Patents by Inventor Brannon P. Wells
Brannon P. Wells 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).
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Patent number: 9615881Abstract: An electrosurgical system is capable of selectively varying the power applied to an electrosurgical probe, without interruption or discontinuity, in a variable mode or providing a constant coagulation power value to the probe. In a fixed mode, power to the electrosurgical probe must be discontinued to change the power level output by the probe. A single controller is capable of operating the probe in the variable mode and the fixed mode. The controller includes an actuator for stopping the cutting operation and then switching to a constant coagulation output during either of the variable mode or the fixed mode. The controller of the system may selectively control a separate surgical tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATIONInventors: Steffan A. Benamou, Brannon P. Wells, Saheel B. Sutaria
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Patent number: 9066658Abstract: In a surgical system, a system controller executes a video signature identification and image control routine to maintain quality of a video image taken by a video camera located at a surgical site and provided on a video display. The system includes a video camera/light source handpiece for insertion into a patient body. A tool is inserted separately into the surgical site. Fluid input into the surgical site is provided by a liquid pump or by an insufflator. Video signals are analyzed and fluid input/output, fluid pressure, and/or tool operation is automatically controlled to maintain image quality of the surgical site without manual adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Ruzbeh Shariff
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Publication number: 20140052123Abstract: An electrosurgical system is capable of selectively varying the power applied to an electrosurgical probe, without interruption or discontinuity, in a variable mode or providing a constant coagulation power value to the probe. In a fixed mode, power to the electrosurgical probe must be discontinued to change the power level output by the probe. A single controller is capable of operating the probe in the variable mode and the fixed mode. The controller includes an actuator for stopping the cutting operation and then switching to a constant coagulation output during either of the variable mode or the fixed mode. The controller of the system may selectively control a separate surgical tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Inventors: Steffan A. BENAMOU, Brannon P. WELLS, Saheel B. SUTARIA
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Patent number: 8638191Abstract: A system for providing wireless remote control over one or more devices. Included in the system is at least one wireless button that can be placed at various locations and which communicates with at least one sensor when the wireless button and sensor are brought within close proximity to one another. According to one embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated when the button is located within an authorized activation area. In another embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated by an authorized user. In yet a further embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated by an authorized user when the button is located within an authorized activation area.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Reid S. Cover, Michael G. Hilldoerfer
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Patent number: 8597287Abstract: An electrosurgical system is capable of selectively varying the power applied to an electrosurgical probe, without interruption or discontinuity, in a variable mode or providing a constant coagulation power value to the probe. In a fixed mode, power to the electrosurgical probe must be discontinued to change the power level output by the probe. A single controller is capable of operating the probe in the variable mode and the fixed mode. The controller includes an actuator for stopping the cutting operation and then switching to a constant coagulation output during either of the variable mode or the fixed mode. The controller of the system may selectively control a separate surgical tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Steffan A. Benamou, Brannon P. Wells, Saheel B. Sutaria
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System for preventing unintended activation of a medical device by a portable remote control console
Patent number: 8175590Abstract: A network system prevents portable wireless remote control consoles from unintended activation of a medical device by determining if the console is located in a working space within a medical care room. Transceiver locator devices determine the position of the remote control consoles and send information to room control units indicating when a console is within the desired working space. The room control unit receives signals from the remote control console in the working space to control medical devices. The room control unit can also determine which of multiple remote control consoles within the working space is permitted to operate the medical devices. Each room control unit can send a presence output to the remote control console to enable use thereof. The remote control console can have an orientation sensor or a grip detector to prevent unintended operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Michael G. Hilldoerfer -
Patent number: 8162822Abstract: A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Hasan Ertas, Ruzbeh Shariff, Sohail Desai, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
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Patent number: 8149108Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more medical devices by a remote console. The remote console communicates wirelessly with a central control unit that connects to one or more of the medical devices. To conserve battery power and simplify operation, the remote console is configured to automatically power on and initiate a wireless connection in response to being brought into proximity of the central control unit. According to another embodiment, the remote console automatically powers on and terminates any previously established wireless connections when brought into proximity of the central control unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Michael G. Hilldoerfer, Brannon P. Wells
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Patent number: 8052644Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical irrigation system having an improved reusable, motorized console and a separable/attachable irrigation pump cassette, including, at least in one embodiment improved mechanical and electrical inner-connection structure therebetween, and at least in one embodiment improved pump priming structure and methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Todd J. Radgowski, Reid S. Cover, Brannon P. Wells, Simon S. Hui
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Publication number: 20110237880Abstract: In a surgical system, a system controller executes a video signature identification and image control routine to maintain quality of a video image taken by a video camera located at a surgical site and provided on a video display. The system includes a video camera/light source handpiece for insertion into a patient body. A tool is inserted separately into the surgical site. Fluid input into the surgical site is provided by a liquid pump or by an insufflator. Video signals are analyzed and fluid input/output, fluid pressure, and/or tool operation is automatically controlled to maintain image quality of the surgical site without manual adjustments.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Andrew Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Ruzbeh Shariff
