Patents by Inventor Mark A. Johnston

Mark A. Johnston 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: 20240360581
    Abstract: A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: William Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, Mark A. Johnston, Brendan J. Heinig, Hector A. MacPherson
  • Publication number: 20240293166
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Edward L. Brannan, William D. Faulkner, Mark A. Johnston, Aaron G. Mattmiller, Donald L. Tonn
  • Patent number: 12049706
    Abstract: A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, Mark A. Johnston, Brendan J. Heinig, Hector A. MacPherson
  • Patent number: 11969201
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Edward L. Brannan, William D. Faulkner, Mark A. Johnston, Aaron G. Mattmiller, Donald L. Tonn
  • Publication number: 20240032987
    Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes clamping tissue between an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member and simultaneously: transmitting ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade to vibrate the ultrasonic blade at a first blade velocity thereby heating the clamped tissue; and supplying electrosurgical energy, at a constant voltage, to the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade at different potentials such that the electrosurgical energy is conducted therebetween and through the clamped tissue to heat the clamped tissue. An impedance of the clamped tissue is monitored and the simultaneous transmission of ultrasonic energy and supply of electrosurgical energy is terminated and/or a notification is output once the clamped tissue is sealed, as indicated by the impedance of the clamped tissue being equal to or greater than a threshold impedance. Surgical instruments and end effectors thereof for treating tissue in this manner are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Michael B. Lyons, James E. Dunning, Kristen P. Bradley, David J. Van Tol, Christopher T. Tschudy, Keith W. Malang, Donald L. Tonn, Mark A. Johnston, James R. Fagan
  • Publication number: 20230108257
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device including a pair of opposing jaw members movable between an open jaw position and a closed jaw position, a main switch, a button configured to actuate the main switch, and a secondary switch configured to actuate based on the thickness of the grasped tissue. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical device, the electrosurgical generator is configured to generate an electrosurgical output in response to actuation of the main switch and the secondary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Lewis R. Puterbaugh, Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20220387093
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having: a main switch, a button configured to actuate the main switch, at least one secondary switch, and a movable component configured to actuate the second switch. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical device, the electrosurgical generator is configured to generate an electrosurgical output in response to actuation of the main switch and the at least one secondary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Johnston, Lewis R. Puterbaugh
  • Patent number: 11365490
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes manufacturing a substrate, coating at least a portion of the substrate via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), and disposing a heating element on at least a portion of the PEO-coated substrate. The method may further include attaching the thermal cutting element to a jaw member of a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, Mark A. Johnston, Brendan J. Heinig, Hector A. MacPherson
  • Publication number: 20210369324
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Edward L. Brannan, William D. Faulkner, Mark A. Johnston, Aaron G. Mattmiller, Donald L. Tonn
  • Publication number: 20210282837
    Abstract: A tissue resection device includes a handpiece and an end effector assembly extending distally from the handpiece. The end effector assembly includes an outer shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a window defined therethrough towards a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly further includes an inner member rotationally disposed within the outer shaft. The inner member includes a proximal body portion and a distal cutting portion. The proximal body portion is coaxially disposed on the longitudinal axis and rotatable thereabout. The distal cutting portion includes an offset portion that is radially offset from the longitudinal axis and is configured to orbit about the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the distal cutting portion is a thermal cutting element configured to heat in response to application of electrical energy thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel, Purvishkumar H. Soni, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Daniel A. Joseph, John A. Hammerland, III, Daniel W. Mercier, Devon E. Scott-Drechsel, Mark A. Johnston, David M. Garrison, Jing Zhao, Yanzhu Zhao
  • Patent number: 11090106
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Donald L. Tonn, Aaron Mattmiller, William D. Faulkner, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20210186587
    Abstract: A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: William Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, Mark A. Johnston, Brendan J. Heinig, Hector A. MacPherson
  • Publication number: 20210189583
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes manufacturing a substrate, coating at least a portion of the substrate via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), and disposing a heating element on at least a portion of the PEO-coated substrate. The method may further include attaching the thermal cutting element to a jaw member of a surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: William Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, Mark A. Johnston, Brendan J. Heinig, Hector A. MacPherson
  • Patent number: 10987154
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform and a sensor for sensing current. The sensor includes a current sensor coil having: an outer coil, an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil, and at least one shielding member disposed over the outer coil. Each of the at least one shielding member and the outer coil define an opening therethrough. The generator also includes at least one active lead coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passing through the current sensor coil. The current sensor coil is configured to output a signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dean C. Buck, Edward L. Brannan, Mark A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10869712
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a DC waveform; an inverter coupled to the power supply, the inverter including a plurality of switching elements; and a controller coupled to the inverter and configured to generate a switching angle waveform including a plurality of switching pulses. The controller is further configured to at least one of select or calculate the plurality of switching pulses to activate the plurality of switching elements to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the DC waveform and to minimize harmonics of the radio frequency waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Mark A. Johnston, Daniel J. Costinett, Bradford C. Trento, Chongwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 10747186
    Abstract: A multi-channel control system includes at least a primary control microprocessor and a back-up control microprocessor operable to control a device. The primary control microprocessor and the back-up control microprocessor assert control over a controlled device according to a locally stored method of controlling a back-up microprocessor assumption of control of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffry K. Kamenetz, James A. Gosse, Joseph T. Gostkowski, Richard L. Bue, Mark A. Johnston, James Peter Wivell
  • Patent number: 10507054
    Abstract: A method for suppressing arc formation during an electrosurgical tissue treatment procedure includes the steps of supplying pulsed current from an energy source to tissue and measuring the pulsed current supplied from the energy source. The method also includes the steps of comparing an instantaneous measured pulse to a predetermined threshold and controlling the pulsed current supplied from the energy source based on the comparison between the instantaneous measured pulse and the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20190290351
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform and a sensor for sensing current. The sensor includes a current sensor coil having: an outer coil, an inner coil coupled to and disposed within the outer coil, and at least one shielding member disposed over the outer coil. Each of the at least one shielding member and the outer coil define an opening therethrough. The generator also includes at least one active lead coupled to the radio frequency output stage and passing through the current sensor coil. The current sensor coil is configured to output a signal indicative of a current within the at least one active lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: DEAN C. BUCK, EDWARD L. BRANNAN, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Patent number: 10390876
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to planar transformers including a plurality of circuit layers that are configured to reduce termination losses on at least one of the plurality of circuit layers. The plurality of circuit layers are stacked together in a first direction and include at least first and second circuit layers. The first and second circuit layers each include an electrically conductive trace forming at least one winding having a first termination portion and a second termination portion that are separated by a gap. The gaps of the first and second circuit layers are offset relative to each other in a second direction different from the first direction. The plurality of circuit layers may further include a third circuit layer, which includes an electrically conductive trace having a grounded portion that is disposed adjacent to at least one of the gaps of the first and second circuit layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20190250574
    Abstract: A multi-channel control system includes at least a primary control microprocessor and a back-up control microprocessor operable to control a device. The primary control microprocessor and the back-up control microprocessor assert control over a controlled device according to a locally stored method of controlling a back-up microprocessor assumption of control of a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffry K. Kamenetz, James A. Gosse, Joseph T. Gostkowski, Richard L. Bue, Mark A. Johnston, James Peter Wivell