Electromagnetic Wave Irradiation Patents (Class 606/33)
  • Patent number: 10898104
    Abstract: A medical device is configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a body. The medical device comprises an elongate member and a position sensor. The elongate member is configured to be received within the body, and has a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The position sensor is disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of the deformable member. The position sensor comprises a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a current flow when subject to a magnetic field, and a high-permeability antenna having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Olson, Ryan K. Buesseler
  • Patent number: 10888374
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system with an innovative electrode designed as an RF/microwave antenna as well as methods to monitor/assess biological tissue and perform surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Parag Karmarkar
  • Patent number: 10881396
    Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a parameter sensor coupled to the control circuit and a position sensor coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a parameter output of the parameter sensor indicative of a force applied to translate the displacement member, determine a duration during which the parameter output is maintained at or above a predetermined fault threshold, receive a position output of the position sensor indicative of at least one position of the displacement member during the duration, and effect a motor control action based on the duration and the at least one position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 10874406
    Abstract: A handheld surgical instrument comprising an energy storage element, wherein the energy storage element is a spring coupled to the impacting mechanism, an impacting mechanism has a tip configured to impact a bone, wherein the tip includes a tapered point, a power transmission mechanism is configured to transmit energy from the energy storage element to the impacting mechanism, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a semi-flexible metal wire guided by a hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft includes a distal end, the semi-flexible metal wire is includes a bend toward the distal end, a trigger mechanism is configured to release energy from the energy storage element, wherein the bend includes an angle between 14 degrees and 46 degrees, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a manual lever which, when actuated, simultaneously retracts the tip and charges the energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MFr Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Jacob Laughlin, Jason L. Koh, Daniel M. Fisher, Brian Philip Beaubien, Joseph Jude Saladino
  • Patent number: 10874459
    Abstract: A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. An ablation zone control module is in operative communication with a memory associated with the power source. The memory includes one or more data look-up tables including data pertaining to a control curve varying over time and being representative of one or more electrical parameters associated with the microwave antenna. Points along the control curve correspond to a value of the electrical parameters and the ablation zone control module triggers a signal when a predetermined threshold value of the electrical parameter(s) is measured corresponding to the radius of the ablation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10874873
    Abstract: A process for heat treating biological tissue includes repeatedly applying a pulsed energy to a target tissue over a period of time so as to controllably raise a temperature of the target tissue to create a therapeutic effect to the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue. After the first treatment is concluded the application of the pulsed energy to the target tissue is halted for an interval of time. Within a single treatment session a second treatment is performed on the target tissue after the interval of time by repeatedly reapplying the pulsed energy to the target tissue so as to controllably raise the temperature of the target tissue to therapeutically treat the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ojai Retinal Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Luttrull, David B. Chang, Benjamin W. L. Margolis
  • Patent number: 10856940
    Abstract: An ablation system for directing energy to a target volume of tissue is provided. The ablation system comprises an ablation antenna probe including at least one radiating portion configured to output electromagnetic radiation and at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector configured for removable positioning on the antenna probe. The at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector is configured to block electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiating portion through the at least one electromagnetic shielding reflector such that a particular directionality of the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one radiation portion to a target volume of tissue is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10856926
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Metavention, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobak Robert Azamian, Jonathan Allen Coe, Scott Bradley Vafai
  • Patent number: 10840576
    Abstract: Design, application and implementations of magnetic loops and ring structures are disclosed which may be used to favorably shape or alter electromagnetic fluxes around the transmission lines or waveguides. In transmission lines, application of this system of rings offers opportunities in performance tuning, for example, to achieve more bandwidth or to adjust port impedances. In waveguides, these structures allow selective suppression of excitation of transverse electromagnetic modes (TEMs), hence improving TEM modal purities. The system of rings includes a substrate and a conductive structure for propagating an electromagnetic signal, the conductive structure in contact with the substrate. The device also includes an electrically conductive magnetic, non-conductive magnetic or metallic ring structure positioned within the substrate and proximate to the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Alireza Shapoury
  • Patent number: 10835314
