Patents Assigned to Arthrocare Corporation
  • ELECTROSURGICAL METHODS AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140257269
    Abstract: Electrosurgical methods and systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including maintaining plasma proximate to an active electrode in a first energy range, and a second energy range. During periods when plasma is proximate to the active electrode, the illustrative method may include controlling flow of fluid drawn into an aperture of an electrosurgical wand, and in some situations increasing fluid flow drawing into the aperture responsive to the active electrode being in operational relationship with tissue, and in other cases decreasing fluid flow drawing into the aperture responsive to the active electrode being in operational relationship with tissue. Further, during periods when plasma is proximate to the active electrode, the illustrative method may include providing output energy at a default energy setpoint, and then providing output energy at a second energy setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Jonathan Gaspredes, David Yuan, Thomas P. Ryan
  • Independent suture tensioning and snaring apparatus
    Patent number: 8828029
    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 9, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: George W. White, David Gregoire, David Aldridge, Edward E. Dolendo, Emil Karapetian, Norman S. Gordon, Tri Nguyen
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCREEN ELECTRODE SECUREMENT
    Publication number: 20140236150
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bigley, Duane W. Marion
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REDUCTION OF LOW FREQUENCY MUSCLE STIMULATION DURING ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURES
    Publication number: 20140236141
    Abstract: Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Duane W. Marion
  • Suture
    Patent number: 8808326
    Abstract: A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gagliano
  • Electrosurgical method and apparatus for removing tissue within a bone body
    Patent number: 8801705
    Abstract: A method for treating a bone body comprises inserting a probe having at least one active electrode into the target tissue and applying a voltage difference between an active electrode and return electrode to ablate the tissue. The method is particularly directed to removing tumors in a bone body and or removing cancellous bone in a bone body. The bone body may be a vertebral body. An apparatus includes a plurality of active electrodes and a distal section including two bends. The bends serve to prevent the active electrodes from impinging upon the shaft of an introducer needle. Also, a kit includes an electrosurgical probe, an electrosurgical generator, an introducer needle, and a fluid connector to connect the introducer needle to a fluid source such that liquid may be supplied to the target site during an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. Sanders, Darren Crawford, Jean Woloszko, David C. Hovda
  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR MANIPULATING AND PASSING SUTURE
    Publication number: 20140222033
    Abstract: A suture manipulating instrument for passing and retrieving suture through a tissue includes a handle mechanism, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a working distal end. The working distal end includes a needle body, a lumen defined by the needle body, a tissue penetrating distal tip, and a lateral slot. A preformed inner member is movably disposed within the lumen of the needle. The handle mechanism is used to extend the wire from the lateral slot of the needle, and to retract the wire into the lateral slot, allowing the working end of the instrument to grasp and manipulate suture by pinning and/or trapping the suture against the needle. In embodiments the inner member is further retracted within the needle lumen, drawing a length of suture into the needle lumen. The suture is subsequently ejected from the needle lumen to form a suture loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Seth A. Foerster, Thomas Weisel, Roger Pisarnwongs
  • KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHORING DEVICE HAVING DEFORMING SECTION TO ACCOMMODATE SUTURES OF VARIOUS DIAMETERS
    Publication number: 20140207189
    Abstract: An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. The suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor may be secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a suture return member or path within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and compressing the suture against the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen with a locking plug that compresses the suture therein. One of the components of the locking structure may include a deformable or flexible section, member, or surface. The locking plug may include a shaft and an enlarged head that interferes with the tubular body to provide a positive stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Seth A. Foerster, Francis Vijay, Jean Woloszko
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TURBINATE REDUCTION
    Publication number: 20140200581
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a return electrode and electrode support. There is also at least one active electrode on the shaft distal portion, which has a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of aspiration apertures disposed therebetween. These apertures are fluidly connected to a fluid aspiration cavity that is located within the electrode support, and the cavity is connected with a fluid aspiration element that is located along the shaft. The plurality of apertures vary in size and are generally arranged so that the larger sized apertures are disposed towards the electrode proximal portion and the smaller sized apertures are generally located towards the electrode distal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajitha Aluru, Doug Evans, David Cox, Jean Woloszko, Johnson Goode, Philip Tetzlaff, Gerardo Molina
  • NOVEL SUTURE
    Publication number: 20140163612
    Abstract: A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Seth M. Hootstein
  • Systems and methods for turbinate reduction
    Patent number: 8747401
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end includes an active disposed laterally on the shaft distal end and return electrode. The return electrode may have a plurality of apertures through it, which are fluidly connected to a fluid delivery element, operable to deliver a conductive fluid to the shaft distal end. The return electrode may encircle at least a portion of the shaft and may extend distally and proximally from the active electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd Gonzalez, Lona Foelker
  • Systems and methods for screen electrode securement
    Patent number: 8747400
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical engagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bigley, Duane W. Marion
  • Method and system of reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures
    Patent number: 8747399
    Abstract: Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Duane W. Marion
  • ELECTROSURGICAL WAND AND RELATED METHOD AND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140155882
    Abstract: An electrosurgical wand. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands including an elongate housing that defines a handle end and a distal end, a first discharge aperture on the distal end of the elongate housing, a first active electrode of conductive material disposed on the distal end of the elongate housing, a first return electrode of conductive material disposed within the first fluid conduit, and an aspiration aperture on the distal end of the elongate housing fluidly coupled to a second fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cox, Johnson E. Goode, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Jean Woloszko
  • ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ENHANCED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20140155883
    Abstract: Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Duane W. Marion
  • ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ENHANCED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20140155884
    Abstract: Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: Duane W. Marion
  • ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVE CONTROL OF ACTIVE AND RETURN ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20140135760
    Abstract: Electrosurgical system with selective control of active and return electrodes. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising an electrosurgical wand and an electrosurgical controller. The wand comprises a non-conductive outer surface, at least three electrodes disposed on a distal end of the wand, and at least three electrical leads extending from a proximal end of the wand (one electrical lead electrically coupled to each electrode). The controller comprises a voltage generator and a control circuit coupled between the voltage generator and the electrodes of the wand. The control circuit is configured to: selectively electrically couple the active terminal singly and in combination to the electrodes of the wand; and selectively electrically couple the return terminal singly and in combination to electrodes of the wand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Hadar Cadouri, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Display screen for electrosurgical controllers with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D711904
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Sundy, Philip J. D'Alamada Remedios, George Morrison, Jean Woloszko
  • Display screen for electrosurgical controller with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D711905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: George Morrison, Tammy Jarocki
  • Electrosurgical controller
    Patent number: D712031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery F. Feng, Bartosz M. Korec, Philip J. D'Almada Remedios, George Morrison, Jean Woloszko