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).

  • Publication number: 20200289200
    Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, William J. Dickhans, Richard A. Willyard, Jason A. Case
  • Patent number: 10758306
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system is disclosed. The system includes a microwave antenna assembly that includes an identification device configured to store an optimal frequency of the microwave antenna assembly. The system also includes a generator configured to couple to the microwave antenna assembly and to output microwave energy at an operational frequency. The generator is further configured to read the optimal frequency from the identification device and to configure the operational frequency to substantially match the optimal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Jensen, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10743934
    Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween. A radiating portion is also included having an unbalanced dipole antenna including a proximal portion and a distal portion that are of different lengths. The proximal portion includes at least a portion of the inner conductor and the inner insulator and the distal portion includes a conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kyle R. Rick
  • Patent number: 10743935
    Abstract: A microwave energy delivery and measurement system, including a microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy to a microwave energy delivery device, a measurement system configured to measure at least one parameter of the microwave energy delivery device and a switching network configured to electrically isolate the microwave energy source and the measurement system. The measurement system is configured to actively measure in real time at least one parameter related to the microwave energy delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Joseph A. Paulus
  • Patent number: 10736694
    Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an antenna assembly and an elongated body member. The elongated body member includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal and distal end portions define a longitudinal axis. The elongated body member has a chamber defined therein that extends along the longitudinal axis, and a body wall surrounding the chamber. An antenna assembly is disposed in the chamber. The elongated body member also includes an opening in the body wall to allow energy radiated from the antenna assembly to transfer into the target volume of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Mani N. Prakash, Francesca Rossetto, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10716619
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for ablating tissue includes a handle portion and a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle portion. The shaft assembly includes an outer shaft, a coaxial cable extending through the outer shaft, and an electrode coupled to a distal portion of the outer shaft. The coaxial cable has a distal portion that forms a microwave antenna configured to transmit microwave energy radially outward and through the outer shaft. The electrode is configured to transmit radiofrequency energy. An actuation of the handle portion activates the transmission of the microwave energy from the microwave antenna and/or the transmission of the radiofrequency energy from the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Eric W. Larson
  • Patent number: 10675092
    Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, William J. Dickhans, Richard A. Willyard, Jason A. Case
  • Patent number: 10675089
    Abstract: A dielectric spacer for use during microwave ablation of tissue is disclosed. The dielectric spacer includes a housing having a predetermined thickness and a skin-contacting bottom surface. The housing is configured to be filled with a dielectric material having a predetermined dielectric permittivity. The housing is further configured to be placed on the tissue in proximity with at least one microwave antenna assembly, wherein the thickness and the dielectric permittivity are configured to shift a maximum voltage standing wave ratio of the at least one microwave antenna assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kaylen J. Haley, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: 10588693
    Abstract: A microwave antenna including a feedline, a radiating section, an inflow hypotube, a puck, a transition collar and a sleeve. The feedline includes a coaxial cable including an inner and outer conductor, and a dielectric disposed therebetween. The radiating section includes a dipole antenna coupled to the feedline and a trocar coupled to the distal end of the dipole antenna. The inflow hypotube is disposed around the outer conductor and configured to supply fluid to the radiating portion. The puck includes at least two ribs with inflow slots defined between two adjacent ribs. The transition collar is coupled to the distal end of the inflow hypotube and the first end of the puck. The transition collar includes at least two outflow slots configured to receive fluid from a distal end of the inflow hypotube and to transition the fluid from the outflow slots to a distal end of the radiating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Kenlyn S. Bonn, Darion R. Peterson, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20200046414
    Abstract: A method for controlling microwave ablation energy delivery includes receiving a setting entered via a user interface. An energy delivery profile is generated based on the setting, with the energy delivery profile defining an energy delivery amount adjustment to be made based at least in part on an elapsing of an amount of time relative to a reference point. Energy is delivered according to the energy delivery profile, with an amount of energy being delivered being adjusted based on the energy delivery amount adjustment when the amount of time relative to the reference point has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph D. BRANNAN
  • Publication number: 20200037925
    Abstract: A system for light based interrogation of a lung includes a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a light source, a light receptor and a processor. The memory stores a 3D model and a pathway plan of a luminal network and the EM board generates an EM field. The EWC navigates a luminal network of a patient toward a target in accordance with the pathway plan and the EM sensor extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and is configured to sense the EM field. The light source is located at or around the EWC and emits light, and the light receptor is located at or around the EWC and is configured to sense reflected light from airway of the luminal network. The processor converts the reflected light into light based data and identifies a type or density of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua B. Stopek, Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 10499998
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for enabling user preview and control of the size and shape of an electromagnetic energy field used in a surgical procedure. The disclosed system includes a selectively activatable source of microwave surgical energy in the range of about 900 mHz to about 5 gHz in operable communication with a graphical user interface and a database. The database is populated with data corresponding to the various surgical probes, such as microwave ablation antenna probes, that may include a probe identifier, the probe diameter, operational frequency of the probe, ablation length of the probe, ablation diameter of the probe, a temporal coefficient, a shape metric, and the like. The probe data is graphically presented on the graphical user interface where the surgeon may interactively view and select an appropriate surgical probe. Three-dimensional views of the probe(s) may be presented allowing the surgeon to interactively rotate the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kyle R. Rick
  • Patent number: 10499989
    Abstract: An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a coaxial feedline and cooling chamber is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a dipole antenna arrangement having a radiating section, a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the radiating section, and a ring-like balun short, or choke, which may control a radiation pattern of the probe. A conductive tube disposed coaxially around the balun short includes at least one fluid conduit which provides coolant, such as dionized water, to a cooling chamber defined within the probe. A radiofrequency transparent catheter forms an outer surface of the probe and may include a lubricious coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kenlyn S. Bonn
  • Patent number: 10499988
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microwave ablation device, the method including applying a balun short circumferentially about an outer conductor of a coaxial feedline and applying a dielectric material circumferentially about the outer conductor of the coaxial feedline and in contact with the balun short to form a balun. The method further including extending a temperature sensor along the coaxial feedline such that the sensor contacts the balun short, securing the temperature sensor to the coaxial feedline with a first heat shrink material, and securing the dielectric material, balun short, and temperature sensor in contact with each other and to the coaxial feedline using a second heat shrink material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, William J. Dickhans, Richard A. Willyard, Jason A. Case
  • Publication number: 20190343583
    Abstract: A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph D. BRANNAN, Jason A. Case, Casey M. Ladtkow, Kurt R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190321098
    Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue using a fluid-cooled antenna assembly includes the initial step of providing an energy applicator. The energy applicator includes an antenna assembly and a hub providing at least one coolant connection to the energy applicator. The method also includes the steps of providing a coolant supply system including a fluid-flow path fluidly-coupled to the hub for providing fluid flow to the energy applicator, positioning the energy applicator in tissue for the delivery of energy to tissue when the antenna assembly is energized, and providing a thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to the antenna assembly when energized using a feedback control system operably-coupled to a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Richard A. Willyard, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10448861
    Abstract: A system for light based interrogation of a lung includes a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a light source, a light receptor and a processor. The memory stores a 3D model and a pathway plan of a luminal network and the EM board generates an EM field. The EWC navigates a luminal network of a patient toward a target in accordance with the pathway plan and the EM sensor extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and is configured to sense the EM field. The light source is located at or around the EWC and emits light, and the light receptor is located at or around the EWC and is configured to sense reflected light from airway of the luminal network. The processor converts the reflected light into light based data and identifies a type or density of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joshua B. Stopek, Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 10448862
    Abstract: A system for light based interrogation of a lung includes a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a light source, a light receptor and a processor. The memory stores a 3D model and a pathway plan of a luminal network and the EM board generates an EM field. The EWC navigates a luminal network of a patient toward a target in accordance with the pathway plan and the EM sensor extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and is configured to sense the EM field. The light source is located at or around the EWC and is configured to emit light, and the light receptor is located at or around the EWC and is configured to sense reflected light from airway of the luminal network. The processor converts the reflected light into light based data and identifies a type of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joshua B. Stopek, Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 10398491
    Abstract: An ablation device includes a handle assembly including a distal end and a probe extending distally from the distal end of the handle assembly. The probe includes a heat-transfer portion and at least one fluid-flow path in fluid communication with the heat-transfer portion. The handle assembly includes at least one fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow path and at least one apparatus configured to cause fluid flow between the at least one fluid reservoir and the heat-transfer portion. The probe is configured to apply thermal energy released by an exothermic chemical reaction that occurs when fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir is caused to flow to the heat-transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10390882
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a coolant source operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide fluid to the antenna assembly via a fluid path. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the power source and a sensor operably coupled to the fluid path and the controller. The sensor is configured to detect fluid flow through the fluid path and the controller is configured to control the energy source based on the detected fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan