Patents by Inventor William N. Gregg
William N. Gregg 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).
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Patent number: 12018997Abstract: A method and device for detecting leaks of a containment barrier. The method may comprise placing the barrier in contact with one or more volumes of fluid such that the one or more volumes of fluid is in contact with a first surface and a second surface of the containment barrier, then placing a first electrode in contact with a first volume of fluid within in a first area defined by the first surface of the containment barrier. The method may then comprise placing a second electrode in contact with a second volume of fluid in a second area defined by the second surface of the containment barrier, measuring electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes; and determining a presence of a leak in the containment barrier based on a calculation using properties of the one or more volumes of fluid, the containment barrier, and the measured electrical conductivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Eximis Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Paulus, Carlo Balleria, Dirk Johnson, Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Patent number: 12021333Abstract: A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Eximis Surgical, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Publication number: 20230414269Abstract: 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 has a processing component, configured to 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 a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
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Patent number: 11648045Abstract: 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 has a processing component, configured to 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 a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Eximis Surgical Inc.Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
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Publication number: 20230146725Abstract: A tissue specimen removal device comprises a specimen bag; a flexible ring, the flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the specimen bag; a cannula assembly comprising: an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion. The device may further comprise a connector carrier, the connector carrier configured to retain at least one connector housing, the at least one connector housing comprising one or more connector portions and reside within an interior of the connector carrier, and wherein the connector carrier can be moved from a position within the cannula assembly to outside the cannula assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg, John R. Twomey, Ryan C. Artale
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Publication number: 20230085327Abstract: A containment bag assembly for extracting a tissue specimen comprises a bag having one or more segmenting wires, an outer tube comprising a proximal and distal end, a flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the containment bag, wherein the flexible ring comprises two ring subassemblies, each having a proximal and distal end, a flexible member positioned between and coupled to the distal ends of the two ring subassemblies, wherein, when the flexible member is in a collapsed position, the two ring subassemblies are in a collapsed position and the containment bag is configured to be stored within the outer tube, and wherein, when the flexible member is in an expanded position, the two ring subassemblies and the flexible member bias the top opening of the containment bag to an open position to enable placement of the tissue specimen within the containment bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Dirk Johnson, Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg, Steven C. Rupp, Steve Choi, Armando Garcia, Hana Creasy, Chris Underwood
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Publication number: 20230081374Abstract: A tissue segmentation device comprises segmenting wires, a grasper, an introducer tube that is shaped and sized to allow introduction of the segmenting wires and the grasper into a patient incision, a specimen bag configured to be deployed through the introducer tube and into the patient incision, at least one actuator positioned adjacent a proximal end of the introducer tube and coupled to proximal portions of the segmenting wires and the grasper, and wherein the at least one actuator is configured for manipulating the grasper to grasp a tissue specimen prior to or during tissue segmentation, wherein manipulation of the grasper further enables pulling the tissue specimen into the segmenting wires for segmentation, positioning the tissue specimen such that it contacts the segmenting wires, and/or enabling placement of the tissue specimen in the bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Dirk Johnson, Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg, Steven C. Rupp, Steve Choi, Armando Garcia, Hana Creasy, Chris Underwood
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Patent number: 11504103Abstract: A tissue specimen removal device comprises a specimen bag; a flexible ring, the flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the specimen bag; a cannula assembly comprising: an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion. The device may further comprise a connector carrier, the connector carrier configured to retain at least one connector housing, the at least one connector housing comprising one or more connector portions and reside within an interior of the connector carrier, and wherein the connector carrier can be moved from a position within the cannula assembly to outside the cannula assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Eximis Surgical Inc.Inventors: Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg, John R. Twomey, Ryan C. Artale
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Publication number: 20210251683Abstract: A tissue removal system for extracting a tissue specimen from a patient is disclosed. The system has a retrieval bag, a first electrode, and a return electrode. The retrieval bag has a flexible container with an opening. The first electrode is coupled to an interior of the flexible container, and has a conductive wire with an exposure area, a first load-bearing area, a coating having a first active electrode surface area, and an impedance that is greater than an impedance of the conductive wire. The first active electrode surface area is less than the exposure area. The coating is configured to degrade during application of electrosurgical power and wherein the degradation expands the first active electrode surface area during the application of the electrosurgical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg, Dirk Johnson
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Publication number: 20210242640Abstract: A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Patent number: 10925665Abstract: A tissue removal system for extracting a tissue specimen from a patient and a related method are disclosed. The system has a flexible container with an opening associated with a proximal end, and a distal end. The system also has a plurality of wires removably coupled to an interior of the flexible container in a pre-collection configuration wherein the plurality of wires form a receiving space for receiving the tissue specimen and wherein the plurality of wires are positioned in a pattern. The pattern is selected to divide the tissue specimen into at least four pieces in response to at least one pulling force on the plurality of wires.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Eximis Surgical, LLCInventors: Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg, Dirk Johnson
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Patent number: 10873164Abstract: A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Eximis Surgical Inc.Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Patent number: 10813628Abstract: A system and method for providing additional power to a hand-held surgical device from a supplemental DC power supply. The hand-held surgical device includes a generator and an internal power supply. The internal power supply is a battery or a capacitor either which can withstand a high-temperature and/or a low-temperature sterilization procedure while within the hand-held surgical device. The supplemental DC power supply can provide alone or in combination with the internal power supply sufficient power to the generator to perform an electrosurgical procedure. The supplemental DC power supply is connected through a detachable cord to the hand-held surgical device. The DC power supply may be outside a sterile surgical environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: William N. Gregg
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Publication number: 20200330146Abstract: 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 has a processing component, configured to 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 a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
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Publication number: 20200113556Abstract: A method and device for detecting leaks of a containment barrier. The method may comprise placing the barrier in contact with one or more volumes of fluid such that the one or more volumes of fluid is in contact with a first surface and a second surface of the containment barrier, then placing a first electrode in contact with a first volume of fluid within in a first area defined by the first surface of the containment barrier. The method may then comprise placing a second electrode in contact with a second volume of fluid in a second area defined by the second surface of the containment barrier, measuring electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes; and determining a presence of a leak in the containment barrier based on a calculation using properties of the one or more volumes of fluid, the containment barrier, and the measured electrical conductivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Joseph A. Paulus, Carlo Balleria, Dirk Johnson, Kristin D. Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Patent number: 10603100Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Eximis Surgical Inc.Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
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Publication number: 20190328377Abstract: A tissue specimen removal device comprises a specimen bag; a flexible ring, the flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the specimen bag; a cannula assembly comprising: an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion. The device may further comprise a connector carrier, the connector carrier configured to retain at least one connector housing, the at least one connector housing comprising one or more connector portions and reside within an interior of the connector carrier, and wherein the connector carrier can be moved from a position within the cannula assembly to outside the cannula assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg, John R. Twomey, Ryan C. Artale
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Publication number: 20180090889Abstract: A coupling system and related methods are disclosed. The system has a first plug detachably coupled to a first housing, and a first socket detachably coupled to a second housing. The first socket is configured to receive the first plug. The system is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second housings are not engaged and a second configuration wherein the first and second housings are engaged and the first plug and the first socket are coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Dirk Johnson, William N. Gregg
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Publication number: 20170296255Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
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Publication number: 20170231609Abstract: A system and method for providing additional power to a hand-held surgical device from a supplemental DC power supply. The hand-held surgical device includes a generator and an internal power supply. The internal power supply is a battery or a capacitor either which can withstand a high-temperature and/or a low-temperature sterilization procedure while within the hand-held surgical device. The supplemental DC power supply can provide alone or in combination with the internal power supply sufficient power to the generator to perform an electrosurgical procedure. The supplemental DC power supply is connected through a detachable cord to the hand-held surgical device. The DC power supply may be outside a sterile surgical environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventor: William N. Gregg