Patents by Inventor Steven P. Buysse

Steven P. Buysse 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: 20210267692
    Abstract: A method of performing robotic surgery includes determining a distance between a first surgical instrument and a second surgical instrument in a surgical operative site, comparing the determined distance between the first and second surgical instruments with a threshold distance, generating an alert based on the comparison between the determined distance and the threshold distance, displaying a visual representation of the surgical operative site on a display, and displaying the alert overlaid on the displayed visual representation of the surgical operative site and in proximity to a visual representation of the first and/or second surgical instruments on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Amanda H. Lennartz, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Tyler J. Bagrosky, Dustin O. Slater, Michael B. Lyons, Justin Rogers, James R. Fagan, Anjali Dhiman, Steven P. Buysse, Rayne Robertson, Keith W. Malang, Matthew Savary, Joshua R. Snow, Jason M. Mucilli, Dylan R. Kingsley, Christopher V. Rainieri, Alexandre Linhares Vieira, Kent L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10729486
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator, including a radio-frequency (RF) output stage configured to output an electrosurgical waveform, a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with an implantable device in a patient, and a controller coupled to the RF output stage and the wireless transceiver, the controller configured to control the RF output stage to generate an electrosurgical waveform based on the implantable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James E. Dunning, Sara E. Anderson, Steven P. Buysse
  • Patent number: 10687887
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10265121
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10251696
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10194934
    Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of a fluid used during treatment of biological tissue includes a fluid temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one heat transfer device and a solution bag and/or a heat transfer membrane. The solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane reside in thermal communication with the heat transfer device. When the solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane is fluidically coupled to an electrosurgical device, fluid is supplied to the electrosurgical device at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue. A corresponding method includes fluidically coupling the fluid temperature control apparatus to the electrosurgical device and supplying fluid at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, David N. Heard
  • Publication number: 20180344385
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 9833287
    Abstract: A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Casey M. Ladtkow, Brandon C. Gay
  • Patent number: 9763728
    Abstract: A guide block introduces electrodes into target tissue and includes an elongated, generally rectilinear bar having a plurality of slots defined therethrough. Each of the slots is configured to selectively receive and retain a corresponding electrode therein. The rectilinear bar is malleable and selectively bendable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curved configuration to facilitate positioning the guide block relative to target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Casey M. Ladtkow, Joshua K. Buysse
  • Patent number: 9463067
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Steven P. Buysse, James H. Orszulak
  • Patent number: 9375271
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Steven P. Buysse, James H. Orszulak
  • Patent number: 9375270
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Steven P. Buysse, James H. Orszulak
  • Patent number: 9271796
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for positioning and placing multiple electrodes in a target surgical site. A guide block is disclosed which introduces electrodes into target tissue and includes an elongated, generally rectilinear bar having a plurality of slots defined therethrough. Each of the slots is configured to selectively receive and retain a corresponding electrode therein. The rectilinear bar is malleable and selectively bendable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curved configuration to facilitate positioning the guide block relative to target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Casey M. Ladtkow, Joshua K. Buysse
  • Patent number: 9168089
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the output of an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The control system includes a control module configured to receive an optical signal from a surgical site, the optical signal being related to an optical tissue characteristic, the control module configured to process the optical signal using a closed loop control loop and provide continual control of the output of the electrosurgical generator in response to the optical tissue characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Bret S. Felton, David N. Heard, David Keppel, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Dale F. Schmaltz, Robert H. Wham, Edward C. Meagher, Kate R. Lawes, David A. Schechter, Chelsea Shields, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Jeremy S. James
  • Publication number: 20150257819
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150250532
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Steven P. Buysse, Dax D. Brown
  • Patent number: 9113900
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is disclosed. The system includes a sensor module and a control module operatively coupled to the sensor module and configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue based on information provided by the sensor module. The sensor module further includes at least one optical source configured to generate light and at least one optical detector configured to analyze a portion of the light transmitted through, and/or reflected from, the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Bret S. Felton, David N. Heard, David S. Keppel, Ronald J. Podhajsky, Dale F. Schmaltz, Robert H. Wham, Edward C. Meagher, Kate R. Lawes, David A. Schechter, Chelsea Shields, Philip M. Tetzlaff, Jeremy S. James
  • Patent number: 8956350
    Abstract: A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Casey M. Ladtkow, Brandon Gay
  • Patent number: 8672938
    Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of a fluid used during treatment of biological tissue includes a fluid temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one heat transfer device and a solution bag and/or a heat transfer membrane. The solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane reside in thermal communication with the heat transfer device. When the solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane is fluidically coupled to an electrosurgical device, fluid is supplied to the electrosurgical device at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue. A corresponding method includes fluidically coupling the fluid temperature control apparatus to the electrosurgical device and supplying fluid at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, David N. Heard
  • Patent number: 8667674
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode assembly includes a substrate having proximal and distal ends and supports first electrode and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are disposed in an interwoven configuration across the surface of the substrate from the proximal to distal ends. A cooling medium is disposed interposed between the first and second electrodes from the proximal to distal ends. The first and second electrodes each include a plurality of finger-like prongs which either extend lengthwise or transversely or the first and second electrodes extend spiral inwardly along the surface of the substrate. The prongs of the first electrode intermesh with the prongs of the second electrode. Each prong is separated by the cooling medium. First and second electrodes may be disposed in a lengthwise alternating configuration across the surface of the substrate with a cooling medium disposed in vertical registration thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Steven P. Buysse