Patents by Inventor James L. Brassell
James L. Brassell 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: 8562603Abstract: A method for conducting electrosurgery using increased crest factors employs an electrosurgical instrument having at least one conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each having unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts concentrate the electrosurgical power, reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed. The combined effects of the electrosurgical instrument configurations enable safe use of crest factors of 5 or greater in electrosurgical procedures.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 8357155Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument blade includes a body having more than two electrodes with at least two electrodes having alternating current power supplied to them provide a bipolar alternating current configuration and employ a means other than electrode spacing for reducing or preventing accumulation of eschar. The electrodes are separated from each other using electrically insulating materials such that electric current does not flow between at least two of the bipolar alternating current electrodes unless they contact at least one other electrically conductive medium, such as patient tissue. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each have geometric shapes and composition to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 8357154Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument includes a body having more than two electrodes with at least two electrodes having alternating current power supplied to them provide a bipolar alternating current configuration and employ a means other than electrode spacing for reducing or preventing accumulation of eschar. The electrodes are separated from each other using electrically insulating materials such that electric current does not flow between at least two of the bipolar alternating current electrodes unless they contact at least one other electrically conductive medium, such as patient tissue. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each have geometric shapes and composition to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7935112Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for simplifying making incisions and other treatments using electrosurgery. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a body having at least one conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each having unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7935113Abstract: An electrosurgical blade includes a conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7896875Abstract: An battery-powered electrosurgical instrument includes a blade having a conductor edge portion and insulation layer with geometric shapes and composition that concentrate electrosurgical energy and reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage, thereby providing more efficient application of electrosurgical energy. The more efficient use of electrosurgical energy permits configuring the system to be battery-powered. The system may be portable or configured as a battery-backup powered system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7867225Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a conductive element in the form of a needle that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor tip portion of the conductive element. The conductor tip portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The electrosurgical needle electrode is configured to concentrate the flow of electrosurgical at the tip region.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Microline Surgical, IncInventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7867226Abstract: An electrosurgical needle includes a body having at least one conductive element in the form of a needle that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor tip portion of the conductive element. The conductor tip portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The electrosurgical needle electrode is configured to concentrate the flow of electrosurgical energy at the tip region.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 7377919Abstract: An improved insulating layer for electrosurgical instruments and its use for electrosurgical instruments for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site is disclosed. The insulating layer may include a ceramic material that is substantially sealed with a coating comprising substantially of a material based on polydiorganosiloxanes or derivatives thereof that have been cured. Such an insulating layer may advantageously include one or more insulating materials with pores that have been sealed so as to prevent biological materials from entering the pores with such sealing material preferably containing one or more of silicate materials or materials that form silicates. Heat sinks may be included in various embodiments to establish a thermal gradient away from functional portions of the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Surginetics, Inc.Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell, Michael Olichney
-
Patent number: 7175621Abstract: A surgical system that applies electrical energy to obtain predetermined surgical effects while improving the control of the application of the energy that is supplied by electrosurgical generators. In one embodiment, a surgical assembly interfaces with and receives power from an electrosurgical generator for executing a first electrosurgical procedure. This surgical assembly may employ a shunt circuit between its power and return lines for providing in effect a voltage limitation and/or to allow a constant power electrosurgical generator to execute an at least substantially constant voltage electrosurgical technique. The electrosurgical assembly may also include a return coupler for directing energy from the patient back to the electrosurgical generator, which in turn may include a dielectric material which interfaces with the patient and which at least initially conveys the return energy via one or more electric fields versus conduction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Surginetics, LLCInventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell, Michael D. Olichney
-
Publication number: 20040116919Abstract: A surgical system that applies electrical energy to obtain predetermined surgical effects while improving the control of the application of the energy that is supplied by electrosurgical generators. In one embodiment, a surgical assembly interfaces with and receives power from an electrosurgical generator for executing a first electrosurgical procedure. This surgical assembly may employ a shunt circuit between its power and return lines for providing in effect a voltage limitation and/or to allow a constant power electrosurgical generator to execute an at least substantially constant voltage electrosurgical technique. The electrosurgical assembly may also include a return coupler for directing energy from the patient back to the electrosurgical generator, which in turn may include a dielectric material which interfaces with the patient and which at least initially conveys the return energy via one or more electric fields versus conduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell, Michael D. Olichney
-
Patent number: 6692489Abstract: A surgical system that applies electrical energy to obtain predetermined surgical effects while improving the control of the application of the energy that is supplied by electrosurgical generators. In one embodiment, a surgical assembly interfaces with and receives power from an electrosurgical generator for executing a first electrosurgical procedure. This surgical assembly may employ a shunt circuit between its power and return lines for providing in effect a voltage limitation and/or to allow a constant power electrosurgical generator to execute an at least substantially constant voltage electrosurgical technique. The electrosurgical assembly may also include a return coupler for directing energy from the patient back to the electrosurgical generator, which in turn may include a dielectric material which interfaces with the patient and which at least initially conveys the return energy via one or more electric fields versus conduction.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Team Medical, LLCInventors: Warren P. Heim, James L. Brassell, Michael D. Olichney
-
Publication number: 20040030330Abstract: A surgical device includes a return electrode, an active electrode, and an insulating region adjacent to the active electrode. A rasping surface is provided by either the active electrode or the insulating region. Another surgical device includes an adapter configured to couple to a generator and to convert monopolar output from the generator into bipolar output. A method of applying electricity to tissue includes bringing a surgical device into close proximity with tissue and applying electricity to the tissue using the surgical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: James L. Brassell, Steven W. Ek, Keith D. Foskitt, Alan P. Gannon, Warren P. Heim, Richard S. Lansil, James E. McCay, Gary R. McCarthy, Michael D. Olichney, Alan L. Oslan, Paul Sabin, Gary Tallent, Javier Verdura, Guy Wilkins, David L. Lockwood
-
Patent number: 6533781Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, copper tantalum, tungsten, columbium and molybdenum. In yet a further aspect, the metal body may include an intermediate layer that defines a peripheral edge portion of reduced cross-section (e.g., about 0.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Team Medical LLCInventors: Warren Paul Heim, Michael Olichney, James L. Brassell
-
Publication number: 20010012936Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, copper tantalum, tungsten, columbium and molybdenum. In yet a further aspect, the metal body may include an intermediate layer that defines a peripheral edge portion of reduced cross-section (e.g., about 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: August 9, 2001Inventors: Warren Paul Heim, Michael Olichney, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 6241723Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed that applies electrical energy to obtain a predetermined surgical effect, while also reducing eschar deposits on a working surface of an electrosurgical instrument, producing an eschar deposit which is easily removed from the working surface and/or facilitating removal of eschar deposits during a cleaning procedure. Such benefits may be realized by providing a negative bias on the working surface relative to a return path to source during electrosurgical procedures and/or during a cleaning procedure which may include contacting the working surface with an electrically conductive liquid. To reduce smoke generation at a surgical site, the electrosurgical instrument may comprise a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. An insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts may be employed.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Team Medical LLCInventors: Warren P. Heim, Michael D. Olichney, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 6074387Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed that applies electrical energy to obtain a predetermined surgical effect, while also reducing eschar deposits on a working surface of an electrosurgical instrument, producing an eschar deposit which is easily removed from the working surface and/or facilitating removal of eschar deposits during a cleaning procedure. Such benefits may be realized by providing a negative bias on the working surface relative to a return path to source during electrosurgical procedures and/or during a cleaning procedure which may include contacting the working surface with an electrically conductive liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Team Medical L.L.C.Inventors: Warren Paul Heim, Scott Allan Miller, III, James L. Brassell
-
Patent number: 5554172Abstract: An improved directed energy surgical method and assembly is disclosed. The method and assembly contemplate the application of a directed energy stream to tissue and the application of a liquid mist stream to the tissue to reduce or eliminate smoke at the surgical site. The invention may be advantageously implemented in an assembly having a surgical pencil for emitting the directed energy stream and liquid mist stream. The liquid mist stream is generated by the surgical pencil, preferably by atomizing a liquid stream supplied thereto (e.g., pressurized via jet atomization). The invention may be utilized in connection with conventional electrosurgical, laser surgery, ultrasound, and other techniques and devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: The Larren CorporationInventors: Glenn A. Horner, Scott A. Miller, Warren P. Heim, Larry K. Blankenship, James L. Brassell