Patents Examined by Tigist Demie
  • Patent number: 10251697
    Abstract: An electrosurgical resection instrument for applying to biological tissue radiofrequency electromagnetic energy has a protective hull comprising a shaped piece of dielectric material mounted to cover an underside of an instrument tip of the instrument. The protective hull acts as a shield to protect tissue that may lie under the instrument tip from damage during treatment. The instrument may be particularly useful in procedures performed in a gastrointestinal tract, where bowel perforation is a concern, or in the pancreas, where damage to the portal vein or the pancreatic duct may occur when a tumor or other abnormality is being resected, dissected or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Creo Medical Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Steven Morris, Duncan Fitzsimmons, Brian Saunders, Andrew Pacey, Malcolm White
  • Patent number: 10252072
    Abstract: In a high voltage, variable frequency radiation generation system, a carrier signal supplied to a primary coil of a transformer is varied, e.g., turned ON and OFF at variable frequencies. The ON duration and/or the average amplitude of the carrier signal may also be varied. Moreover, the carrier signal may be modulated using an audio signal. The parameters to control the variation of the carrier can be provided as a recipe via a software application. A server can provide different types of apps providing different control features. The server may also collect user characteristic data and recipe usage data, and may facilitate exchange of these data and may recommend recipes based on a particular user characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Law, James D. Girard, Colin Bester
  • Patent number: 10226269
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members, each including a proximal flange and a distal jaw body defining a tissue-treating surface. The second jaw member is both proximally offset and spaced-apart from the first jaw member. One or more resilient bands extends between and interconnects the proximal flanges of the jaw members. The resilient band(s) is configured to bias the first and second jaw members towards an open position. The resilient band(s) is configured to flex in response to distal translation of the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member to thereby move the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member to a closed position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof. In the closed position, the second jaw member is disposed in an aligned orientation and is approximated relative to the first jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Jason G. Weihe
  • Patent number: 10220005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating newborn hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE). Such method comprises administering the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) in combination with therapeutic hypothermia to a newborn subject suffering from NHIE. Preferably the CBD is in the form of a plant extract, alternatively the CBD is in a pure or isolated form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GW Research Limited
    Inventors: Jose Martinez-Orgado, Geoffrey Guy
  • Patent number: 10188447
    Abstract: A connection system for an electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second connectors capable of being mated one with the other, the first connector (5) being associated with an electrosurgical generator (1) and the second connector (12) being associated with the electrosurgical instrument (9). The first and second connectors each include at least three connector components, each of the three connector components of the first connector (5) being capable of being connected and disconnected to a to respective one of the three connector components of the second connector (12). When the first connector components (14, 19) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering an RF energy output from the electrosurgical generator (1) to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the second connector components (16, 22) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering a supply of ionizable gas to the electrosurgical instrument (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Philip John Warren
  • Patent number: 10179022
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system may comprise an RF current generator, a handle body, an end effector have a first jaw including a first energizing surface electrically contacting a first terminal of the RF generator, and a second jaw including a second energizing surface electrically contacting a second terminal of the RF current generator, in which the two jaws form a jaw angle. The system may also comprise a shunt impedance circuit including a shunt impedance element having a pre-determined impedance value, in which the shunt impedance element is reversibly placed electrically in parallel with the first and second energizing surfaces when the jaw angle is at least a pre-determined angle. The system may also comprise an impedance detector in electrical communication with the first and second energizing surfaces. The system may be used to measure an impedance between the first and second energizing surfaces by the impedance detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Patent number: 10172670
    Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Randolph Stewart, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Barry Worrell
  • Patent number: 10154870
    Abstract: A method for dispensing cryogenic substances including: predisposing a pressurized container for a cryogenic substance which includes a valve active at the opening and regulating an emission of the cryogenic substance, predisposing a coupling element stably constrained to the container, predisposing an activating element engaged to the coupling element in such a way that it is interposed between the container and the activating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SIXTEM LIFE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luciano Ottanelli
  • Patent number: 10117706
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a body and an end effector at a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw that is selectively pivotable toward and away from a second jaw to capture tissue and a firing beam. The firing beam is configured to advance relative to the first and second jaws to sever captured tissue and retract relative to the first and second jaws after the captured tissue has been severed. The apparatus further includes a debris removal element in communication with the firing beam. The debris removal element is configured to engage at least a portion of the firing beam at least during retraction of the firing beam relative to the first and second jaws to thereby remove at least some debris from the firing beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Kip M. Rupp
  • Patent number: 10117702
    Abstract: Surgical generator systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary generator system can include one or more auxiliary transformer stages to boost the amount of power applied to low-impedance tissue, or to adjust the output voltage and current delivered to a surgical instrument. The auxiliary transformer stage(s) can be disposed in the generator, in the surgical instrument, and/or in an intermediate component. Exemplary generator systems can also include an accessory box disposed inline between a generator and a surgical instrument to provide expanded functionality to the system. The accessory box can have a ground plane that is isolated from the ground planes of the mains supply, the generator, and/or the surgical instrument to reduce or eliminate patient leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Danziger, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Robert A. Kemerling
  • Patent number: 10076381
