Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Valentine

Christopher A. Valentine 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: 8864761
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 8834462
    Abstract: A medical device for treating and analyzing tissue is disclosed. The device includes a plasma applicator having a housing. The housing includes a substantially tubular shape and defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source configured to supply ionizable media thereto. The applicator also includes one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The electrodes are adapted to couple to a power source configured to that energizes electrodes to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume for treating tissue. The device also includes an effluent-collection attachment coupled to the plasma applicator, the effluent-collection attachment configured to collect at least a portion of a plasma effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Kyle R. Rick, Christopher A. Valentine, Mika N. Sinanan
  • Publication number: 20140094681
    Abstract: A system for navigating a surgical instrument adjacent tissue of interest is provided and includes a magnetic device and a surgical instrument. The magnetic device is positionable within a body of a patient. The surgical instrument includes a magnetic detection device that is operably disposed thereon to detect the magnetic device. The surgical instrument is configured to remove tissue of interest within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER A. VALENTINE, KRISTIN D. JOHNSON, BENJAMIN M. CORUM, SCOTT F. ALEXANDER, CHRISTOPHER T. RUSIN
  • Publication number: 20140018668
    Abstract: A system and method of ultrasound imaging, the system including a laparoscopic surgical instrument including at least one ultrasound transducer, and a processor adapted to receive acoustic data from the ultrasound transducer and process the acoustic data from the ultrasound transducer to produce a graphical representation of the acoustic data, the graphical representation depicting echoic attributes of tissue substantially axially aligned with a transmission path of the at least one ultrasound transducer, and the distance of at least one tissue type having different echoic attributes from surrounding tissue form a distal tip of the laparoscopic surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: PENG ZHENG, CHRISTOPHER A. VALENTINE, CHRISTOPHER T. RUSIN, KATHY E. ROOKS, BENJAMIN M. CORUM, SALLY D. JANDRALL, KRISTIN D. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8623004
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit and configured to transmit at least one electrical signal generated by the processing unit through a target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response. The processing unit is configured to identify the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 8617155
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Publication number: 20120253339
    Abstract: A radio frequency-based surgical implant fixation apparatus is provided and includes a housing and a shaft that is operably coupled to housing. A longitudinal axis is defined through the shaft. The housing is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. An approximator assembly has an elongated rod that is coaxially coupled to the shaft and is configured to reciprocate therethrough from an extended position to a retracted position. A plurality of delivery arms is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated rod. The delivery arms are configured to releasably receive a portion of a surgical implant and selectively connect to the energy source to transmit electrosurgical energy to the surgical implant to fuse the surgical implant to tissue upon actuation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Kyle Rick, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott Alexander, Kristin D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110295250
    Abstract: A medical device for treating and analyzing tissue is disclosed. The device includes a plasma applicator having a housing. The housing includes a substantially tubular shape and defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source configured to supply ionizable media thereto. The applicator also includes one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The electrodes are adapted to couple to a power source configured to that energizes electrodes to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume for treating tissue. The device also includes an effluent-collection attachment coupled to the plasma applicator, the effluent-collection attachment configured to collect at least a portion of a plasma effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Kyle R. Rick, Christopher A. Valentine, Mika N. Sinanan
  • Publication number: 20110275952
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Publication number: 20110224668
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Publication number: 20110224543
    Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit and configured to transmit at least one electrical signal generated by the processing unit through a target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response. The processing unit is configured to identify the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, Christopher A. Valentine, Scott F. Alexander, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Publication number: 20080120150
    Abstract: A system determines a level of interest of items at a trade shown (e.g., a trade show exhibit or presentation) based on data about the identity of the items presented at the trade show (e.g., a trade show exhibit or presentation) and information indicating items in which attendees have expressed some interest during the show (e.g., information indicating a person has visited a trade show booth or requested information from a vendor manning a booth).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: MAC VENTURES GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brendan T. McSheffrey, Kevin Gulley, Christopher Valentine
  • Publication number: 20050176370
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data in a handheld wireless transceiver from a wireless device that identifies a trade show exhibitor to a trade show attendee, receiving a selection from the trade show attendee in the handheld wireless transceiver based on the received trade show exhibitor identification data, and sending data representing the selection to a wireless mesh network repeater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Brendan McSheffrey, Kevin Gulley, Christopher Valentine
  • Publication number: 20050022917
    Abstract: A motorcycle tire comprising a tread reinforced between its edges by a breaker assembly (4), a reinforcing carcass ply (11) of rubber covered cords radially inside the breaker assembly (4) and extending between two bead regions (7,8) and wrapped in each bead region (7,8) around an annular bead core (9,10) to form carcass ply turn-ups (11a,11b). The breaker assembly (4) includes a bandage ply (12) having a plurality of spaced apart strips (12a,12b,12c, etc) reinforced by cords oriented at substantially zero degrees to the centerline of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Valentine, David Watkins
  • Patent number: 6407913
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hard disk drive carrier adapted to be housed in a disk drive chassis comprising a drive bay for receiving and holding a hard disk drive; an integrated locking mechanism including a handle for carrying the disk drive carrier and for providing a one-handed locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the disk drive carrier in the disk drive chassis; and an EMI shield fixedly coupled to the drive bay for providing a barrier to electromagnetic interference, the EMI shield covering a portion of the hard disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ezra T. Peachey, Stephen R. Brown, Christopher Valentine
  • Patent number: D446213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Clark Chen, Stephen R. Brown, Masahito Cho, Christopher Valentine
  • Patent number: D454563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Brown, Masahito Cho, Christopher Valentine, Philip White, Rochelle J. Keeler, Edward R. Harrison, Edward D. Arrington, Clark Chen, R. David Redelfs, Cindy Merrill, David A. Cobbley