Patents by Inventor Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
Douglas S. Wahnschaffe 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: 7204835Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprises a handle (5), a body (1) joined to the handle, and a jaw assembly (12) joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows the opposed jaws of the jaw assembly to be opened and closed with respect to one another. A first of said opposed jaws (14) has at least a first coagulating electrode, and the other of said opposed jaws (13) has at least a second coagulating electrode and a cutting electrode (16) separated from the second coagulating electrode by an insulating member (17). The instrument is manipulated at the surgical site such that the jaws of the jaw assembly (12) are open with respect to one another, with the cutting electrode (16) and at least one of the first and second coagulating electrodes contacting tissue at the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe, Scott R. Sanders, Nigel Mark Goble, Colin Charles Owen Goble
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Patent number: 7033356Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps are described that have jaws capable of being closed relative to one another, the jaws each supporting electrode structures especially shaped to enhance the ability of the instrument to desiccate/seal or cut tissue structures clamped between the opposed jaws. One of the opposed jaws has a generally arcuate cross-section with a raised central zone and the other electrode has a recess adapted to accommodate the raised central zone of the cooperating electrode. By appropriating the shaping the mating electrode surfaces, tissue structures placed between the jaws are stretched laterally as clamping occurs. The stretching action prevents bunching of the tissue and results in improved desiccation, sealing and cutting. A fine, uninsulated conductor disposed on the one jaw, but insulated from the electrode surface on that jaw, serves as a cutting electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Patent number: 6984231Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator (10) for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument (12) including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of output lines (60C), and a power supply (66) coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. The generator also includes a controller (72) capable of varying a radio frequency signal supplied to the output lines, and a switching circuit (62) having three or more output connections (62A, 62B, 62C) each electrically connected with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This switching circuit is operable to vary the connections between the output lines (60C) and the output connections (62A, 62B, 62C).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Gyrus Medical LimitedInventors: Coliin C. O. Goble, Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Patent number: 6929641Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines. The system also includes a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This selection circuit operates to vary the coupling between the RF output stage and the three or more output connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Gyrus Medical LimitedInventors: Coliin C. O. Goble, Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Patent number: 6808525Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical hook probe includes an end effector that includes first and second electrodes placed in parallel, closely-spaced relationship, each being of a relatively large surface area and a conductive reciprocally movable hook member that is movable into and out of a space between the first and second electrodes. A switch mechanism is provided by which an RF current can alternatively be made to flow between the first and second electrodes during electrocoagulation and from the hook electrode to each of the first and second electrodes when the instrument is operating in its cut mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Publication number: 20040049185Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps are described that have jaws capable of being closed relative to one another, the jaws each supporting electrode structures especially shaped to enhance the ability of the instrument to desiccate/seal or cut tissue structures clamped between the opposed jaws. One of the opposed jaws has a generally arcuate cross-section with a raised central zone and the other electrode has a recess adapted to accommodate the raised central zone of the cooperating electrode. By appropriating the shaping the mating electrode surfaces, tissue structures placed between the jaws are stretched laterally as clamping occurs. The stretching action prevents bunching of the tissue and results in improved desiccation, sealing and cutting. A fine, uninsulated conductor disposed on the one jaw, but insulated from the electrode surface on that jaw, serves as a cutting electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Publication number: 20040006340Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps are described that have jaws capable of being closed relative to one another, the jaws each supporting electrode structures especially shaped to enhance the ability of the instrument to desiccate/seal or cut tissue structures clamped between the opposed jaws. One of the opposed jaws has a generally arcuate cross-section with a raised central zone and the other electrode has a recess adapted to accommodate the raised central zone of the cooperating electrode. By appropriating the shaping the mating electrode surfaces, tissue structures placed between the jaws are stretched laterally as clamping occurs. The stretching action prevents bunching of the tissue and results in improved desiccation, sealing and cutting. A fine, uninsulated conductor disposed on the one jaw, but insulated from the electrode surface on that jaw, serves as a cutting electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Publication number: 20030163123Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines. The system also includes a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This selection circuit operates to vary the coupling between the RF output stage and the three or more output connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Coliin C.O. Goble, Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Publication number: 20030073990Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator (10) for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument (12) including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of output lines (60C), and a power supply (66) coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. The generator also includes a controller (72) capable of varying a radio frequency signal supplied to the output lines, and a switching circuit (62) having three or more output connections (62A, 62B, 62C) each electrically connected with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This switching circuit is operable to vary the connections between the output lines (60C) and the output connections (62A, 62B, 62C).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Colin C.O. Goble, Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe
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Publication number: 20030040744Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical hook probe includes an end effector that includes first and second electrodes placed in parallel, closely-spaced relationship, each being of a relatively large surface area and a conductive reciprocally movable hook member that is movable into and out of a space between the first and second electrodes. A switch mechanism is provided by which an RF current can alternatively be made to flow between the first and second electrodes during electrocoagulation and from the hook electrode to each of the first and second electrodes when the instrument is operating in its cut mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Gyrus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Scott T. Latterell, Douglas S. Wahnschaffe