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Publication number: 20110219125Abstract: A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Hasan Ertas, Ruzbeh Shariff, Sohail Desai, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
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Patent number: 7976461Abstract: A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Hasan Ertas, Ruzbeh Shariff, Sohail Desai, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
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Patent number: 7846150Abstract: A system for controlling one or more medical devices by a remote console. The remote console communicates wirelessly with a central control unit that connects to one or more of the medical devices. To minimize the possibility that a medical device will be activated by a stray or unauthorized wireless command signal, the central control unit must synchronize with the remote console and establish a secure communication link with it before the central control unit will respond to a wireless command signal transmitted by the remote console.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Michael G. Hilldoerfer, Brannon P. Wells
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Publication number: 20100241115Abstract: An electrosurgical system is capable of selectively varying the power applied to an electrosurgical probe, without interruption or discontinuity, in a variable mode or providing a constant coagulation power value to the probe. In a fixed mode, power to the electrosurgical probe must be discontinued to change the power level output by the probe. A single controller is capable of operating the probe in the variable mode and the fixed mode. The controller includes an actuator for stopping the cutting operation and then switching to a constant coagulation output during either of the variable mode or the fixed mode. The controller of the system may selectively control a separate surgical tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Steffan A. Benamou, Brannon P. Wells, Saheel B. Sutaria
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Publication number: 20090121865Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more medical devices by a remote console. The remote console communicates wirelessly with a central control unit that connects to one or more of the medical devices. To conserve battery power and simplify operation, the remote console is configured to automatically power on and initiate a wireless connection in response to being brought into proximity of the central control unit. According to another embodiment, the remote console automatically powers on and terminates any previously established wireless connections when brought into proximity of the central control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Michael G. Hilldoerfer, Brannon P. Wells
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Publication number: 20090085718Abstract: A system for providing wireless remote control over one or more devices. Included in the system is at least one wireless button that can be placed at various locations and which communicates with at least one sensor when the wireless button and sensor are brought within close proximity to one another. According to one embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated when the button is located within an authorized activation area. In another embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated by an authorized user. In yet a further embodiment, a wireless button can only be activated by an authorized user when the button is located within an authorized activation area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Stryker CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Reid S. Cover, Michael G. Hilldoerfer
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System for preventing unintended activation of a medical device by a portable remote control console
Publication number: 20090080348Abstract: A network system prevents portable wireless remote control consoles from unintended activation of a medical device by determining if the console is located in a working space within a medical care room. Transceiver locator devices determine the position of the remote control consoles and send information to room control units indicating when a console is within the desired working space. The room control unit receives signals from the remote control console in the working space to control medical devices. The room control unit can also determine which of multiple remote control consoles within the working space is permitted to operate the medical devices. Each room control unit can send a presence output to the remote control console to enable use thereof. The remote control console can have an orientation sensor or a grip detector to prevent unintended operation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Andrew J. Hamel, Brannon P. Wells, Michael G. Hilldoerfer -
Patent number: 7498950Abstract: RFID circuitry is used in an endoscopic light source unit to track cumulative light bulb use information. An inductively powered RFID tag is affixed to the light bulb assembly, and communicates wirelessly with an RF transceiver within the light source unit via a low-frequency modulation wave. The RFID tag includes memory which stores a value representing cumulative duration of use of the light bulb. The transceiver reads the value from the RFID tag and communicates the value to control circuitry in the light source unit, which tracks use of the light bulb within the light source unit. Based on such tracking, the transceiver periodically updates the value in the RFID tag via the wireless link. Cumulative bulb usage hours is displayed on the light source unit. The RFID tag also may store a custom password and/or other information.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Hasan Ertas, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
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Patent number: 7154378Abstract: RFID circuitry is used in an endoscopic light source unit to track cumulative light bulb use information. An inductively powered RFID tag is affixed to the light bulb assembly, and communicates wirelessly with an RF transceiver within the light source unit via a low-frequency modulation wave. The RFID tag includes memory which stores a value representing cumulative duration of use of the light bulb. The transceiver reads the value from the RFID tag and communicates the value to control circuitry in the light source unit, which tracks use of the light bulb within the light source unit. Based on such tracking, the transceiver periodically updates the value in the RFID tag via the wireless link. Cumulative bulb usage hours is displayed on the light source unit. The RFID tag also may store a custom password and/or other information.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Hasan Ertas, Brannon P. Wells, Rajeshwari Srinivasan
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Patent number: 6972543Abstract: An apparatus to charge a power supply inductively, with increased efficiency due to resonance, comprises an LC series resonance circuit formed by a capacitor and a primary inductive coil coupled in series with the capacitor, and a secondary inductive coil positioned such that power is inductively transferred from the primary coil to the secondary coil. The LC circuit has a natural resonant frequency, wherein the primary coil of the resonance circuit is coupled to receive power from a source oscillating at the natural resonant frequency. The secondary coil is further coupled to the power supply so that power induced in the secondary coil causes the power supply to be charged.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventor: Brannon P. Wells