Patents by Inventor Robert F. McCullough
Robert F. McCullough 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).
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Patent number: 11779386Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-part sealing plate of a jaw member of an end effector assembly includes: fabricating a series of grooves through an upper plate of a two-part sealing plate of a jaw member; securing a lower plate to a non-tissue engaging side of the upper plate such that an upper surface of the lower plate defines a corresponding bottom surface of at least one of the series of grooves; and securing the seal plate to a support base of the jaw member.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Monte S. Fry, Grant T. Sims, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230088000Abstract: A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Publication number: 20230076786Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, JR., Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20230023049Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11523861Abstract: A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11510725Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife, and a knife deployment mechanism. The knife deployment mechanism has one or more safety features that resist an inadvertent deployment of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 11497545Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20220331004Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11471211Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11419665Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife selectively translatable through the first shaft member and the end effector assembly, and a knife deployment mechanism. The second shaft member has a flange extending therefrom toward the first shaft member. The knife deployment mechanism includes a distal extension movably coupled to the first shaft member and configured to engage the flange of the second shaft member when the knife is an extended position and the end effector assembly is in a closed configuration. The engagement between the distal extension and the flange resists movement of the end effector assembly from the closed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Grant T. Sims
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Patent number: 11376062Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David M. Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
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Patent number: 11350982Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot member such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A knife is translatable between retracted and extended positions. The knife has a stop to prevent distal movement of the knife beyond the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 11304743Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife, and a biasing member. The biasing member is disposed about the knife and configured to resiliently bias the knife toward a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20220071690Abstract: A knife configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps having curved jaw members and a method of manufacturing the same. The knife includes a distal body having an inner side and an outer side, a first etching on the outer side of the distal body defining a distal cutting edge and a second etching on the outer side of the distal body extending along a portion of a length of the distal body to define relatively protruded and relatively recessed surfaces extending along a portion of the length of the distal body on the outer side thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Grant T. Sims
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Patent number: 11172980Abstract: A knife configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps having curved jaw members and a method of manufacturing the same. The knife includes a distal body having an inner side and an outer side, a first etching on the outer side of the distal body defining a distal cutting edge and a second etching on the outer side of the distal body extending along a portion of a length of the distal body to define relatively protruded and relatively recessed surfaces extending along a portion of the length of the distal body on the outer side thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, Daniel W. Mercier, Grant T. Sims
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Publication number: 20210322088Abstract: An end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members, one or both of the jaw members having a support base and an electrical jaw lead adapted to operably connect to an electrosurgical generator. A sealing plate is operably coupled to the support base and includes: an upper plate having an outer peripheral edge that extends therefrom and that defines a cavity configured to receive a lower plate; and a series of grooves defined within the upper plate and projecting therethrough to expose the lower plate. One or both of the upper plate or the lower plate is operably coupled to the electrical lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Monte S. Fry, Grant T. Sims, Robert F. Mccullough, JR.
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Publication number: 20210322089Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-part sealing plate of a jaw member of an end effector assembly includes: fabricating a series of grooves through an upper plate of a two-part sealing plate of a jaw member; securing a lower plate to a non-tissue engaging side of the upper plate such that an upper surface of the lower plate defines a corresponding bottom surface of at least one of the series of grooves; and securing the seal plate to a support base of the jaw member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Monte S. Fry, Grant T. Sims, Robert F. Mccullough, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210228263Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot member such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A knife is translatable between retracted and extended positions. A knife deployment mechanism is operably coupled to the first shaft member and includes at least one trigger and at least one linkage coupling the at least one trigger with the knife such that pivoting of the at least one trigger relative to the first shaft member translates the knife between the retracted and extended positions. A knife lockout biased towards a locked position inhibits distal translation of the knife. The knife lockout is movable from the locked position to an unlocked position upon approximation of the jaw members to permit distal translation of the knife.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier
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Patent number: 10973567Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot member such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A knife is translatable between retracted and extended positions. A knife deployment mechanism is operably coupled to the first shaft member and includes at least one trigger and at least one linkage coupling the at least one trigger with the knife such that pivoting of the at least one trigger relative to the first shaft member translates the knife between the retracted and extended positions. A knife lockout biased towards a locked position inhibits distal translation of the knife. The knife lockout is movable from the locked position to an unlocked position upon approximation of the jaw members to permit distal translation of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Grant T. Sims, Benjamin R. Arts, Kelley D. Goodman, David Michael Keffeler, Craig V. Krastins, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Daniel W. Mercier
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Publication number: 20200297406Abstract: 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 switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Robert F. McCullough, JR., Ryan C. Artale, Robert M. Sharp, Tony Moua, Mark J. Huseman, Audrey Earnshaw