Patents by Inventor Wenjeng Li

Wenjeng Li 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: 11944371
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Publication number: 20230293864
    Abstract: A method of limiting an inflation system pressure for dilating a region of a patient’s nasal sinus passageways. The method includes grasping an inflation device. The inflation device includes a syringe including a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel, a connector for fluidly connecting an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon, and a mechanical pressure indicator associated with the syringe, the mechanical pressure indicator including a housing and an indicator body disposed within the housing. The method also includes delivering the surgical instrument balloon to a patient’s paranasal sinus target area, operating the plunger within the barrel of the syringe to deliver pressurized fluid to the surgical instrument balloon, and transitioning the indicator body to extend outside of the housing when a predetermined inflation pressure of the surgical instrument balloon is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjeng Li, David J. Little
  • Patent number: 11660433
    Abstract: A method of limiting an inflation system pressure for dilating a region of a patient's nasal sinus passageways. The method includes grasping an inflation device. The inflation device includes a syringe including a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel, a connector for fluidly connecting an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon, and a mechanical pressure indicator associated with the syringe, the mechanical pressure indicator including a housing and an indicator body disposed within the housing. The method also includes delivering the surgical instrument balloon to a patient's paranasal sinus target area, operating the plunger within the barrel of the syringe to deliver pressurized fluid to the surgical instrument balloon, and transitioning the indicator body to extend outside of the housing when a predetermined inflation pressure of the surgical instrument balloon is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjeng Li, David J. Little
  • Patent number: 11351369
    Abstract: A stimulation probe includes a proximal end connector and a flexible wire coupled to the end connector. A handle is coupled to the wire and a needle extends from the handle and terminates at a conductive tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Wenjeng Li, Kevin Lee McFarlin
  • Publication number: 20220104871
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Publication number: 20220096147
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Patent number: 11207130
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Patent number: 11197714
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez
  • Patent number: 11110240
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface, and a tube coating applied to the exterior surface via spraying of a homogeneous solution onto the endotracheal tube or immersion of the endotracheal tube in the homogeneous solution. A conductive electrode is formed on the tube coating. The conductive electrode is configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Wenjeng Li, Matthew L. Cantwell
  • Patent number: 11103700
    Abstract: A stimulation probe includes a proximal end connector and a flexible wire coupled to the end connector. A handle is coupled to the wire and a needle extends from the handle and terminates at a conductive tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Wenjeng Li, Kevin Lee McFarlin
  • Publication number: 20210022647
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. An evoked stimulation response may be sensed by a sensor near a portion of a subject. The evoked response may be sensed by an electrode and determined with a monitoring system. The evoked response may additionally and/or alternatively be sensed with a motion sensor. A position sensor may be provided to measure or determine whether the sensor has moved during a procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Dana Michael Inman, Kevin L. McFarlin, Wenjeng Li
  • Publication number: 20210007671
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20210000363
    Abstract: A monitoring system may include a processor and display system for displaying results from the monitoring. A user may be in a sterile field away from the processor and display system and selected input devices. A controller may be physically connected to the monitoring system from the sterile field to allow the user to control the monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, Wenjeng Li, Kevin L. McFarlin, Anirudhan Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 10849517
    Abstract: A monitoring system may include a processor and display system for displaying results from the monitoring. A user may be in a sterile field away from the processor and display system and selected input devices. A controller may be physically connected to the monitoring system from the sterile field to allow the user to control the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, Wenjeng Li, Kevin L. McFarlin, Anirudhan Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 10842437
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20200338326
    Abstract: A method of limiting an inflation system pressure for dilating a region of a patient's nasal sinus passageways. The method includes grasping an inflation device. The inflation device includes a syringe including a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel, a connector for fluidly connecting an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon, and a mechanical pressure indicator associated with the syringe, the mechanical pressure indicator including a housing and an indicator body disposed within the housing. The method also includes delivering the surgical instrument balloon to a patient's paranasal sinus target area, operating the plunger within the barrel of the syringe to deliver pressurized fluid to the surgical instrument balloon, and transitioning the indicator body to extend outside of the housing when a predetermined inflation pressure of the surgical instrument balloon is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjeng Li, David J. Little
  • Patent number: 10799152
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. An evoked stimulation response may be sensed by a sensor near a portion of a subject. The evoked response may be sensed by an electrode and determined with a monitoring system. The evoked response may additionally and/or alternatively be sensed with a motion sensor. A position sensor may be provided to measure or determine whether the sensor has moved during a procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Michael Inman, Kevin L. McFarlin, Wenjeng Li
  • Patent number: 10743817
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Patent number: 10737077
    Abstract: A method of limiting an inflation system pressure for dilating a region of a patient's nasal sinus passageways. The method includes grasping an inflation device. The inflation device includes a syringe including a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel, a connector for fluidly connecting an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon, and a mechanical pressure indicator associated with the syringe, the mechanical pressure indicator including a housing and an indicator body disposed within the housing. The method also includes delivering the surgical instrument balloon to a patient's paranasal sinus target area, operating the plunger within the barrel of the syringe to deliver pressurized fluid to the surgical instrument balloon, and transitioning the indicator body to extend outside of the housing when a predetermined inflation pressure of the surgical instrument balloon is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronix Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjeng Li, David J. Little
  • Publication number: 20190314080
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first and second electrode assemblies can each include a rotary connection assembly to allow spatial orientation of the cutting window relative to the housing and/or cutting tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Prisco, Eric P. Detmers, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Patrick Richart, Jose Valdez