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).

  • Publication number: 20170142858
    Abstract: A thermal management system and method for electronic devices is provided. The system includes an electronic device, a heat sink, and a thermally conducting and electrically insulating thermal bridge that is interposed between the electronic device and the heat sink. The thermal bridge thermally couples the electronic device to the heat sink and electrically isolates the electronic device from the heat sink. The electronic device, the heat sink, and the thermal bridge are mounted on a same planar surface of a printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: STEVEN C. RUPP, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS, ROBERT B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9543750
    Abstract: A surgical generator and related method for mitigating overcurrent conditions are provided. The surgical generator includes a power supply, a radio frequency output stage, an overcurrent detection circuit in operative communication with an interrupt circuit, and a processor. The power supply generates a power signal and supplies the power signal to the radio frequency output stage. The radio frequency output stage generates a radio frequency signal from the power signal. The overcurrent detection circuit detects an overcurrent of the power signal and/or an overcurrent of the radio frequency signal. The interrupt circuit provides an interrupt signal in response to a detected overcurrent. The processor receives the interrupt signal and supplies a pulse-width modulation signal to the power supply and incrementally decreases the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal in response to the interrupt signal. The radio frequency output stage may be disabled in response to the detected overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20160338756
    Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: CRAIG A. KELLER, ROBERT B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9439711
    Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Craig A. Keller, Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150327908
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided and includes an electrosurgical generator and a calibration computer system. The electrosurgical generator includes one or more processors and a measurement module including one or more log amps that are in operative communication with the processor. The calibration computer system configured to couple to a measurement device and is configured to measure parameters of an output signal generated by the electrosurgical generator. The calibration computer system is configured to compile the measured parameters into one or more data look-up tables and couple to the electrosurgical generator for transferring the data look-up table(s) to memory of the electrosurgical generator. The microprocessor is configured to receive an output from the log amp(s) and access the data look-up table(s) from memory to execute one or more control algorithms for controlling an output of the electrosurgical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT J. BEHNKE, II, DONALD W. HECKEL, ROBERT B. SMITH, JAMES E. KRAPOHL
  • Publication number: 20150320482
    Abstract: A surgical generator and related method for mitigating overcurrent conditions are provided. The surgical generator includes a power supply, a radio frequency output stage, an overcurrent detection circuit in operative communication with an interrupt circuit, and a processor. The power supply generates a power signal and supplies the power signal to the radio frequency output stage. The radio frequency output stage generates a radio frequency signal from the power signal. The overcurrent detection circuit detects an overcurrent of the power signal and/or an overcurrent of the radio frequency signal. The interrupt circuit provides an interrupt signal in response to a detected overcurrent. The processor receives the interrupt signal and supplies a pulse-width modulation signal to the power supply and incrementally decreases the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal in response to the interrupt signal. The radio frequency output stage may be disabled in response to the detected overcurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert B. SMITH, Steven C. RUPP
  • Patent number: 9124013
    Abstract: An electrical contact pin includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft at least partially received within the outer shaft and slidable relative to the outer shaft, and a rotatable member disposed at a free end of the inner shaft. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the inner shaft in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Scott E. M. Frushhour, Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9113887
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided and includes an electrosurgical generator and a calibration computer system. The electrosurgical generator includes one or more processors and a measurement module including one or more log amps that are in operative communication with the processor. The calibration computer system configured to couple to a measurement device and is configured to measure parameters of an output signal generated by the electrosurgical generator. The calibration computer system is configured to compile the measured parameters into one or more data look-up tables and couple to the electrosurgical generator for transferring the data look-up table(s) to memory of the electrosurgical generator. The microprocessor is configured to receive an output from the log amp(s) and access the data look-up table(s) from memory to execute one or more control algorithms for controlling an output of the electrosurgical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Donald W. Heckel, Robert B. Smith, James E. Krapohl
  • Publication number: 20150223865
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting electrosurgical energy from a generator to an electrosurgical instrument are provided. The electrosurgical system includes a generator adapted to generate electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. The generator includes one or more active output terminals which supply energy to the tissue. The active output terminals are operatively connected to one or more active leads. The generator also includes one or more return output terminals which returns energy from the tissue. The return output terminals are operatively connected to at least one return lead. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument operatively connected to the one or more active leads and one or more return electrodes operatively connected to one or more return leads. The system further includes an electrosurgical cable including one or more active leads and one or more return leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: JAMES E. KRAPOHL, ROBERT B. SMITH, MARK A. JOHNSTON
  • Patent number: 9099863
