Patents by Inventor Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
Carolyn H. Mihaichuk 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).
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Patent number: 8298228Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive sealing surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Coviden AGInventors: Steven P. Buysse, Michael C. Moses, David A. Schechter, Kristin D. Johnson, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
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Patent number: 7582087Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, Dave A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach
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Patent number: 7553312Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, David A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach
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Publication number: 20090062794Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive sealing surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Michael C. Moses, David A. Schechter, Kristin D. Johnson, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
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Patent number: 7435249Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive sealing surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Steven P. Buysse, Michael C. Moses, David A. Schechter, Kristin D. Johnson, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
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Publication number: 20080167651Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, David A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Theodore Richardson, Greg Drach
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Patent number: 7160298Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument includes a housing and a pair of electrodes. Each electode preferably includes an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting) and an insulating substrate which is dimensioned to be engageable with the end effectors such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures. The insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Kate R. Lawes, Steven P. Buysse, Sean T. Dycus, Kristin D. Johnson, Michael C. Moses, David A. Schechter, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
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Publication number: 20040249374Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, Dave A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach
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Publication number: 20040162557Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, Dave A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach