Robert M Sharp

US Patent:

7270664, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/418876

Inventors:

Kristin D. Johnson - Louisville CO, US
Gary M. Couture - Longmont CO, US
Jeff Unger - Superior CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US
David M. Garrison - Longmont CO, US
Sean T. Dycus - Broomfield CO, US
David Hixson - Longmont CO, US
Craig Weinberg - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 51, 606 45

Abstract:

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. A rigid structural support is included which is configured to support the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface and includes at least one flow channel defined therein.

US Patent:

7276068, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Sep 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/932612

Inventors:

Kristin Johnson - Louisville CO, US
Gary M. Couture - Boulder CO, US
Jeff Unger - Boulder CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 51, 606 45

Abstract:

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue. During the cutting process, the cutting element is energized to a first potential and at least one electrically conductive tissue contacting surface is energized to a different potential to effect a tissue cut through the tissue held between the jaw members along the already formed tissue seal.

US Patent:

7837685, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Jul 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/180949

Inventors:

Craig Weinberg - Denver CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US
Gary M. Couture - Longmont CO, US
Darren Odom - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG - Neuhausen am Rheinfall

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 42, 606 41, 606 51, 606 32, 606 1

Abstract:

Various safe switching mechanisms are provided for use with electrosurgical instruments which prevent arcing between the high-energy contacts as the high-energy source is activated. The switching mechanisms generally include a pair of high-energy contacts and a pair of activation contacts. An actuator is provided which initially engages the high-energy contacts in advance of engagement of the activation contacts to prevent arcing and subsequently disengages the activation contacts in advance of the high-energy contacts as the energy source is deactivated. A method of switching power to an electrosurgical instrument while avoiding damage to high-energy contacts is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7877852, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Sep 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/234087

Inventors:

Jeffrey R. Unger - Longmont CO, US
Robert M. Sharp - Boulder CO, US
David W. Hixson - Longmont CO, US
Chelsea Shields - Portland OR, US
Darion Peterson - Boulder CO, US
Jeremy James - Highlands Ranch CO, US
David M. Garrison - Longmont CO, US
Michael R. Warzecha - Longmont CO, US
Edward M. Chojin - Boulder CO, US
Duane E. Kerr - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

TYCO Healthcare Group LP - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H01S 4/00

US Classification:

295921, 29825, 29876, 606 49, 606 50, 606 51, 606 52

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface. The method also includes the steps of: coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of one or both jaw members with an insulative material, the coating having a thickness within the range of about 0. 001 inches to about 0. 010 inches; allowing the insulative material to cure onto the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; removing a portion of the insulative material from the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface to form a series of stop members arranged thereacross; and assembling the pair of first and second jaw members about a pivot such that the two inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surfaces are substantially opposed to each other in pivotal relation relative to one another.

US Patent:

7877853, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Sep 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/234128

Inventors:

Jeffrey R. Unger - Longmont CO, US
Robert M. Sharp - Boulder CO, US
David W. Hixson - Longmont CO, US
Chelsea Shields - Portland OR, US
Darion Peterson - Boulder CO, US
Jeremy James - Highlands Ranch CO, US
David M. Garrison - Longmont CO, US
Michael R. Warzecha - Longmont CO, US
Edward M. Chojin - Boulder CO, US
Duane E. Kerr - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

TYCO Healthcare Group LP - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H01S 4/00

US Classification:

295921, 29825, 29874, 29876, 606 49, 606 30, 606 51

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates; allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0. 001 inches to about 0. 010 inches; and allowing the insulative material to cure.

US Patent:

8128624, Mar 6, 2012

Filed:

May 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/442849

Inventors:

Gary M. Couture - Longmont CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US
Craig Weinberg - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 51, 606 50

Abstract:

An electrode sealing assembly is designed for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue and includes first and second jaw members each having an insulative housing and being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing member disposed within the respective insulative housing. At least one of the insulative housings includes at least one tissue engaging surface configured to extend beyond the electrically conductive sealing member of one of the jaw members. The tissue engaging surface of the insulative housing cooperates with the opposing insulative housing of the opposing jaw member to both pinch and spread tissue when the jaw members are moved to the second position to decrease extraneous energy transmittance to tissue surrounding the jaw members.

US Patent:

8162940, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Sep 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/899298

Inventors:

Kristin D. Johnson - Louisville CO, US
Gary M. Couture - Longmont CO, US
Jeff Unger - Superior CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 51, 606 45

Abstract:

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue. During the cutting process, the cutting element is energized to a first potential and at least one electrically conductive tissue contacting surface is energized to a different potential to effect a tissue cut through the tissue held between the jaw members along the already formed tissue seal.

US Patent:

8192433, Jun 5, 2012

Filed:

Aug 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/894354

Inventors:

Kristin D. Johnson - Louisville CO, US
Gary M. Couture - Longmont CO, US
Jeff Unger - Superior CO, US
Robert Sharp - Boulder CO, US
David M. Garrison - Longmont CO, US
Sean T. Dycus - Broomfield CO, US
David Hixson - Longmont CO, US
Craig Weinberg - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 51, 606 46

Abstract:

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. A rigid structural support is included which is configured to support the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface and includes at least one flow channel defined therein.