    Abstract: A method used to mark a tubular organ of a subject. In a first step, at a position near a lesion on a wall surface of the tubular organ, a first electrode is supplied with high-frequency current, so that the first electrode punctures the wall surface from a surface of a mucosal layer on the wall surface to a predetermined depth. In a second step, the first electrode is supplied with the high-frequency current for a predetermined time such that a first marking is made by cauterization on a muscle layer. In a third step, a second electrode, which is disposed coaxially with the first electrode, is supplied with high-frequency current for a predetermined time such that a second marking is made by cauterization on the surface of the mucosal layer. During the third step, the first electrode is held as is after the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayasu Mikkaichi
  • Patent number: 10045880
    Abstract: The cooling system for patients with fever is a mechanical, fluid-based system for cooling patients suffering from fever. The cooling system for patients with fever includes a reservoir for containing a cooling fluid, which is maintained at a desired temperature. A temperature sensor is received in the reservoir. The temperature sensor is immersed in the cooling fluid for measuring the temperature thereof. A chiller is also received in the reservoir for selectively cooling the cooling fluid when the temperature thereof, measured by the temperature sensor, is above a pre-set temperature threshold. The reservoir communicates with a cooling pad, which is formed from a padded layer having at least one channel embedded therein. At least one pump and tubing is provided for circulating the cooling fluid through the reservoir and the cooling pad. In use, the cooling pad is applied to the skin of a patient with a fever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Bader Shafaqa Al-Anzi
  • Patent number: 10023858
    Abstract: A method for elevating a TRAIL-R1 expression in cancer cells to induce apoptosis. The method comprises the steps of receiving electrical energy having a specific voltage, frequency and power from an electrosurgical generator, up-converting the voltage and down-converting the frequency with a high voltage transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a larger number of turns than the primary coil, applying said converted electrical energy to an electrode in an electrosurgical hand piece, flowing an inert gas through said electrosurgical hand piece to produce a cold plasma at a distal end of said electrosurgical hand piece; and applying said cold plasma to cancer cells for 1 to 3 minutes. The inert gas may comprise, for example, helium or argon. In a preferred embodiment the cold plasma is applied to cancer cells for about 2 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: U.S. Patent Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Canady, Alexey Shashurin, Michael Keidar, Taisen Zhuang, Arpitha Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 10022184
    Abstract: Bipolar medical instrument for cutting tissue under the action of high-frequency current, wherein the instrument extends along a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein an active electrode and a neutral electrode, adjacent to the active electrode, are arranged at the distal end, and wherein the neutral electrode has a curved profile with a first curvature and a second curvature, wherein the respective directions of the curvatures are different. An electrosurgical system is also disclosed, with a high-frequency generator, and with one such bipolar medical instrument, which can be attached to the high-frequency generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Doll, Martin Hahn, Uwe Wittke
  • Patent number: 9999462
    Abstract: A system that does conversion from regular hot plasma produced by ESU to cold plasma which is thermally harmless for the tissue. The system is comprised of Conversion Unit and Cold Plasma Probe. Output signal for ESU connects to CU along with Helium flow. The CU converts signal from ESU and send it to the output connector along with helium flow. Cold Plasma Probe is connected directly to the CU output. At the end of the CPP probe cold plasma is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: U.S. Patent Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Canady, Alexey Shashurin, Michael Keidar, Taisen Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9993284
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises an end effector disposed at the distal end of an elongate shaft and including a first jaw and a second jaw that is selectively pivotable toward and away from the first jaw to capture tissue. A trigger is configured to move the second jaw toward and away from the first jaw. The locking mechanism in the locked state is configured to allow movement of the second jaw along a first path where a relative angle between the first jaw and the second jaw is limited to a first maximum angle. The locking mechanism in the unlocked state is configured to allow movement of the second jaw along a second path where the relative angle between the first jaw and the second jaw is limited to a second maximum angle. The second maximum angle is greater than the first maximum angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventor: Chad P. Boudreaux
  • Patent number: 9993290
    Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus is provided, which can include any number of features. The method can include the steps of inserting a uterine device into the uterus and performing a uterine integrity test to determine that the uterus is intact and not perforated. If it is determined that the uterus is not perforated, a patency test can be performed to determine that the uterine device is not clogged or embedded in tissue. If the uterus is intact and the device is not clogged or embedded in tissue, the uterus can be treated with the uterine device, e.g., uterine ablation. Systems for performing these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AEGEA MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Uriel Hiram Chee, Robert Bilgor Peliks, Hugh Edward Magen, Donnell William Gurskis, Steven Robert Bacich
  • Patent number: 9974599
    Abstract: A multipurpose electrosurgical device and methods of use are disclosed. In one example, device includes a handpiece and an end effector having a monopolar electrode and a pair of bipolar electrodes. The end effector is coupled to the handpiece and selectively transitionable relative to the handpiece from a first position to a second position. The first position includes the bipolar electrodes extending distally from the device and the monopolar electrode is spaced from a distal end portion of the device. The second position includes the monopolar electrode extending distally and the bipolar electrodes are spaced from a distal end portion of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Sylvester, Jonathan J. Barry, Nathan Zamarripa
  • Patent number: 9956022
    Abstract: A forceps includes a shaft defining first opposed distal recesses, a drive bar slidably disposed within the shaft and defining second opposed distal recesses, and an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. Each jaw member defines a proximal flange and a distal jaw body. The proximal flanges each define an aperture and a cam slot. A pivot pin extends through the apertures with ends of the pivot pin extending outwardly from the jaw members to be at least partially disposed within the first recesses and fixedly engaged therewith. A drive pin extends through the cam slots with ends of the drive pin extending outwardly from the jaw members to be at least partially disposed within the second recesses and fixedly engaged therewith such that translation of the drive bar relative to the end effector assembly pivots the jaw members between spaced-apart and approximated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: James D. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 9918786
    Abstract: Devices, components, apparatus, and/or methods for using and making a combination spinal disk herniation repositioning and radiofrequency apparatus (RFA) or device that uses one or more repositioning probes and one or more needles/electrodes, wherein the device's probe repositions, and the electrode or needle treats or ablates, an injured, torn, herniated, or displaced vertebral disc propulus and/or nucleus, and wherein one or more side probes or needles are used to reposition or treat the spinal disk herniation, optionally followed by medicine/ozone therapy of the disc being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Hongkui Wang, Jinsheng Wang