Patents by Inventor Todd W. Boucher

Todd W. Boucher 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: 11969204
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20230149065
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each including a jaw housing supporting a sealing plate disposed thereon and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. The sealing plates adapted to connect to opposite potentials of an electrosurgical energy source and the sealing plate of the first jaw member having an open T-shaped configuration defining a channel along a length thereof. A plasma blade is disposed within the channel and extends to a distal end portion thereof, the plasma blade electrically connected to the energy source and independently activatable from the sealing plates. The plasma blade includes an insulative material on either side thereof configured to focus electrical and thermal energy to an exposed edge defined along a length of the plasma blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Chelsea E. Walbridge, Prakash Manley, Xiaoming Cheng, Daniel W. Mercier, Sean W. Miller, Todd W. Boucher, Craig V. Krastins
  • Patent number: 11432869
    Abstract: A method for applying a polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm on a tissue sealing plate. The method includes: placing the electrically conductive component into a plasma deposition chamber; supplying an ionizable media into the plasma deposition chamber; igniting the ionizable media to generate a first plasma at a first power level to prepare the electrically conductive component to receive the coating; supplying the ionizable media and a precursor composition into the plasma deposition chamber; and igniting the ionizable media and the precursor composition to generate a second plasma at a second power level thereby forming the coating on the electrically conductive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, Michael C. Barden, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20220202473
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 11298179
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20220104864
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Todd W. Boucher, William E. Robinson, Monte S. Fry, James D. Allen, IV, Jennifer R. McHenry
  • Publication number: 20220022942
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 11207124
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Todd W. Boucher, William E. Robinson, Monte S. Fry, James D. Allen, IV, Jennifer R. McHenry
  • Patent number: 11135007
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 10973569
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, Michael C. Barden, Kristen P. Bradley, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20210007789
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: TODD W. BOUCHER, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, MONTE S. FRY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, JENNIFER R. MCHENRY
  • Publication number: 20200405378
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft supporting an end effector assembly, a sheath slidably disposed about the elongated shaft and the end effector assembly, and a housing disposed at a proximal end portion of the elongated shaft. Inflow, outflow, and common tubes extend into the housing. A manifold is disposed within the housing and defines an inflow port fluidly coupled to the inflow tube, and outflow port fluidly coupled to the outflow tube, and a common tube port fluidly coupled to the common tube. First and second valve assemblies are disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the manifold. The first valve assembly is configured to selectively control a flow of fluid from the inflow tube to the interior of the sheath, and the second valve assembly is configured to selectively control a flow of fluid from the interior of the sheath to the outflow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Tyler J. Bagrosky, Jennifer R. McHenry, Daniel A. Joseph, Todd W. Boucher, Jason T. Sanders
  • Patent number: 10709497
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, Michael C. Barden, Kristen P. Bradley, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20200038098
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: JOE D. SARTOR, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Publication number: 20190328450
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: JOE D. SARTOR, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Patent number: 10441349
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 10368939
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20190090934
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, MICHAEL C. BARDEN, KRISTEN P. BRADLEY, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Publication number: 20190090935
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, MICHAEL C. BARDEN, KRISTEN P. BRADLEY, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Publication number: 20190090936
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, MICHAEL C. BARDEN, TODD W. BOUCHER