Patents Examined by Amanda Scott
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Patent number: 8409190Abstract: An electrosurgical device to generate a plasma stream and method to perform endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery within a patient's body. The electrosurgical device includes an electrode operatively coupled to an electrosurgical generator to receive electrical energy therefrom, the electrode being concentrically disposed within an inner noble gas conduit to form a plasma channel. An outer electronegative gas conduit is disposed in surrounding coaxial relation relative to the inner noble gas conduit to cooperatively form an electronegative gas channel therebetween such that the electrode heats the noble gas to at least partially ionize the noble gas to generate the plasma stream to be directed to the surgical site to perform the surgical procedure while the electronegative gas sustains the plasma stream at the surgical site and dilutes the noble gas adjacent the surgical site. An outer aspiration conduit may be provided to remove fluid and solid debris from the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Bovie Medical CorporationInventors: Gregory A. Konesky, Nickolay Dimitrov Shilev
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Patent number: 8398624Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter, a conductive element and a balloon. The catheter has a lumen. The conductive element is disposed along the catheter. The balloon has an interior in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. The balloon is formed of a conductive material conductively coupled to the conductive element. The balloon has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Robert F Rioux, Paul DiCarlo
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Patent number: 8394095Abstract: Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide. An interior portion of the insulating boot may have at least one mechanically interfacing surface that interfaces with a mechanically interfacing surface formed between the shaft and a jaw member or with a mechanically interfacing surface disposed or formed on the shaft or a jaw member.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: David M. Garrison, Paul Guerra, Patrick L. Dumbauld, Dylan Hushka, James S. Cunningham
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Patent number: 8382753Abstract: Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Hermes Innovations, LLCInventor: Csaba Truckai
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Patent number: 8372068Abstract: Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Hermes Innovations, LLCInventor: Csaba Truckai
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Patent number: 8372069Abstract: Methods for removing a valve from a bodily vessel. In at least one method for removing a valve from a bodily vessel, the method comprises the steps of introducing an umbrella device into a vessel, positioning the umbrella device within an aperture within the valve, deploying a first umbrella of the umbrella device on a first side of the valve to engage the valve at the first side of the valve, deploying a second umbrella of the umbrella device on a second side of the valve to engage the valve at the second side of the valve, operating a mechanical drill of the umbrella device to grind the valve, collapsing the first umbrella and the second umbrella to facilitate withdrawal of the umbrella device from the vessel, and withdrawing the umbrella device from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
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Patent number: 8361072Abstract: Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Patrick L. Dumbauld, Paul Guerra, Roger F. Smith, Scott DePierro
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Patent number: 8357156Abstract: An inflatable medical instrument for tissue damage in gastric reduction surgery includes a main chamber composed of a biocompatible material capable of being selectively inflated. The medical instrument also includes a longitudinally extending tab member secured to an outer surface of the main chamber, a series of suction holes are formed along the tab member and an electrode is mounted on the tab member. The present invention also provides a method for forming a tissue junction used in defining a gastric pouch including damaging opposed tissue layers, apposing the tissue layers and fastening the tissue layers to allow the tissue layers to heal together.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, Thomas E. Albrecht, Mark S. Zeiner, James R. Giordano, Matthew D. Holcomb, Michael J. Stokes
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Patent number: 8357159Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at its distal end. The jaw members are movable about a pivot assembly from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue. One or both of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along its length. The pivot assembly includes a knife slot and is configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the open position and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the closed position. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism from a first position to at least one subsequent position.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Paul R. Romero
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Patent number: 8353904Abstract: A system and method for transmitting electrosurgical energy from a generator to an electrosurgical instrument are provided. The electrosurgical system includes a generator adapted to generate electro surgical energy for treating tissue. The generator includes one or more active output terminals which supply energy to the tissue. The active output terminals are operatively connected to one or more supply lines. The generator also includes one or more return output terminal which returns energy from the tissue. The return output terminals are operatively connected to at least one return line. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument operatively connected to the one or more supply lines and one or more return electrodes operatively connected to one or more return lines. The system further includes an electrosurgical cable including one or more supply lines and one or more return lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Covidien AGInventor: James H. Orszulak
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Patent number: 8348942Abstract: A device and method to cause hair loss or prevent or inhibit hair growth. The invention uses plasma (ionized gas) that is generated by flowing gas in close proximity to an electrode that has a high potential applied to it. The result is a stream of charged gas particles that are directed to the skin that contains hair. The flowing stream of gas is held above the surface of the skin. Additionally, a grounded conductive material is affixed to the skin to dissipate any charge buildup on the skin and focus the plasma.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Mark J. Jaroszeski, Gabriel A. Lopez-Diaz, Richard J. Connolly, Andrew M. Hoff
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Patent number: 8348947Abstract: A treatment system that applies energy to a living tissue to treat the same, the treatment system includes a sealing member which joins desired sealed regions of at least two living tissues when the energy is applied to the living tissues in a state where the desired regions are sealed, a maintaining member which maintains living tissues near the sealed regions in a contact state when the energy is applied to the living tissues in a state where the tissues near the regions sealed by the sealing member are in contact with each other, at least one first control section which controls an output of the energy that is applied to the sealing member, and at least one second control section which controls an output of the energy that is applied to the maintaining member.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Tomoyuki Takashino, Koji Iida, Toru Nagase
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Patent number: 8323277Abstract: A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Inventor: Bradley D. Vilims
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Patent number: 8308720Abstract: A method of accessing a pericardial cavity of a heart is disclosed, comprising delivering electrical energy to a pericardium in a manner which creates a channel substantially through a parietal pericardium and does not substantially affect myocardial tissue.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Baylis Medical Company Inc.Inventor: Gareth Davies
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Patent number: 8303580Abstract: A method and system are disclosed enabling configuration of a control system for an electrosurgical generator system for creating new surgical applications without changing the underlying software system. The electrosurgical generator system includes an RF stage to output at least one waveform of electrosurgical energy; a sensor module having at least one sensor to sense electrical or physical properties related to the output electrosurgical energy and generate sensor data; and at least one control module executable on at least one processor that controls at least one parameter of the output electrosurgical energy. The at least one control module includes an outer loop controller to generate a control signal in accordance with at least a first subset of the sensor data and an inner loop controller to generate a setpoint control signal and provide the setpoint control signal to the RF stage for controlling at least an amplitude of the energy output by the RF stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Robert H. Wham, Thomas A. Sturm, William D. Faulkner
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Patent number: 8298223Abstract: A method and system are disclosed enabling configuration of a control system for an electrosurgical generator system for creating new surgical applications without changing the underlying software system. The programmable electrosurgical generator system has an RF output stage for outputting at least one RF operating waveform for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The programmable electrosurgical generator system includes an inner loop system to change at least one parameter of the at least one RF operating waveform; an outer loop system to provide at least one operating command to the inner loop system; and a configuration control system that modifies at least one of the inner and outer loop systems based on received data from a sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Robert H Wham, Thomas A Sturm, William D Faulkner
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Patent number: 8292885Abstract: To facilitate the widespread use of the RF plasma catheter to provide in situ fenestration of a main stent-graft, potential side-effects of the fenestration are ameliorated using an electrode from a family of electrodes. Specifically, a family of electrodes is provided so that for a particular application, an appropriate electrode can be selected.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.Inventors: Walter Bruszewski, Masoumeh Mafi
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Patent number: 8292886Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a shaft extending from a housing and includes an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly has a pair of jaw members movable between an open position and a closed position. A knife assembly includes a cutter having a generally circular cross-section. The cutter is configured to cut tissue when the jaw members are in the closed position. One or more electrically conductive tissue sealing plates are disposed on each of the jaw members. The tissue sealing plates are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue held between the jaw members to effect a tissue seal. An actuator is operably coupled to the knife assembly and is configured to selectively reciprocate the cutter relative to the jaw members.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, Jeffrey R. Townsend, William H. Nau, Jr., Terrence R. Young
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Patent number: 8287533Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter, provided with an elongated body with an electrically conductive first end, wherein through said body at least one live wire extends which is connected to said first end and a channel for feeding a cooling fluid through said body, which channel is provided, in or near said first end, with at least one outlet opening and wherein, in said first end, a temperature sensor has been arranged, while said channel is thermally insulated from said first end.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignees: University Medical Center Utrecht, University of OklahomaInventors: Frederik Henricus Wittkampf, Hiroshi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 8287526Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Cryocath LPInventors: Steven G. Arless, Fredric L. Milder, Marwan Abboud, Dan Wittenberger, Sean Carroll