Jennifer L Harper

US Patent:

8147485, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Feb 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/391036

Inventors:

Roberth H. Wham - Boulder CO, US
Rebecca Coulson - Lyons CO, US
Kari L. Riegner - Golden CO, US
David A. Schechter - Longmont CO, US
Nicole McKenna - Boulder CO, US
Barbara R. Bastian - Erie CO, US
Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG

International Classification:

A61B 18/04
A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 34, 606 51, 606 52

Abstract:

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.

US Patent:

8216223, Jul 10, 2012

Filed:

Feb 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/390981

Inventors:

Roberth H. Wham - Boulder CO, US
Rebecca Coulson - Lyons CO, US
Kari L. Riegner - Golden CO, US
David A. Schechter - Longmont CO, US
Nicole McKenna - Boulder CO, US
Barbara R. Bastian - Erie CO, US
Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 38

Abstract:

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.

US Patent:

8556929, Oct 15, 2013

Filed:

Jan 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/696592

Inventors:

Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US
J. Bruce Dunne - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/28
A61B 17/08
A61B 5/04
A61B 5/053
A61B 5/103

US Classification:

606207, 606 51, 606 52, 606213, 600202, 600372, 600547, 600587

Abstract:

A surgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members having opposed seal plates, each of the seal plates having a width. At least one of the jaw members is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. A sensing component is configured to determine an output relating to a diameter of tissue or a composition of tissue disposed between the opposed seal plates of the first and second jaw members. An expanding component is configured to expand the width of at least one of the opposed seal plates according to the determined output.

US Patent:

8647343, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Jun 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/821253

Inventors:

Edward M. Chojin - Boulder CO, US
David M. Garrison - Longmont CO, US
Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US
Glenn A. Horner - Boulder CO, US
Duane E. Kerr - Loveland CO, US
Jessica E. C. Olson - Frederick CO, US
Kathy E. Rooks - Aurora CO, US
Geneva Ladtkow - Arvada CO, US

Assignee:

Covidien LP - Mansfield MA

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 51, 606207

Abstract:

A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position.

US Patent:

20090157071, Jun 18, 2009

Filed:

Feb 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/390944

Inventors:

Robert H. Wham - Boulder CO, US
Rebecca Coulson - Lyons CO, US
Kari L. Riegner - Golden CO, US
David A. Schechter - Longmont CO, US
Nicole McKenna - Boulder CO, US
Barbara R. Bastian - Erie CO, US
Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US

International Classification:

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

US Classification:

606 33, 606 51, 606 40, 606 52

Abstract:

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.

US Patent:

20110060335, Mar 10, 2011

Filed:

Sep 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/556796

Inventors:

Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US
Barbara R. Bastian - Erie CO, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 52

Abstract:

An end effector for an electrosurgical forceps is provided. The end effector includes a first jaw member having proximal and distal ends and a second jaw member having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first jaw member includes a recess defined therein. The distal end of the second jaw member includes a first prong configured for receipt within the recess defined in the first jaw member. Wherein engagement of the first prong of the second jaw member within the recess of the first jaw member creates a gap between the first and second jaw members to enable tissue sealing.

US Patent:

20110118736, May 19, 2011

Filed:

Nov 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/619100

Inventors:

Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US
J. Bruce Dunne - Longmont CO, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 51

Abstract:

A surgical forceps includes a housing having one or more shafts attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members include at least one sensing component that determines an output of one or both of cross-sectional diameter and composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members. A processing component is configured to receive the output and determine a seal pressure for adequately sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members based upon the output. A regulating component regulates the movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions such that the determined seal pressure is applied to tissue disposed therebetween.

US Patent:

20110144635, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Dec 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/639210

Inventors:

Jennifer S. Harper - Westminster CO, US
Meghan Marie Collins Long - Centennial CO, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/12

US Classification:

606 34

Abstract:

An electrosurgical system includes an energy source adapted to supply energy to tissue. The energy source includes a microprocessor configured to execute a tissue treatment algorithm configured to control the supply of electrosurgical energy to tissue and process a configuration file including at least one parameter of the tissue treatment algorithm. The at least one parameter is adjustable to effect a tissue seal result. The microprocessor generates a target impedance trajectory based on at least one parameter of the tissue treatment algorithm and is further configured to drive tissue impedance along the target impedance trajectory by adjusting the supply of energy to tissue to substantially match tissue impedance to a corresponding target impedance value. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.