Patents by Inventor DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS

DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS 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: 20260232371
    Abstract: Example electrosurgical devices and systems are disclosed. An example electrocautery pencil includes a body and a monopolar electrocautery electrode non-movably secured to the body. The electrocautery pencil further includes a heat shroud constructed of a heat-resistant material and being translatable relative to the monopolar electrocautery electrode between a covering position and an uncovering position. The electrocautery pencil further includes an actuator coupled to the body. Further, depressing the actuator automatically generates a first electrical signal which translates the heat shroud from the covering position to the uncovering position, and wherein the electrical signal is terminated while the actuator is in the depressed configuration, and wherein upon termination of the first electrical signal the heat shroud is releasably maintained in the uncovering position by a magnetic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2026
    Publication date: August 13, 2026
    Applicant: Palladium Medical LLC
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Scott, Evan Charles Tornell, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Rich, Rachel J. Anderson, Lori E. Lucke, Timothy L. Clarke, Parker J. Blezek, Sarah J. Blair
  • Publication number: 20260165770
    Abstract: Example electrocautery pencils and systems are disclosed. An example electrocautery pencil includes a body, a monopolar electrocautery electrode non-movably secured to the body, the monopolar electrocautery electrode including a distal tip having a distal end. Further, the electrocautery pencil includes a heat shroud constructed of a heat-resistant material and being translatable relative to the monopolar electrocautery electrode between a covering position and an uncovering position. Further, the electrocautery pencil includes an energizing mechanism coupled to the body and configured to selectively energize the monopolar electrocautery electrode and an actuating mechanism coupled to the body, wherein depressing the actuating mechanism automatically generates a first electrical signal which translates the shroud from the covering position to the uncovering position, and wherein the electrical signal is terminated while the actuating mechanism is in the depressed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2026
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Applicant: Palladium Medical LLC
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Scott, Evan Charles Tornell, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Rich, Rachel J. Anderson, Lori E. Lucke, Timothy L. Clarke, Parker J. Blezek, Sarah J. Blair
  • Patent number: 12629197
    Abstract: Example electrosurgical devices and systems are disclosed. An example electrosurgical device includes a body, an electrosurgical electrode secured to the body, the electrosurgical electrode including a distal tip. The electrosurgical device also includes a shroud translatable relative to the electrosurgical electrode between a first position and a second position, a first magnetic component which is operably connected to the body, and a second magnetic component which is operably connected to the shroud, wherein the first and second magnetic components magnetically interact to releasably maintain the shroud in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Palladium Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Scott, Evan Charles Tornell, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Rich, Rachel J. Anderson, Lori E. Lucke, Timothy L. Clarke, Parker J. Blezek, Sarah J. Blair
  • Patent number: 12426936
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20250009379
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas W. Meiser, David J. Van Tol, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Kabala
  • Patent number: 12127761
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas W. Meiser, David J. Van Tol, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Kabala
  • Patent number: 11864814
    Abstract: A dual-output generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the dual-output generator is configured to provide low-frequency output, which may be suitable for ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a high-frequency output, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments, while reducing the amplitude of all remaining frequencies other than the two selected low and high frequencies to about zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Daniel J. Costinett, Bradford C. Trento, Chongwen Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230200838
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas W. Meiser, David J. Van Tol, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Kabala
  • Patent number: 11648026
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11596978
    Abstract: An ultrasonic motion generator includes a non-resonant inverter, an ultrasonic transducer, and a comparator. The non-resonant inverter inverts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) having a first frequency. The ultrasonic transducer is electrically coupled with the non-resonant inverter and generates an ultrasonic motion based on the inverted AC. The comparator automatically detects a deviation of the first frequency from a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer based on motion current passing through the ultrasonic transducer and generates an output signal based on the deviation to drive the non-resonant inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Xiaosen Liu, Adrian I. Colli-Menchi, James A. Gilbert, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Keith W. Malang, Edgar Sanchez-Sinencio
  • Patent number: 11589889
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas W. Meiser, David J. Van Tol, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Kabala
  • Publication number: 20220370116
    Abstract: Example electrosurgical devices and systems are disclosed. An example electrosurgical device includes a body, an electrosurgical electrode secured to the body, the electrosurgical electrode including a distal tip. The electrosurgical device also includes a shroud translatable relative to the electrosurgical electrode between a first position and a second position, a first magnetic component which is operably connected to the body, and a second magnetic component which is operably connected to the shroud, wherein the first and second magnetic components magnetically interact to releasably maintain the shroud in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Palladium Medical LLC
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Scott, Evan Charles Tornell, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Rachael L. Rich, Rachel J. Anderson, Lori E. Lucke, Timothy L. Clarke, Parker J. Blezek, Sarah J. Blair
  • Publication number: 20210378728
    Abstract: A dual-output generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the dual-output generator is configured to provide low-frequency output, which may be suitable for ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a high-frequency output, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments, while reducing the amplitude of all remaining frequencies other than the two selected low and high frequencies to about zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Daniel J. Costinett, Bradford C. Trento, Chongwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 11179191
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft, and an end-effector assembly. The proximal end of the shaft is operably associated with the housing. The end-effector assembly is operably coupled to the distal end of the shaft and includes first and second jaw members. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a sealing plate and a bipolar electrode. Either one or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from a position in spaced relation relative to the other jaw member to at least one subsequent position wherein the sealing plates cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The electrosurgical instrument includes a semiconductor switch operably coupled to at least one of the sealing plates and at least one of the bipolar electrodes. The semiconductor switch is configured to enable user selection between energizing the at least one sealing plate or the at least one bipolar electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20210267659
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11096737
    Abstract: A dual-output generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the dual-output generator is configured to provide low-frequency output, which may be suitable for ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a high-frequency output, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments, while reducing the amplitude of all remaining frequencies other than the two selected low and high frequencies to about zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Daniel J. Costinett, Bradford C. Trento, Chongwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 11090105
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11006997
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10973565
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for interdigitation of waveforms for dual-output electrosurgical generators. Such methods may comprise outputting DC energy from a power supply, converting DC energy from the power supply, by a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the power supply, into a plurality of RF waveforms, and controlling the plurality of RF amplifiers to interdigitate the first and second RF waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10898255
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plasma catheter including a tubular member; a conductive cylindrical member; a first electrode; and a second electrode. The tubular member defines a longitudinal lumen therethrough and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The conductive cylindrical member is disposed at the distal portion of the tubular member. The first electrode is embedded in a first side of the tubular member and coupled to the conductive cylindrical member. The second electrode is embedded in a second side of the tubular member diametrically opposed to the first side. The second electrode is offset from the tubular member and aligned with a center axis defined by the conductive cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, Daniel A. Friedrichs, William Scott Darrow