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, the shaft including a plurality of stepped sections along the length of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the length of the shaft, each electrode characterized by a geometric aspect ratio of the length of the electrode to the outer diameter of the electrode. Each electrode is located at a different stepped section of the plurality of stepped sections of the shaft and includes a set of leads. Each lead of the set of leads is configured to attain an electrical voltage potential of at least about 1 kV. The geometric aspect ratio of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range between about 3 and about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Farapulse, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Long, Raju Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 10820937
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which is capable of selective operation in any of (i) a plasma-generating mode for surface coagulation, (ii) a non-ionising radiation mode for deeper coagulation, e.g. using microwave energy, and (iii) a liquid administration mode for conveying liquid to a treatment site, e.g. to constrict a bleeding vessel so that a clinician can get control of the bleed. These operating modes may be provided in an electrosurgical instrument that is physically configured to be suitable for applying pressure to a tissue vessel, e.g. to act as a tamponade to stem bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Shaun Preston, Francis Amoah, Malcolm White, Zacharias Tsiamoulos, Brian Saunders
  • Patent number: 10813692
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a first cannula, a trocar insertable through the first cannula and configured to facilitate insertion of the first cannula into a target tissue, and a microwave antenna assembly configured to interlock with the first cannula, the microwave antenna assembly including a coaxial feedline having a radiating section formed thereon, the microwave antenna configured to be inserted into the first cannula. The microwave ablation system further includes an actuator operatively connected to one of the first cannula or microwave antenna assembly. Operation of the actuator between a first position and a second position exposes the radiating section of the microwave antenna assembly from a distal portion of the first cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Eric W. Larson
  • Patent number: 10806500
    Abstract: Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described as well as for providing for other treatments. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance of cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting at least one freeze event in the cooled skin. The treatment system can continue cooling the patient's skin after the freeze event(s) are detected so to maintain at least a partially frozen state of the tissue for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard C. DeBenedictis, George Frangineas, Jr., Kristine Tatsutani, Linda Pham
  • Patent number: 10792117
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft, wherein a deflectable articulation section is formed at the shaft, a proximal handling portion at a proximal end of the shaft, a distal effector at a distal end of the shaft, and a deflection mechanism for controlling a bending state of the articulation section. The deflection mechanism comprises a first pull element for a deflection movement and a second pull element for a return movement. The first pull element and the second pull element are jointly pretensioned during the movement of the articulation section. An interface is provided where the instrument is demountable into a distal shaft assembly and a proximal handle piece, wherein the effector is controlled via an actuation mechanism that passes through the interface in a mounted state. The actuation mechanism comprises a push piece having a distal end that is coupled with the effector and a proximal end that is actuable by a pushing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank Doll, Yann Thouément, Régis Besse, Daniel Kärcher, Marian Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 10786684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for dermatological treatment, comprising a laser head (2) suitable for directing a laser beam (3) towards a target zone (4), at least one fan (5) suitable for dissipating the heat emitted by the laser head (2), and at least one monitoring means (6) suitable for detecting a fault in at least one fan (5) and for controlling at least one means (7) for inhibiting the laser beam (3) when a fault is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: URGO RECHERCHE INNOVATION ET DEVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Michel Lamoise, Guirec Le Lous, Jean-François Peyre
  • Patent number: 10786569
    Abstract: A group of Hyperthermia micro/nano particles are prepared. Each nanoparticle has a first diameter between 1 micron to 50 micron and a first thickness between 100 nm to 5 micron, in a disk-like shape. The hyperthermia micro/nano particles in the present show enhanced heat properties under microwave radiation which can be used for diagnosis and therapeutic purpose in cancer treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Yifei Wang, Mahta Moghaddam, John Stang
  • Patent number: 10772688
    Abstract: An input device for a robotic surgical system includes a body, a light source, and control interfaces. The body is configured to couple to a user interface. The control interfaces are each associated with a function of the robot system. The light source is configured to selectively illuminate each of the control interfaces independent of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: William Peine, Peter Vokrot
  • Patent number: 10772408
    Abstract: A kit (10) for emitting light on a nail of a user, comprises: a light emitting diode (14) emitting light at a wavelength, a waveguide (26) coupled to the light emitting diode (14), and a fixing element for fixing the waveguide (26) on the nail of the user. The kit (10) comprises at least one fluorescent coating (30) intended to be applied on the waveguide (26), the waveguide (26) being configured to transmit the light emitted by the light emitting diode (14) to the fluorescent coating (30), the fluorescent coating (30) being excited at the wavelength of the light emitting diode (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Steven Perkins
  • Patent number: 10772682
