Systems Patents (Class 606/34)
  • Publication number: 20150088019
    Abstract: Systems and methods to assist in locating the focus of an atrial fibrillation include the association of atrial fibrillation cycle length values and statistics relating thereto with temporal locations on an electrogram of a given electrode, and/or the coordination of electrode locations with respective the spectral analyses of electrogram signals and further parameters and statistics relating thereto. Ablation therapy can proceed under guidance of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: David P. MacAdam, Minoru Mashimo, Sylvain Fanier
  • Publication number: 20150088116
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating tissue parameters, including mass of tissue to be treated and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode of an energy delivery device, are disclosed. The method includes sensing tissue temperatures, estimating a mass of the tissue and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode, and controlling an electrosurgical generator based on the estimated mass and the estimated thermal resistance scale factor. The method may be performed iteratively and non-iteratively. The iterative method may employ a gradient descent algorithm that iteratively adds a derivative step to the estimates of the mass and thermal resistance scale factor until a condition is met. The non-iterative method includes selecting maximum and minimum temperature differences and estimating the mass and the thermal resistance scale factor based on a predetermined reduction point from the maximum temperature difference to the minimum temperature difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Publication number: 20150088121
    Abstract: An energy delivery system and a method of delivering energy to a tissue are provided. The energy delivery system includes an overtube. The overtube includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The proximal portion is adapted to be positioned over a distal portion of an endoscope. The body also includes a first plurality of openings formed in the body and connected to the lumen and an electrode operably connected to the body and extending over at least a portion of a surface of the body. The lumen is operably connectable to a vacuum source and the electrode is operably connectable to a power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Ducharme, Tyler E. McLawhorn, Vihar C. Surti
  • Publication number: 20150088118
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is presented including a radio frequency (RF) amplifier coupled to an electrical energy source and configured to generate electrosurgical energy, the RF amplifier including an inverter configured to convert a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC), and a plurality of sensors configured to sense voltage and current of the generated electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical generator further includes a controller coupled to the RF amplifier and the plurality of sensors. The electrosurgical may be further configured to determine a power level based on the sensed voltage and the sensed current, determine an efficiency of the electrosurgical generator, and insert a predetermined integer number of off cycles when the efficiency of the electrosurgical generator reaches a threshold power efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: JAMES A. GILBERT, MARK A. JOHNSTON, AARON MATTMILLER, JOSHUA H. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20150088066
    Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical temperature control system and method able to monitor and control the temperature within a surgical site during arthroscopic ablation procedures in order to prevent tissue damage is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: CANNUFLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Theodore R. Kucklick
  • Publication number: 20150088107
    Abstract: A system to treat a patient comprises a user interface that allows a physician to view an image of tissue to be treated in order to develop a treatment plan to resect tissue with a predefined removal profile. The image may comprise a plurality of images, and the planned treatment is shown on the images. The treatment probe may comprise an anchor, and the image shown on the screen may have a reference image marker shown on the screen corresponding to the anchor. The planned tissue removal profile can be displayed and scaled to the image of the target tissue of an organ such as the prostate, and the physician can adjust the treatment profile based on the scaled images to provide a treatment profile in three dimensions. The images shown on the display may comprise segmented images of the patient with treatment plan overlaid on the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nikolai ALJURI, Surag MANTRI, Luis BAEZ, George SURJAN, Michael W. SASNETT, Jonathan FOOTE
  • Publication number: 20150088119
    Abstract: A medical device including an evaluation unit and an electrode line. The electrode line includes at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor delivers a temperature signal to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit evaluates periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal and generates an evaluation output signal qualifying constant wall touching of the electrode line according to whether periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal lie below or above a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventor: Christian MOSS
  • Publication number: 20150088124
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating tissue parameters, including mass of tissue to be treated and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode of an energy delivery device, are disclosed. The method includes sensing tissue temperatures, estimating a mass of the tissue and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode, and controlling an electrosurgical generator based on the estimated mass and the estimated thermal resistance scale factor. The method may be performed iteratively and non-iteratively. The iterative method may employ a gradient descent algorithm that iteratively adds a derivative step to the estimates of the mass and thermal resistance scale factor until a condition is met. The non-iterative method includes selecting maximum and minimum temperature differences and estimating the mass and the thermal resistance scale factor based on a predetermined reduction point from the maximum temperature difference to the minimum temperature difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT H. WHAM
