Patents by Inventor Robert Behnke

Robert Behnke 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: 11013548
    Abstract: A control system for use with an electrosurgical generator which delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue has a control module. The module includes a processor executing an algorithm. The algorithm has the steps of determining a sensed voltage value corresponding to a sensed voltage signal output by the electrosurgical generator and determining a sensed current value corresponding to a sensed current signal output by the electrosurgical generator. The algorithm has the steps of determining phase information corresponding to a phase shift between the voltage signal and the current signal and determining a characteristic related to the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue using the phase information, the sensed voltage value and the sensed current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Behnke, Robert H. Wham
  • Publication number: 20180125563
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for use in performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure can employ an energy source, the energy source can be connected to an energy delivering device via a transmission line. The energy delivery system can include a measurement system, the measurement system can be configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source. The energy delivery system includes a control system, which includes a calibration unit. The calibration unit can be configured to generate a calibration signal. The calibration signal can have a magnitude and phase, wherein the magnitude and phase is representative of the output signal and the transmission line loss information. The energy delivery system can also include a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Patent number: 9861424
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for use in performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure can employ an energy source, the energy source can be connected to an energy delivering device via a transmission line. The energy delivery system can include a measurement system, the measurement system can be configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source. The energy delivery system includes a control system, which includes a calibration unit. The calibration unit can be configured to generate a calibration signal. The calibration signal can have a magnitude and phase, wherein the magnitude and phase is representative of the output signal and the transmission line loss information. The energy delivery system can also include a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Publication number: 20170056108
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as energy is transferred to the tissue. The adjustment is made to better align the source impedance with that of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: ROBERT BEHNKE
  • Publication number: 20170035489
    Abstract: A control system for use with an electrosurgical generator which delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue has a control module. The module includes a processor executing an algorithm. The algorithm has the steps of determining a sensed voltage value corresponding to a sensed voltage signal output by the electrosurgical generator and determining a sensed current value corresponding to a sensed current signal output by the electrosurgical generator. The algorithm has the steps of determining phase information corresponding to a phase shift between the voltage signal and the current signal and determining a characteristic related to the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue using the phase information, the sensed voltage value and the sensed current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT BEHNKE, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Patent number: 9522032
    Abstract: A circuit for discharging stored energy in an electrosurgical generator includes a pulse width modulator for controlling a high voltage power supply, an error signal generating circuit configured for delivering an error signal as a difference between an output signal voltage and a feedback voltage generated by the high voltage power supply. The circuit further includes a switching circuit configured to switch in a load in parallel with an output of the high voltage power supply when the error signal is less than a first predetermined threshold to discharge the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Patent number: 9498285
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as energy is transferred to the tissue. The adjustment is made to better align the source impedance with that of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Patent number: 9474564
    Abstract: A control system for use with an electrosurgical generator which delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue has a control module. The module includes a processor executing an algorithm. The algorithm has the steps of determining a sensed voltage value corresponding to a sensed voltage signal output by the electrosurgical generator and determining a sensed current value corresponding to a sensed current signal output by the electrosurgical generator. The algorithm has the steps of determining phase information corresponding to a phase shift between the voltage signal and the current signal and determining a characteristic related to the electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue using the phase information, the sensed voltage value and the sensed current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Behnke, Robert H. Wham
  • Publication number: 20140296840
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as energy is transferred to the tissue. The adjustment is made to better align the source impedance with that of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: ROBERT BEHNKE
  • Publication number: 20140257270
    Abstract: A circuit for discharging stored energy in an electrosurgical generator includes a pulse width modulator for controlling a high voltage power supply, an error signal generating circuit configured for delivering an error signal as a difference between an output signal voltage and a feedback voltage generated by the high voltage power supply. The circuit further includes a switching circuit configured to switch in a load in parallel with an output of the high voltage power supply when the error signal is less than a first predetermined threshold to discharge the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventor: ROBERT BEHNKE
  • Patent number: 8753334
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical generator are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide high frequency electrosurgical energy at a fundamental frequency. The generator includes one or more circuit boards having a board ground. The generator further includes a inductor-capacitor filter connected in series with the board ground and an earth ground. The inductor capacitor filter includes a capacitor connected in parallel with an inductor and is tuned to be at an operational frequency which is resonant at or near the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Robert Behnke, David Keppel
  • Patent number: 8747398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as energy is transferred to the tissue. The adjustment is made to better align the source impedance with that of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Patent number: 8734438
    Abstract: A circuit for discharging stored energy in an electrosurgical generator. The circuit includes a pulse width modulator for controlling a high voltage power supply, an error signal generating circuit configured for delivering an error signal as a difference between an output signal voltage with a feedback voltage generated by the high voltage power supply. The error signal is transmitted to the pulse width modulator. The circuit further includes a switching circuit configured to switch in a load in parallel with an output of the high voltage power supply when the error signal is lesser than a first predetermined threshold to discharge the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Patent number: 8152800
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system for treating tissue is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator, a printed circuit board, a generator ground and a patient ground. The printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the electrosurgical generator and includes a plurality of conductive layers. The generator ground includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is electro-mechanically connected to a conductive layer of the printed circuit board and the second portion is electro-mechanically connected to another conductive layer of the printed circuit board. The patient ground includes a portion that is at least partially interposed between the first portion of the generator ground and the second portion of the generator ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Publication number: 20110092971
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, Robert Behnke, Steven P. Buysse, Chris J. Ehr, David N. Heard, Mark J. Huseman, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Arlan J. Reschke, Dale F. Schmaltz
  • Patent number: 7879033
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, Robert Behnke, Steven P. Buysse, Chris J. Ehr, David N. Heard, Mark J. Huseman, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Arlan J. Reschke, Dale F. Schmaltz
  • Publication number: 20090076492
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as energy is transferred to the tissue. The adjustment is made to better align the source impedance with that of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Publication number: 20090036883
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system for treating tissue is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator, a printed circuit board, a generator ground and a patient ground. The printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the electrosurgical generator and includes a plurality of conductive layers. The generator ground includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is electro-mechanically connected to a conductive layer of the printed circuit board and the second portion is electro-mechanically connected to another conductive layer of the printed circuit board. The patient ground includes a portion that is at least partially interposed between the first portion of the generator ground and the second portion of the generator ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Publication number: 20090018536
    Abstract: An energy delivery system for use in performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure can employ an energy source, the energy source can be connected to an energy delivering device via a transmission line. The energy delivery system can include a measurement system, the measurement system can be configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source. The energy delivery system includes a control system, which includes a calibration unit. The calibration unit can be configured to generate a calibration signal. The calibration signal can have a magnitude and phase, wherein the magnitude and phase is representative of the output signal and the transmission line loss information. The energy delivery system can also include a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Behnke
  • Publication number: 20070265612
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical generator are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide high frequency electrosurgical energy at a fundamental frequency. The generator includes one or more circuit boards having a board ground. The generator further includes a inductor-capacitor filter connected in series with the board ground and an earth ground. The inductor capacitor filter includes a capacitor connected in parallel with an inductor and is tuned to be at an operational frequency which is resonant at or near the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Behnke, David Keppel