    Abstract: A radiation applicator with a dielectric body (2) surrounding the antenna. The dielectric body (2) is comprised of three sections (3, 4 and 5) with different dielectric constants to provide broad-band matching of the applicator to surrounding material. Washers (10) and (11) are mounted on the antenna to act as reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Cronin
  • Patent number: 10775163
    Abstract: A dielectric boundary surface estimation device includes: a pre-processing unit pre-processing wave data obtained by observing a dielectric by a radar device; a three-dimensional synthetic aperture processing unit performing three-dimensional synthetic aperture processing on the wave data pre-processed by the pre-processing unit; and a dielectric boundary surface estimating unit estimating a boundary surface between areas having different dielectric constants to each other using the wave data on which the three-dimensional synthetic aperture processing is performed by the three-dimensional synthetic aperture processing unit. The dielectric boundary surface estimating unit calculates a width and a thickness of the boundary surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Hoshino, Teruyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 10743935
    Abstract: A microwave energy delivery and measurement system, including a microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy to a microwave energy delivery device, a measurement system configured to measure at least one parameter of the microwave energy delivery device and a switching network configured to electrically isolate the microwave energy source and the measurement system. The measurement system is configured to actively measure in real time at least one parameter related to the microwave energy delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Joseph A. Paulus
  • Patent number: 10743934
    Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween. A radiating portion is also included having an unbalanced dipole antenna including a proximal portion and a distal portion that are of different lengths. The proximal portion includes at least a portion of the inner conductor and the inner insulator and the distal portion includes a conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kyle R. Rick
  • Patent number: 10729495
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for applying to biological tissue RF electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy, wherein the instrument tip has a protective hull with a smoothly contoured convex undersurface facing away from a planar body, and wherein the planar body has a tapering distal edge, and wherein an underside of the planar body extends beyond the protective hull at the tapering distal edge. Also disclosed herein is an interface joint for integrating into a single cable assembly all of (i) a fluid feed, (ii) a needle movement mechanism, and (iii) an energy feed (e.g. a coaxial cable), and a torque transfer device for permitting controlled rotation of the cable assembly within the instrument channel of an endoscope. The interface joint and torque transfer device may be integrated as a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Julian Mark Ebbutt, Christopher Paul Hancock, Steven Morris, Malcolm White, Brian Saunders
  • Patent number: 10709469
    Abstract: A method of conserving energy in a surgical instrument that includes a segmented circuit having a plurality of independently operated circuit segments, a voltage control circuit, an energy source, a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to control a state of a circuit segment of the plurality of circuit segments. The state can be an energized state or a deenergized state. The method includes transmitting an energizing signal from the processor to a voltage control circuit, receiving the energizing signal by the voltage control circuit to apply a voltage to a circuit segment of the plurality of circuit segments, applying the voltage to the circuit segment by the voltage control circuit to cause the circuit segment to transition from the deenergized state to the energized state in accordance with an energization sequence that is different from a deenergization sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 10714218
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for rendering lesions on a geometric surface model of a geometric structure. The system includes a computer-based model construction system configured to create a three-dimensional (3D) texture map including a plurality of voxels each having a tissue necrosis value, increment the tissue necrosis values as a function of at least one parameter to generate a total tissue necrosis value for each voxel, render at least one lesion on the geometric surface model based on the total tissue necrosis values, and display the geometric surface model and the at least one rendered lesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Voth
  • Patent number: 10675092
    Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, William J. Dickhans, Richard A. Willyard, Jason A. Case
  • Patent number: 10653480
    Abstract: A method of constructing an electrophysiology catheter having a flex circuit electrode assembly includes: providing a flex circuit having a substrate, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; removing the first conductive layer to expose a first surface of the substrate; forming the wiring electrode in the second conductive layer with one exclusion zone; forming a first through-hole in the substrate to provide one conductive via and forming a second through-hole to provide an irrigation aperture in alignment with the exclusion zone; forming the contact electrode on first surface of the substrate; placing conductive material into the first through-hole to form the conductive via, the conductive via extending through the substrate and electrically coupling the wiring electrode and the contact electrode; and coupling a first conductor and a second conductor to the wiring electrode to form a thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Joseph Thomas Keyes, Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 10646271
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Trees, Eric N. Johnson, Chad P. Boudreaux, Robert Laird, Rudolph H. Nobis, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Jason R. Lesko, John A. Hibner, David C. Yates, David M. Locke, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Phillip Clauda
  • Patent number: 10637293