  • Patent number: 8986297
    Abstract: Energy delivery systems and methods are provided for use in biological tissue. The energy delivery system includes an energy source and an electrode array. The electrode array includes bipolar electrodes positioned so a first spacing between a pair of adjacent electrodes is different relative to a second spacing between at least one other pair of adjacent electrodes. The electrode array and the energy source are coupled and configured to generate uniform energy density in target tissue according to impedance of the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Resect Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Daniel, David L. Morris
  • Patent number: 8986288
    Abstract: A high-frequency output apparatus and an ultrasound output apparatus, which are medical apparatuses, each has a CPU, a communication circuit and a speaker. Each CPU transmits, when an output volume level of a sound outputted from its own speaker is changed, information about the changed output volume level to the other medical apparatus from the communication circuit, and controls output volume of the sound outputted from its own speaker on the basis of output volume information about a sound outputted of the speaker of the other apparatus, which has been received in the communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Sumihito Konishi
  • Publication number: 20150080877
    Abstract: A spark ablation device for generating nanoparticles comprising a spark generator; the spark generator comprising first and second electrodes, wherein the spark generator further comprises at least one power source which is arranged to be operative at a first energy level for maintaining a discharge between the first and second electrodes, which power source is arranged for repetitively increasing the energy of the discharge to a predetermined secondary level that is higher than the first energy level for ablating a portion of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt-Ott, Tobias Vincent Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20150080876
    Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector and a fluid control system configured to control fluid generated when the end effector applies energy to target tissue and includes a fluid path element having one or more fluid paths. The one or more fluid paths include a distal fluid port positioned adjacent to a working portion of the end effector and a proximal fluid port fluidically coupled to a supply and transport element. The supply and transport element is configured to one of evacuate and supply fluid adjacent to the working portion of the end effector. The supply element may be operatively coupled to an activation element configured to activate the supply and transport element when end effector applies energy to the target tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ethoicon Endo-Surgery, Inc
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Scott R. Bingham, Craig T. Davis, Terry A. McFarland, John B. Schulte, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 8979834
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an endoscopic applicator. The apparatus including a support member configured to be removably coupled to a shaft of the applicator; a first sensor disposed on the distal end of the support member and for outputting a first signal indicative of current measured at the distal end of an active electrode supported in the shaft; and a second sensor disposed on the proximal end of the support member and for outputting a second signal indicative of current measured at the proximal end of the active electrode, wherein a difference value of the first and second signal is indicative of leakage of current within the shaft. In one embodiment, the first and second sensors are magnetic sensors for contactlessly sensing parameters of the active electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bovie Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Arik Zoran, Gregory A. Konesky, Borislav S. Simeonov, Jeffrey C. Rencher
  • Patent number: 8979838
    Abstract: Electrosurgical system and related methods that include: producing energy by a generator of an electrosurgical controller, the generator comprises a first terminal coupled to a first electrode of an electrosurgical wand, and the generator comprises a second terminal coupled to a second electrode of the electrosurgical wand; forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the first electrode, while the second electrode acts as a return electrode; reducing energy output of the generator such that the plasma proximate the first electrode is extinguished, then producing energy from the generator with the first terminal coupled to the first electrode and the second terminal coupled to the second electrode; and forming, responsive to the energy, a plasma proximate to the second electrode, while the first electrode acts as a return electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Woloszko, John Goode, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 8979835
    Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Athanassios Papaioannou
  • Publication number: 20150073404
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus (1) for applying energy to an object (2). An energy application unit applies energy to the object, wherein the energy application unit is adapted to use electrical current for applying the energy. A current measuring unit (15) measures the electrical current used by the energy application unit and provides a signal being indicative of whether the energy is applied to the object based on the measured electrical current. The signal can be used by, for instance, a monitoring unit and/or a display unit for using and/or indicating the information whether energy is actually applied or not, without requiring a direct communication between the energy application unit and the monitoring unit and/or the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Franciscus Paulus Maria Budzelaar, Godefridus Antonius Harks, Steven Antonie Willem Fokkenrood
