Patents by Inventor Robert B. Smith

Robert B. Smith 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).

  • Patent number: 11703525
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11648026
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11529183
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first modulator coupled to the primary winding and configured to receive a power signal from the power supply, a first demodulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second modulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second demodulator coupled to the primary winding, and at least one capacitor configured to tune the primary winding to a first resonant frequency and tune the secondary winding to a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220387097
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11446079
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210267659
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11090105
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20210148953
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11006997
    Abstract: A generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the generator is configured to provide an ultrasonic waveform, which may be suitable for driving a transducer of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and electrosurgical radiofrequency energy, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20210038292
    Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Rachael L. Kabala, Anthony B. Ross, David J. Van Tol, Robert B. Stoddard, Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10908187
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current sense coil disposed about a conductive lead, the current sense coil configured to sense a current passing through the conductive lead. The current sense coil includes: a first outer coil configured to detect a first magnetic field generated by the current; a second outer coil configured to detect the first magnetic field, the second outer coil further configured to cancel an electrical field induced in the first outer coil; and an inner conductor disposed between the first outer coil and the second outer coil, the inner conductor configured to detect a second magnetic field generated by the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200281641
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first modulator coupled to the primary winding and configured to receive a power signal from the power supply, a first demodulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second modulator coupled to the secondary winding, a second demodulator coupled to the primary winding, and at least one capacitor configured to tune the primary winding to a first resonant frequency and tune the secondary winding to a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200229843
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20200234872
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a multilayered dielectric substrate including a plurality of dielectric layers; a planar magnetic device disposed on at least one internal dielectric layer of the plurality of dielectric layers; and an overlapping shield assembly including a first shield layer and a second shield layer separated by at least one of the plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Steven C. Rupp
  • Patent number: 10695119
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding, to which a first modulator and a second demodulator are coupled, and a secondary winding, to which a second modulator and a first demodulator are coupled. The power supply provides a power signal to the first modulator. The first modulator is configured to modulate, according to a first type of modulation, the power signal based on first data. The modulated power signal is communicated by the first modulator to the first demodulator by way of the transformer. The second modulator is configured to modulate, according to a second type of modulation, a second signal based on second data. The modulated second signal is communicated by the second modulator to the second demodulator by way of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10646266
    Abstract: A system and method for return electrode monitoring are provided. The system includes an isolation circuit, a first controller, a second controller, and a detection circuit. The isolation circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The first controller is coupled to the primary winding. The second controller and the detection circuit are coupled to the secondary winding. The detection circuit includes an interrogation signal circuit, a resonant tank filter, and a current-to-voltage converter. The interrogation signal circuit provides an interrogation signal to at least one electrode pad. The resonant tank filter filters a response signal received from the electrode pad. The current-to-voltage converter generates a voltage signal based on a current value of the response signal. The second controller generates a digital impedance value based on the voltage signal, and provides the digital impedance value to the first controller by way of the isolation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10646246
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10614949
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a multilayered dielectric substrate including a plurality of dielectric layers; a planar magnetic device disposed on at least one internal dielectric layer of the plurality of dielectric layers; and an overlapping shield assembly including a first shield layer and a second shield layer separated by at least one of the plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs, Steven C. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20200100831
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Steven C. Rupp, Robert B. Smith, Daniel A. Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 10537377
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a direct current; an energy metering stage including at least one metering switching component operated by a metering switching waveform, the energy metering stage configured to generate a metered energy packet from the direct current; a power converter coupled to the energy metering stage, the power converter including at least one power switching element operated by a power switching waveform, the power converter configured to generate a radio frequency half cycle based on the metered energy packet; and a controller coupled to the power converter, the controller is configured to modulate the metering switching waveform and the power switching waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel A. Friedrichs, Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp