Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Winkler

Matthew J. Winkler 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).

  • Patent number: 11925355
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11911042
    Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20230338041
    Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20230338032
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20230338033
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20230338040
    Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20230338031
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20230009892
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11266413
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20210106336
    Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 10898204
    Abstract: An occlusion clamp including: (a) an occlusion tongs including a primary spring coupling a first longitudinal arm to a second longitudinal arm, the first longitudinal arm including a first linear occlusion surface configured to be parallel to and overlap a second linear occlusion surface of the second longitudinal arm, each of the first and second longitudinal arms having a free distal end; and, (b) a secondary spring removably coupled to the occlusion tongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20180317922
    Abstract: An occlusion clamp including: (a) an occlusion tongs including a primary spring coupling a first longitudinal arm to a second longitudinal arm, the first longitudinal arm including a first linear occlusion surface configured to be parallel to and overlap a second linear occlusion surface of the second longitudinal arm, each of the first and second longitudinal arms having a free distal end; and, (b) a secondary spring removably coupled to the occlusion tongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 10085812
    Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 9901351
    Abstract: An occlusion clamp including: (a) an occlusion tongs including a primary spring coupling a first longitudinal arm to a second longitudinal arm, the first longitudinal arm including a first linear occlusion surface configured to be parallel to and overlap a second linear occlusion surface of the second longitudinal arm, each of the first and second longitudinal arms having a free distal end; and, (b) a secondary spring removably coupled to the occlusion tongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20160317235
    Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 9408659
    Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew J. Winkler
  • Publication number: 20160008001
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 8998892
    Abstract: An electrosurgical end effector for ablating tissue is provided that comprises at least one electrically-conductive ablation member adapted to be connected to a source of RF energy, with the ablation member having a tissue engaging surface and an internal fluid passageway. Preferably, the end effector includes two electrically conductive ablation members that are electrically isolated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Peter F Staats, Warren P Williamson, IV, Jason Iain Gilthero, Michael D. Hooven, David J. Drachman
  • Patent number: 8915878
    Abstract: An electrosurgical end effector for ablating tissue is provided that comprises at least one electrically-conductive ablation member adapted to be connected to a source of RF energy, with the ablation member having a tissue engaging surface and defining an internal fluid passageway. Preferably, the end effector includes two electrically conductive ablation members that are electrically isolated from one another and have their fluid passageways in fluid communication. Alternatively, the end effector may comprise four electrically conductive ablation members arranged as two pairs of ablation members, all of the ablation members having internal fluid passageways that are electrically isolated from each other, with the fluid passageways of each of the four ablation members being in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Peter F. Staats, Warren P. Williamson, IV, Jason I. Glithero
  • Publication number: 20140142597
    Abstract: An occlusion clamp comprising: (a) an occlusion tongs including a primary spring coupling a first longitudinal arm to a second longitudinal arm, the first longitudinal arm including a first linear occlusion surface configured to be parallel to and overlap a second linear occlusion surface of the second longitudinal arm, each of the first and second longitudinal arms having a free distal end; and, (b) a secondary spring removably coupled to the occlusion tongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller