Robert Lee Platt

US Patent:

6475217, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Sep 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/665380

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 49, 606 50, 606 40, 606 41

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a source for supplying pressurized ionizable gas to the proximal end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a hollow sleeve made from a shape memory alloy having a generally curved austenite state and displaying stress-induced martensite behavior. The hollow sleeve is restrained in a deformed stress-induced martensite configuration within the tube and partial extension of a portion of the hollow sleeve from the tube transforms the portion of the sleeve from the deformed configuration to the generally curved austenite configuration such that the gas is directed transversely at the tissue. An electrode ionizes the gas in the region between the sleeve and the tissue. Other embodiments of the present disclosure also include a wire connected to the distal end of the tube which movable from a first position wherein the tube is disposed in a generally rectilinear, parallel fashion relative to the tissue to a second retracted position wherein the distal end of the tube flexes at an angle to direct the gas towards the tissue.

US Patent:

6616660, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Sep 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/666954

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B 1739

US Classification:

606 49, 606 45

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports.

US Patent:

6666865, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271199

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B 1814

US Classification:

606 49, 606 40, 2191215, 21912151

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one aperture located therein. The proximal end of the tube receives a supply of pressurized ionizable gas and is disposed within a working channel of the endoscope. At least one electrode ionizes the gas prior to the gas exiting the aperture of the tube and an agitator causes the gas to exit the tube with predetermined flow characteristics. In one embodiment, the agitator includes a helically-shaped baffle disposed within the tube. In another embodiments, the agitator can include a rotatable baffle having apertures disposed therethrough for causing the gas to exit the tube in a swirl-like manner. Alternatively, a pair of elongated ribbons can be disposed within the tube which, under flow conditions, will cause turbulence within the gas flow.

US Patent:

6852112, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/316228

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA, US

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 49, 606 41, 606 40, 606 34

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports.

US Patent:

6911029, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Oct 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282288

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA, US

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606 49, 606 50, 606 40

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a source for supplying pressurized ionizable gas to the proximal end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a hollow sleeve made from a shape memory alloy having a generally curved austenite state and displaying stress-induced martensite behavior. The hollow sleeve is restrained in a deformed stress-induced martensite configuration within the tube and partial extension of a portion of the hollow sleeve from the tube transforms the portion of the sleeve from the deformed configuration to the generally curved austenite configuration such that the gas is directed transversely at the issue. An electrode ionizes the gas in the region between the sleeve and the tissue. Other embodiments of the present disclosure also include a wire connected to the distal end of the tube which movable from a first position wherein the tube is disposed in a generally rectilinear, parallel fashion relative to the tissue to a second retracted position wherein the distal end of the tube flexes at an angle to direct the gas towards the tissue.

US Patent:

7563329, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/095251

Inventors:

Szu-Min Lin - Irvine CA, US
Paul T. Jacobs - Bicknell UT, US
Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Peter C. Zhu - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

B08B 13/00
G01N 21/94
G01N 21/84

US Classification:

134 18, 3562372

Abstract:

A method for monitoring a cleaning process for a medical instrument, includes the steps of placing the instrument in a cleaning chamber; placing a soil standard in the cleaning chamber; cleaning the instrument and the soil standard with a cleaning solution; and detecting whether soil remains on said soil standard. The soil standard includes two substantially parallel substrates separated with two substantially equal thickness spacers, wherein a gap is formed between the two substrates with soil in the gap.

US Patent:

7578818, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Apr 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/099039

Inventors:

Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA, US

Assignee:

Covidien AG - Neuhausen am Rheinfall

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 49, 606 50, 606 40

Abstract:

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a source for supplying pressurized ionizable gas to the proximal end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a hollow sleeve made from a shape memory alloy having a generally curved austenite state and displaying stress-induced martensite behavior. The hollow sleeve is restrained in a deformed stress-induced martensite configuration within the tube and partial extension of a portion of the hollow sleeve from the tube transforms the portion of the sleeve from the deformed configuration to the generally curved austenite configuration such that the gas is directed transversely at the tissue. An electrode ionizes the gas in the region between the sleeve and the tissue. Other embodiments of the present disclosure also include a wire connected to the distal end of the tube which movable from a first postion wherein the tube is disposed in a generally rectilinear, parallel fashion relative to the tissue to a second retracted position wherein the distal end of the tube flexes at an angle to direct the gas towards the tissue.

US Patent:

7749330, Jul 6, 2010

Filed:

Mar 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/694071

Inventors:

Szu-Min Lin - Irvine CA, US
Robert C. Platt - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Peter C. Zhu - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Ethicon, Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

B08B 9/20

US Classification:

134 251, 134 1, 134 18, 134 221, 134 2217, 134 2218, 134 2219, 134 23, 134 255, 134 26, 134 27, 134 34, 134 35, 134 36, 134 42, 134 941, 134135, 134200, 422 20, 422 28, 422300, 422301

Abstract:

A method and apparatus provide for automatically cleaning and decontaminating medical instruments. The method comprising the steps of: a) placing the medical instruments into a container after their use in a medical procedure; b) closing the container to seal the instruments inside whereby to prevent personnel contact with the instruments and any contaminants which might be thereon; c) inserting the sealed container into a washer/decontaminator and sealing the washer/decontaminator; d) the washer/decontaminator automatically opening the container and applying a washing fluid thereto to wash the instruments within the container; and e) the washer/decontaminator automatically applying a disinfectant to the container to disinfect the instruments whereby to allow safe handling thereof by personnel.