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).

  • Patent number: 10420548
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 10335143
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 10314659
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20190117218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20190059880
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk, Donald Malinouskas
  • Patent number: 10159481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Patent number: 10117651
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk, Donald Malinouskas, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 10105140
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner, Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas, Xingrui Chen
  • Patent number: 10058314
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Interventional Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 9980708
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MICRO INTERVENTIONAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 9955967
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20180070943
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner, Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas, Xingrui Chen
  • Patent number: 9867523
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20180008262
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk
  • Patent number: 9861362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Publication number: 20170333033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kelly Valentine, Elizabeth Contini, Thomas Wingardner, Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20170296278
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
  • Patent number: 9782172
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9743927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9730693
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk