Patents by Inventor Robert P. Lathrop

Robert P. Lathrop 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: 20200405379
    Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Gaspredes, Robert P. Lathrop, Thomas P. Ryan, David J. Miller, Jean Woloszko, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 10806506
    Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Gaspredes, Robert P. Lathrop, Thomas P. Ryan, David J. Miller, Jean Woloszko, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Publication number: 20160310203
    Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Gaspredes, Robert P. Lathrop, Thomas P. Ryan, David J. Miller, Jean Woloszko, Philip M. Tetzlaff