portable presentation unit for sterilizing, charging, and testing components of a cordless surgical instrument is disclosed including a battery charger unit configured to recharge a battery pack of the cordless surgical instrument, a testing unit configured to test at least one of the battery pack or a reusable transducer/generator unit of the cordless surgical instrument, and a sterilization unit configured to sterilize at least one of the battery pack or the transducer/generator unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: 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, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20120253370
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP 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
  • Publication number: 20120249060
    Abstract: A dual-mode autoclave for sterilizing a battery is disclosed including a controller and an environmental system in operative communication with the controller and configured sterilize a battery contained within the dual-mode autoclave in response to a command from the controller. The environmental system configured to reduce a temperature of the battery to a first, pre-cooled temperature during a first operational phase and configured to increase the temperature of the battery to a second, autoclaving temperature during a second operational phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    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: 20120253371
    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 a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. A cutting blade extends from a distal end the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member. The cutting blade includes top and bottom portions. The top portion configured to cool the bottom portion while the cutting blade treats tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP 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