Patents by Inventor Zane R. Ward

Zane R. Ward 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: 11969181
    Abstract: Medical devices include a ground link, a first actuator pivotably coupled to the ground link and a first movable element operatively coupled to the first actuator by a linkage. The linkage including: the ground link; a second link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; a fourth link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; and a third link having a main body extending from a first portion to a second portion and a blocking tab extending away from the main body. The medical device further including a second actuator operatively coupled to the ground link, the second actuator having a blocking surface including a blocking tab that is positioned to engage with at least a portion of the blocking surface of the second actuator to limit movement of the second actuator until the first actuator is at least partially actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Christian J. Fiksen
  • Publication number: 20240108372
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a latch unit comprising: (A) a hook latch, having a home position, (B) a forward bias constraint, (C) a rearward bias constraint, and (D) a bias member extending between the forward bias constraint and the rearward bias constraint so that the bias member has a pre-load when the hook latch is in the home position; (b) a movement unit including a bar that is movable relative to the latch unit so that the bar is movable in a prescribed motion into contact with the latch unit to create a locked state; and wherein the bar moves into contact with the hook latch driving the hook latch in a first direction, away relative to the home position, and then the hook latch is moved by the bar in a second direction relative to the home position, and a loading of the bias member is increased from the pre-load when the hook latch is moved in either the first direction away from the home position or the second direction away from the home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Eric J. Boone, Christian J. Fiksen, Zane R. Ward, Hanam S. Pham, Jeffrey Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240074776
    Abstract: Forceps with improved actuation include a housing and a body that is longitudinally slidable relative to the housing. The body having a peripheral flange extending outward towards the housing. A trigger includes an actuation surface configured to receive a force input from a user. The trigger further including at least one arm configured to transfer the received force input to the body. To inhibit lateral splaying of the at least one arm when the trigger is actuated, the housing includes a first control surface, such as a rib proximate the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Eric J. Boone, Christain j. Fiksen
  • Patent number: 11911058
    Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanam Pham, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Theodore C. Blus, Jeffrey D. Holton, Thomas J. Holman
  • Patent number: 11896254
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a latch unit comprising: (A) a hook latch, having a home position, (B) a forward bias constraint, (C) a rearward bias constraint, and (D) a bias member extending between the forward bias constraint and the rearward bias constraint so that the bias member has a pre-load when the hook latch is in the home position; (b) a movement unit including a bar that is movable relative to the latch unit so that the bar is movable in a prescribed motion into contact with the latch unit to create a locked state; and wherein the bar moves into contact with the hook latch driving the hook latch in a first direction, away relative to the home position, and then the hook latch is moved by the bar in a second direction relative to the home position, and a loading of the bias member is increased from the pre-load when the hook latch is moved in either the first direction away from the home position or the second direction away from the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Boone, Christian J. Fiksen, Zane R. Ward, Hanam Pham, Jeffrey Nelson
  • Patent number: 11883049
    Abstract: Surgical tool can include an outer shaft, a guide, an end effector, and a drive shaft. The outer shaft can extend along a longitudinal axis. The guide can be connected to the outer shaft. The end effector can include a first jaw connected to the outer shaft distal of the guide and a second jaw pivotably connected to the outer shaft distal of the guide. The drive shaft can be located within the outer shaft and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The drive shaft can be connected to the end effector and the drive shaft can be engageable with the guide to limit movement of the drive shaft with respect to the outer shaft in a direction not parallel with the guide. The drive shaft can be translatable along the outer shaft to operate the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Hanam Pham, Jeffrey D. Holton
  • Publication number: 20230389949
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly comprising: (a) a movement unit including (i) a bar and (ii) a contact element, wherein the bar, the contact element, or both move in a direction of a prescribed motion; (b) a latch unit comprising: (i) a latch plate including: (1) a hook latch that selectively receives the bar, the latch plate being movable between: (A) a lockable state where the hook latch is engageable by the bar, and (B) an unlockable state where the hook latch is unengageable by the bar; (c) an indicator mechanism that moves into alignment with the prescribed motion of the contact element, the bar, or both when the latch unit is in the unlockable state so that the indicator is contacted by the bar, the contacting element, or both generating an indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, John Mensch
  • Publication number: 20230371967
    Abstract: Forceps including a housing, a first body, a second body and a drive shaft. The first body has a passageway extending therethrough. The drive shaft extending through the passageway and connected to the first body such that the first body and the drive shaft are slidable with respect to the housing to drive jaws located at a distal portion of the drive shaft between an open position and a closed position. The second body having a second passageway. The drive shaft extending through the second passageway such that the second body is guided by the drive shaft and is slidable relative to the first body and the drive shaft to displace a blade shaft between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, William E. Butler, Jeffrey J. Nelson, Christian J. Fiksen, Eric J. Boone
  • Patent number: 11793534
    Abstract: Forceps with improved actuation include a housing and a body that is longitudinally slidable relative to the housing. The body having a peripheral flange extending outward towards the housing. A trigger includes an actuation surface configured to receive a force input from a user. The trigger further including at least one arm configured to transfer the received force input to the body. To inhibit lateral splaying of the at least one arm when the trigger is actuated, the housing includes a first control surface, such as a rib proximate the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Eric J. Boone, Christian J. Fiksen
  • Patent number: 11730502
    Abstract: A surgical tool can include a handle, an outer tube, an end effector, an inner tube, and a guide tube. The outer tube can be connected to the handle and can extend along a longitudinal axis. The end effector can be connected to the outer tube. The inner shaft can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner shaft can be connected to the end effector and the outer shaft. The handle can be operable to translate the inner shaft with respect to the outer tube to operate the end effector. The guide tube can be located within the outer tube between the handle and the end effector. The guide tube can include a conduit extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Theodore C. Blus
  • Publication number: 20230218337
