Patents by Inventor John E. Hein

John E. Hein 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: 11871982
    Abstract: A control circuit is disclosed that comprises a resistor and a switch network. The switch network is configured to transition between a plurality of states corresponding to a plurality of operational modes of a surgical instrument. In a first phase of a control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to a surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a first state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide an output corresponding to one of the plurality of states. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a second state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20230397941
    Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua M. Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Eitan T. Wiener, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20230346446
    Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua M. Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, James M. Vachon, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20230270486
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11678925
    Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Eitan T. Wiener, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11666368
    Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, James M. Vachon, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11559347
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20210393314
    Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11090104
    Abstract: A control circuit configured to receive a control signal that defines a first phase and a second phase from a surgical generator. The control circuit may include a first resistor, a second resistor in parallel with the first resistor, and a switch in series with the second resistor. The switch may be configured to transition between an open state and a closed state corresponding to an operational mode of a surgical instrument. In the first phase of the control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to the surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and in the open state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a first output. In the second phase of the control signal and in the closed state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11033322
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator, where the circuit may be configured to filter frequency content of the combined signal and is configured to provide a first filtered signal to the RF energy output and a second filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output or the circuit may be configured to switch between outputs of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20200261141
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 10687884
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The circuit may be configured to isolate a direct current (DC) voltage from the combined RF and ultrasonic signal. The DC voltage may then be used to power various electrical components of the surgical instrument while still providing RF energy and ultrasonic energy for surgical application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 10610286
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator; generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Publication number: 20200100830
    Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, James M. Vachon, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20200078117
    Abstract: An energy module connectable to a surgical instrument is disclosed. The energy module can include a circuit, which can include a first amplifier and a second amplifier coupled to a port of the energy module to which a surgical instrument is connectable. The first amplifier can be configured to generate a first drive signal at a first frequency range and the second amplifier can be configured to generate a second drive signal at a second frequency range. The circuit can be configured to control the amplifiers to deliver the first drive signal, the second drive signal, and/or a combination of the first and second drive signals to a surgical instrument connected to the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch
  • Publication number: 20200078076
    Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Eitan T. Wiener, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Publication number: 20200078080
    Abstract: An energy module for driving electrosurgical and/or ultrasonic surgical instruments is disclosed. The energy module can include an amplifier assembly that is configured to drive a variety of different energy modalities for one or more surgical instruments connected thereto. The energy module can further include a relay assembly for selectively coupling one or more of the amplifiers to different ports to which the surgical instruments are connectable. The amplifier assembly can include amplifiers for driving ultrasonic, bipolar, and/or monopolar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Eitan T. Wiener, Ryan M. Asher, Brendan J. Oberkircher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch
  • Publication number: 20190282292
    Abstract: A control circuit configured to receive a control signal that defines a first phase and a second phase from a surgical generator. The control circuit may include a first resistor, a second resistor in parallel with the first resistor, and a switch in series with the second resistor. The switch may be configured to transition between an open state and a closed state corresponding to an operational mode of a surgical instrument. In the first phase of the control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to the surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and in the open state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a first output. In the second phase of the control signal and in the closed state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 10265117
    Abstract: A method for controlling a waveform shape of a motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of a surgical device. The method may comprise generating a transducer drive signal by selectively recalling, using a direct digital synthesis (DDS) algorithm, drive signal waveform samples stored in a look-up table (LUT), generating samples of current and voltage of the transducer drive signal when the transducer drive signal is communicated to the surgical device, determining samples of the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and a frequency of the transducer drive signal, comparing each sample of the motional branch current to a respective target sample of a target waveform to determine an error amplitude, and modifying the drive signal waveform samples stored in the LUT such that an amplitude error between subsequent samples of the motional branch current and respective target samples is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Foster B. Stulen, Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 10263171
    Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein