Patents Assigned to Starion Instruments Corporation
  • Patent number: 7871407
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A Howell
  • Publication number: 20100010483
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: STARION INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: THOMAS A. HOWELL
  • Patent number: 7578815
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 7462176
    Abstract: A device is described which allows simultaneous application of suction or vacuum for evacuation of fat with application of energy to the fat inside an opening in a cannula. A pair of electrodes is situated within the cavity of the cannula just under the surface of cannula tip opening(s) or as part of the walls of such openings. The electrodes are spaced to allow coagulation of fat entering the cannula. Irrigation may be applied in a continuous or discontinuous or intermittent stream within the cannula to cool the tip and facilitate removal of suctioned tissue and prevent buildup of debris on electrodes. A method for using the cannula to remove adipose tissue or fat destroyed by the energy application through the use of suction with mechanical motion of the cannula, with energy application and optionally with the use of irrigation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Bass
  • Patent number: 7396356
    Abstract: A medical device for simultaneously cutting tissue with a heating element, cauterizing the tissue with sealing elements, and stapling the tissue together. The heating elements comprise bipolar RF electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 7329255
    Abstract: A device for handling tissue; including: a main body; a pair of opposing arms connected to the main body, the opposing arms having working surfaces thereon; a heating element disposed on one of the working surfaces; and a resistive element wired in parallel with the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. McGaffigan
  • Patent number: 7326202
    Abstract: A resistance heater for use in a tissue sealing and cutting device, including a tubular heating element adapted to conduct current therethrough; and a thermally conductive electrical insulator disposed within the tubular heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. McGaffigan
  • Patent number: 7044947
    Abstract: A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. de la Torre, Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 7033351
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 7025065
    Abstract: Thermal cautery and thermal ligating devices improved by the addition of a thermally conductive plate proximate the resistive heating element used in those devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. McGaffigan, Jan M. Echeverry, Donielle Boudin, Peter Carlotto, Huy Le
  • Patent number: 7011656
    Abstract: Thermal cautery and thermal ligating devices improved by the addition of a thermally conductive plate proximate the resistive heating element used in those devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. McGaffigan, Jan M. Echeverry
  • Patent number: 6918903
    Abstract: A device is described which allows simultaneous application of suction or vacuum for evacuation of fat with application of energy to the fat inside an opening in a cannula. A pair of electrodes is situated within the cavity of the cannula just under the surface of cannula tip opening(s) or as part of the walls of such openings. The electrodes are spaced to allow coagulation of fat entering the cannula. Irrigation may be applied in a continuous or discontinuous or intermittent stream within the cannula to cool the tip and facilitate removal of suctioned tissue and prevent buildup of debris on electrodes. A method for using the cannula to remove adipose tissue or fat destroyed by the energy application through the use of suction with mechanical motion of the cannula, with energy application and optionally with the use of irrigation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Starion Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Bass
  • Patent number: 6821273
    Abstract: A medical device for simultaneously cutting tissue with a heating element, cauterizing the tissue with sealing elements, and stapling the tissue together. The heating elements comprise bipolar RF electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Publication number: 20040064151
    Abstract: Ultrasonic forceps adapted for use in open surgical forceps. The device is provided in the form of traditional open surgery forceps or tweezers, and the transmitting rod which transmits ultrasonic vibration from a proximally located transducer to the distally mounted welding horn runs through a lumen in one of the arms of the forceps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Publication number: 20040044335
    Abstract: A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. de la Torre, Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 6695837
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 6616659
    Abstract: A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. de la Torre, Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 6616654
    Abstract: A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 6602252
    Abstract: A medical device for simultaneously cutting tissue with a heating element, cauterizing the tissue with heating elements, and stapling the tissue together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 6544248
    Abstract: A surgical device and method allows simultaneous application of suction or vacuum to body tissue and application of energy to the body tissue drawn into a cannula. The device may be inserted laparoscopically into the body, and operated to suck body tissue into the cannula, and heat or electrical energy may be applied to the tissue, and irrigation fluid may also be supplied to surrounding tissue to flush debris and cooling the surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Starion Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Bass