Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Kendrick

Stephen M. Kendrick 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: 11253280
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 11172952
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20200008826
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Patent number: 10441303
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9743976
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing defining a window and having an outer shaft extending therefrom. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft includes first and second jaw members including distal portions and proximal portions and movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the outer shaft such that, when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, the inner shaft is disposed in a distal position. When the jaw members are moved to the approximated position, the proximal portions urge the inner shaft to a proximal position. An indicator member coupled to the inner shaft includes first and second indicators. The first indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the distal position. The second indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the proximal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20170112517
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Publication number: 20170056037
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Patent number: 9549749
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20170007317
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil with integrated tweezers includes-an elongated housing having an open distal end and an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. One or both of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. One or more switches is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, STEPHEN M. KENDRICK, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, DANIEL A. JOSEPH
  • Patent number: 9539049
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil with integrated tweezers includes-an elongated housing having an open distal end and an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. One or both of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. One or more switches is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Stephen M. Kendrick, Dennis W. Butcher, Daniel A. Joseph
  • Patent number: 9498281
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20160302856
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing defining a window and having an outer shaft extending therefrom. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft includes first and second jaw members including distal portions and proximal portions and movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the outer shaft such that, when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, the inner shaft is disposed in a distal position. When the jaw members are moved to the approximated position, the proximal portions urge the inner shaft to a proximal position. An indicator member coupled to the inner shaft includes first and second indicators. The first indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the distal position. The second indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the proximal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Patent number: 9375258
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing defining a window and having an outer shaft extending therefrom. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft includes first and second jaw members including distal portions and proximal portions and movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the outer shaft such that, when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, the inner shaft is disposed in a distal position. When the jaw members are moved to the approximated position, the proximal portions urge the inner shaft to a proximal position. An indicator member coupled to the inner shaft includes first and second indicators. The first indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the distal position. The second indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the proximal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20150223862
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil with integrated tweezers includes-an elongated housing having an open distal end and an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. One or both of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. One or more switches is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, STEPHEN M. KENDRICK, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, DANIEL A. JOSEPH
  • Patent number: 9023035
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil with integrated ligasure tweezers includes—an elongated housing having an open distal end and an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. One or both of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. One or more switches is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Stephen M. Kendrick, Dennis W. Butcher, Daniel A. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20140148807
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Publication number: 20140100600
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: STEPHEN M. KENDRICK
  • Publication number: 20130304058
    Abstract: A forceps includes a housing defining a window and having an outer shaft extending therefrom. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft includes first and second jaw members including distal portions and proximal portions and movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the outer shaft such that, when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, the inner shaft is disposed in a distal position. When the jaw members are moved to the approximated position, the proximal portions urge the inner shaft to a proximal position. An indicator member coupled to the inner shaft includes first and second indicators. The first indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the distal position. The second indicator is visible through the window when the inner shaft is disposed in the proximal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20130178852
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical pencil with integrated ligasure tweezers. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure the electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing having an open distal end and including an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. At least one of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. At least one switch is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Stephen M. Kendrick, Dennis W. Butcher, Daniel A. Joseph