Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Brannan

Joseph D. Brannan 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: 11931139
    Abstract: A system for ultrasound interrogation of a lung including a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a US transducer, and a processor. The memory stores a three dimensional (3D) model and pathway plan for navigating a luminal network. The EM board generates an EM field. The EWC is configured to navigate the luminal network toward a target following the pathway plan. The EM sensor extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and is configured to sense the EM field. The US transducer extends distally from a distal end of the EWC, generates US waves, and receives US waves reflected from the luminal network. The processor processes the sensed EM field to synchronize a location of the EM sensor in the 3D model, to process the reflected US waves to generate images, or to integrate the generated images with the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11925452
    Abstract: A system for ultrasound interrogation of a lung includes a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a US transducer, and a processor. The memory stores a three dimensional (3D) model, a pathway plan for navigating a luminal network. An EM board generates an EM field. The EWC is configured to navigate the luminal network of a patient toward a target following the pathway plan and the EM sensor extends distally from the EWC and senses the EM field. The US transducer extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and generates US waves and receives US waves reflected from the luminal network and the processor processes the sensed EM field to synchronize a location of the EM sensor in the 3D model, to process the reflected US waves to generate images, or to integrate the generated images with the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20240016542
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a surgical instrument having an instrument connector and a microwave generator having a generator connector. The instrument connector includes a magnet and a plurality of conductors. The generator connector is configured to couple to the instrument connector and includes a housing, a support base, a magnet, at least one spring, and a plurality of pogo pins. The support base is operably coupled to the housing and configured to move longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the generator connector. The magnet is operably coupled to the support base and positioned to align with the magnet of the instrument connector. The spring is configured to bias the support base proximally within the housing. The pogo pins extend distally from the support base with each pogo pin being configured to align with a respective conductor of the plurality of conductors of the instrument connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: K V S Manoj Kumar Vadali, Joseph D. Brannan, Venkata Prasad Mooram
  • Patent number: 11839426
    Abstract: Microwave applicators are disclosed which include a first transmission line segment, a second transmission line segment, and a third transmission line segment. The first transmission line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The second transmission line segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The third transmission line segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric. The impedance of the second transmission line segment can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the third transmission line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20230320783
    Abstract: A method for treating tissue through a branched luminal network of a patient is provided. A pathway to a point of interest in branched luminal network of a patient is generated. An extended working channel is advanced transorally into the branched luminal network and along the pathway to the point of interest. The extended working channel may be positioned in a substantially fixed orientation at the point interest. A tool is advanced though the extended working channel to the point of interest. Tissue at the point of interest is treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Casey M. Ladtkow, Joseph D. Brannan, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, Kaylen J. Haley, William J. Dickhans, Jason A. Case
  • Publication number: 20230285076
    Abstract: A method for calculating a corrected temperature value (RTP corrected). The method includes determining a measured temperature value from a remote thermocouple probe (RTP measured), determining a temperature value of a remote thermocouple module (RTM), determining a temperature value of a system controller module (SCM), determining a temperature value of a microwave module (MWM), and calculating the corrected temperature value (RTP corrected). The corrected temperature value (RTP corrected) is based on the determined temperature value of the remote thermocouple probe (RTP measured), the determined temperature value of the system controller module (SCM), and at least one of the determined temperature value of the remote thermocouple module (RTM) or the determined temperature value of the microwave module (MWM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20230190372
    Abstract: The modular microwave ablation system of the present disclosure includes a microwave instrument, a microwave generator, and one or more auxiliary modules that include circuitry for performing functions related to the operation of the microwave generator. The one or more auxiliary modules are removably connected to the microwave generator. The microwave generator includes a microwave signal generator that generates a microwave signal; a microwave generator controller in communication with the microwave signal generator; one or more terminals that connect to the one or more auxiliary modules, respectively; and a power supply and/or a power distribution module coupled to the microwave signal generator, the microwave generator controller, and the one or more terminals. The one or more terminals provide (1) power from the power supply and/or power distribution module to the one or more respective auxiliary modules and (2) communication signals to and from the one or more respective auxiliary modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Patent number: 11678934
