Patents Assigned to Arthrocare Corporation
  • Patent number: 9138282
    Abstract: An electrosurgical controller with wave-shaping. At least some embodiments are methods including generating an alternating current (AC) voltage signal within an electrosurgical controller. The generating may be by inducing an intermediate AC voltage signal on a secondary winding of a first transformer, and wave-shaping the intermediate AC voltage signal by a second winding of a second transformer coupled to the first transformer, and thereby creating a final AC voltage signal. Thereafter, the method includes applying the final AC voltage signal to electrical pins of a connector configured to couple to an electrosurgical wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Duane W. Marion
  • Patent number: 9131597
    Abstract: A method of preparing a target hard body tissue, such as osseous or dental tissue, to receive an implant component including; positioning an active electrode in proximity to a target tissue and proximate an electrically conductive fluid, followed by applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, the high frequency voltage sufficient to form a plasma. This plasma modifies at least a portion of the target tissue. An implant component may then be placed adjacent at least a portion of the modified target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Taft, Danielle Seybold
  • Publication number: 20150245862
    Abstract: An electrosurgical wand for treating tissue at a target site within or on a patient's body is described, having an elongate shaft with a handle and a distal end portion. The distal end portion has an active electrode, an insulative spacer body and a return electrode; the active electrode supported by the insulative spacer body and spaced away from the return electrode. The active electrode has both lateral and medial edge surfaces. The insulative spacer body has an aspiration cavity fluidly connected with an aspiration lumen, and at least one tapered aperture extending beyond at least one of the electrode medial edge surfaces and directed to the aspiration cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Johnson E. Goode, Mark Bieberich, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Jean Woloszko
  • Publication number: 20150230861
    Abstract: An electrosurgical controller and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: placing a distal end of an electrosurgical wand in operational relationship with biological tissue; delivering energy to an active electrode of the electrosurgical wand. During delivering energy, the method may comprise: measuring a value indicative of flow of the energy to the active electrode; summing, over a first predetermined window of time, to create a first value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode; summing, over a second predetermined window of time, to create a second value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode. The method may further comprise: ceasing delivering energy responsive to the first value meeting or exceeding a predetermined value; and ceasing delivering energy responsive to the second value meeting or exceeding a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Scott A. Armstrong, Michael Bozeman, Christopher A. Wallis
  • Patent number: 9095358
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for priming or purging an electrosurgical fluid irrigation system. The electrosurgical system can include a high frequency power supply, a fluid delivery system, a handheld device having one or more electrodes, and one or more connectors for connecting the handheld device to the fluid delivery system and the RF generator. The electrosurgical system may be configured to deliver RF current and irrigation fluid until a threshold current level is detected, which is indicative of a continuous flow of fluid at the electrode and purging completion. The systems and methods of purging an electrosurgical system may further include dynamically controlling an RF output and fluid delivery system in accordance with varied parameters of detected threshold current levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Duane W. Marion
  • Publication number: 20150196346
    Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is described, for treating a target tissue using electrosurgical energy, which has an elongate shaft with a handle end and a distal end. A first active electrode surface is disposed on the distal end of the shaft and a first digester electrode surface is recessed away from the first active electrode surface and electrically connected with the first active electrode surface. An aspiration aperture is also disposed adjacent the first active electrode surface and fluidly connected with an aspiration lumen, wherein the first digester electrode surface is disposed within the aspiration lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kim Nguyen, Doug Evans, Seth M. Pransky
  • Patent number: 9034014
    Abstract: A suture anchor device and method for attaching soft tissue to bone includes an anchor body and a suture locking wedge movably disposed within the anchor body. The suture locking wedge includes lateral portions which engage slots or windows in the anchor body. Tension applied to one limb of a suture causes the suture locking wedge to translate and rotate to a position which compresses the suture, thereby locking the suture in the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Pablo Catania, Steven Wolf, Emil Karapetian, George W. White, David Gregoire, Seth A. Foerster, Christopher Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9023083
    Abstract: A suture anchor device and method for attaching soft tissue to bone includes an anchor body and a suture locking wedge movably disposed within the anchor body. The suture locking wedge includes lateral portions which engage slots or windows in the anchor body. Tension applied to one limb of a suture causes the suture locking wedge to translate and rotate to a position which compresses the suture, thereby locking the suture in the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Seth A. Foerster, Steven Wolf, Emil Karapetian, George W. White, David Gregoire, Pablo Catania, Christopher Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9011428
    Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is described, for treating a target tissue using electrosurgical energy, which has an elongate shaft with a handle end and a distal end. A first active electrode surface is disposed on the distal end of the shaft and a first digester electrode surface is recessed away from the first active electrode surface and electrically connected with the first active electrode surface. An aspiration aperture is also disposed adjacent the first active electrode surface and fluidly connected with an aspiration lumen, wherein the first digester electrode surface is disposed within the aspiration lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Kim Nguyen, Doug Evans, Seth M. Pransky
  • Patent number: 8979875
    Abstract: Methods and systems for medializing a turbinate. Exemplary embodiments comprise methods and systems for repositioning a turbinate proximal to a septum. Certain embodiments comprise an implant and a flexible member coupled to the implant. Embodiments may also comprise an insertion device to install the implant in a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Gonzales, Fred B. Dinger, III, Gabriele G. Niederauer, Jeffrey S. Wrana
  • Patent number: 8979838
