Patents by Inventor Robert J. Behnke, II

Robert J. Behnke, II 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: 20130180104
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board includes the initial steps of providing a first layer stack and providing a second layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer and a first electrically-conductive layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack further includes a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: WAYNE L. MOUL, ROBERT J. BEHNKE, II, SCOTT E.M. FRUSHOUR, JEFFREY L. JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20130180762
    Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a second electrically-insulating layer, and a first electrically-conductive layer disposed between the first and second electrically-insulating layers. The second layer includes a third electrically-insulating layer and a second electrically-conductive layer. The first layer stack and/or the second layer stack include a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Wayne L. Moul, Robert J. Behnke, II, Scott E.M. Frushour, Jeffrey L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8486057
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a generator including a first energy source, a second energy source and a diplexer, the diplexer multiplexes a first energy from the first energy source and a second energy from the second energy source. The system also includes a cable including a center conductor and an outer sheath where the multiplexed energy is transmitted through the center conductor. In addition an antenna is provided that is operable to receive the multiplexed energy from the center conductor and to deliver the multiplexed energy to a region of tissue. The outer sheath acts as a return path of the second energy to the second energy source. A sensor is also provided that measures at least one parameter of the second energy generated by the second energy source and the second energy returned from the region of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20130144284
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an end effector assembly for microwave forceps. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a microwave antenna assembly and a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material. The end effector assembly also includes a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal transmitted to the microwave antenna assembly in one of the jaw members and a second signal transmitted in the microwave antenna assembly in the other jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Scott E.M. Frushour, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20130079763
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, first and second log amplifiers, and a controller. The RF output stage is configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The current sensor is configured to sense a current of the electrosurgical energy and generate a current signal corresponding to the current of the electrosurgical energy. The first log amplifier is configured to amplify and compress the current signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the electrosurgical energy and generate a voltage signal in response thereto. The second log amplifier is configured to amplify and compress the voltage signal. The controller is configured to receive the amplified voltage signal and the amplified current signal and operatively control the generation of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the amplified voltage signal and the amplified current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Donald W. Heckel, Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20130072923
    Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue includes the steps of providing a handheld device including an energy applicator and a handle assembly configured to support the energy applicator at a distal end thereof, and transmitting energy from an output of a microwave amplifier unit disposed within the handle assembly through the energy applicator to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Scott E. M. Frushour, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20130072921
    Abstract: A medical device includes a handle assembly and a probe-and-amplifier assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle body defining a chamber therein. The probe-and-amplifier assembly includes a probe and a microwave amplifier unit. The probe extends distally from the distal end of the handle assembly. The microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the chamber. The microwave amplifier unit and the probe are mechanically coupled to one another to form a unitary body. The probe-and-amplifier assembly is selectively removable from the handle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Scott E. M. Frushour, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20130072922
    Abstract: A system includes a microwave signal generator and a medical device. The medical device includes a handle assembly, a microwave-signal-amplifying module, and a probe. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes a microwave amplifier unit. The microwave amplifier unit is adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal. The microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the handle assembly. The probe extends distally from the distal end of the handle assembly and is operably coupled to an output of the microwave-signal-amplifying module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Scott E. M. Frushour, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20130072920
    Abstract: A medical device includes a handle assembly including a distal end, a probe extending distally from the distal end of the handle assembly, and a microwave amplifier unit disposed within the handle assembly. The microwave amplifier unit is adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal to be transmitted to the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Scott E. M. Frushour, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20130067725
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical device includes the initial steps of providing a handle assembly and providing a microwave-signal-amplifying module. The handle assembly includes a handle body defining a chamber therein. The handle body is configured to support an energy applicator at the distal end thereof. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes a microwave amplifier unit adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes one or more connector portions including one or more electrical connectors adapted to be removeably coupleable to one or more electrical conductors associated with the handle body. The method also includes the step of positioning the microwave-signal-amplifying module into the chamber to bring the one or more electrical connectors of the one or more connector portions into electrical engagement with one or more electrical connectors associated with the handle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Scott E.M. Frushour, Wayne L. Moul
  • Publication number: 20120310234
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a generator including a first energy source, a second energy source and a diplexer, the diplexer multiplexes a first energy from the first energy source and a second energy from the second energy source. The system also includes a cable including a center conductor and an outer sheath where the multiplexed energy is transmitted through the center conductor. In addition an antenna is provided that is operable to receive the multiplexed energy from the center conductor and to deliver the multiplexed energy to a region of tissue. The outer sheath acts as a return path of the second energy to the second energy source. A sensor is also provided that measures at least one parameter of the second energy generated by the second energy source and the second energy returned from the region of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: VIVANT MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. BEHNKE, II
  • Publication number: 20120232548
    Abstract: A return electrode monitoring (“REM”) system is disclosed. The REM system includes a return electrode pad having a pair of split electrode pads and a detection circuit coupled to the pair of split electrode pads. The detection circuit and the pair of split electrode pads are adapted to resonate across a predetermined resonance range. The REM system also includes a controller coupled to the detection circuit and configured to provide a sweeping drive signal to the detection circuit across the resonance range. The detection circuit generates a drive signal in response to the sweeping drive signal and the controller determines a complex impedance across the at least one pair of split electrode pads as a function of the drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: ROBERT J. BEHNKE, II, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20120179156
    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: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20120172866
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a DC blocking capacitor, a measuring circuit, and a sensor circuit. The RF output stage generates electrosurgical energy for application to an active electrode. The DC blocking capacitor is electrically coupled between the RF output stage and the active electrode. The measuring circuit is coupled to the DC blocking capacitor and measures the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor. The sensor circuit determines the current of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20110213355
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided for use in electrosurgical procedures. The system includes a generator configured to provide electrosurgical energy to an instrument and a dual directional coupler coupled between the generator and the instrument and configured to sample the electrosurgical energy. The system also includes a sensor module configured to detect one or more properties of the sampled electrosurgical energy, a controller configured to receive the detected one or more properties and configured to control the output of the generator based on the detected one or more properties and an isolation device coupled between the sensor module and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20110208179
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ablation system. The ablation system includes a generator having a first energy source that supplies a first type of energy to tissue. The generator also has a second energy source that supplies a second type of energy to tissue different from the first type of energy. A diplexer is also provided that is operable to multiplex the first type of energy from the first energy source and the second type of energy from the second energy source and provide an output to an ablation device. Additionally, the generator includes a first isolation device coupled to the first energy source and the diplexer, and a second isolation device coupled to the second energy source and the diplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Mani N. Prakash, Robert J. Behnke, II
  • Publication number: 20110071512
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert J. Behnke, II, Mani N. Prakash, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Francesca Rossetto, Joseph D. Brannan