Patents by Inventor Michael P. Whitman
Michael P. Whitman 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).
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Patent number: 10420548Abstract: A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
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Patent number: 10335143Abstract: The present invention, in accordance with various embodiments thereof, relates to a surgical device for at least one of cutting and stapling a section of tissue. The surgical device includes a housing including at least two drivers. The surgical device also includes an anvil mechanically attachable to the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The first driver operates to move the anvil relative to the housing to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The second driver operates to move at least a portion of the housing relative to the anvil between the intermediate position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas
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Patent number: 10314659Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes a motor system configured to drive drive-shafts and a steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive-shafts. A memory unit stores a plurality of operating programs or algorithms, each corresponding to a type of surgical instrument attachable to the electro-mechanical surgical device. The control system reads or selects from the plurality of operating programs or algorithms, the operating program or algorithm corresponding to the type of surgical instrument attached to the electromechanical surgical device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
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Publication number: 20190117218Abstract: A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
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Publication number: 20190059880Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may include one or both a cutting element or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk, Donald Malinouskas
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Patent number: 10159481Abstract: A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
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Patent number: 10117651Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may include one or both a cutting element or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk, Donald Malinouskas, David Nicholas
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Patent number: 10105140Abstract: A surgical system and method includes a surgical instrument configured to wirelessly transmit identifying data specific to the surgical instrument and a console configured to receive the identifying data. The console is configured to register the surgical instrument based on the identifying data, establish a wireless two-way communication link between the surgical instrument and the console, receive at least one of operational data and commands from the surgical instrument, and provide operational feedback data to a user of the surgical instrument during an operation of the surgical instrument based on the at least one of operational data and commands.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner, Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas, Xingrui Chen
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Patent number: 10058314Abstract: A device having a plurality of anchors configured to be driven into a tissue, and a closure element extending between the anchors and configured to urge the anchors toward each other, closing a wound and complying with motion of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Micro Interventional Devices, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
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Patent number: 9980708Abstract: A device that, when implanted in the heart, closes the wound and complies with wall motion (i.e., expands and contracts with the myocardium).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: MICRO INTERVENTIONAL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
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Patent number: 9955967Abstract: An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Publication number: 20180070943Abstract: A surgical system and method includes a surgical instrument configured to wirelessly transmit identifying data specific to the surgical instrument and a console configured to receive the identifying data. The console is configured to register the surgical instrument based on the identifying data, establish a wireless two-way communication link between the surgical instrument and the console, receive at least one of operational data and commands from the surgical instrument, and provide operational feedback data to a user of the surgical instrument during an operation of the surgical instrument based on the at least one of operational data and commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner, Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas, Xingrui Chen
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Patent number: 9867523Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion through a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Publication number: 20180008262Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion with a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. The surgical device also includes a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion. A driver is configured to cause relative movement of the jaw portion and the shaft portion. The driver may be configured to cause the jaw portion to pivot relative to the shaft portion about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to first and second longitudinal axes defined by the jaw portion and the shaft portion, respectively. The driver may also be configured to cause at least a portion of the jaw portion to rotate relative to the shaft portion about the first longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the surgical device includes a surgical member, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within the first jaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk
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Patent number: 9861362Abstract: A surgical device including a first jaw and a second jaw is presented. The surgical device also includes a biasing element that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw. The device also includes a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw. The first driver is configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw. The device further includes at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element disposed within the second jaw, preferably a blade rotatably mounted on a wedge. A second driver is configured to move the cutting element and/or the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Publication number: 20170333033Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly configured to grasp tissue therebetween, the cartridge assembly including a plurality of surgical fasteners. A motor is configured to fire one or more surgical fasteners. A sensor determines a first parameter of the tool assembly and a control system adjusts a second parameter of the motor used to fire the one or more surgical fasteners based on the first parameter detected by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Kelly Valentine, Elizabeth Contini, Thomas Wingardner, Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
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Publication number: 20170296278Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes a motor system configured to drive drive-shafts and a steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive-shafts. A memory unit stores a plurality of operating programs or algorithms, each corresponding to a type of surgical instrument attachable to the electro-mechanical surgical device. The control system reads or selects from the plurality of operating programs or algorithms, the operating program or algorithm corresponding to the type of surgical instrument attached to the electromechanical surgical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
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Patent number: 9782172Abstract: A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activatable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 9743927Abstract: A calibration system for a surgical instrument. The calibration system includes an actuator, such as a motor system and a flexible shaft. The calibration system also includes a surgical instrument actuatable by the actuator. The calibration system also include calibration data corresponding to the surgical instrument. A processor is configured to process the calibration data for determining a position of the surgical instrument. The calibration system may include a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to a movement of the actuator, the processor being further configured to process the signal for determining a position of the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 9730693Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion with a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. The surgical device also includes a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion. A driver is configured to cause relative movement of the jaw portion and the shaft portion. The driver may be configured to cause the jaw portion to pivot relative to the shaft portion about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to first and second longitudinal axes defined by the jaw portion and the shaft portion, respectively. The driver may also be configured to cause at least a portion of the jaw portion to rotate relative to the shaft portion about the first longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the surgical device includes a surgical member, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within the first jaw.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk