Patents by Inventor Steven C. Rupp

Steven C. Rupp 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: 20170365398
    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: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. SMITH, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS, STEVEN C. RUPP
  • Publication number: 20170354455
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a direct current; a current source coupled to the power supply and configured to output source current based on the direct current, and a power converter coupled to the current source, the power converter including at least one power switching element operated at a switching waveform. The power converter is configured to generate a converted waveform based on the source current. The electrosurgical generator also includes a controller coupled to the power converter and configured to modulate the switching waveform and a snubber circuit coupled to the current source and the power converter. The snubber circuit is configured to return the voltage at the at least one power switching element to zero after the power converter generates at least a portion of the converted waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. SMITH, STEVEN C. RUPP, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS
  • Publication number: 20170325873
    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: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: STEVEN C. RUPP, ROBERT B. SMITH, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS
  • Publication number: 20170325872
    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: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS, ROBERT B. SMITH, STEVEN C. RUPP
  • Publication number: 20170296255
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical device and related methods and devices are disclosed. The controller has a processing component to: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the electrosurgical device. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)?T), THEN the circuit status is “open”. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)<T), THEN the circuit status is “short”. PF is the power factor. Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at electrosurgical device. Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170252090
    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 configured to output current; and a power converter coupled to the current source. The power converter includes at least one power switching element operated at a switching waveform and configured to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the energy from the current or voltage source. The radio frequency waveform includes at least one pulse having an overshoot peak. The electrosurgical generator further includes a clipper circuit coupled to the current source and the power converter, the clipper circuit configured to generate a clipping voltage to clip the overshoot peak; and a controller coupled to the power converter and configured to modulate the switching waveform to generate the radio frequency waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. SMITH, STEVEN C. RUPP, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS
  • Publication number: 20170135744
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT B. SMITH, STEVEN C. RUPP, DANIEL A. FRIEDRICHS
  • 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: 9649147
    Abstract: A tissue segmentation device, controller, and methods therefore are disclosed. The device has an active electrode, a return electrode, a mechanical force application mechanism, voltage and current sensors, and a controller. The controller is configured to control a power output of the segmentation device. The controller has a processing component, responsive to the sensors, configured to execute the following: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)?T), THEN the circuit status is “open”. IF (PF?0) and ((Vrms/Irms)<T), THEN the circuit status is “short”. PF is the power factor. T is a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: EXIMIS SURGICAL, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170079708
    Abstract: A tissue segmentation device, controller, and methods therefore are disclosed. The device has an active electrode, a return electrode, a mechanical force application mechanism, voltage and current sensors, and a controller. The controller is configured to control a power output of the segmentation device. The controller has a processing component, responsive to the sensors, configured to execute the following: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode. IF (PF ? 0) and ((Vrms/Irms)?T), THEN the circuit status is “open”. IF (PF ? 0) and ((Vrms/Irms)<T), THEN the circuit status is “short”. PF is the power factor. T is a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20150105768
    Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure monitor power dosage delivered to tissue being treated with improved speed and accuracy. The electrosurgical systems include an output stage, sensors, analog all-pass filters, an analog multiplier, an average power calculation circuit, and a controller. The output stage generates electrosurgical energy to treat tissue. The plurality of sensors sense voltage and current waveforms of the generated electrosurgical energy. The plurality of analog all-pass filters filter the sensed voltage and current waveforms. The plurality of analog all-pass filter may have lagging or leading phase. The analog multiplier multiplies the filtered voltage and current waveforms to obtain a real power waveform. The average power calculation circuit calculates a real average power based on the real power waveform. The controller then generates a control signal to control the output stage based on the real average power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: JAMES A. GILBERT, PATRICK J. DIGMANN, STEVEN C. RUPP
  • Publication number: 20150025523
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is provided. The electrosurgical generator includes: a non-resonant radio frequency output stage configured to output a substantially square electrosurgical waveform; and a controller coupled to the non-resonant radio frequency output stage, the controller configured to adjust a crest factor of the substantially square electrosurgical waveform on a cycle-by-cycle basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: DANIEL FRIEDRICHS, JAMES A. GILBERT, STEVEN C. RUPP
  • Patent number: 8920421
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical forceps including first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members relatively movable from a first, open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second, clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator configured to operatively couple to the electrosurgical forceps and to supply electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Steven C. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20130066311
    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: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Smith, Steven C. Rupp
  • Publication number: 20120136354
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical forceps including first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members relatively movable from a first, open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second, clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator configured to operatively couple to the electrosurgical forceps and to supply electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Steven C. Rupp