Patents by Inventor Luke Waaler

Luke Waaler 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: 20240024021
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Patent number: 11779385
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20210259763
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Patent number: 11000330
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20200323578
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Patent number: 10729488
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Patent number: 10591455
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: operating a motor to position sample fluid within a fluid channel of a cuvette; transmitting light through an optical chamber of the cuvette; measuring a value of received light that has been transmitted through the optical chamber; comparing the measured value of light to one or more thresholds; determining a position of the sample fluid within the fluid channel based on a comparison from the comparing step; and generating a response based upon the position of the sample fluid with the fluid channel. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: Jim Duncan, Aria Farjam, Jim Harbridge, Brian Harmon, Ulrich Lundgreen, Darren MacFarland, Leon Moore, Perry Palumbo, William Louis Pherigo, Jr., Robert Stoughton, Luke Waaler
  • Publication number: 20190167341
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, JEFFREY M. ROY, TONY MOUA, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, LUKE WAALER, CYNTHIA M. PERRY, MEGHAN COLLINS LONG
  • Patent number: 10215745
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a cuvette, including: a body having a fluid channel therein; and an outer surface having encoded information disposed thereon and readable by a reader of a sample instrument. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: Jim Duncan, Aria Farjam, Jim Harbridge, Brian Harmon, Ulrich Lundgreen, Darren MacFarland, Leon Moore, Perry Palumbo, William Louis Pherigo, Jr., Robert Stoughton, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 10201384
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20180042666
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, JEFFREY M. ROY, TONY MOUA, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, LUKE WAALER, CYNTHIA M. PERRY, MEGHAN COLLINS LONG
  • Patent number: 9795439
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20170284990
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: operating a motor to position sample fluid within a fluid channel of a cuvette; transmitting light through an optical chamber of the cuvette; measuring a value of received light that has been transmitted through the optical chamber; comparing the measured value of light to one or more thresholds; determining a position of the sample fluid within the fluid channel based on a comparison from the comparing step; and generating a response based upon the position of the sample fluid with the fluid channel. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jim Duncan, Aria Farjam, Jim Harbridge, Brian Harmon, Ulrich Lundgreen, Darren MacFarland, Leon Moore, Perry Palumbo, William Louis Pherigo, JR., Robert Stoughton, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 9719914
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: operating a motor to position sample fluid within a fluid channel of a cuvette; transmitting light through an optical chamber of the cuvette; measuring a value of received light that has been transmitted through the optical chamber; comparing the measured value of light to one or more thresholds; determining a position of the sample fluid within the fluid channel based on a comparison from the comparing step; and generating a response based upon the position of the sample fluid with the fluid channel. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Jim Duncan, Aria Farjam, Jim Harbridge, Brian Harmon, Ulrich Lundgreen, Darren MacFarland, Leon Moore, Perry Palumbo, William Louis Pherigo, Jr., Robert Stoughton, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 9713493
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical instrument having a housing that includes a generator configured to output electrosurgical energy and a controller configured to control the output of the generator. The instrument also includes a switch coupled to the controller and configured to provide a signal to the controller to select the energy modality of the electrosurgical energy. An indicator is also included to provide an indication of the selected energy modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, William E. Robinson, Jason L. Craig, Diana Gunnarson
  • Patent number: 9655672
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Patent number: 9636166
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 9498279
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Jeffrey M. Roy, Tony Moua, Dennis W. Butcher, William J. Dickhans, Daniel A. Joseph, Luke Waaler, Cynthia M. Perry, Meghan Collins Long
  • Publication number: 20160206365
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: DUANE E. KERR, GLENN A. HORNER, PAUL HRENCHIR, PETER M. MUELLER, ROBERT B. STODDARD, LUKE WAALER
  • Publication number: 20160157925
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: RYAN C. ARTALE, JEFFREY M. ROY, TONY MOUA, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, WILLIAM J. DICKHANS, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, LUKE WAALER, CYNTHIA M. PERRY, MEGHAN COLLINS LONG