Patents Assigned to Covidien AG
  • Patent number: 11129660
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to a RF power generator and feedback control system used to regulate the electrical power delivered to a cutting filament (i.e., a cutting electrode) of an electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument uses the delivered energy to form a cutting arc for ablating a tissue mass to access a target tissue therein. The instrument forms a basket-like receptacle around the target tissue to excise the target tissue from the ablated tissue mass. As the instrument forms the receptacle, the length of exposed filament ablating the tissue changes. To this end, the RF power generator described herein is configured to vary the total power delivered during the deployment of the instrument based on a measurement of output power derived from a differential phase angle between a current sense output and a voltage sense output, in some embodiments, to maintain a uniform power density along the length of exposed filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Douglas M. Macarthur, John F. Vacha, Albert Solbjor, Christopher Tocci, Christian A. Moses
  • Patent number: 11013548
    Abstract: A control system for use with an electrosurgical generator which delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue has a control module. The module includes a processor executing an algorithm. The algorithm has the steps of determining a sensed voltage value corresponding to a sensed voltage signal output by the electrosurgical generator and determining a sensed current value corresponding to a sensed current signal output by the electrosurgical generator. The algorithm has the steps of determining phase information corresponding to a phase shift between the voltage signal and the current signal and determining a characteristic related to the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue using the phase information, the sensed voltage value and the sensed current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Behnke, Robert H. Wham
  • Patent number: 10987158
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a radio-frequency signal for a surgical device is disclosed. The circuit has a voltage regulator that supplies direct current (DC) voltage, a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, and a MOSFET driver. The MOSFET driver receives the DC voltage supplied from the voltage regulator and has a local oscillator. The local oscillator switches the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET on and off at a frequency generated by the local oscillator. The circuit further includes a transformer connected to the first and second MOSFETs, having a center tap and a main voltage applied at the center tap, and providing an alternating current (AC) output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 10987160
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Robert Sharp, Jeff Unger, Gary M. Couture
  • Patent number: 10918435
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Duane E. Kerr, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10918436
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10881453
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A source of electrosurgical energy is connected to at least one of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of sealing tissue held therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10849681
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10842553
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Duane E. Kerr, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10835309
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10687887
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10668248
    Abstract: A catheter is provided including a first lumen and a second lumen. A first member is disposed for relative movement within the first lumen and defines a cavity. A second member is disposed for relative movement within the second lumen. The cavity of the first member is configured for disposal of the second member. The catheter may include an elongated tubular body that includes the first lumen and the second lumen. The first member may have a distal portion that extends beyond the distal end of the body. The distal portion may include the cavity. The cavity may be defined by a member lumen. The first and second members may include tubular stylettes. The second member may include a guidewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Michael G. Tal, Brett Haarala, Christopher V. Rainieri, Richard Braga
  • Patent number: 10631852
    Abstract: A medical suturing instrument in which the movement of an operation part is transmitted with a time lag to a loop forming part and a suture thread by means of a loop feed/return mechanism and a suture thread feed mechanism, and once a loop has been fed out from the tip end of a loop introduction needle, the suture thread is fed out from the tip end of a suture thread introduction needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventor: Yosuke Sakai
  • Patent number: 10568682
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10456158
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device includes a handle body, an ultrasonic waveguide engaged with the handle body and extending distally therefrom and including a proximal end portion disposed at the handle body, an ultrasonic generator releasably engagable with the handle body and including a first set of contacts, and an ultrasonic transducer releasably engagable with the handle body independently of the ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonic transducer includes a distal end portion configured to engage the proximal end portion of the ultrasonic waveguide and a second set of contacts configured to electrically couple to the first set of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Matthew A. Palmer, Derek D. Deville
  • Patent number: 10441350
    Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes a housing, a monopolar element, and first and second actuators. The housing has a shaft that is affixed to the housing and includes first and second jaw members at a distal end. The first actuator is operably associated with the housing and is configured to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between a first position and a second position. The monopolar element is housed within the first jaw member and is selectively moveable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position extending from a distal end of the first jaw member. The monopolar element can be selectively activated independent of the first and second jaw members. The second actuator is operatively associated with the housing and is configured to extend the monopolar element from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Kate Lawes, Sean T. Dycus, Ned Cosgriff
  • Patent number: 10426508
    Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body defining a battery-holding compartment shaped to receive a battery therein and operable to couple a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic transducer therethrough. The body has a transducer dock exposed to the environment and interchangeably housing the transducer and a waveguide attachment dock shaped to align and attach the proximal end of the waveguide to the transducer and hold them at the body when the respectively docked at the transducer and attachment docks. A disposable driving-wave generation circuit in the handle body electrically contacts the battery and the transducer when the battery and the transducer are disposed respectively in the battery-holding compartment and the transducer dock. The circuit generates an output waveform sufficient to cause ultrasonic movement along the waveguide by exciting the transducer when the transducer is coupled to the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Thomas O. Bales, Matthew A. Palmer, Derek D. Deville
  • Patent number: 10278772
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Darion R. Peterson, Sean T. Dycus, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10265121
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10251696
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown