Patents by Inventor Christopher Paul Hancock

Christopher Paul Hancock 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).

  • ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT
    Publication number: 20190380772
    Abstract: An electrosurgical vessel sealing device that can seal biological vessels using a confined microwave field that yields a well-defined seal location with low thermal margin. The device comprises a pair of jaws that are movable relative to each other to grip biological tissue. A blade for cutting the gripped tissue is slidable between the jaws. A coplanar microstrip antenna is mounted on the inner surface of one or both of the pair of jaws to emit microwave energy into the gap therebetween. The device may comprise a separate dissector element to enable fine tissue cutting and dissection to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Julian Mark EBBUTT, Louis TURNER, Simon MEADOWCROFT
  • ELECTROSURGICAL ENERGY CONVEYING STRUCTURE AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE INCORPORATING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190374285
    Abstract: An energy conveying structure for invasive electrosurgery that provide for combined delivery of (i) RF or microwave electromagnetic energy for tissue treatment (e.g. ablation, coagulation or cutting), and (ii) optical radiation within a common structure that may form an instrument cable of a surgical scoping device. The structure resembles a hollow coaxial transmission line with an optical channel formed within it. The optical channel can lie within a passage that is formed within the inner conductive layer or within other layers of the coaxial transmission. The structure may be used to form an electrosurgical device capable of delivering RF/microwave EM energy, optical radiation and ultrasonic signals to a treatment site along an instrument cable of a surgical scoping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Shaun PRESTON, William TAPLIN, Sam JAMES, George ULLRICH, David WEBB
  • Apparatus for sterilizing an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device
    Patent number: 10434207
    Abstract: Sterilization apparatus comprising a sterilization instrument configured to be inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilization instrument from the instrument channel at a predetermined rate. The sterilization instrument comprises an elongate probe having a probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy while being withdrawn through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Louis Turner, Patrick Burn, Sandra Swain, Mark Ebbutt, Simon Meadowcroft, George Christian Ullrich, David Edward Webb, John Bishop
  • ELECTROSURGICAL FORCEPS FOR DELIVERING MICROWAVE ENERGY FROM A NON-RESONANT UNBALANCED LOSSY TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20190298446
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps for delivering microwave energy into biological tissue from a non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structure located within or formed by the jaws of the forceps. The transmission line structure may be formed across the gap between the jaw element by opposed conductive elements, which are respectively electrically connected to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial cable. Alternatively, each jaw element may comprise its own lossy transmission line, whereby a power splitter is used to divide microwave energy from the coaxial cable. The forceps may be used endoscopically in the gastrointestinal tract or laparoscopically or in open surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Malcolm White
  • Electrosurgical apparatus having RF pulse profile controller
    Patent number: 10426542
    Abstract: A pulsed RF cut waveform profile for electrosurgery, in which each pulse is formed of a composite of different pulse portions. The pulse includes a controllable treatment portion whose duration can be truncated as necessary to ensure that the average power delivered by the pulse as a whole does not exceed a predetermined value. A limit for the average power delivered by the composite pulse (i.e. total energy delivered over the duration of the ON and OFF portions divided by the pulse duration) may be selectable by the operator. The ON portion may have multiple sub-portions, which have different purposes. Each pulse may be automatically controlled for pulse width in this manner, so that the RF signal effectively responds intelligently to conditions at the probe tip during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Francis Amoah, Christopher Paul Hancock, Martin Jarman, Nuwan Dharmisiri
  • DUAL-FUNCTION PLASMA AND NON-IONISING MICROWAVE COAGULATING ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20190269450
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device that is capable of both generating a plasma to perform surface coagulation and emitting a non-ionising microwave field (in the absence of plasma) to perform coagulation at a deeper level. The device comprises a probe tip that is connected to receive radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency energy from a generator, and also defines a flow path for a gas. The probe tip is adjustable between a first configuration, in which it defines a bipolar (e.g. coaxial) structure to produce a high electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency energy across the flow path for the gas to strike and sustain plasma and a second configuration, in which it defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionising microwave energy into tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Maicolm White, Philip William HALES, Brian SAUNDERS, Sandra May Bernadette HOLMES
  • ELECTROSURGICAL FORCEPS FOR DELIVERING RF AND/OR MICROWAVE ENERGY INTO BIOLOGICAL TISSUE
    Publication number: 20190254743
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps in which one or more pairs of non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structures are arranged on the inner surfaces of the jaws of the forceps provide both (i) active and return electrodes for a radiofrequency (RF) signal, and (ii) lossy structures for delivering a microwave signal into biological tissue in conjunction with a mechanical gripping arrangement for applying pressure to material held within the jaws. The location of the pairs of transmission lines on the jaws of the forceps and the selection of the material of the jaws is arranged to ensure that any biological tissue gripped by the jaws become the propagation medium for the RF signal and the medium into which the microwave signal is lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Malcolm WHITE, Sandra May Bernadette HOLMES, Brian SAUNDERS
  • SKIN TREATMENT APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20190216541
    Abstract: Skin treatment apparatus comprising an energy applicator structure configured to establish heating or ablation at a predetermined and controllable (i.e. selectable) depth below a surface of skin tissue with which it is in contact. The applicator structure may receive a cooling medium and microwave frequency electromagnetic energy, which provide a combined treatment effect that results in heating or ablation in a zone beneath the skin surface. The applicator may be a waveguide (e.g. waveguide horn antenna) with internal shielding configured to provide a substantially uniform heating effect. The applicator may include a thermal camera to monitor treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Paul HOROWITZ, George ULLRICH, David WEBB
  • ELECTROSURGICAL RESECTION INSTRUMENT
    Publication number: 20190209237
    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 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Steven Morris, Duncan Fitzsimmons, Brian Saunders, Andrew Pacey, Malcolm White
  • ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR
    Publication number: 20190209232
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator for generating radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy comprises: a microwave source for generating a microwave signal; a microwave channel for conveying the microwave signal from the microwave source to be output from the generator; an RF channel for conveying an RF signal to be output from the generator; and a microwave-to-RF converter connectable to receive the microwave signal, the microwave-to-RF converter being arranged to: generate the RF signal from the microwave signal, and deliver the RF signal to the RF channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Malcolm WHITE
  • Dual-function plasma and non-ionising microwave coagulating electrosurgical instrument and electrosurgical apparatus incorporating the same
    Patent number: 10342595
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device that is capable of both generating a plasma to perform surface coagulation and emitting a non-ionizing microwave field (in the absence of plasma) to perform coagulation at a deeper level. The device comprises a probe tip that is connected to receive radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency energy from a generator, and also defines a flow path for a gas. The probe tip is adjustable between a first configuration, in which it defines a bipolar (e.g. coaxial) structure to produce a high electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency energy across the flow path for the gas to strike and sustain plasma and a second configuration, in which it defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionizing microwave energy into tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White, Philip William Hales, Brian Saunders, Sandra May Bernadette Holmes
  • ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT
    Publication number: 20190201095
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument with a radiating tip portion having a relative permeability and/or relative permittivity that is selected to provide an electrical length for the radiating tip portion that enables effective delivery into biological tissue of microwave EM energy supplied thereto, at two or more frequencies of choice. The instrument has a radiating tip portion disposed to receive microwave EM energy from a coaxial cable, the radiating tip portion having a first effective relative permeability at a first frequency and a second effective relative permeability at a second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Patrick BURN, Malcolm WHITE
  • Electrosurgical forceps for delivering RF and/or microwave energy into biological tissue
    Patent number: 10321955
    Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps in which one or more pairs of non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structures are arranged on the inner surfaces of the jaws of the forceps provide both (i) active and return electrodes for a radiofrequency (RF) signal, and (ii) lossy structures for delivering a microwave signal into biological tissue in conjunction with a mechanical gripping arrangement for applying pressure to material held within the jaws. The location of the pairs of transmission lines on the jaws of the forceps and the selection of the material of the jaws is arranged to ensure that any biological tissue gripped by the jaws become the propagation medium for the RF signal and the medium into which the microwave signal is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Creo Medical Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White, Sandra May Bernadette Holmes, Brian Saunders
  • CONTROL DEVICE FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
    Publication number: 20190167077
    Abstract: A movement transfer mechanism for a surgical scoping device, wherein a rotational proximal input force is transformed into a longitudinal force that is conveyed down the length of an instrument channel of the scoping device, where it is transformed again into an operational movement of a distal instrument. The operational movement can be rotational movement, but may be any movement that changes the orientation or configuration of the distal instrument. By conveying a linear force along the instrument channel rather than a twisting force, the problems of slipping and discontinuous operation of the distal instrument due to friction between the instrument and the instrument channel can be reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, George ULLRICH, David WEBB, Louis TURNER
  • Method and apparatus for controlling power delivered by electrosurgical probe
    Patent number: 10299850
    Abstract: A method of controlling RF power delivered from a bipolar electrosurgical instrument into a biological tissue. The method comprises controlling the profile of a RF waveform by: setting a maximum voltage limit for a voltage applied across the bipolar electrosurgical instrument; calculating a tissue resistance, the calculating step including a correction for an impedance associated with the RF channel; determining an objective tissue current limit from the calculated tissue resistance and a predetermined power dissipation target; and dynamically adjusting the current limit based on the determined objective tissue current limit. This control method may ameliorate the impact of an increased cable length on the accuracy of control of RF waveforms delivered to the tip of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Francis Amoah, Christopher Paul Hancock, Martin Jarman, Nuwan Dharmisiri
  • ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING HAEMOSTASIS IN BIOLOGICAL TISSUE
    Publication number: 20190125442
    Abstract: An electrosurgical waveform having both radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy components that is arranged to perform efficient haemostasis in biological tissue. The waveform comprises a first portion primarily of RF electromagnetic energy, and a second portion primarily of microwave electromagnetic energy that follows the first portion. The second portion further comprises a plurality of RF pulses, wherein the first portion transitions to the second portion when either a duration of the first portion meets or exceeds a predetermined duration threshold, or an impedance determined during the first portion meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. The waveform is arranged to deliver energy rapidly so that haemostasis can occur in a short time frame in a situation where the maximum available power is limited, or to avoid undesirable thermal damage to the biological tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Francis AMOAH, Martin JARMAN
  • ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED MICROWAVE SOURCE
    Publication number: 20190117306
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument in which an amplifier for getting microwave power is located in the same region at a radiating structure for delivering that power in a distal portion of the instrument. The instrument may be insertable through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device, e.g. endoscope. The entire microwave generating line up may be incorporated into the instrument so that only DC input power is needed. The microwave power losses and associated drawbacks present in known devices can therefore be avoided. The amplifier may be fabricated using wide band-gap conductor materials, such as GaN and GaN-based alloys, which offer the ability to fabricate devices that are active at RF and microwave frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Patrick BURN
  • ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20190110837
    Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus and method for performing thermal treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a flexible cable and an applicator suitable for use with a gastroscope, which can be deployed within a patient to delivery energy in a targeted or otherwise controllable manner. The applicator can deliver microwave energy by radiation. The direct and depth-limited nature of microwave energy can be make it more effective than treatments that rely on thermal conduction. The applicator may include a radially extendable portion arranged to move an microwave energy delivery structure into contact with duodenal mucosal tissue at the treatment region. The applicator may comprise any of a balloon, bipolar radiator, movable paddle, and rotatable roller element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Simon MEADOWCROFT, Christopher Paul HANCOCK, George ULLRICH, David WEBB, Louis TURNER, Julian Mark EBBUTT
  • Electrosurgical resection instrument
    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
  • ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING TOOL
    Publication number: 20190099215
    Abstract: An electrosurgical cutting tool comprising a pair of pivotable blades that are mechanically operable as scissors or pliers. The blades have electrodes capable of delivery RF and/or microwave energy to cut or coagulate tissue between them. The tool combines the actuation and energy delivery mechanisms in a compact arrangement that enables the tool to be inserted through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device, such as an endoscope, gastroscope or laparoscope. Each blade may comprise a planar body made of dielectric material that separates a first conductive element from a second conductive element. The blades may rotate relative to each other in the plane of the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul HANCOCK, Louis TURNER, Malcolm WHITE, Sandra May SWAIN, Patrick BURN, Steven MORRIS