    Abstract: Electrosurgical system and related methods that include: producing energy by a generator of an electrosurgical controller, the generator comprises a first terminal coupled to a first electrode of an electrosurgical wand, and the generator comprises a second terminal coupled to a second electrode of the electrosurgical wand; forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the first electrode, while the second electrode acts as a return electrode; reducing energy output of the generator such that the plasma proximate the first electrode is extinguished, then producing energy from the generator with the first terminal coupled to the first electrode and the second terminal coupled to the second electrode; and forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the second electrode, while the first electrode acts as a return electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, John Goode, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 8968402
    Abstract: Systems for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction include implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. The instruments are also used to exercise and insert the ligament graft constructs. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on a single femoral tunnel, single or double tibial tunnels, and one or more ligament grafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H Myers, Douglas M. Lorang, Chad W. Lewis, Eric Selvik, Christopher Rodriguez, George W. White, Luis Amador, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8876746
    Abstract: An electrosurgical method for treating chronic wound tissue, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the chronic wound, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode sufficient to develop a high electric field intensity associated with a vapor layer proximate the active electrode and in close proximity to the wound tissue; and stimulating an expression of at least one healing mediator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Terry S. Davison, Brian Warne, Martin Kwende
  • Patent number: 8870866
    Abstract: System and method for selectively applying electrical energy to structures within or on the surface of a patient's body and controlling the flow of an electrically conductive fluid from the application site to provide or maintain a desired operating condition of the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical probe is in communication with a fluid transport apparatus through a fluid transport lumen having an opening at an end proximate the application site and disposed proximate the electrosurgical probe. A controller in communication with the fluid transport apparatus provides control signals to the fluid transport apparatus in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system. Based on the received control signals, the fluid transport apparatus adjusts a flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the application site through the fluid transport lumen in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Woloszko
  • Publication number: 20140277133
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a soft material anchoring system including an elongate, tubular braided soft anchoring implant. The implant has a first elongate state where the implant may easily slide within a bone tunnel, and a second axially compressed state where the implant is wedged within the bone tunnel. The implant also includes at least one suture pathway that extends along and through an implant side wall; this pathway receives at least a portion of a length of suture that is also attached to soft tissue. This length of suture may slide along the suture pathway and transition the implant from the first elongate state to the second compressed state. The system also includes a binding element that at least partially extends within the implant, the binding element having both a first larger binding portion and a second smaller sliding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Seth A. Foerster
  • Publication number: 20140276725
    Abstract: Controlling conductive fluid flow during an electrosurgical procedure. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: flowing conductive fluid from a source lumen to a suction lumen of an electrosurgical wand, the flowing with the electrosurgical wand in a first orientation; sensing a change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand to a second orientation different than the first orientation; and changing a control parameter associated with the conductive fluid flow, the changing responsive to the change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140276201
    Abstract: A method exposes a wound bed to electrosurgical treatment to generate fragmented wound tissue, gathers a molecular gaseous by-product sample of the fragmented wound tissue, and analyzes the molecular gaseous by-product sample of the fragmented wound tissue to generate a fragmented wound tissue compound analysis profile. The method further compares the fragmented wound tissue compound analysis profile with a database of known compound analysis profiles and provides a diagnosis of the wound tissue based on the comparison of compound analysis profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Thomas P. Ryan, Kenneth R. Stalder
  • Patent number: 8834495
    Abstract: In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: George W. White, David Gregoire, David Aldridge, Edward E. Dolendo, Emil Karapetian, Norman S. Gordon, Tri Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140257278
    Abstract: Electrosurgical wands. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands having features that reduce contact of tissue with an active electrode of a wand, decrease the likelihood of clogging, and/or increase the visibility within surgical field. For example, wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may comprise standoffs, either along the outer perimeter of the active electrode, or through the main aperture in the active electrode, to reduce tissue contact. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement slots on the active electrodes to increase bubble aspiration to help keep the visual field at the surgical site clear. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement aspiration flow pathways within the wand that increase in cross-sectional area to reduce the likelihood of clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Johnson E. Goode, Philip M. Tetzlaff, David A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140257279
    Abstract: Electrosurgical wands. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands having features that reduce contact of tissue with an active electrode of a wand, decrease the likelihood of clogging, and/or increase the visibility within surgical field. For example, wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may comprise standoffs, either along the outer perimeter of the active electrode, or through the main aperture in the active electrode, to reduce tissue contact. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement slots on the active electrodes to increase bubble aspiration to help keep the visual field at the surgical site clear. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement aspiration flow pathways within the wand that increase in cross-sectional area to reduce the likelihood of clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Kenneth R. Stalder, Duane W. Marion