    Abstract: A surgical generator and related method for mitigating overcurrent conditions are provided. The surgical generator includes a power supply, a radio frequency output stage, an overcurrent detection circuit in operative communication with an interrupt circuit, and a processor. The power supply generates a power signal and supplies the power signal to the radio frequency output stage. The radio frequency output stage generates a radio frequency signal from the power signal. The overcurrent detection circuit detects an overcurrent of the power signal and/or an overcurrent of the radio frequency signal. The interrupt circuit provides an interrupt signal in response to a detected overcurrent. The processor receives the interrupt signal and supplies a pulse-width modulation signal to the power supply and incrementally decreases the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal in response to the interrupt signal. The radio frequency output stage may be disabled in response to the detected overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp
  • Patent number: 9033973
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting electrosurgical energy from a generator to an electrosurgical instrument are provided. The electrosurgical system includes a generator adapted to generate electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. The generator includes one or more active output terminals which supply energy to the tissue. The active output terminals are operatively connected to one or more active leads. The generator also includes one or more return output terminals which returns energy from the tissue. The return output terminals are operatively connected to at least one return lead. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument operatively connected to the one or more active leads and one or more return electrodes operatively connected to one or more return leads. The system further includes an electrosurgical cable including one or more active leads and one or more return leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Krapohl, Robert B. Smith, Mark A. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20150088115
    Abstract: A surgical system and method is provided generally including a portable surgical instrument, a battery assembly, and a battery charger. The battery assembly is removably coupled to the portable surgical instrument and is configured to wirelessly transfer electrical power to the portable surgical instrument. The battery assembly is also removably couplable to the battery charger and is configured to wirelessly transfer electrical power to the battery charger and wirelessly receive electrical power from the battery charger. The portable surgical instrument and the battery charger are configured for simultaneous bi-directional communication of data with the battery assembly via the transferred or received electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: ROBERT B. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20140106626
    Abstract: An electrical contact pin includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft at least partially received within the outer shaft and slidable relative to the outer shaft, and a rotatable member disposed at a free end of the inner shaft. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the inner shaft in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: SCOTT E.M. FRUSHOUR, ROBERT B. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20140094786
    Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: CRAIG A. KELLER, ROBERT B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8653994
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for testing an analog-to-digital converter. The system includes a test pulse source configured to provide a test pulse signal; a test circuit coupled to the test pulse source and configured to provide an analog decaying voltage signal in response to the test pulse signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the test circuit and configured to convert the analog decaying voltage signal into a digital decaying voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 8624666
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a noise reduction circuit includes one or more phase sampling circuits that receive an electromagnetic signal and splits the signal into an illuminated component and an ambient component. The illuminated component is transmitted along an illuminated signal path and converted to a digital signal and the ambient component is transmitted along an ambient signal path and converted to a digital signal. The digitized ambient component is subtracted from the digitized illuminated component to generate a light signal with a reduced noise component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Stan Latimer, Morgan Ercanbrack
  • Publication number: 20130267945
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided and includes an electrosurgical generator and a calibration computer system. The electrosurgical generator includes one or more processors and a measurement module including one or more log amps that are in operative communication with the processor. The calibration computer system configured to couple to a measurement device and is configured to measure parameters of an output signal generated by the electrosurgical generator. The calibration computer system is configured to compile the measured parameters into one or more data look-up tables and couple to the electrosurgical generator for transferring the data look-up table(s) to memory of the electrosurgical generator. The microprocessor is configured to receive an output from the log amp(s) and access the data look-up table(s) from memory to execute one or more control algorithms for controlling an output of the electrosurgical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: Robert J. BEHNKE, II, Donald W. HECKEL, Robert B. SMITH, James E. KRAPOHL
  • Publication number: 20130249721
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for testing an analog-to-digital converter. The system includes a test pulse source configured to provide a test pulse signal; a test circuit coupled to the test pulse source and configured to provide an analog decaying voltage signal in response to the test pulse signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the test circuit and configured to convert the analog decaying voltage signal into a digital decaying voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130154724
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a noise reduction circuit includes one or more phase sampling circuits that receive an electromagnetic signal and splits the signal into an illuminated component and an ambient component. The illuminated component is transmitted along an illuminated signal path and converted to a digital signal and the ambient component is transmitted along an ambient signal path and converted to a digital signal. The digitized ambient component is subtracted from the digitized illuminated component to generate a light signal with a reduced noise component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Stan Latimer, Morgan Ercanbrack
  • Patent number: 8454590
    Abstract: A switched inductor system is provided that includes a switching regulator configured to receive an input signal and provide a voltage output, the switching regulator having one or more switches and one or more inductors. The system also includes a sensing circuit in parallel with the inductor. The sensing circuit includes a first RC circuit configured to detect an alternating current component of the voltage output and a second RC circuit configured to detect a direct current component of the voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith