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).

  • Publication number: 20200297406
    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 switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert F. McCullough, JR., Ryan C. Artale, Robert M. Sharp, Tony Moua, Mark J. Huseman, Audrey Earnshaw
  • Publication number: 20200297405
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, JR., Daniel W. Mercier, Jennifer L. Rich
  • Publication number: 20200261146
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: GRANT T. SIMS, KELLEY D. GOODMAN, CRAIG V. KRASTINS, ROBERT F. MCCULLOUGH, JR., JENNIFER L. RICH, DANIEL W. MERCIER
  • Publication number: 20200237433
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, JR., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
  • Publication number: 20200237432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, JR., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
  • Patent number: 10687886
    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 switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Ryan C. Artale, Robert M. Sharp, Tony Moua, Mark J. Huseman, Audrey Earnshaw
  • Publication number: 20200179035
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, JR., Jennifer L. Rich, Daniel W. Mercier
  • Publication number: 20200129224
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel W. Mercier, Kelley D. Goodman, Craig V. Krastins, Robert F. Mccullough, JR., Jennifer L. Rich, Grant T. Sims
  • Publication number: 20200113620
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20200113621
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10448136
    Abstract: A vibratory apparatus including a lever arm apparatus including a living hinge, wherein the vibratory apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the lever arm moves about the living hinge when the vibratory apparatus is generating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Scott Miller, Travis Rian Andrews, Robert F. McCullough, Farid Moumane
  • Publication number: 20180325580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180325582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: KELLEY D. GOODMAN, DAVID MICHAEL KEFFELER, CRAIG V. KRASTINS, JENNIFER E. LEE, ROBERT F. McCULLOUGH, DANIEL W. MERCIER, GRANT T. SIMS
  • Publication number: 20170196636
    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 switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT F. MCCULLOUGH, JR., RYAN C. ARTALE, ROBERT M. SHARP, TONY MOUA, MARK J. HUSEMAN, AUDREY EARNSHAW
  • Patent number: 9655673
    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 switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Ryan C. Artale, Robert M. Sharp, Tony Moua, Mark J. Huseman, Audrey Earnshaw
  • Patent number: D819816
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Coulson, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Gregory W. Fischvogt, Amanda H. Lennartz, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: D831825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Coulson, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Gregory W. Fischvogt, Amanda H. Lennartz, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: D854684
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Grant T. Sims, Daniel W. Mercier, Craig V. Krastins, Duane E. Kerr, Kelley D. Goodman, Jennifer E. Lee, Robert F. McCullough, Jr.
  • Patent number: D863553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Coulson, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Gregory W. Fischvogt, Amanda H. Lennartz, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: D889651
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Coulson, Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Gregory W. Fischvogt, Amanda H. Lennartz, Kenlyn S. Bonn