Patents by Inventor Philip M. Tetzlaff
Philip M. Tetzlaff 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).
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Publication number: 20080195093Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. At least one channel is included in the insulator which is configured to deliver fluid between the jaw members.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Gary M. Couture, Craig Weinberg, Philip M. Tetzlaff
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Publication number: 20080167651Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, David A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Theodore Richardson, Greg Drach
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Patent number: 7160298Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument includes a housing and a pair of electrodes. Each electode preferably includes an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting) and an insulating substrate which is dimensioned to be engageable with the end effectors such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures. The insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Kate R. Lawes, Steven P. Buysse, Sean T. Dycus, Kristin D. Johnson, Michael C. Moses, David A. Schechter, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk
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Patent number: 7137980Abstract: A closed-loop control system has a user interface for allowing a user to select at least one pre-surgical parameter. The system also has a sensor module for continually sensing at least one of electrical and physical properties proximate a surgical site and generating at least one signal and a control module for continually receiving the selected parameter from the user interface and the at least one signal from the sensor module. The system processes the signal in accordance with the parameter using at least one of a microprocessor, computer algorithm and a mapping. The control module generates a corresponding control signal relating to the signal from the sensor module, and provides the control signal to the generator. The control module has number of loop control modules with a first loop control module providing a ratio of a real time parameter value to a desired parameter value. The real time parameter value is from the signal from the sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Steven P. Buysse, Bret S. Felton, David N. Heard, David Keppel, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Dale F. Schmaltz, Robert H. Wham, Edward C. Meagher, Kate R. Lawes, David A. Schechter, Chelsea Shields, Philip M. Tetzlaff
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Patent number: 7135020Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The insulating substrate is made from a plastic material having a high Comparative Tracking Index to reduce the incidence of flashover.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Kate R. Lawes, Sean T. Dycus, Kristin D. Johnson, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Steven P. Buysse
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Patent number: 7118570Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forcep having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member (439) for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, James S. Cunningham, Michael C. Moses, Roger F. Smith, Kristin D. Johnson, Paul R. Romero
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Publication number: 20040249374Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, Dave A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach
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Publication number: 20040236325Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forcep having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member (439) for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, James S Cunningham, Michael C Moses, Roger F Smith, Kristin d Johnson, Paul R Romero
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Publication number: 20040176762Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The insulating substrate is made from a plastic material having a high Comparative Tracking Index to reduce the incidence of flashover.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Kate R. Lawes, Sean T. Dycus, Kristin D. Johnson, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Steven P. Buysse
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Publication number: 20040162557Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Carolyn H. Mihaichuk, Duane E. Kerr, Dave A. Schechter, Jon Sherman, Ted Richardson, Greg Drach
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Publication number: 20040015163Abstract: A closed-loop control system is disclosed for use with an electrosurgical generator that generates electrosurgical energy. The closed loop control system includes a user interface for allowing a user to select at least one pre-surgical parameter, such as the type of surgical instrument operatively connected to the generator, the type of tissue and the desired surgical effect. A sensor module is also included for continually sensing at least one of electrical and physical properties proximate a surgical site and generating at least one signal relating thereto. The system also includes a control module for continually receiving the at least one selected pre-surgical parameter from the user interface and each of the signals from the sensor module, and processing each of the signals in accordance with the at least one pre-surgical parameter using at least one of a microprocessor, computer algorithm and a mapping.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Bret S. Felton, David N. Heard, David Keppel, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Dale F. Schmaltz, Robert H. Wham, Edward C. Meagher, Kate R. Lawes, David A. Schechter, Chelsea Shields, Philip M. Tetzlaff
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Publication number: 20030109875Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance the electrodes move relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Steven P. Buysse, Kate R. Lawes, Dale F. Schmaltz, Randel A. Frazier, Michael J. Lands, Stephen W. Lukianow
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Patent number: 6511480Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance the electrodes move relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Sherwood Services AGInventors: Philip M. Tetzlaff, Steven P. Buysse, Kate R. Dawes, Dale F. Schmaltz, Randel A. Frazier, Michael J. Lands, Steven W. Lukianow
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Publication number: 20030014053Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Lap P. Nguyen, Steven P. Buysse, Dale F. Schmaltz, Stephen Wade Lukianow, Michael J. Lands, Jenifer S. Kennedy, Kate R. Lawes, Daniel L. Trimberger, Mathew E. Mitchell, Kristin D. Johnson, Gary M. Couture, Philip M. Tetzlaff