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).

  • Publication number: 20200281683
    Abstract: An instrument that includes forceps. The forceps include a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a gripping section, and the second jaw includes a gripping section. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw is electrically conductive, the second jaw is electrically conductive, or both the first jaw and the second jaw are electrically conductive. The first jaw includes a first tissue stop that is centered on a medial plane of the first jaw. The tissue stop extends from the first jaw towards the second jaw. The first tissue stop is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of the gripping section of the first jaw, a proximal end of the gripping section of the second jaw, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Patent number: 10736687
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps that can provide improved hemostatis and tissue-cutting capabilities during surgical procedures. The electrosurgical forceps include opposing jaw members, each including first and second electrode members. The first and second electrodes included in the respective jaw members are disposed directly opposite one another, the first electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another, and the second electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another. A first high frequency (HF) electric power source is connectable across the first electrode members, and a second HF electric power source is connectable across the second electrode members, electrically isolating the first electrode members from the second electrode members, and allowing current to flow diagonally through the tissue between one or both of the first electrode members and the second electrode members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Richard J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 10722317
    Abstract: An instrument that includes forceps. The forceps include a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a gripping section, and the second jaw includes a gripping section. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw is electrically conductive, the second jaw is electrically conductive, or both the first jaw and the second jaw are electrically conductive. The first jaw includes a first tissue stop that is centered on a medial plane of the first jaw. The tissue stop extends from the first jaw towards the second jaw. The first tissue stop is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of the gripping section of the first jaw, a proximal end of the gripping section of the second jaw, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Publication number: 20200022719
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nelson, Zane R. Ward, Laura B. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20200008829
    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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    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: 10485566
    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: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nelson, Zane R. Ward, Laura B. Eliason
  • Patent number: 10456154
    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: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Nikhil M. Murdeshwar, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Kester J. Batchelor, Richard A. Thompson, II, Evan M. Leingang, Jeffrey J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190307473
    Abstract: A forceps includes jaws, a first shaft having a first slot, a second shaft extending along the first shaft and having a second slot, and a rod that extends along the second shaft. The rod has a third slot including a locking portion and a guide track portion. A pin extends through the first slot, the second slot, and the third slot to prevent deployment of the rod when the pin is in the locking portion and to permit deployment of the rod when the pin is in the guide track portion. A first actuator produces relative movement of the first and second shafts to move the jaws relative to each other and move the pin from the locking portion to the guide track portion of the third slot. A second actuator produces movement of the rod to deploy the rod when the pin is in the guide track portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Christian J. Fiksen, Hanam S. Pham, Eric J. Boone, Zane R. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190269455
    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: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Jeffrey J. Nelson, Huisun Wang, Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
  • Patent number: 10368940
    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: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Jeffrey J. Nelson, Huisun Wang, Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
  • Patent number: 10327794
    Abstract: A forceps comprising: (a) a stylet having a hollow tube having a proximal end region and a longitudinal axis; one or more assemblies that are extendable through the hollow tube, the one or more assemblies comprising: one or more support rods and one or more functional attachments; (b) a hand piece comprising: one or more housing structures defining a cavity; one or more actuating mechanisms comprising: a bearing fitting; a shuttle in communication with the bearing fitting constrained by a plurality of guide ridges; a socket housed by the shuttle; and one or more levers in communication with stylet so that movement of the one or more levers causes movement of the hollow tube and movement of the one or more assemblies; and wherein the movement of the hollow tube and the movement of the one or more assemblies are relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Windgassen, Jeffrey Nelson, Dennis G. Lamser, John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Timothy Ozell
  • Publication number: 20190053818
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nelson, Zane R. Ward, Laura B. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20170333113
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps that can provide improved hemostatis and tissue-cutting capabilities during surgical procedures. The electrosurgical forceps include opposing jaw members, each including first and second electrode members. The first and second electrodes included in the respective jaw members are disposed directly opposite one another, the first electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another, and the second electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another. A first high frequency (HF) electric power source is connectable across the first electrode members, and a second HF electric power source is connectable across the second electrode members, electrically isolating the first electrode members from the second electrode members, and allowing current to flow diagonally through the tissue between one or both of the first electrode members and the second electrode members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Richard J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 9788848
    Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal end of the tubular member, the pair of jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; wherein each of the pair of jaws has an arcuate section, and the pair of jaws are closable by advancing the tubular member over the arcuate section of the jaws; and an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the pair of jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the axis of the tubular member, wherein at the distal end portion of the tubular member there is a profile shape that is non-circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Tailin Fan, Jeffrey Nelson, John R. Mensch, Ryan Windgassen, Riyad Moe, Michael Baden, Erik Dalgaard, Paul Barratt, Richard A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9757185
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps that can provide improved hemostatis and tissue-cutting capabilities during surgical procedures. The electrosurgical forceps include opposing jaw members, each including first and second electrode members. The first and second electrodes included in the respective jaw members are disposed directly opposite one another, the first electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another, and the second electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another. A first high frequency (HF) electric power source is connectable across the first electrode members, and a second HF electric power source is connectable across the second electrode members, electrically isolating the first electrode members from the second electrode members, and allowing current to flow diagonally through the tissue between one or both of the first electrode members and the second electrode members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Richard J. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20170196648
    Abstract: An instrument that includes forceps. The forceps include a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a gripping section, and the second jaw includes a gripping section. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw is electrically conductive, the second jaw is electrically conductive, or both the first jaw and the second jaw are electrically conductive. The first jaw includes a first tissue stop that is centered on a medial plane of the first jaw. The tissue stop extends from the first jaw towards the second jaw. The first tissue stop is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of the gripping section of the first jaw, a proximal end of the gripping section of the second jaw, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Todd W. Sharratt
  • Publication number: 20170196581
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. Windgassen, Jeffrey Nelson, Dennis G. Lamser, John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Timothy Ozell
  • Publication number: 20170196580
    Abstract: A forceps comprising: (a) a stylet having a hollow tube having a proximal end region and a longitudinal axis; one or more assemblies that are extendable through the hollow tube, the one or more assemblies comprising: one or more support rods and one or more functional attachments; (b) a hand piece comprising: one or more housing structures defining a cavity; one or more actuating mechanisms comprising: a bearing fitting; a shuttle in communication with the bearing fitting constrained by a plurality of guide ridges; a socket housed by the shuttle; and one or more levers in communication with stylet so that movement of the one or more levers causes movement of the hollow tube and movement of the one or more assemblies; and wherein the movement of the hollow tube and the movement of the one or more assemblies are relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. Windgassen, Jeffrey Nelson, Dennis G. Lamser, John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Timothy Ozell
  • Patent number: 9681883
    Abstract: A forceps comprising: (a) a stylet comprising; (i) a hollow tube having a longitudinal axis; (ii) assemblies, that are extendable through the hollow tube, comprising; (1) support rods; (2) functional attachments at the end of the support rods; (b) a hand piece comprising; (i) housing structures defining a cavity that houses the stylet; (ii) actuating mechanisms, in communication with the stylet, comprising; (1) a bearing fitting located on the stylet; (2) a shuttle in communication with the bearing fitting, and constrained by a plurality of guide ridges so that the shuttle is movable along a longitudinal axis and restricted from rotational movement around the longitudinal axis; (3) a socket housed by the shuttle, the socket receiving the bearing fitting and being rotatable relative to the shuttle; and (4) levers in communication with the stylet that causes movement of the hollow tube and the assemblies are relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Windgassen, Jeffrey Nelson, Dennis G. Lamser, John R. Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Timothy Ozell
  • Publication number: 20170100147
    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 clement 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Nikhil M. Murdeshwar, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Kester J. Batchelor, Richard A. Thompson, II, Evan M. Leingang, Jeffrey J. Nelson