Systems Patents (Class 606/34)
  • Patent number: 11684434
    Abstract: A control system for a surgical instrument. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The control circuit is configured to receive data from RFID tags associated with devices and/or users, determine a type of the surgical instrument being utilized or surgical procedure being performed according to the received data, and determine an operational setting for the surgical instrument or another device within the surgical system, which may be tailored according to the particular user identity scanned by the RFID scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11666368
    Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua Henderson, Joshua P. Morgan, Andrew W. Carroll, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener, James M. Vachon, Ryan M. Asher, John B. Schulte, John E. Hein, James R. Hoch, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11666379
    Abstract: Apparatus, including a catheter configured to be inserted into an organ of a human body. A plurality of electrodes are deployed on the catheter, the electrodes being configured to transfer radiofrequency (RF) ablation energy to tissue of the organ. The apparatus also includes a power supply configured to supply the RF ablation energy at a level of up to 100 W to each of the plurality of electrodes simultaneously, so as to ablate respective sections of the tissue of the organ in contact with the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Andres Claudio Altmann, Yaron Ephrath
  • Patent number: 11658723
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some systems, a user equipment (UE) may operate in accordance with a full-duplex communication mode and may be scheduled for an uplink transmission without a simultaneous downlink reception. For example, the UE may actively operate both a first one or more antenna panels for transmission and a second one or more antenna panels for reception and, in scenarios in which the UE is performing an uplink transmission without simultaneously receiving a downlink transmission, the UE may use self-interference from the uplink transmission at the second one or more antenna panels for energy harvesting. For example, the UE may receive the self-interference associated with the uplink transmission at the second one or more antenna panels, may refrain from applying interference cancellation, and may instead use a received energy from the self-interference to power one or more components of the UE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ahmed Attia Abotabl, Ahmed Elshafie, Abdelrahman Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim, Muhammad Sayad Khairy Abdelghaffar
  • Patent number: 11648045
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Eximis Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Gilbert, Steven C. Rupp, William N. Gregg, Kristin D. Johnson, Dirk Johnson
  • Patent number: 11650611
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator with a high-voltage power supply that supplies a DC output voltage receives the DC output voltage of the high-voltage power supply and generates a high-frequency AC output voltage. When generator is operating, a control unit receives signals from an AC output voltage measuring unit and current measuring unit. The control unit limits an increase of DC output voltage of the high-voltage power supply as soon one predefined maximum value is reached or exceeded. When the generator is operating, the control unit configured to receive signals from a DC output voltage measuring unit that represent a respective current value of the DC output voltage, and to compare a respective current value of DC output voltage with a predefined minimum value for DC output voltage, and to cause the DC output voltage of the high-voltage power supply to increase as soon as it falls below the predefined minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Fabian Janich, Jelle Dijkstra, Frank Breitsprecher
  • Patent number: 11638587
    Abstract: A surgical device for applying clips is disclosed including a cartridge, an RFID tag, and a controller. The cartridge includes a plurality of clips. A crimping drive is configured to move a first jaw and a second jaw to a closed position during a crimping stroke. One of the plurality of clips is crimped around tissue during the crimping stroke. Stored data on the RFID tag relates to an identifying characteristic of at least one of the plurality of clips within the cartridge. An RFID scanner is configured to receive a first signal from the RFID tag in response to an interrogation signal. The first signal includes the stored data on the RFID tag. A controller in communication with the RFID scanner is configured to compare the stored data to a set of compatibility data and vary an operational parameter of the surgical device based on the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Daniel J. Mumaw
  • Patent number: 11605363
    Abstract: A bar is displayed in a second region. Display of the bar starts in a longest state when an undetected state in which a region of interest is not detected transitions to a detected state in which the region of interest is detected, and display in the longest state is maintained until the detected state transitions to the undetected state. When the detected state transitions to the undetected state, the bar is reduced in length over time. When a predetermined time elapses, the length of the bar becomes 0, and the bar disappears. In addition, in a case where the undetected state transitions to the detected state before the bar disappears, the length of the bar returns to the longest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Oosake
  • Patent number: 11598840
    Abstract: A system and process determine the 3-dimensional position, the course line and possibly the speed of an energy source. Embodiments use an antenna array system that includes receiver transducers positioned to form an equilateral triangle with a receiver transducer at each point of the triangle. Each transducer is independent, and there may be no electrical connection between each transducer in the antenna array. Each transducer may be connected directly to a computer for signal analysis to provide for case decision and display of the appropriate information and steps to follow to determine the appropriate action required by the computer operator. By detection of a single signal from a sound or light source, the 3-dimensional position and a course line of that signal source can be determined under certain circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Raymond Milton MacDonald
  • Patent number: 11589913
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer James Witte, Luis Andrade Baez, Jr., Christopher Allen Julian, Thomas R. Jenkins, Gregory Tse
  • Patent number: 11589915
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, in which the system may include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of estimating a state of an end effector of the ultrasonic device may include applying a drive signal defined by a magnitude and a frequency to the ultrasonic transducer, sweeping the frequency of the drive signal from below a first resonance to above the first resonance of the electromagnetic ultrasonic system, measuring and recording, impedance/admittance circle variables Re, Ge, Xe, and Be, comparing, the measured impedance/admittance circle variables Re, Ge, Xe, and Be to reference impedance/admittance circle variables Rref, Gref, Xref, and Bref, and determining, a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison. An electromechanical ultrasonic system may include a control circuit to effect the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Foster B. Stulen
  • Patent number: 11583332
    Abstract: A cardiac pacing and irreversible electroporation (IRE) apparatus includes a pulse generator and a shaping circuit. The pulse generator is configured to generate IRE pulses of prespecified shape and repetition rate. The shaping circuit is configured to convert some of the IRE pulses into pacing pulses of prespecified frequency and amplitude, to generate an output signal including ones of the IRE pulses interleaved with ones of the pacing pulses, and to output the output signal to a probe in a heart of a patient for applying the output signal to cardiac tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andres Claudio Altmann, Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 11571251
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system including or connected to an output circuitry comprising an electrosurgical device and an electrical cable is modeled during a cable interrogation phase using a transfer matrix in order to determine a leakage capacitance in the electrosurgical system. After the leakage capacitance is assigned or set to a virtual capacitor in the transfer matrix, an output parameter of the electrosurgical system, such as output voltage, output current, output impedance or output electrical power, may be determined by applying an actual input voltage to the output circuitry and measuring a resulting input current, and multiplying the input voltage and measured current by the transfer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Donald W. Heckel, Katherine Wagle, William D. Faulkner, Kenneth C. Brockmann
  • Patent number: 11571252
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system including or connected to an output circuitry comprising an electrosurgical device and an electrical cable is modelled during a cable interrogation phase using a transfer matrix in order to determine a leakage capacitance in the electrosurgical system. After the leakage capacitance is assigned or set to a virtual capacitor in the transfer matrix, an output parameter of the electrosurgical system, such as output voltage, output current, output impedance or output electrical power, may be determined by applying an actual input voltage to the output circuitry and measuring a resulting input current, and multiplying the input voltage and measured current by the transfer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Donald W. Heckel, Katherine Wagle, William D. Faulkner, Kenneth C. Brockmann
  • Patent number: 11559347
    Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, David C. Yates, Ryan M. Asher, John A. Hibner, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11559348
    Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lucas Churchill, Danielle Gline Allen
  • Patent number: 11553971
    Abstract: A control system for a surgical instrument for use with a surgical system. The surgical system includes a first device and a second device, which can include a surgical hub, a visualization system, or a robotic system. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The control circuit is configured to receive data from RFID tags associated with the devices, determine a communication protocol for communicating with the devices, and accordingly cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determined communication protocol to establish a communication link between the surgical instrument and the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 11547478
    Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for treating fluid-filled biological growths by replacing the fluid within the growth with a substance that assists in delivering treatment energy. The treatment energy may be microwave energy or may be thermal energy derived from microwave energy. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a radiating tip portion, and a fluid delivery mechanism for transporting fluid to and from a treatment zone located around the radiating tip portion. The fluid delivery mechanism comprises a rigid insertion element arranged to extend into the treatment zone, whereby fluid can be aspirated from the treatment zone, and a substance injected into the treatment zone to replace the aspirated fluid. The injected substance has dielectric properties selected to facilitate uniform delivery of treatment energy to biological tissue in the treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Patrick Burn, Charlie Campion, Louis Turner
  • Patent number: 11547476
    Abstract: A method for use with an intra-body probe, a distal end of which includes an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor, is described. While (i) the ablation electrode is driving an ablating current into tissue of a subject, and (ii) fluid is passed from the distal end of the intra-body probe at a fluid-flow rate, a processor receives a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The processor estimates a temperature of the tissue, based at least on the sensed temperature and at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: the fluid-flow rate, and a parameter of the ablating current. The processor generates an output in response to the estimated temperature. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Patent number: 11541212
    Abstract: A method includes, in a processor, receiving signals from (i) a first position sensor disposed on a shaft of a catheter, and (ii) a second position sensor disposed on a distal end of a sheath of the catheter. Based on the signals received from the first position sensor and the second position sensor, an event is detected in which an expandable distal-end assembly of the catheter is being withdrawn into the sheath while still at least partially expanded. A responsive action is initiated in response to detecting the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Biosense Wester (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Ella Ozeri, Aviva Goldberg
  • Patent number: 11537913
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting anomalies in input data. The input data can include enrollment information for members of a health insurance product offered by an insurance carrier. A system is configured to process one or more parameters associated with the input data to detect whether an anomaly is indicated in the input data. At least one artificial intelligence algorithm is configured to compare a parameter in the one or more parameters to a range defined by a moving average. When an anomaly is detected, the processing can be paused and manual intervention can be facilitated. When no anomaly is detected, a database is updated based on the input data. In an embodiment, the input data is an ANSI 834 format file that includes a plurality of membership records, and the one or more parameters are derived from statistics related to the membership records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Aetna Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Johnson, Mrinal M. Joglekar, Jamie L. Potter-Watkins
  • Patent number: 11534229
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling the application of energy to tissue using measurements of impedance are described. The impedance, correlated to the temperature, may be set at a desired level, such as a percentage of initial impedance. The set impedance may be a function of the initial impedance, the size and spacing of the electrodes, the size of a targeted passageway, and so on. The set impedance may then be entered into a PID algorithm or other control loop algorithm in order to extract a power to be applied to a treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Jarrard
  • Patent number: 11523863
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical RF apparatus using an RF pulse, comprising an RF generator, which generates a test pulse for detecting characteristics of tissue; a monitoring unit, which monitors the change in the information on the tissue state while the test pulse is transmitted to the tissue; and a measurement unit, which determines the tissue characteristics of a patient by comparing the values monitored in the monitoring unit with the reference data; and a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LUTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kwang Chon Ko, Richard Howard Cohen
  • Patent number: 11523864
    Abstract: An electrosurgical controller and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: placing a distal end of an electrosurgical wand in operational relationship with biological tissue; delivering energy to an active electrode of the electrosurgical wand. During delivering energy, the method may comprise: measuring a value indicative of flow of the energy to the active electrode; summing, over a first predetermined window of time, to create a first value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode; summing, over a second predetermined window of time, to create a second value indicative of energy provided to the active electrode. The method may further comprise: ceasing delivering energy responsive to the first value meeting or exceeding a predetermined value; and ceasing delivering energy responsive to the second value meeting or exceeding a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, Scott A. Armstrong, Michael Bozeman, Christopher A. Wallis
  • Patent number: 11510698
