Patents by Inventor James E. Dunning

James E. Dunning 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: 20180235696
    Abstract: An ablation probe is provided. The ablation probe includes a housing that is configured to couple to a microwave energy source. A shaft extends distally from the housing and includes a radiating section at a distal end thereof. A sensor assembly is operably disposed on the housing and includes a pair of sensor contacts. One or more sensors are positioned adjacent the radiating section and extend along the shaft. The sensor(s) have a pair of sensor contact pads that are positioned on the shaft for contact with the pair of sensors such that during transmission of microwave from the radiating section into target tissue at least one electrical parameter is induced into the at least one sensor and detected by the pair of sensor contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: JAMES E. DUNNING, ERIC W. LARSON, JENNIFER MCHENRY
  • Publication number: 20180055556
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator, including a radio-frequency (RF) output stage configured to output an electrosurgical waveform, a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with an implantable device in a patient, and a controller coupled to the RF output stage and the wireless transceiver, the controller configured to control the RF output stage to generate an electrosurgical waveform based on the implantable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: JAMES E. DUNNING, SARA E. ANDERSON, STEVEN P. BUYSSE
  • Patent number: 9901399
    Abstract: An ablation probe is provided. The ablation probe includes a housing that is configured to couple to a microwave energy source. A shaft extends distally from the housing and includes a radiating section at a distal end thereof. A sensor assembly is operably disposed on the housing and includes a pair of sensor contacts. One or more sensors are positioned adjacent the radiating section and extend along the shaft. The sensor(s) have a pair of sensor contact pads that are positioned on the shaft for contact with the pair of sensors such that during transmission of microwave from the radiating section into target tissue at least one electrical parameter is induced into the at least one sensor and detected by the pair of sensor contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Eric W. Larson, Jennifer McHenry
  • Publication number: 20170319259
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a DC waveform; a power converter coupled to the power supply and configured to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the DC waveform; an active terminal coupled to the power converter and configured to couple to a first electrosurgical instrument and a second electrosurgical instrument; at least one sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and a controller coupled to the power converter. The controller is configured to: determine a first impedance associated with a first electrosurgical instrument and a second impedance associated with a second electrosurgical instrument based on the at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and adjust at least one parameter of the radio frequency waveform based on the first impedance and the second impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: JAMES E. DUNNING
  • Patent number: 9597232
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: William O. Reid, Jr., James E. Dunning, Kaylen J. Haley, Gayle L. Argoudelis
  • Publication number: 20170056127
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method are provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a cable, and an identifying circuit. An end-effector is coupled to the housing for treating tissue. The cable extends from the housing and is configured to couple the surgical instrument to a generator. The identifying circuit includes a plurality of capacitive elements disposed on the surgical instrument. The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: JAMES E. DUNNING
  • Patent number: 9486271
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method are provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a cable, and an identifying circuit. An end-effector is coupled to the housing for treating tissue. The cable extends from the housing and is configured to couple the surgical instrument to a generator. The identifying circuit includes a plurality of capacitive elements disposed on the surgical instrument. The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Publication number: 20160045264
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument includes charging a first component to a first voltage, charging a second component to a second voltage such that a pre-determined voltage differential is established between the first and second components, axially moving at least one of the first and second components relative to the other, monitoring an electrical characteristic to determine whether an axial distance between the first and second components is equal to a target axial distance, and retaining the first and second components in fixed position relative to one another once the axial distance between the first and second components is equal to the target axial distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES E. DUNNING, JOSEPH D. BRANNAN, WILLIAM O. REID, JR., DARION R. PETERSON, KAYLEN J. HALEY, RICHARD A. WILLYARD, KENLYN S. BONN
  • Publication number: 20160038344
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: WILLIAM O. REID, JR., JAMES E. DUNNING, KAYLEN J. HALEY, GAYLE L. ARGOUDELIS
  • Patent number: 9192439
