Patents by Inventor Carol Ann Mata

Carol Ann Mata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240138847
    Abstract: A clip applier and method provide for surgically minimizing or eliminating a tissue appendage of the patient using an occlusion clip. An end effector of the clip applier has first and second channels that respectively receive/engage first and second elongate beams of the clip. The clip includes strand(s) that forms a loop through the first and the second elongate beams. Terminal segments of the strand(s) extend proximally through a clip setting mechanism of the occlusion clip. An opening between first and second elongate beams of the occlusion clip are positioned around a tissue appendage. A closure mechanism of the clip applier is actuated to proximally draw the terminal segments of the strand(s) to close the occlusion clip and to close the end effector. A release mechanism of the occlusion clip is actuated, allowing the end effector to open away from the occlusion clip in a clamped state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Ann Mata, Frank M. Fago
  • Publication number: 20230083170
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An application instrument for an exclusion device may include an end effector including a head configured to be disposed distally on a shaft, a stationary jaw fixedly disposed on the head and configured to releasably couple to a first clamping portion of an exclusion device, the exclusion device being biased in a closing direction, and a movable jaw movably disposed on the head and configured to releasably couple to a second clamping portion of the exclusion device. The movable jaw may be movable relative to the stationary jaw to reconfigure the exclusion device from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The movable jaw may be oriented generally parallel to the stationary jaw when the exclusion device is in the open configuration and the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Biehle, Frank Fago, Carol Ann Mata, Lynn Ann Recker
  • Publication number: 20230083697
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or at least one spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam and bias the first beam and the second beam in a closing direction. The spring may be operatively coupled to the first beam by a crimp connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Ann Recker, Edward Biehle, Frank Fago, Carol Ann Mata
  • Publication number: 20230083738
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah Vivian Ziton, Frank Fago, Lynn Ann Recker, Carol Ann Mata
  • Publication number: 20230082963
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device may include a first clamping portion, a second clamping portion opposing the first clamping portion, and/or a biocompatible fabric cover at least partially sheathing the first clamping portion and/or the second clamping portion. The cover may be generally tubular and/or may define a relaxed circumference when the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are in a closed configuration. At least a portion of the cover may be configured to stretch to a stretched circumference of about 2× to about 3× the relaxed circumference when the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are reconfigured from the closed configuration to an open configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Ann Mata, Nikhil Kabbur, Lynn Ann Recker, Justin David Volz