Patents by Inventor THOMAS W. MEISER

THOMAS W. MEISER 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: 20210065335
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, STEVEN E. BUTCHER, DENNIS W. BUTCHER
  • Publication number: 20190216491
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces, and a second jaw member positioned including an ultrasonic blade body and defining at least one electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween. The second jaw member is movable relative to the first jaw member between a first configuration, to facilitate transmission of ultrasonic energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members, and a second configuration, to facilitate conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: THOMAS W. MEISER, ANTHONY B. ROSS, ROBERT B. STODDARD, ROBERT M. SHARP, JAMES E. THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20190216531
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative tissue-contacting surface. A second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to apply a first grasping force to tissue disposed therebetween. A slider is movable, independent of the first jaw member, between a retracted position, wherein the slider is disposed proximally of the first and second jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the slider extends about the first jaw member and urges the first jaw member from the approximated position further towards the second jaw member to apply a second, greater grasping force to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: DAVID J. VAN TOL, THOMAS W. MEISER
  • Publication number: 20190172185
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, STEVEN E. BUTCHER, DENNIS W. BUTCHER
  • Publication number: 20180214209
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ERIC R. LARSON, DUANE E. KERR, NATHANIEL M. FRIED, THOMAS C. HUTCHENS, THOMAS W. MEISER, LUKE A. HARDY
  • Publication number: 20180042637
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The movable handle includes first and second cantilever spring arms and is movable relative to the housing between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. The first cantilever spring arm is flexed upon movement of the movable handle from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position to bias the movable handle towards the spaced-apart position. The drive assembly is operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector such that movement of the movable handle from the spaced-apart position towards the approximated position moves the end effector from an open position towards a clamping position for clamping tissue. The second cantilever spring arm is flexed upon application of a threshold pressure to tissue clamped by the end effector to control an amount of pressure applied to tissue clamped by the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: JASON L. CRAIG, RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, ROLAND JEFFREY WYATT
  • Publication number: 20150223873
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, STEVEN E. BUTCHER, DENNIS W. BUTCHER
  • Publication number: 20150223874
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, THOMAS W. MEISER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, STEVEN E. BUTCHER, DENNIS W. BUTCHER