Patents by Inventor William E. Robinson

William E. Robinson 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: 20220022942
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20210401485
    Abstract: Jaw members of end effector assemblies include sealing plates configured to direct the amount and flow of energy through the sealing plates. The sealing plates may have a height varying from a minimal height to a maximum height along a width or a length of the sealing plate and/or a sealing surface including at least two impedance zones having different impedance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel W. Tobey, James D. Allen, IV, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Jennifer R. Mchenry, William E. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210401484
    Abstract: Jaw members of end effector assemblies include sealing plates configured to direct the amount and flow of energy through the sealing plates. The sealing plates may have a height varying from a minimal height to a maximum height along a width or a length of the sealing plate and/or a sealing surface including at least two impedance zones having different impedance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel W. Tobey, James D. Allen, IV, Kenlyn S. Bonn, Jennifer R. Mchenry, William E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11207124
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Todd W. Boucher, William E. Robinson, Monte S. Fry, James D. Allen, IV, Jennifer R. McHenry
  • Publication number: 20210307812
    Abstract: A method for treating tissue includes determining whether tissue is present between first and second jaw members. In a case where it is determined that tissue is present between the first and second jaw members, the method further includes determining whether activation has been initiated. In a case where it is determined that activation has been initiated, the method further includes supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue and, if it is determined that sealing is complete: stopping the supply of electrosurgical energy; activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed present tissue; determining if thermal cutting is complete; and, in a case where it is determined that the thermal cutting is complete, stopping and the supply of thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John A. Hammerland, William E. Robinson, Daniel A. Joseph, Michael B. Lyons, Ken Netzel
  • Patent number: 11135007
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 11090108
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a rotatable member disposed on the housing and operably connected to the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis extending therealong. The rotatable member is configured to rotate the elongated shaft about the longitudinal axis upon actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes an inner surface defining an interior space therein configured to house at least one printed circuit board about the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: William E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10973569
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, Michael C. Barden, Kristen P. Bradley, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20210007789
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: TODD W. BOUCHER, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, MONTE S. FRY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, JENNIFER R. MCHENRY
  • Publication number: 20200303047
    Abstract: A computerized method for healthcare data management generally includes forming, using the healthcare data system computing device, a digital twin of the individual patient based on the health information related to the individual patient, the digital twin of the individual patient being a digital representation of at least one health state of the individual patient; forming, using the healthcare data system computing device, a digital twin of the population of patients based on the health information related to the population of patients, the digital twin of the population of patients being a digital representation of at least one health attribute of the population of patients; and presenting, at the healthcare data system computing device, to a user of the healthcare data system the digital twin of the patient and the digital twin of the population of patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: hc1.com Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Bostic, Charles J. Clarke, Ryan C. Kennedy, Mark L. Preston, Diane C. Janowiak, William E. Robinson, Peter J. Plantes, Wesley B. Wong
  • Publication number: 20200294642
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally includes methods and systems for recommending a lab test for a patient is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a proposed prescription for the patient from an external data source. The method further includes obtaining patient attributes for the patient, including a diagnosis of the patient. The method also includes determining whether to recommend one or more different lab tests for the patient prior to the patient beginning the proposed prescription based on the proposed prescription and the patient attributes, and providing a testing recommendation to a customer relationship management system, wherein the testing recommendation indicates the one or more different tests that are recommended for the patient in response to determining to recommend one or more different lab tests for the patient, wherein the customer relationship management system transmits the testing recommendation to a healthcare system of a clinic of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: hc1.com Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Bostic, Laura S. Breedlove, Charles J. Clarke, Jason P. Wolfgang, Mark L. Preston, Richard J. Oder, William E. Robinson, Ryan C. Kennedy, Ioannis Pandelidis
  • Publication number: 20200268412
    Abstract: An access device configured for accommodating passage of an instrument with a curved end effector includes a housing assembly and a cannula member extending from the housing. The cannula member includes a length and a plurality of rigid portions alternating with a plurality of flexible portions. The cannula member is configured to maintain a circular cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the outside and to flex to an oblong cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, James D. Allen, IV, John A. Hammerland, III
  • Patent number: 10709497
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William E. Robinson, Michael C. Barden, Kristen P. Bradley, Todd W. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20200197075
    Abstract: A forceps includes an instrument housing, an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the instrument housing, and a rotation knob assembly. The rotation knob assembly is supported in the instrument housing and includes a rotation knob and an inner housing. The rotation knob is coupled to the shaft assembly and positioned to rotate about the inner housing to rotate the elongated shaft assembly relative to the instrument housing. The inner housing is coupled to the instrument housing and supports electrical contacts configured to transmit electrical energy through the rotation knob assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: John A. Hammerland, William E. Robinson, Stephen J. Stamm
  • Publication number: 20200100834
    Abstract: A tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue clip configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue harpoon configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an active electrode device and a return electrode attachment configured to releasably engage the active electrode device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS E. DROCHNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PRAKASH MANLEY, TONY MOUA, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20200100835
    Abstract: A tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue guard configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return specimen bag configured to connect to the return electrode port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS E. DROCHNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PRAKASH MANLEY, TONY MOUA, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20200038098
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: JOE D. SARTOR, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Publication number: 20190328450
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: JOE D. SARTOR, WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, TODD W. BOUCHER
  • Patent number: 10441349
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Joe D. Sartor, William E. Robinson, Todd W. Boucher
  • Patent number: 10441340
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members each defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion. The distal portions define tissue-treating surfaces and the intermediate portions are disposed in overlapping relation relative to one another. A shaft is configured to receive the proximal portions and includes a retention feature for operably retaining the first and second jaw members at the distal end of the shaft. A drive bar is disposed within the shaft and operably associated with the proximal portions such that translation of the drive bar through the shaft and relative to the end effector assembly moves the first and second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jason G. Weihe, William E. Robinson