Patents by Inventor Alexander M. Waskiewicz

Alexander M. Waskiewicz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220008114
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E.C. Olson
  • Patent number: 11129667
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E. C. Olson
  • Patent number: 11045248
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E. C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210100603
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E.C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20200237427
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E.C. Olson
  • Patent number: 10617463
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jennifer R. McHenry, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E. C. Olson
  • Patent number: 10603098
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a gain-compensated full bridge topology. Gain nonlinearity is corrected by applying impedance and phase correction factors to a control loop to achieve a linear gain structure. In embodiments, gain compensation is performed by comparing an RF setpoint signal with a calculated output signal to generate a first error signal. An impedance correction factor is applied to the first error signal to generate a second error signal. The second error signal is processed by a proportional-integral-derivative controller to generate a phase control signal. A phase control correction factor is applied to the phase control signal to generate a corrected pulse width modulation driving signal, which is used to generate PWM driving signals for a full-bridge inverter. One or more sensors provide feedback for comparison with the RF setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Aaron Mattmiller, Donald Tonn, Alexander M. Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 9987075
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes movable first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David J. Van Tol, Anthony B. Ross, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Eric R. Larson
  • Patent number: 9987035
    Abstract: A method of cutting tissue includes providing a surgical instrument including an end-effector assembly including first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to a third jaw member disposed therebetween to at least one second position closer to the third jaw member wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically-conductive sealing plate. A cutting member is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the third jaw member. The method also includes positioning the first, second and third jaw members about tissue, applying energy to the electrically-conductive sealing plates so that energy passes between the electrically-conductive sealing plates and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, and activating the cutting member to cut through tissue overlying the upper surface of the third jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David J. Van Tol, Anthony B. Ross, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Eric R. Larson
  • Patent number: 9987071
    Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The surgical device also includes a knife operatively coupled to the elongated shaft. A channel defined along a length of an upper surface of the third jaw member is configured to slideably receive a portion of the knife therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David J. Van Tol, Anthony B. Ross, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Eric R. Larson
  • Patent number: 9901385
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure perform cable compensation using an electrosurgical generator that includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense voltage and current waveforms, a plurality of medium-band filters, a plurality of narrowband filters, and a signal processor. The plurality of medium-band filters and narrowband filters pass sensed voltage and current waveforms at a plurality of predetermined frequencies. The signal processor calculates medium-band RMS voltage and current values using the output from the plurality of medium-band filters, calculates narrowband phase and magnitude values using the output from the plurality of narrowband filters, calculates tissue impedance based on the medium-band RMS voltage and current values and the narrowband phase value, and generates a control signal to control the energy generated by the electrosurgical generator based on the calculated tissue impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Andrey Y. Belous, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke
  • Patent number: 9901386
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure perform cable compensation using an electrosurgical generator that includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense voltage and current waveforms, a plurality of medium-band filters, a plurality of narrowband filters, and a signal processor. The plurality of medium-band filters and narrowband filters pass sensed voltage and current waveforms at a plurality of predetermined frequencies. The signal processor calculates medium-band RMS voltage and current values using the output from the plurality of medium-band filters, calculates narrowband phase and magnitude values using the output from the plurality of narrowband filters, calculates tissue impedance based on the medium-band RMS voltage and current values and the narrowband phase value, and generates a control signal to control the energy generated by the electrosurgical generator based on the calculated tissue impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Andrey Y. Belous, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Anthony D. Ricke
  • Patent number: 9655670
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure include a tissue resistance measurement system that compensates for capacitive parasitics in a cable connecting an electrosurgical generator to and electrosurgical cable to estimate the real resistance of a tissue load. The electrosurgical generator includes an output stage coupled to an electrical energy source and generates electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical generator includes a plurality of sensors sensing a voltage and current of the electrosurgical energy and a controller controlling the output stage. The controller includes a calculator that calculates a real part of an impedance based on the sensed voltage and current, an estimator that estimates a resistance of the tissue using a solution to a quadratic equation that is a function of the real part of the impedance, and a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for the output stage based on the resistance of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Eric J. Larson, Carolyn G. Ford, Alexander M. Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 9636165