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument includes charging a first component to a first voltage, charging a second component to a second voltage such that a pre-determined voltage differential is established between the first and second components, axially moving at least one of the first and second components relative to the other, monitoring an electrical characteristic to determine whether an axial distance between the first and second components is equal to a target axial distance, and retaining the first and second components in fixed position relative to one another once the axial distance between the first and second components is equal to the target axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Joseph D. Brannan, William O. Reid, Jr., Darion R. Peterson, Kaylen J. Haley, Richard A. Willyard, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: 9168178
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William O. Reid, Jr., James E. Dunning, Kaylen J. Haley, Gayle L. Argoudelis
  • Patent number: 8784410
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical generator for supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue and methods thereof. The electrosurgical generator includes sensor circuitry, a processing device, and a controller. The type of return electrode pad may be determined automatically. The sensor circuitry is configured to determine one or more characteristics of a patient and/or measure tissue temperature at a return electrode pad site. The processing device is configured to determine a maximum temperature of tissue and calculate real-time predicted temperature at the return electrode pad site. The controller is configured to regulate output of the electrosurgical generator based on one or more characteristics of a patient and the determined maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 8777940
    Abstract: A return pad for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a conductive layer, a contact layer configured to engage a patient's skin and an intermediate layer disposed between the conductive layer and the contact layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to distribute energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Kyle R. Rick, David Gresback, Peter Gadsby
  • Publication number: 20140171932
    Abstract: An ablation probe is provided. The ablation probe includes a housing that is configured to couple to a microwave energy source. A shaft extends distally from the housing and includes a radiating section at a distal end thereof. A sensor assembly is operably disposed on the housing and includes a pair of sensor contacts. One or more sensors are positioned adjacent the radiating section and extend along the shaft. The sensor(s) have a pair of sensor contact pads that are positioned on the shaft for contact with the pair of sensors such that during transmission of microwave from the radiating section into target tissue at least one electrical parameter is induced into the at least one sensor and detected by the pair of sensor contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: JAMES E. DUNNING, ERIC W. LARSON, JENNIFER MCHENRY
  • Patent number: 8690867
    Abstract: An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes a first and second flexible conductive material layers and a material layer disposed between the first and second conductive material layers. The material layer is transitionable between a solid state and a non-solid state, the material layer is also configured to melt upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby increasing conductivity between the first and second conductive material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Peter D. Gadsby, David Gresback
  • Publication number: 20140000098
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument includes charging a first component to a first voltage, charging a second component to a second voltage such that a pre-determined voltage differential is established between the first and second components, axially moving at least one of the first and second components relative to the other, monitoring an electrical characteristic to determine whether an axial distance between the first and second components is equal to a target axial distance, and retaining the first and second components in fixed position relative to one another once the axial distance between the first and second components is equal to the target axial distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: JAMES E. DUNNING, JOSEPH D. BRANNAN, WILLIAM O. REID, JR., DARION R. PETERSON, KAYLEN J. HALEY, RICHARD A. WILLYARD, KENLYN S. BONN
  • Publication number: 20130317407
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William O. Reid, JR., James E. Dunning, Kaylen J. Haley, Gayle L. Argoudelis
  • Publication number: 20130231656
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method are provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a cable, and an identifying circuit. An end-effector is coupled to the housing for treating tissue. The cable extends from the housing and is configured to couple the surgical instrument to a generator. The identifying circuit includes a plurality of capacitive elements disposed on the surgical instrument. The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 8523853
    Abstract: An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes an intermediary layer formed from a dielectric material, the intermediary layer having a top surface and a patient-contacting surface. The return electrode also includes a capacitive return electrode formed from a conductive material disposed on the top surface of the intermediary layer and a resistive monitoring electrode formed from a conductive material disposed on the patient-contact surface of the intermediary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 8388612
    Abstract: An electrosurgical return electrode includes a conductive pad including a patient-contacting surface configured to conduct electrosurgical energy, and a temperature sensing circuit coupled to the conductive pad. The temperature sensing circuit includes a plurality of switching elements connected in series, wherein each of the plurality of switching elements is configured to vary in impedance in response to temperature changes, such that an interrogation signal transmitted therethrough is indicative of the temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Peter Gadsby, David Gresback