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device having first and second poles; blade electrode with a metal shim having two opposing faces and one or more facets, a nonconductive coating which covers at least the faces and a portion of the facets of the metal shim, while a distal portion of the one or more facets remains uncovered by the nonconductive coating; a lateral electrode comprised of a broad shim having one or more conductive faces and is placed parallel to the blade electrode so that at least one of the one or more conductive faces is exposed and a distal end of the blade electrode protrudes from the lateral electrode; the lateral electrode is fixed stationary relative to the blade electrode; the nonconductive coating insulates the blade electrode from the lateral electrode; and the first pole is connected to the blade electrode and the second pole is connected to the lateral electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kester J. Batchelor, Eric G. Tate, Theodore C. Blus, Richard J. Curtis, Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
  • Patent number: 11504185
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for transvascular ablation of target tissue. The devices and methods may, in some examples, be used for splanchnic nerve ablation to increase splanchnic venous blood capacitance to treat at least one of heart failure and hypertension. For example, the devices disclosed herein may be advanced endovascularly to a target vessel in the region of a thoracic splanchnic nerve (TSN), such as a greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) or a TSN nerve root. Also disclosed are methods of treating heart failure, such as HFpEF, by endovascularly ablating a thoracic splanchnic nerve to increase venous capacitance and reduce pulmonary blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Axon Therapies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pajhand Iranitalab, Casey Andrew Miller, Thomas Ryan McGrath, Manuel Arzadon Javier, Anisha Bapna, Zoar Jacob Engelman, Howard Levin, Nicholas C. VanDillen, Anne Marie Ahonen
  • Patent number: 11504095
    Abstract: The position and orientation of an ultrasound probe is tracked in three dimensions to provide highly-accurate three-dimensional bone surface images that can be used for anatomical assessment and/or procedure guidance. The position and orientation of a therapy applicator can be tracked in three dimensions to provide feedback to align the projected path of the therapy applicator with a desired path for the therapy applicator or to provide feedback to align the potential therapy field of a therapy applicator with a target anatomical site. The three-dimensional bone surface images can be fit to a three-dimensional model of the anatomical site to provide or display additional information to the user to improve the accuracy of the anatomical assessment and/or procedure guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rivanna Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank William Mauldin, Adam Dixon, Kevin Owen
  • Patent number: 11490961
    Abstract: A method for re-configuring a biomedical laser device. The biomedical laser device is pre-configured to be operable in one or more operational modes, and is provided with set of operational parameters that are employed for at least one of: given medical procedure, given medical treatment, activation of given drug, illumination of given dye. The method includes collecting information indicative of light output properties of biomedical laser device measured during given operational mode; detecting deviation in measured light output properties with respect to predefined light output properties for given operational mode; determining new set of operational parameters that are to be employed for at least one of: new medical procedure, new medical treatment, activation of new drug, illumination of new dye; and sending new set of operational parameters to biomedical laser device for re-configuring biomedical laser device to be operable in a new operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Modulight Corporation
    Inventors: Ville Vilokkinen, Petteri Uusimaa, Seppo Orsila
  • Patent number: 11478820
    Abstract: A battery-powered, modular surgical device comprising an electrically powered surgical instrument that requires a pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy to complete a surgical procedure, and a power module assembly that has a battery that powers the surgical instrument and has a current state of electrical charge, and a control circuit that is electrically coupled to the battery and the surgical instrument and has a memory and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the current state of electrical charge of the battery, compares the current state of electrical charge to the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy, permits the battery to discharge if the current state of electrical charge is above the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy, and maintains the battery in a non-discharge state if the current state of electrical charge is below the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Jr., Derek D. Deville, Kevin W. Smith, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11464601
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a controller, a staple firing system, and an RFID system is disclosed. The controller is in communication with a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader of the RFID system and the staple firing system. In various embodiments, the controller verifies the presence of the staple cartridge in the surgical instrument upon receiving the first signal from the first RFID tag. Also, in various embodiments, the controller verifies that the staple cartridge is an unfired staple cartridge upon receiving the second signal from the second RFID tag. The controller can also be configured to track the progress of the staple firing stroke through the RFID system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross
  • Patent number: 11457944
    Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of an ultrasonic blade between two temperature set points includes applying a first power level to an ultrasonic transducer to set an ultrasonic blade temperature to a first target temperature T1, monitoring a phase angle ? between voltage Vg(t) and current Ig(t) signals applied to the transducer, inferring the temperature of the blade based on the phase angle ?, determining that a transection process is complete, and applying a second power level to the transducer to set the blade temperature to a second target temperature T2. The transducer may be coupled to the blade via an ultrasonic waveguide. The first target temperature may be optimized for vessel sealing and the second target temperature may be optimized for clamp arm pad life. The control circuit may determine that transection is complete by determining that the ultrasonic blade contacts the clamp arm pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Patrick J. Scoggins
  • Patent number: 11446104
    Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing that houses a plurality of drive cable capstans, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. A plurality of drive cables extend between the drive housing and the end effector, wherein each drive cable is associated with a corresponding drive cable capstan and rotation of the drive cable capstans correspondingly moves the drive cables to articulate the end effector. A manual release assembly is coupled to the drive housing and includes a release switch that is manually movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the release switch is manually moved to the engaged position, the drive cable capstans are rotated to move the drive cables and thereby manually articulate the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Eric Adams
  • Patent number: 11439456
    Abstract: A treatment system includes a treatment tool and an energy source apparatus used to supply electrical energy to the treatment tool. The treatment tool includes a heater and bipolar electrodes to grip a treatment target. The energy source apparatus includes a processor to control the output to the bipolar electrodes and the heater, respectively. The processor directs the output to the bipolar electrodes and detects an initial value of the impedance of the treatment target. The processor determines whether or not the impedance has reached a minimum value and then retrieves a parameter that is detected before the minimum value of the impedance is detected. The processor performs a first process and/or a second process based on the acquired parameter after the minimum value is detected. The first process determines whether or not the output to the heater is required. The second process sets a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayoshi Takami, Tsuyoshi Hayashida, Tsunetaka Akagane, Kazue Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11439454
    Abstract: A method comprises simultaneously presenting on a display a plurality of graphical screen sections, each graphical screen section comprising adjustable control settings. The plurality of graphical screen sections respectively align with a plurality of connector ports, and each connector port is configured to be operably coupled with a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julie L. Berry, Paul W. Mohr
  • Patent number: 11419661
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly to couple an electrosurgical device to treat tissue with an electro surgical unit includes a cartridge member to operate with a power delivery apparatus of the electro surgical unit and a fluid delivery apparatus of the electro surgical unit. An electrosurgical unit includes a power delivery apparatus and a fluid delivery apparatus arranged to operate with a cartridge member to be located in a cartridge receptacle of the electrosurgical unit. An electrosurgical device includes a first electrode spaced alongside the second electrode, with each electrode having a blade shaped member. Each blade shaped member has opposing sides bounded by edges, with the edges having a medial edge and a lateral edge. At least one fluid outlet is adjacent each blade shaped member, and each fluid outlet is in fluid communication with a fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Eliot F. Bloom, Brian M. Conley, Jonathan J. Barry, Roger D. Greeley, Steven G. Miller, Chad M. Greenlaw
  • Patent number: 11419681
    Abstract: Example systems and techniques for denervation, for example, renal denervation. In some examples, a processor determines one or more tissue characteristics of tissue proximate a target nerve and a blood vessel. The processor may generate, based on the one or more tissue characteristics, an estimated volume of influence of denervation therapy delivered by a therapy delivery device disposed within the blood vessel. The processor may generate a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the tissue proximate the target nerve and the blood vessel and a graphical representation of the estimated volume of influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC ARDIAN LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Paul J. Coates, Douglas A. Hettrick
  • Patent number: 11413087
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark A. Davison, Mark E. Tebbe, Kristen G. Denzinger, Ryan M. Asher, Craig T. Davis, Kevin Bash, Eric Roberson, John E. Brady, Jeffrey A. Bullock, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Monica L. Zeckel, Shan Wan, Kristen L. D'Uva
  • Patent number: 11406440
    Abstract: A medical device equipped for switching the device on and off carries out at least one safety-relevant function in the operating state, using at least one operating parameter with a set target value. In order to ensure a reliable function of the device and not disturb a medical treatment, the device performs a first self-diagnosis following switch-on and before reaching an operating state and performs a second self-diagnosis following switch-off and before terminating the operating state, during which self-diagnoses the same operating parameter of the device is checked in each case for deviation from the target value. The technology also relates to a corresponding method for operating a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Axel Stickel, Achim Sauter
  • Patent number: 11399885
    Abstract: An electrosurgical unit having power monitoring circuitry for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical unit. The electrosurgical unit includes a power source configured to produce direct current, an RF waveform generator configured to convert the direct current into an RF signal, a voltage sensor configured to measure DC input voltage to the RF waveform generator, a current sensor configured to measure output current feedback, and a processor. The processor is configured to estimate output voltage feedback based at least upon the measured DC input voltage and the measured output current feedback, and output a control signal to control the DC input voltage to the RF waveform generator, the control signal based at least upon the estimated output voltage and the output current feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC
    Inventors: Jesse A. Smith, David Hubelbank, Jeffrey S. Reaume
  • Patent number: 11376098
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, a cover releasably attached to the cartridge body, and a sled movable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a firing motion. The staple cartridge further comprises a first RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at a first longitudinal position, a second RFID tag affixed to the sled, wherein the proximal unfired position of the sled is at a second longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position, and a third RFID tag affixed to the cover at a third longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11369429
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a DC waveform; a power converter coupled to the power supply and configured to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the DC waveform; an active terminal coupled to the power converter and configured to couple to a first electrosurgical instrument and a second electrosurgical instrument; at least one sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and a controller coupled to the power converter. The controller is configured to: determine a first impedance associated with a first electrosurgical instrument and a second impedance associated with a second electrosurgical instrument based on the at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and adjust at least one parameter of the radio frequency waveform based on the first impedance and the second impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 11369426
    Abstract: A method of operating a power source device for a high-frequency treatment instrument adapted to perform high-frequency treatment for biological tissue includes causing a high-frequency power source circuit to output power; setting a target impedance value which gradually increases from a change-over impedance value to a stop impedance value; regularly comparing a measured impedance value to the target impedance value; causing the high-frequency power source circuit to lower the power by a first ratio if the measured impedance value is greater than the target impedance value, and to raise the power by a second ratio if the measured impedance value is smaller than the target impedance value; and causing the high-frequency power source circuit to terminate the output upon the value for impedance reaching the stop impedance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danilo Legaspi, Tsuyoshi Hayashida
  • Patent number: 11369428
    Abstract: A computing device for generating and using a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The computing device includes one or more controllers configured to generate a graphical representation of a plurality of electrodes of an ablation catheter for displaying via the GUI; designate, via the GUI, at least some of the plurality of electrodes to be active electrodes; automatically designate the active electrodes as a source electrode or a sink electrode; assign an amount of energy to each of the designated source electrodes; and estimate an amount of energy associated with each of the designated sink electrodes based at least in part on the assigned energy of the designated source electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Laughner, Jeffry V. Marshik, Randall Dodson, Kara Garrott, Dustin J. Olynyk, Kimberly A. Miklos, Melissa R. McMahon
  • Patent number: 11350961
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes an instrument body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, a power cord, and a transducer slip joint. The ultrasonic transducer assembly is rotatably mounted within the instrument body about the longitudinal axis and defines a first outer profile. The power cord projects from the instrument body to provide electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer assembly for operating an acoustic waveguide. The transducer slip joint is positioned between the power cord and the ultrasonic transducer assembly and electrically and mechanically connects the power cord to the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The ultrasonic transducer assembly selectively rotates relative to the power cord for inhibiting the power cord from winding upon rotation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The transducer slip joint also defines a second outer profile that fits within the first outer profile of the ultrasonic transducer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eric Roberson, James E. Borgelt, Douglas E. McCartin
  • Patent number: 11338139
    Abstract: Illustrative methods and devices for providing stimulus to the eye to treat vision disorders. Systems and methods for feedback relating to the stimulus itself as well as the effect of such stimulus on the patient are provided. Various examples may include therapies for vision disorders that can progress to blindness, such as macular degeneration or other diseases and disease processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Biovisics Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Rockley, Thomas W. Harold, James R. Chiapetta
  • Patent number: 11291495
    Abstract: In some aspects, a surgical system configured to limit or prevent capacitive coupling and its effects is presented. The surgical system may include: an energy generator; a surgical instrument electrically coupled to the energy generator and configured to transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue of a patient at a surgical site; at least one sensor configured to detect energy an energy anomaly; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and configured to: receive data from the at least one sensor that energy is being emitted at an unintended location within the surgical system; transmit an alert indicating that parasitic capacitive coupling is occurring; and transmit an interrupt to the energy generator to temporarily interrupt energy generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11284933
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator for generating radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy comprises: a microwave source for generating a microwave signal; a microwave channel for conveying the microwave signal from the microwave source to be output from the generator; an RF channel for conveying an RF signal to be output from the generator; and a microwave-to-RF converter connectable to receive the microwave signal, the microwave-to-RF converter being arranged to: generate the RF signal from the microwave signal, and deliver the RF signal to the RF channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CREO MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White
  • Patent number: 11278350
    Abstract: A method, including performing an initial ablation of a tissue using an electrode in a probe distal end to apply a first power to the tissue, and measuring a change of temperature of the distal end while applying the first power. The method also includes estimating a thickness of the tissue in response to the measured change of temperature, and in response to the estimated thickness, computing at least one of a second power required and a time period for ablation, to complete ablation of the tissue. The method further includes performing a subsequent ablation of the tissue using the computed at least one of the second power and the time period for ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventor: Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 11278346
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a circuit configured to deliver RF energy to a cartridge disposed in an end effector configured to receive the cartridge, a closure mechanism configured to transition the end effector between an open position and a closed position, a display, and a control circuit operably coupled to the display. The control circuit configured to determine an amount of RF energy delivered to a tissue through the cartridge, display the amount of RF energy on the display, determine a position of the closure mechanism, and display the position of the closure mechanism on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, David C. Yates, Mark A. Davison, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11278306
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a control module, an orientation sensor communicatively coupled to the control module, and an energy component. The energy component is operable to activate the end effector at a plurality of energy settings. A storage device is communicatively coupled to the control module and includes a plurality of gesture profiles and corresponding energy settings. The control module is configured to set the energy setting of the energy component to a corresponding energy setting in response to a correlation between the output of the orientation sensor and a gesture profile. In some versions, the control module modifies the energy setting based upon output from a force sensor that measures the force on the end effector. The control module may also decrease the energy setting in response to an anomalous acceleration or deceleration detected by an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Daniel W. Price, Sora Rhee, Cory G. Kimball, Timothy G. Dietz, Ashvani K. Madan, Donna L. Korvick, Jeffrey D. Messerly, William E. Clem, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt, William D. Dannaher, John B. Schulte, Danius P. Silkaitis, Stephen J. Balek, Michael R. Lamping