  • Publication number: 20150073405
    Abstract: A device comprising: a handpiece having one or more attachment ports; a tubeset having one or more attachment features for connecting the tubeset to the one or more attachment ports in the handpiece; a removable tip having an attachment arm for attaching to the one or more attachment ports in the handpiece; wherein the device comprises one or more of the following: the handpiece includes an attachment port that attaches the handpiece to an active lead and a return lead and the device is adapted to use only the active lead or both leads so that the device can switch between bi-polar energy and mono-polar energy; the tubeset has one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with the removable tip, wherein the removable tip is located at a distal end of the device; and the handpiece connects to one or more electrical input lines; the tubeset connects to one or more fluid lines, and the removable tip is free of direct connection to both the one or more electrical input lines and the one or more fluid
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. d.b.a. Olympus Surgical Technologies America
    Inventors: Kevin C. Edwards, Jay A. Casey, Peter Y. Wong, Allen C. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20150073246
    Abstract: While detecting a cardiac arrhythmia, a mapping electrode of a probe is used to associate a local activation time with a first location in a region of interest in the heart. While detecting an absence of the cardiac arrhythmia, the local activation time is associated with a second location in the heart. Electrical data of the first location is assigned to the second location, and an electroanatomic map of the heart is generated that includes the second location in association with the assigned electrical data of the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Yoram Chmiel, Gal Hayam
  • Patent number: 8974450
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue. One or more electrodes are disposed on the antenna assembly and are configured to be positioned relative to tissue upon insertion of the antenna assembly into tissue. The one or more electrodes are configured to generate a feedback signal in response to an electrical signal supplied thereto from the power source. The feedback signal corresponds to the proximity of tissue relative to the at least one electrode and is configured to be compared to a predetermined parameter to determine a depth of the insertion of the antenna assembly into tissue. The power source is configured to control the delivery of microwave energy to the antenna assembly based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 8974829
    Abstract: A particle includes a ferromagnetic material, a radiopaque material, and/or an MRI-visible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Thomas V. Casey, II, Janel Lanphere
  • Publication number: 20150066014
    Abstract: An ablation catheter comprises: an elongated catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis; a distal member disposed adjacent the distal end, the distal member including an ablation element to ablate a biological member; one or more acoustic transducers disposed in the distal member and each configured to direct an acoustic signal toward a respective target ablation region and receive reflection echoes therefrom; and an acoustic redirection member disposed in the distal member to at least partially redirect the acoustic signal from at least one of the acoustic transducers toward a tissue target. The distal member includes a most-distal portion, a proximal portion, and a deflectable portion between the most-distal portion and proximal portion to permit deflection between the most-distal portion and proximal portion of the distal member. The transducers and redirection member are mounted on opposite sides of the deflectable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: John Sliwa, Zhenyi Ma, Stephen Morse
  • Publication number: 20150066011
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation. The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20150066012
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode for high-frequency surgery, a high-frequency surgery device, and a method for controlling same, wherein the electrode for high-frequency surgery can be easily inserted and moved inside the lumens inside the body, and can expand a conduction area of a high-frequency current after reaching an area to be treated. The electrode for the high-frequency surgery, according to the present invention, comprises: a balloon; and a conductive structure, which is arranged on the outside of the balloon and the exterior shape of which varies according to the volume of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Lutronic Corporation`
    Inventor: Kwang Chon Ko
  • Publication number: 20150065910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of electrochemistry to control and generate specific user defined chemical reactions in regions that may be defined by electrode placement and geometry. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of shape changing cartilage in a subject through potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT) or use of a potential-driven electromechanical (EMR) device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Brian Jet-Fei Wong, Michael G. Hill, Dmitry E. Protsenko
  • Publication number: 20150065899
    Abstract: Transducer-based systems and methods may be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Transducer activation characteristics, such as initiation time, activation duration, activation sequence, and energy delivery characteristics, can vary based on numerous factors. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Martin Reinders, Daniel Robert Weinkam, Roxanne Wai Tak Louie, Danai Bisalputra
  • Publication number: 20150066010
    Abstract: An ablation device and methods for using the same. The ablation device has an inner shaft, an outer shaft, a mesh, a conductive coating on the mesh, and a compression mechanism. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and the compression mechanism moves the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. The mesh expands when the compression mechanism moves the inner shaft proximally relative to the outer shaft. Electrical energy is delivered to the conductive coating to ablate tissue proximate the conductive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Tyler E. McLawhorn, Vihar C. Surti