    Abstract: A transmitter for wireless power transfer is provided. The transmitter includes an input port, a first transmission port, a second transmission port, an inverter, and a controller. An input of the inverter is coupled to the input port, and an output of the inverter is coupled in parallel to the first and second transmission ports. The controller is programmed to control the inverter to modulate an output voltage at the output of the inverter such that power from the input port is transmitted at a first frequency through the first transmission port and at a second frequency through the second transmission port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Daniel Jes Costinett, Chongwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 10631083
    Abstract: A speaker assembly can include a speaker and one or more actuators operatively positioned to cause the position and/or the orientation of the speaker to be adjusted. The one or more actuators include a bladder. The bladder can include a flexible casing. The bladder can define a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber can contain a dielectric fluid. The one or more actuators can include a first conductor and a second conductor operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. The one or more actuators can be configured such that, when electrical energy is supplied to the first conductor and the second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor can become oppositely charged. As a result, the first conductor and the second conductor are electrostatically attracted toward each other to cause at least a portion of the dielectric fluid to be displaced to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Danil V. Prokhorov, Michael Paul Rowe, Ryohei Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 10603104
    Abstract: A tissue resection device comprises inner and outer coaxial sleeves. The outer sleeve has a cutting window formed therein, and the inner sleeve has a distal cutting end that can be reciprocated past the cutting window. The sleeves comprise electrodes to provide electrosurgical cutting, and an edge portion of the window includes a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko
  • Patent number: 10595932
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade translatable within the first and second jaw members. A knife blade lockout mechanism is in operative communication with the knife blade assembly and includes an elongated cam slot with a cam pin translatable therein from a distal end of the elongated cam slot corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism engaged with the knife blade assembly, to a proximal position corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism disengaged from the knife blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Edward M. Chojin
  • Patent number: 10588693
    Abstract: A microwave antenna including a feedline, a radiating section, an inflow hypotube, a puck, a transition collar and a sleeve. The feedline includes a coaxial cable including an inner and outer conductor, and a dielectric disposed therebetween. The radiating section includes a dipole antenna coupled to the feedline and a trocar coupled to the distal end of the dipole antenna. The inflow hypotube is disposed around the outer conductor and configured to supply fluid to the radiating portion. The puck includes at least two ribs with inflow slots defined between two adjacent ribs. The transition collar is coupled to the distal end of the inflow hypotube and the first end of the puck. The transition collar includes at least two outflow slots configured to receive fluid from a distal end of the inflow hypotube and to transition the fluid from the outflow slots to a distal end of the radiating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Kenlyn S. Bonn, Darion R. Peterson, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10587310
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions a range of energy that can be obtained from a transmission medium to power the first waveguide system, selecting according to the range of energy a group of components of a plurality of selectable components of the first waveguide system, and enabling the group of components and powering down a remainder of the plurality of selectable components, wherein the group of components facilitates an exchange of electromagnetic waves between the first waveguide system and a second waveguide system via the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10537386
    Abstract: A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Roman Turovskiy, Ted Su, Mani Prakash, Steven Kim
  • Patent number: 10531918
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps for delivering microwave energy into biological tissue from a non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structure located within or formed by the jaws of the forceps. The transmission line structure may be formed across the gap between the jaw element by opposed conductive elements, which are respectively electrically connected to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial cable. Alternatively, each jaw element may comprise its own lossy transmission line, whereby a power splitter is used to divide microwave energy from the coaxial cable. The forceps may be used endoscopically in the gastrointestinal tract or laparoscopically or in open surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White
  • Patent number: 10531915
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps for delivering microwave energy into biological tissue from a non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structure located within or formed by the jaws of the forceps. The transmission line structure may be formed across the gap between the jaw element by opposed conductive elements, which are respectively electrically connected to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial cable. Alternatively, each jaw element may comprise its own lossy transmission line, whereby a power splitter is used to divide microwave energy from the coaxial cable. The forceps may be used endoscopically in the gastrointestinal tract or laparoscopically or in open surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White
  • Patent number: 10524862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NEUWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Warren Van der Weide, Fred T. Lee, Christopher Lee Brace, Richard W. Schefelker, Laura G. King, Mark Thom, Matthew Thiel
  • Patent number: 10524875
    Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FOCAL THERAPEUTICS INC.