    Abstract: A forceps including a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper jaw includes an upper tooth having an upper proximally facing canted tooth surface and an upper distally facing canted tooth surface. The lower jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The lower jaw includes a socket having a lower distally facing canted socket surface and a lower proximally facing socket surface. The upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both are moveable so that the gripping assembly moves between an open position and a gripping position, in the gripping position, a gap is defined between the upper distally facing canted tooth surface and the lower proximally facing socket surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Jeffrey Nelson, Huisun Wang, Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
  • Patent number: 11678899
    Abstract: Forceps including a housing, a first body, a second body and a drive shaft. The first body has a passageway extending therethrough. The drive shaft extending through the passageway and connected to the first body such that the first body and the drive shaft are slidable with respect to the housing to drive jaws located at a distal portion of the drive shaft between an open position and a closed position. The second body having a second passageway. The drive shaft extending through the second passageway such that the second body is guided by the drive shaft and is slidable relative to the first body and the drive shaft to displace a blade shaft between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, William E. Butler, Jeffrey J. Nelson, Christian J. Fiksen, Eric J. Boone
  • Patent number: 11678900
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly comprising: (a) a movement unit including (i) a bar and (ii) a contact element, wherein the bar, the contact element, or both move in a direction of a prescribed motion; (b) a latch unit comprising: (i) a latch plate including: (1) a hook latch that selectively receives the bar, the latch plate being movable between: (A) a lockable state where the hook latch is engageable by the bar, and (B) an unlockable state where the hook latch is unengageable by the bar; (c) an indicator mechanism that moves into alignment with the prescribed motion of the contact element, the bar, or both when the latch unit is in the unlockable state so that the indicator is contacted by the bar, the contacting element, or both generating an indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, John Mensch
  • Patent number: 11633227
    Abstract: A forceps including a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper jaw includes an upper tooth having an upper proximally facing canted tooth surface and an upper distally facing canted tooth surface. The lower jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The lower jaw includes a socket having a lower distally facing canted socket surface and a lower proximally facing socket surface. The upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both are moveable so that the gripping assembly moves between an open position and a gripping position. In the gripping position, a gap is defined between the upper distally facing canted tooth surface and the lower proximally facing socket surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Jeffrey J. Nelson, Huisun Wang, Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
  • Patent number: 11510693
    Abstract: Forceps that include a hand piece, a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece, and a web. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The web is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of a gripping section of the jaw assembly. The web remains generally stationary relative to the handpiece when the jaw assembly is moved between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nelson, Zane R Ward, Laura B. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20220361905
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (a) a first jaw; (b) a second jaw opposing the first jaw, the first jaw, the second jaw, or both being movable relative to one another between a jaw nominal position and a jaw clamped position; (c) a clamp lever in communication with the first jaw and the second jaw, the clamp lever moving the first jaw, the second jaw, or both from the jaw nominal position to the jaw clamped position when an external force is imparted upon the clamp lever in a first direction; and (d) a stop bias member that stops movement of the clamp lever when the external force is removed so that the first jaw and the second jaw are in the jaw nominal position at rest; wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are movable from the jaw nominal position to a jaw spread position when the clamp lever is moved in a second direction that opposes the first direction by an external force deforming the stop bias member so that a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw is larger in the jaw spread position tha
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Theodore C. Blus, Zane R. Ward, Jeffrey Nelson, Riyad Moe
  • Patent number: 11478264
    Abstract: The teachings herein provide an instrument comprising a forceps. The forceps comprise a hand piece; a tubular member connected to the hand piece; and a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw element and a second jaw element. The first jaw element includes a gripping section and a flexing section. The flexing section includes an arcuate section. The second jaw element opposes the first jaw element and includes a gripping section. The tubular member is moveable onto the arcuate section of the first jaw element so that the flexing section of the first jaw element is flexed and the jaw assembly is moved into a closed position. The first jaw element, the second jaw element, or both include a stiffening spine so that the jaw assembly is substantially rigid in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil M. Murdeshwar, John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Kester J. Batchelor, Richard A. Thompson, II, Evan M. Leingang, Jeffrey J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11464530
    Abstract: A surgical tool can include an outer tube, an end effector, an inner tube, and a distal plug. The outer tube can extend along a longitudinal axis and the outer tube can include a pair of outer arms. The end effector can be connected to the outer arms. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can be connected to the end effector and the inner tube can be translatable along the outer tube to operate the end effector. The distal plug can be securable to the outer tube between the outer arms proximal of the end effector. The distal plug can include a wire routing bore extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore C. Blus, Zane R. Ward
  • Patent number: 11457939
    Abstract: A surgical tool can include a shaft, a pin, an end effector, and a translating member. The shaft can define a longitudinal axis. The pin can be located at a distal portion of the shaft. The end effector can be connected to the shaft. The translating member can be positioned laterally inward of the shaft. The translating member can include a track and the pin can extend into the track to limit translation of the translating member along the longitudinal axis with respect to the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventor: Zane R. Ward
  • Patent number: 11406411
    Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (a) a stylet comprising: one or more support rods; (b) a hand piece comprising: one or more housing structures defining a cavity; and one or more actuating mechanisms comprising: one or more levers attached to one or more pivot axes in the hand piece and configured to form one or more slidable joints in communication with the one or more support rods; wherein the one or more levers are configured to be assembled by: being placed into the hand piece along the assembly direction before the stylet so the stylet may be placed into the hand piece over the one or more levers; or being placed into the hand piece along the assembly direction after the stylet so the one or more levers is placed into the hand piece over the stylet and in communication with the stylet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Windgassen, Jeffrey Nelson, Dennis G. Lamser, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Timothy Ozell