Patents by Inventor Brandon Loudermilk

Brandon Loudermilk 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).

  • Patent number: 11707568
    Abstract: A system for refilling a multi-chamber implantable infusion device is presented. The infusion device has a refill chamber which is accessible through an external septum of a refill port. The refill chamber is divided by an inner septum into an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir. The lower refill chamber is refilled with lower reservoir needles having a needle opening axially placed to align with the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir is refilled with an upper reservoir needle having an opening aligned with the upper reservoir. Magnetic portions are provided in the needles to localize and identify the needle. A processor within the infusion device is connected to magnetic field sensors which sense magnetic portions of the needle and recognize information encoded magnetically within the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: B. Braun Miethke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brandon Loudermilk, Michael Sörensen
  • Patent number: 11058478
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a bipolar electrosurgical device for a laparoscopic environment, as well as methods for the use of such a device. Embodiments of the device may include a set of opposing jaws comprising at least one bipolar electrode pair disposed thereon, the set of jaws configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to a target tissue. Embodiments of the set of jaws, when closed, may have a diameter no greater than about 5 mm. The device may further include a shaft with a diameter that may be no greater than about 5 mm. Each of the jaws has a tissue-facing surface of each jaw that may include a complementary self-aligning configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other jaw. Embodiments of the device may further include a pinless rotation assembly formed from rotatably cooperative features of the first jaw and the second jaw that connect the jaws together and enable the jaw set to pivot between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Publication number: 20200268965
    Abstract: A system for refilling a multi-chamber implantable infusion device is presented. The infusion device has a refill chamber which is accessible through an external septum of a refill port. The refill chamber is divided by an inner septum into an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir. The lower refill chamber is refilled with lower reservoir needles having a needle opening axially placed to align with the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir is refilled with an upper reservoir needle having an opening aligned with the upper reservoir. Magnetic portions are provided in the needles to localize and identify the needle. A processor within the infusion device is connected to magnetic field sensors which sense magnetic portions of the needle and recognize information encoded magnetically within the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: B. Braun Miethke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brandon Loudermilk, Michael Sörensen
  • Publication number: 20180185087
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a bipolar electrosurgical device for a laparoscopic environment, as well as methods for the use of such a device. Embodiments of the device may include a set of opposing jaws comprising at least one bipolar electrode pair disposed thereon, the set of jaws configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to a target tissue. Embodiments of the set of jaws, when closed, may have a diameter no greater than about 5 mm. The device may further include a shaft with a diameter that may be no greater than about 5 mm. Each of the jaws has a tissue-facing surface of each jaw that may include a complementary self-aligning configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other jaw. Embodiments of the device may further include a pinless rotation assembly formed from rotatably cooperative features of the first jaw and the second jaw that connect the jaws together and enable the jaw set to pivot between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Patent number: 9918778
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a bipolar electrosurgical device for a laparoscopic environment, as well as methods for the use of such a device. Embodiments of the device may include a set of opposing jaws comprising at least one bipolar electrode pair disposed thereon, the set of jaws configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to a target tissue. Embodiments of the set of jaws, when closed, may have a diameter no greater than about 5 mm. The device may further include a shaft with a diameter that may be no greater than about 5 mm. Each of the jaws has a tissue-facing surface of each jaw that may include a complementary self-aligning configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other jaw. Embodiments of the device may further include a pinless rotation assembly formed from rotatably cooperative features of the first jaw and the second jaw that connect the jaws together and enable the jaw set to pivot between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Patent number: 9872724
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device for cutting and sealing tissue includes an upper jaw located at a distal end of the electrosurgical device that opposes a lower jaw. The lower jaw is pivotally connected to the upper jaw by a pivot connection. The pivot connection includes a passage that contains a portion of the upper jaw. The upper jaw is axially displaceable through the passage to pivot the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw between a relatively open condition and a relatively closed condition. The upper jaw and lower jaw are operable in the relatively closed condition to deliver RF energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Publication number: 20150250528
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device for cutting and sealing tissue includes an upper jaw located at a distal end of the electrosurgical device that opposes a lower jaw. The lower jaw is pivotally connected to the upper jaw by a pivot connection. The pivot connection includes a passage that contains a portion of the upper jaw. The upper jaw is axially displaceable through the passage to pivot the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw between a relatively open condition and a relatively closed condition. The upper jaw and lower jaw are operable in the relatively closed condition to deliver RF energy to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Patent number: 8870867
    Abstract: Embodiments of the technology provide an articulable electrosurgical instrument and methods of performing electrosurgery with an articulating capability. The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having an end effector associated with a distal end thereof that is able to deliver energy to a target tissue site. An articulable joint is positioned between that shaft and the end effector. Articulation of the articulable joint is controlled by a stabilizable articulation actuator, which may include a rotatably stabilizable disk residing within a well. The end effector may take the form of forceps including an upper and a lower jaw; the jaws are configured to grasp target tissue and to deliver energy, such as radiofrequency energy. In some of these instruments, the end effector is adapted to seal tissue by the application of radiofrequency energy, and then to cut through the sealed tissue portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Lawrence Kerver, Brian Tang, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Publication number: 20140236152
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to bipolar electrosurgical devices, as well as methods of manufacture and use of such devices. Embodiments of the device may include a set of opposing jaws comprising at least one bipolar electrode pair disposed thereon, the set of jaws configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to a target tissue. In some embodiments, a standoff member is provided to maintain a physical gap between the pair(s) of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk, Timothy Koss, Douglas C. Limbach, Mark Stirrat
  • Publication number: 20110230875
    Abstract: Embodiments of the technology provide an articulable electrosurgical instrument and methods of performing electrosurgery with an articulating capability. The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having an end effector associated with a distal end thereof that is able to deliver energy to a target tissue site. An articulable joint is positioned between that shaft and the end effector. Articulation of the articulable joint is controlled by a stabilizable articulation actuator, which may include a rotatably stabilizable disk residing within a well. The end effector may take the form of forceps including an upper and a lower jaw; the jaws are configured to grasp target tissue and to deliver energy, such as radiofrequency energy. In some of these instruments, the end effector is adapted to seal tissue by the application of radiofrequency energy, and then to cut through the sealed tissue portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Lawrence Kerver, Brian Tang, Brandon Loudermilk
  • Publication number: 20110184404
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a bipolar electrosurgical device for a laparoscopic environment, as well as methods for the use of such a device. Embodiments of the device may include a set of opposing jaws comprising at least one bipolar electrode pair disposed thereon, the set of jaws configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to a target tissue. Embodiments of the set of jaws, when closed, may have a diameter no greater than about 5 mm. The device may further include a shaft with a diameter that may be no greater than about 5 mm. Each of the jaws has a tissue-facing surface of each jaw that may include a complementary self-aligning configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the other jaw. Embodiments of the device may further include a pinless rotation assembly formed from rotatably cooperative features of the first jaw and the second jaw that connect the jaws together and enable the jaw set to pivot between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Erik Walberg, Brandon Loudermilk