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure include a tissue resistance measurement system that compensates for capacitive parasitics in a cable connecting an electrosurgical generator to and electrosurgical cable to estimate the real resistance of a tissue load. The electrosurgical generator includes an output stage coupled to an electrical energy source and generates electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical generator includes a plurality of sensors sensing a voltage and current of the electrosurgical energy and a controller controlling the output stage. The controller includes a calculator that calculates a real part of an impedance based on the sensed voltage and current, an estimator that estimates a resistance of the tissue using a solution to a quadratic equation that is a function of the real part of the impedance, and a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for the output stage based on the resistance of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Eric J. Larson, Carolyn G. Ford, Alexander M. Waskiewicz
  • Publication number: 20170056092
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a gain-compensated full bridge topology. Gain nonlinearity is corrected by applying impedance and phase correction factors to a control loop to achieve a linear gain structure. In embodiments, gain compensation is performed by comparing an RF setpoint signal with a calculated output signal to generate a first error signal. An impedance correction factor is applied to the first error signal to generate a second error signal. The second error signal is processed by a proportional-integral-derivative controller to generate a phase control signal. A phase control correction factor is applied to the phase control signal to generate a corrected pulse width modulation driving signal, which is used to generate PWM driving signals for a full-bridge inverter. One or more sensors provide feedback for comparison with the RF setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: AARON MATTMILLER, DONALD TONN, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ
  • Patent number: 9504516
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator and related systems and methods using a gain-compensated full bridge topology. Gain nonlinearity is corrected by applying impedance and phase correction factors to a control loop to achieve a linear gain structure. In embodiments, gain compensation is performed by comparing an RF setpoint signal with a calculated output signal to generate a first error signal. An impedance correction factor is applied to the first error signal to generate a second error signal. The second error signal is processed by a proportional-integral-derivative controller to generate a phase control signal. A phase control correction factor is applied to the phase control signal to generate a corrected pulse width modulation driving signal, which is used to generate PWM driving signals for a full-bridge inverter. One or more sensors provide feedback for comparison with the RF setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LLP
    Inventors: Aaron Mattmiller, Donald Tonn, Alexander M. Waskiewicz
  • Publication number: 20160310204
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: JENNIFER R. MCHENRY, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, ANTHONY D. RICKE, REBECCA J. COULSON, JESSICA E.C. OLSON
  • Publication number: 20160045248
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue via at least one active electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue; sensing circuitry configured to measure impedance of tissue; and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: JEFFREY R. UNGER, RYAN C. ARTALE, JOSHUA A. KELLER, GREGORY P. MILNER, KENNETH C. BROCKMANN, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, REBECCA J. COULSON, JESSICA E.C. OLSON
  • Patent number: 9186200
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue via at least one active electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue; sensing circuitry configured to measure impedance of tissue; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine occurrence of a tissue reaction as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid; generate a target impedance trajectory as a function of measured impedance and desired rate of change based on the tissue reaction determination, wherein the target impedance trajectory includes a plurality of target impedance values; and drive tissue impedance along the target impedance trajectory by adjusting the output of the electrosurgical generator to substantially match tissue impedance to a corresponding target impedance for at least a predetermined minimum time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Unger, Ryan C. Artale, Joshua A. Keller, Gregory P. Milner, Kenneth C. Brockmann, Alexander M. Waskiewicz, Rebecca J. Coulson, Jessica E. C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20150196349
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure perform cable compensation using an electrosurgical generator that includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense voltage and current waveforms, a plurality of medium-band filters, a plurality of narrowband filters, and a signal processor. The plurality of medium-band filters and narrowband filters pass sensed voltage and current waveforms at a plurality of predetermined frequencies. The signal processor calculates medium-band RMS voltage and current values using the output from the plurality of medium-band filters, calculates narrowband phase and magnitude values using the output from the plurality of narrowband filters, calculates tissue impedance based on the medium-band RMS voltage and current values and the narrowband phase value, and generates a control signal to control the energy generated by the electrosurgical generator based on the calculated tissue impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT H. WHAM, ANDREY Y. BELOUS, ALEXANDER M. WASKIEWICZ, ANTHONY D. RICKE