    Abstract: A method for treating tissue through a branched luminal network of a patient is provided. A pathway to a point of interest in branched luminal network of a patient is generated. An extended working channel is advanced transorally into the branched luminal network and along the pathway to the point of interest. The extended working channel may be positioned in a substantially fixed orientation at the point interest. A tool is advanced though the extended working channel to the point of interest. Tissue at the point of interest is treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Casey M. Ladtkow, Joseph D. Brannan, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, Kaylen J. Haley, William J. Dickhans, Jason A. Case
  • Publication number: 20230157762
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing an intelligent assistance (“IA”) or extended intelligence (“EI”) ecosystem for soft tissue luminal applications. In various embodiments, a computing system analyzes first layer input data (indicating movement, position, and/or relative distance for a person(s) and object(s) in a room) and second layer input data. The second layer input data includes sensor and/or imaging data of a patient. Based on the analysis, the computing system generates one or more recommendations for guiding a medical professional in navigating a surgical device(s) with respect to one or more soft tissue luminal portions of the patient. The recommendation(s) include at least one mapped guide toward, in, and/or around the one or more soft tissue luminal portions. The mapped guide can include data corresponding to at least three dimensions, e.g., a 3D image/video. The computing system can present the recommendation(s) as image-based output, using a user experience device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Randal C. Schulhauser, Niall F. Duffy, Julie A. Benton, Zhongping Yang, Richard J. O'Brien, Walton W. Baxter, Roy A. Wilsker, Tal Davidson, William C. Harding, Max L. Balter, Joseph D. Brannan, Mark L. Stiger, Keith D. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20230157757
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing intelligent assistance (“IA”) or extended intelligence (“EI”) ecosystem for pulmonary procedures. In various embodiments, a computing system might analyze received one or more first layer input data (i.e., room content-based data) and received one or more second layer input data (i.e., patient and/or tool-based data), and might generate one or more recommendations for guiding a medical professional in guiding a surgical device(s) toward and within a lung of the patient to perform a pulmonary procedure, based at least in part on the analysis, the generated one or more recommendations comprising 3D or 4D mapped guides toward, in, and around the lung of the patient. The computing system might then generate one or more XR images, based at least in part on the generated one or more recommendations, and might present the generated one or more XR images using a UX device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Peter N. Braido, Randal C. Schulhauser, Paul S. Addison, Max L. Balter, Joseph D. Brannan, Zhongping Yang, Shantanu Sarkar, Nicolas Coulombe
  • Patent number: 11653975
    Abstract: A system including a catheter navigable to a location within a patient, a lumen extending through the catheter and ending at the distal end in an orifice, a fluid controller in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and capable of supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an area proximate the desired location. The control of the fluid in the area proximate the desired location affecting a dielectric constant of the area proximate the desired location. The system includes a microwave energy source, and a microwave ablation probe connected to the microwave energy source, the microwave ablation probe being navigable to a desired location within the patient. Application of energy from the microwave energy source to the microwave ablation probe in an area proximate the desired location having the affected dielectric constant results in a substantially spherical tissue effect in the area proximate the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 11612429
    Abstract: Ablation systems and methods detect and address distortion caused by a variety of factors. A method includes measuring a temperature curve at target tissue; applying ablation energy to the target tissue; determining a peak temperature on the temperature curve; if the peak temperature is greater than the predetermined peak temperature, determining a time at which the temperature curve crosses to a lower temperature; and if the determined time is greater than a predetermined time, generating a message indicating that the target tissue was successfully ablated. Another method includes determining a distance between a remote temperature probe and an ablation probe, applying ablation energy to target tissue, measuring temperature at the remote temperature probe, estimating ablation size based on the determined distance and the temperature measured by the remote temperature probe, and determining whether the target tissue is successfully ablated based on the estimated ablation size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Anthony B. Ross, Casey M. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 11596477
    Abstract: A system for recording or recalling ablation information includes a workstation, and control circuitry. The workstation may include a display, a user input device, and a memory. The workstation may be configured to be in electrical communication with an ablation device. The control circuitry may be in electrical communication with the ablation device and the memory. The control circuitry may be configured to receive input associated with an ablation procedure performed by the ablation device, and associate the input with an anatomical structure of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 11583336
