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: 20180318006
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Mani N. Prakash, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Francesca Rossetto, Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20180318007
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, 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 and a radiating portion including a dipole antenna having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The antenna assembly also comprises a sheath disposed over the feedline and the radiating portion defining a chamber around the feedline and the radiating portion. The chamber is adapted to circulate coolant fluid therethrough. The antenna assembly further includes a connection hub having cable connector coupled to the feedline, an inlet fluid port and an outlet fluid port. The connection hub includes a bypass tube configured to provide for flow of the coolant fluid from the cable connector directly to the outlet fluid port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: RICHARD A. WILLYARD, JOSEPH D. BRANNAN
  • Patent number: 10111718
    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: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kyle R. Rick
  • Patent number: 10105181
    Abstract: An ablation system including an image database storing a plurality of computed tomography (CT) images of a luminal network and a navigation system enabling, in combination with an endoscope and the CT images, navigation of a locatable guide and an extended working channel to a point of interest. The system further includes one or more fiducial markers, placed in proximity to the point of interest and a percutaneous microwave ablation device for applying energy to the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    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: 20180296266
    Abstract: A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. An ablation zone control module is in operative communication with memory associated with the power source. The memory includes one or more data look-up tables including one or more electrical parameter associated with the microwave antenna. The one or more electrical parameters corresponding to an ablation zone having a radius. The one or more electrical parameters include a threshold value, wherein when the threshold value is met the power source is adjusted to form an ablation zone of suitable proportion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10098697
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to concurrently dissect and coagulate tissue. The surgical instrument includes a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle. The shaft includes an outer hypotube, a lumen coaxially-disposed within the hypotube and extending beyond a distal end thereof, a coaxial feedline coaxially-disposed within the lumen, and having an inner conductor and an outer conductor disposed coaxially about the inner conductor, and a coolant tube coaxially-disposed between the lumen and the coaxial feedline to form an inflow conduit and an outflow conduit. The instrument further includes a dissecting head assembly coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The dissecting head assembly includes a dielectric core having a substantially planar radiating surface and at least one non-radiating surface, a reflective coating disposed on the at least one non-radiating surface of the dielectric core, and a blade extending from the radiating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10098566
    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: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10098565
    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: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20180289419
    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 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Casey M. Ladtkow, Joseph D. Brannan, Darion R. Peterson, Eric W. Larson, Kaylen J. Haley, William J. Dickhans, Jason A. Case
  • Publication number: 20180280085
    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: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10085801
    Abstract: A surgical system is presented including a microwave generator having a resistive identification connector with a plurality of resistive channels, each resistive channel having a plurality of resistive values. The surgical system further includes a microwave applicator having a device identifier, the microwave applicator configured to be connected to the microwave generator via a reusable cable. The surgical system also includes a digital controller configured to be connected to the resistive identification connector of the microwave generator. The device identifier of the microwave applicator is relayed to the digital controller via a resistive channel of the plurality of resistive channels of the resistive identification connector to enable the digital controller to control the microwave applicator by adjusting at least one operation of the microwave generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10080610
    Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the inner conductor along the length. The outer conductor has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer conductor is provided with a number of apertures N defined therein for radiating energy, where N is an integer greater than 1, each aperture having a size and extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer conductor. At least one of the size and the angle of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures N?1 such that the energy radiated along the distal portion is substantially uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Francesca Rossetto, Joseph D. Brannan, Joseph A. Paulus, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Patent number: 10080603
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an energy applicator adapted to direct energy to tissue, an electrosurgical power generating source, and a surface-contact detection device. The surface-contact detection device is operably associated with the energy applicator. The surface-contact detection device is communicatively-coupled to the electrosurgical power generating source. The surface-contact detection device includes at least one optical transmitter to generate optical signals, a lens member configured to reflect optical signals generated by the optical transmitter when the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue, and at least one optical receiver to receive optical signals reflected by the lens member. The electrosurgical power generating source is adapted to transmit energy to the energy applicator when it is determined that the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10076383
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide electrosurgical energy to an electrosurgical device coupled thereto which, in turn, delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical device may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more tissue properties and output a detected tissue property signal relating thereto. One or more multiplexers having a plurality of channels are electrically connected to each of the corresponding plurality of sensors. The multiplexer(s) may be configured to receive the detected tissue property signal from each sensor of the plurality of sensors and output at least one output signal along a signal line. The signal line is configured to connect to the electrosurgical generator to control a power output of the electrosurgical generator. A channel select algorithm is configured to automatically select channels from the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Publication number: 20180256252
    Abstract: An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor provides a tissue temperature and at least one tissue dielectric property to the controller. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue temperature and the at least one tissue dielectric property to determine tissue status, and to activate and deactivate the generator in accordance therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: PRAKASH MANLEY, JOSEPH D. BRANNAN
  • Publication number: 20180256253
    Abstract: An energy-delivery device suitable for delivery of energy to tissue includes an antenna assembly, a chamber defined about the antenna assembly, and a cable having a proximal end suitable for connection to an electrosurgical energy source. The energy-delivery device also includes a flexible, fluid-cooled shaft coupled in fluid communication with the chamber. The flexible, fluid-cooled shaft is configured to contain a length of the cable therein and adapted to remove heat along the length of the cable during delivery of energy to the antenna assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: JOSEPH D. BRANNAN
  • Patent number: 10070922
    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: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Joseph A. Paulus
  • Publication number: 20180250055
    Abstract: An energy delivery device cooling system includes a reservoir connector assembly and an elongate member. The elongate member has first and second lumens in fluid communication with the reservoir. The first lumen includes an outflow port and the second lumen includes a return port each in fluid communication with the reservoir. The device further includes a tubing system having a first end and a second end. The first end connected in fluid communication with the outflow port and the second end in fluid communication with the return port. The second end configured to return a fluid to the reservoir. The tubing system connects to an energy delivery device to cool the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: ERIC W. LARSON, DARION R. PETERSON, JOSEPH D. BRANNAN
  • Patent number: 10058387
    Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a monopole antenna assembly that includes a monopole antenna radiating section having a monopole antenna element surrounded by a dielectric material. The monopole antenna assembly also includes a ground plane disposed at a proximal end of the monopole antenna radiating section, wherein the ground plane is configured to direct energy into the target volume of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Francesca Rossetto, Joseph D. Brannan, Joseph A. Paulus
  • Patent number: 10058384
    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: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Kyle R. Rick