  • Publication number: 20150066013
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an expandable energy delivery assembly adapted to deliver electrical energy to tissue. The assembly includes an elongate device including an irrigation shaft defining a irrigation lumen fluidly couplable to an irrigation source and a rapid exchange shaft defining a guidewire lumen configured for reception and passage of a guidewire. The assembly also includes an inflatable element that is secured to the elongate device. The inflatable element includes a double helical electrode disposed on the inflatable element that makes between about 0.5 to about 1.5 revolutions around the inflatable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Tom Saul
  • Publication number: 20150066016
    Abstract: Medical device systems, methods and devices are provided for treating a valve in a heart to minimize valve regurgitation, the medical device system includes an RF energy source, a handle, a treatment catheter, and first and second sleeves. The handle is operatively coupled to the RF energy source and coupled to the treatment catheter. The first and second sleeves each extend through a lumen of the treatment catheter and are moveable between a constricted position and an expanded position. The first sleeve includes a first electrode and the second sleeve includes a second electrode. Further, the first sleeve and the second sleeve are biased away from each other such that, upon being moved to the expanded position, the first and second sleeves splay outward to exhibit a v-configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Scott D. Miles, Vernon D. Dahl
  • Publication number: 20150066017
    Abstract: An ablation electrode is mounted on the distal end of a catheter with a first portion inside and a second portion outside the catheter. The second portion is adapted to have a surface that makes maximum contact with a tissue to be ablated, leaving a minimum area not covered by the tissue and potentially exposed to blood. The first portion is adapted to provide an extended surface area for efficient exchange of heat with a coolant flowing inside the catheter. Outlets provided near the area not covered by the tissue in the second portion prevents blood from getting close to or come directly in contact with the area, thereby greatly reducing formation of dangerous blood clots. The minimizing of an electrical circuit through blood greatly reduces wasted power into the electrode so that the efficiently cooled electrode is not burdened. The catheter preferably has multiple electrodes with similar features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Jawahar M. Desai
  • Publication number: 20150066009
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a switch assembly. The end effector assembly includes a monopolar assembly and a bipolar assembly. The switch assembly includes first and second bipolar inputs, first and second bipolar outputs, a monopolar input, and a monopolar output. The switch assembly is transitionable between a first condition, wherein the first and second bipolar inputs are coupled to the first and second bipolar outputs, respectively, for supplying energy to the bipolar assembly, and a second condition, wherein the monopolar input and the monopolar output are coupled to one another for supplying energy to the monopolar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: DAVID M. GARRISON, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, TONY MOUA
  • Publication number: 20150066015
    Abstract: Medical device systems, methods and devices are provided for treating a valve in a heart to minimize valve regurgitation. The medical device system includes an RF energy source, a handle, a treatment catheter, and a treatment device. The handle is operatively coupled to the RF energy source and coupled to the treatment catheter. The treatment device includes exposed electrode portions of one or more electrodes operatively coupled to the RF energy source and configured to contact tissue of a valve annulus. Further, one or more of the exposed electrode portions include a marker associated therewith. With this arrangement, a physician may view the one or more markers and selectively activate particular exposed electrode portions with RF energy to selectively treat a portion of the valve annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Scott D. Miles, Vernon D. Dahl
  • Patent number: 8968289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spacer, configured to position microwave energy delivery devices, including a housing, with a housing body and a compression body, and at least one compression mechanism. The housing body forms a housing body cavity and a plurality of housing device apertures. The compression body forms a plurality of compression body apertures that each correspond to a housing device aperture. The compression body slideably engages the housing body cavity and at least a portion of the compression body is positioned within the compression body cavity. A compression mechanism is positioned between the housing body and the compression body and configured to provide a biasing force between the housing body and the compression body. In a first position the housing device apertures are misaligned with the compression body apertures and in the second position the housing apertures are aligned with the compression body apertures forming a plurality of aligned apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert B. Cunningham, Gene H. Arts, Timothy A. Turley, Richard W. Wetz, Chad M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8968295
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling the discharging of stored energy in an electrosurgical generator includes a pulse modulator which controls an output of a power supply. At least one comparator is configured to provide an error signal to the pulse modulator based on a comparison between an output signal generated by the power supply and a feedback signal generated in response to the application of energy to tissue. A discharge circuit is configured to control the discharge of the output of the power supply to an inductive load disposed in parallel with the output of the power supply based on the comparison between the output signal and the feedback signal. The discharge circuit provides a rapid response and time rate control of the delivered electrosurgical energy by controlling the power supply and delivered RF energy in real time, based on a feedback signal generated in response to the application of energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James H. Orszulak
  • Patent number: 8968296
    Abstract: An electrosurgical energy delivery apparatus includes an energy delivery circuit, a control circuit and an energy-harvesting system with a plurality of energy-harvesting circuits and a voltage regulator that provides a regulated DC voltage to the energy delivery circuit and/or the control circuit. The energy delivery circuit receives an electrosurgical energy signal having a primary frequency and selectively provides the electrosurgical energy signal to an energy delivery element. The control circuit connects to the energy delivery circuit and selectively enables the flow of electrosurgical energy to the energy delivery element. The plurality of energy-harvesting circuits each include an energy-harvesting antenna tuned to a particular frequency, a matched circuit configured to receive an RF signal from the energy-harvesting antenna, rectify the RF signal and generate a DC signal, and an energy storage device that connects to the voltage regulator to receive and store the DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James W. McPherson
  • Patent number: 8968297
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system and method for performing electrosurgery is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument, such as an electrosurgical antenna, knife, forceps, suction coagulator, or vessel sealer. The disclosed system includes an impedance sensor, a controller, dynamic impedance matching network, and an electrosurgical energy generator. The dynamic impedance matching network includes a PIN diode switching array configured to selectively activate a plurality of reactive elements. The disclosed arrangement of reactive elements provides real-time impedance correction over a wide range of impedance mismatch conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: George J. Collins
  • Patent number: 8968288
    Abstract: An ablation device includes a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end, a first balun structure disposed over a first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun structure is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member and a second balun structure disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun structure is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 8968293
    Abstract: The disclosed electrosurgical systems and methods accurately determine the power actually applied to a load by using equalizers to calibrate the power measurements. The electrosurgical systems include an electro surgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the electrosurgical generator through an electrosurgical cable. The electrosurgical generator includes an electrical energy source, voltage and current detectors, equalizers that estimate the voltage and current applied to a load, and a power calculation unit that calculates estimated power based upon the estimated voltage and current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8968294
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to output electrosurgical energy and including a receptacle having at least one mechanical interface. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator and configured to deliver energy to tissue. Further, a plug is provided to engage the receptacle to electrically couple the electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator. The plug includes a terminal electrically coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and a prong electrically coupled to the terminal that includes a recess defined therein and is configured to receive the at least one mechanical interface. When the plug is disengaged from the receptacle, the at least one mechanical interface cooperates with the recess to uncouple the prong from the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Janet E. Maass, Jeffrey R. Townsend, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 8968345
    Abstract: A surgical introducer including a body portion, a shaft and a sensor is disclosed. The body portion includes a reference indicator. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and is positionable adjacent the body portion. The shaft is rotatable with respect to the body portion and includes a longitudinal indicator and a circumferential indicator. The sensor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal portion of the shaft and is adapted to provide physiological data pertaining to a surgical worksite. At least a portion of the sensor is substantially aligned with the circumferential indicator. Rotation of the shaft with respect to the body portion causes displacement between the circumferential indicator and the reference indicator. Longitudinal movement of the shaft with respect to the body portion causes displacement between the longitudinal indicator and the reference indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Arnold V. DeCarlo
  • Publication number: 20150057652
    Abstract: Cardiac ablation is carried out by placing two ablation electrodes on opposite sides of a wall of the heart to generally oppose one another. The effective current transmission area of one of the electrodes is then varied according to the distance between the two electrodes or the thickness of the wall. Sufficient electrical current is transmitted between the two electrodes to achieve transmural ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Meir Bar-Tal, Yigal Ultchin
  • Publication number: 20150057653
    Abstract: A medical wireless power supply system includes a trocar, a power transmission coil provided in a state in which at least a part thereof is covered with a nonconductive member, a power transmission coil unit including the power transmission coil and configured to be capable of resonating at a predetermined resonance frequency, a medical instrument including a cylindrical insertion portion insertable into an insertion hole of the trocar, a power reception coil provided in a state in which at least a part thereof is covered with a nonconductive member on an inside of the insertion portion, and a power reception coil unit including the power reception coil and configured to be capable of resonating at a resonance frequency that coincides with the predetermined resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuta SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8961505
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of electrodes and a detection module. The plurality of electrodes are configured to acquire an electrical signal in a patient. The detection module is configured to determine whether the acquired electrical signal includes signal content in each of N different frequency bands and detect operation of an electrosurgical device on the patient based on how many of the N different frequency bands include signal content. N is an integer that is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Riff
  • Patent number: 8961506
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating tissue that employ a radiometer for temperature measurements and use feedback from the radiometer to regulate energy being applied to the tissue are provided. For example, methods and systems are provided for calculating temperature based on signal(s) from a radiometer, which may provide useful information about tissue temperature at depth, and automatically regulating energy applied to the tissue based on the tissue temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics, Inc., Meridian Medical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John McCarthy, Timothy J. Lenihan, Eric R. Kanowsky, Robert C. Allison
  • Patent number: 8961504
    Abstract: A system that monitors water displacement in tissue during patient therapy includes a generator supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue, a spectrometer operably coupled to the generator, and a processor communicating with the generator and with the spectrometer having a light source for exposing tissue to light and a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to sense changes in light through tissue in response to tissue treatment and communicate the changes to the processor to determine tissue hydration levels and motility. A plurality of optical fibers may be configured in an array to communicate light between the generator and tissue. An optical temperature monitor may communicate with the processor and be coupled to an optical fiber. The optical fibers may have an optic fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers. The system may be incorporated within an electrosurgical pencil or a forceps. A corresponding method of detecting hydration is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Carine Hoarau, Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 8965527
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating masses, such as prostate or breast cancer, or any other soft tissue cancerous or benign mass, employs a unique, three-dimensional software-controlled electronic amplifier array using arbitrary waveforms that dynamically and proportionally steer electrical currents by using two or more current vector paths, sequentially or simultaneously, through a mass containing electrically-conductive ionic solutions so as to obtain 100% thermal beating or hyperthermia through the mass, and destroying it with a minimally-invasive treatment which requires no radiation or chemotherapy which could be harmful to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Medamp Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Ruse, Scott J. Bohanan, E. David Crawford, William L. Nabors, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20150051597
    Abstract: Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Martin L. Mayse, Steven C. Dimmer
  • Patent number: 8956347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Lorang, Matthew E. Mitchell, Karen Drucker, Kobi Iki
  • Patent number: 8956349
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a surgical generator for providing a drive signal to a surgical device may comprise a first transformer and a second transformer. The first transformer may comprise a first primary winding and a first secondary winding. The second transformer may comprise a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. The surgical generator may further comprise a generator circuit to generate the drive signal. The generator circuit may be electrically coupled to the first primary winding to provide the drive signal across the first primary winding. The surgical generator may also comprise a patient-side circuit electrically isolated from the generator circuit. The patient-side circuit may be electrically coupled to the first secondary winding. Further, the patient-side circuit may comprise first and second output lines to provide the drive signal to the surgical device. In addition, the surgical generator may comprise a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Eitan T. Wiener
  • Patent number: 8956350
    Abstract: A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven P. Buysse, Casey M. Ladtkow, Brandon Gay
  • Publication number: 20150045786
    Abstract: A method of treating a sphincter provides a sphincter electropotential mapping device with at least one of a mapping electrode or a treatment electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is introduced into at least a portion of the sphincter, the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, the cardia or the fundus. Bioelectric activity causing a relaxation of the sphincter is detected and energy is delivered from either the mapping electrode or the treatment electrode to treat the bioelectric activity. A method of treating a sphincter provides a sphincter electropotential mapping device with at least one of a mapping electrode or a treatment electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is introduced into at least a portion of the sphincter, the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, the cardia or the fundus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart D. Edwards, John W. Gaiser, David S. Utley