    Abstract: The modular microwave ablation system of the present disclosure includes a microwave instrument, a microwave generator, and one or more auxiliary modules that include circuitry for performing functions related to the operation of the microwave generator. The one or more auxiliary modules are removably connected to the microwave generator. The microwave generator includes a microwave signal generator that generates a microwave signal; a microwave generator controller in communication with the microwave signal generator; one or more terminals that connect to the one or more auxiliary modules, respectively; and a power supply and/or a power distribution module coupled to the microwave signal generator, the microwave generator controller, and the one or more terminals. The one or more terminals provide (1) power from the power supply and/or power distribution module to the one or more respective auxiliary modules and (2) communication signals to and from the one or more respective auxiliary modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20230039525
    Abstract: A surgical probe includes a connection hub, an antenna assembly, and an outer jacket. The antenna assembly is coupled to the connection hub, extends distally from the connection hub, and includes a radiating portion coupled thereto at the distal end thereof. The radiating portion is configured to deliver energy to tissue to treat tissue. The outer jacket is coupled to the connection hub, extends distally therefrom, and is disposed about the radiating portion. The outer jacket includes a distal end member configured to be spaced-apart from the radiating portion a target axial distance. One or more of the couplings between the antenna assembly and the connection hub, the radiating portion and the antenna assembly, and the outer jacket and the connection hub defines a flexible configuration permitting axial movement therebetween to maintain the target axial distance between the radiating portion and the distal end member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William O. Reid, Jr., Darion R. Peterson, Kaylen J. Haley, Richard A. Willyard, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Publication number: 20230020183
    Abstract: A system for performing a microwave ablation procedure includes an ablation probe, a tracking system for tracking a position and orientation of the ablation probe, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to receive the position and orientation data of the ablation probe from the tracking system, display a graphical representation of the ablation probe on a display based on the received position and orientation data of the ablation probe, filter axial shift data from the position and orientation data of the ablation probe corresponding to axial movement of the ablation probe along a trajectory axis, and generate an alert based on the filtered axial shift data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Ryan S. Sohlden
  • Patent number: 11510732
    Abstract: A surgical probe includes a connection hub, an antenna assembly, and an outer jacket. The antenna assembly is coupled to the connection hub, extends distally from the connection hub, and includes a radiating portion coupled thereto at the distal end thereof. The radiating portion is configured to deliver energy to tissue to treat tissue. The outer jacket is coupled to the connection hub, extends distally therefrom, and is disposed about the radiating portion. The outer jacket includes a distal end member configured to be spaced-apart from the radiating portion a target axial distance. One or more of the couplings between the antenna assembly and the connection hub, the radiating portion and the antenna assembly, and the outer jacket and the connection hub defines a flexible configuration permitting axial movement therebetween to maintain the target axial distance between the radiating portion and the distal end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William O. Reid, Jr., Darion R. Peterson, Kaylen J. Haley, Richard A. Willyard, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Publication number: 20220346874
    Abstract: Microwave ablation applicators and methods for manufacturing the microwave ablation applicators are disclosed. A microwave ablation applicator includes a feed-line segment, a step-down segment, and a radiator base segment. The feed-line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The step-down segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The radiator base segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric so as to form a feed gap at a distal end of the radiator base segment, a balun dielectric disposed on the third outer conductor, and a balun outer conductor disposed on the balun dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20220323151
    Abstract: A patient isolator for a microwave generator includes a DC block grounded to a microwave module of the microwave generator, a proximal absorber wrapped around a proximal portion of the DC block, and a distal absorber wrapped around a distal portion of the DC block and separated from the proximal absorber by a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 11382692
    Abstract: Microwave ablation applicators and methods for manufacturing the microwave ablation applicators are disclosed. A microwave ablation applicator includes a feed-line segment, a step-down segment, and a radiator base segment. The feed-line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The step-down segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The radiator base segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric so as to form a feed gap at a distal end of the radiator base segment, a balun dielectric disposed on the third outer conductor, and a balun outer conductor disposed on the balun dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan