Amy L Denham

US Patent:

8425504, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/308147

Inventors:

E. Christopher Orton - Fort Collins CO, US
Michael C. Moses - Boulder CO, US
Amy Denham - Denver CO, US
Jeffrey R. Townsend - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 32, 606 51, 606 52

Abstract:

A method for cardiac surgical intervention relies on sealing or fusing heart valve leaflets without requiring implanted materials such as sutures or staples. The method provides a forceps having at least one shaft and an end effector assembly attached thereto. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to move from an open, spread position to a closed, grasping position; creating at least one opening in the patient for inserting the forceps therein; inserting through the opening and manipulating jaw members of the forceps to grasp a portion of a first heart valve leaflet and a portion of a second heart valve leaflet therebetween; activating the forceps to close the jaw members about the leaflet portions under a working pressure, applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the portion of the first heart valve leaflet to the portion of the second heart valve leaflet.

US Patent:

20120022521, Jan 26, 2012

Filed:

Sep 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/246035

Inventors:

Darren Odom - Longmont CO, US
Craig Weinberg - Denver CO, US
Amy Denham - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

TYCO Healthcare Group LP - Boulder CO

International Classification:

A61B 18/18
A61B 18/14
A61B 18/12

US Classification:

606 33, 606 34, 606 41, 606 52

Abstract:

An electrosurgical system and method are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The generator is further adapted to supply an electrical signal having at least one substantially constant value to tissue to determine initial tissue impedance response. The generator includes sensor circuitry adapted to continuously monitor initial tissue impedance response, wherein the initial tissue impedance response includes one of an initial impedance, an impedance drop, an impedance minimum and a first impedance rise. The generator also includes a microprocessor adapted to generate at least one tissue parameter based as a function of the initial impedance, the impedance drop, the impedance minimum and the first impedance rise. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue for treatment.