    Inventors: George D. Hermann, Jonathan M. Olson, Michael J. Drews, Gail S. Lebovic, David B. Willis
  • Patent number: 10512499
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator, comprising an RF output stage configured to output an electrosurgical waveform through at least one pair of electrodes, sensing circuitry configured to measure an impedance between the at least one pair of electrodes configured to grasp tissue, and a controller configured to determine whether the impedance of the tissue disposed between the at least one pair of electrodes exceeds an impedance threshold, determine whether a change in the impedance is greater than an upper change in impedance threshold, and output an alarm indicative of the at least one pair of electrodes being at least partially open based on at least one of the impedance exceeding the impedance threshold or the change in impedance exceeding the change in impedance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Anthony D. Ricke
  • Patent number: 10499989
    Abstract: An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a coaxial feedline and cooling chamber is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a dipole antenna arrangement having a radiating section, a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the radiating section, and a ring-like balun short, or choke, which may control a radiation pattern of the probe. A conductive tube disposed coaxially around the balun short includes at least one fluid conduit which provides coolant, such as dionized water, to a cooling chamber defined within the probe. A radiofrequency transparent catheter forms an outer surface of the probe and may include a lubricious coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: 10492860
    Abstract: A balun includes a center conductor, a dielectric material, a tapered wall, a ring, and a prong. The center conductor extends a length of the balun. The dielectric material surrounds the center conductor along the length of the balun. The tapered wall forms a portion of a tube between a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is opposite the second wall. The tapered wall is formed of a conductive material. The portion of the tube forms a slot exposing the dielectric material. The ring connects to the second wall of the tapered wall and is formed of the conductive material. The ring forms a tube surrounding the center conductor and the dielectric material. The prong connects to the ring to extend toward the first wall and is formed of the conductive material. The prong extends over a portion of the dielectric material exposed by the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Susan C. Hagness, Nader Behdad, Hung Thanh Luyen
  • Patent number: 10446922
    Abstract: A broadband antenna assembly including a coaxial cable, a lower limit radiating element, a higher limit radiating element, and a flexible outer sheath encasing the components of the assembly. The lower limit radiating element has a diameter greater than a diameter of an outer jacket of the coaxial cable, allowing the lower limit radiating element to surround the coaxial cable. The dipole formed by the lower limit radiating element is approximately ? of the wavelength of the lower limit operating frequency. To capture higher frequencies, the higher limit radiating element includes a dipole that is approximately 30% shorter than that of the lower limit radiating element, allowing the antenna assembly to capture a wider bandwidth. By providing the radiating elements together with the coaxial cable, the antenna assembly removes the need for adapters and separately-connected component parts while providing a flexible outer sheath, improving mobile broadcasting applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Mastodon Design LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Mui
  • Patent number: 10405922
    Abstract: A microwave applicator device comprising a probe (11) for ablating the body of a human or animal, a cooling passage (20,21) extending through the probe (11) and arranged to carry a cooling fluid, a pump (71) for pumping the fluid through the probe (11), and an elongate flexible duct (104) extending between the pump (71) and one end of the cooling passage (20,21), the pump comprising a pump body (73) including a motor (120) and a pump head (72) detachably mounted to the pump body (73), the pump head (72) comprising a first port (86) connected to a proximal end of the elongate flow duct (104), a second port (85) and fluid propulsion means (84,92) for creating a flow of fluid between the ports (85,86) and along the elongate flow duct 104 upon energization of the motor (120), the pump head (72) being arranged to sealingly contain the fluid. The pump head (72), the elongate flexible duct (104) and the probe (11) form a replaceable assembly that can be detached from the pump body (73) and discarded following use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Cronin, Philip Radford
  • Patent number: 10398337
    Abstract: A system and methods for automatically adjusting view angle when performing cardiac mapping and ablation are described herein. A three-dimensional (3D) map of a cardiac structure of a patient and a relative location (e.g., position and orientation) of a catheter within the cardiac structure may be displayed on a visual display device. According to an example procedure, the position and orientation of the tip of the catheter within the cardiac structure, and the current ablation target may be detected. A desired viewing angle of the ablation target may be known, determined, provided and/or learned through training sessions with the operator. The viewing angle of the 3D map of the cardiac structure may be automatically adjusted to correspond to the desired viewing angle using the known locations of the tip of the catheter and ablation target. Other details and procedures may be implemented, as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Zigelman, Maxim Galkin, Ziyad Zeidan, Hamutal Rinat Yadan, Ehud Alkabetz, Ido Ilan
  • Patent number: 10398517
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Eckert, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10383688
    Abstract: Microwave ablation applicators and methods for manufacturing the microwave ablation applicators are disclosed. A microwave ablation applicator includes a feed-line segment, a step-down segment, and a radiator base segment. The feed-line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The step-down segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The radiator base segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric so as to form a feed gap at a distal end of the radiator base segment, a balun dielectric disposed on the third outer conductor, and a balun outer conductor disposed on the balun dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10376309
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a rigid portion, a flexible central portion, and a radiating portion. The rigid portion is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and to prevent fluid ingress towards the source of electrosurgical energy. The flexible central portion extends from the rigid portion and includes an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed about the inner conductor, and a conductive braid disposed about the dielectric. The radiating portion extends from the central portion and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: William J. Dickhans, Flor De Maria R. Nonalaya, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10363094
    Abstract: A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Jason A Case, Casey M. Ladtkow, Kurt R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10342614
    Abstract: An improved antenna for microwave ablation uses a triaxial design which reduces reflected energy allowing higher power ablation and/or a smaller diameter feeder line to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Daniel W. van der Weide