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: 9724077
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a surgical device. The surgical device includes a jaw assembly and a camera assembly coupled to the jaw assembly. The camera assembly includes a camera housing defining an interior space having at least one opening on a side thereof, first and second support arms pivotally coupled within the camera housing and deployable therefrom, and a camera body coupled to the first and second support arms and moveable between a first position, in which the camera body is positioned within the interior space of the camera housing, and a second position, in which the camera body extends from the at least one opening of the camera assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ernest Aranyi, Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David A. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 9662514
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device, system and/or method may include a housing, at least two opposing jaw, and at least one electrical contact associated with at least one of the jaws. The electrical contact may include at least one of a bipolar electrical contact and an ultrasonic electrical contact. The electrical contact may be a row of electrodes located on one or all of the jaws. A sensor may also be associated with any tissue located between the jaws to sense and report the temperature of that tissue. A pierceable ampulla containing fluid may also be placed on at least one of the jaws so that the fluid is releasable when the jaws are in closed position and the electrode(s) pass through the tissue into the pierceable ampulla.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9662109
    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 activateable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20170056119
    Abstract: A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Patent number: 9579101
    Abstract: A surgical device comprises a base unit having a hydraulic controller and at least one control piston, a surgical end effector including at least one actuator piston, and a flexible shaft having at least one tube containing hydraulic fluid in hydraulic communication with the base unit and the surgical end effector. The hydraulic controller includes an electric motor configured to drive the control piston to generate hydraulic force. The hydraulic force is transferable from the base unit to the actuator piston of the surgical end effector through the hydraulic fluid in the at least one tube in the flexible shaft, such that the driving of the control piston by the electric motor under the control of the hydraulic controller transfers the hydraulic force from the control piston of the base unit to the actuator piston of the end effector in proportion to the ratio of the area of the control piston and the area of the actuator piston by metering the hydraulic fluid transferred by the control piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NEW HOPE VENTURES, LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, David Johnston, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 9554824
    Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, for example a surgical device, into, for example an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Gerald Dorros, Jeremy Hill
  • Publication number: 20160367249
    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: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Patent number: 9504455
    Abstract: A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Publication number: 20160270869
    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: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
  • Patent number: 9433418
    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: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David Zeichner
  • Patent number: 9427220
    Abstract: A device for the repair of tissue and methods of use and manufacturing thereof are described herein. Applications for the use of the device include, e.g., repair of atrial septal defects (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), left atrial appendage closure and stent graft fixation among other applications throughout the anatomy. The implant portion of the device is available in a variety of sizes and configurations to accommodate the vast complexity of the target anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MICRO INTERVENTIONAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Publication number: 20160183938
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 9364221
    Abstract: A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David A. Nicholas, Peter Datcuk, Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 9364200
    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: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John Burbank, David A. Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20160120539
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20160106419
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20160095704
    Abstract: Systems and methods recited herein provide for affixation of a prosthetic valve to surrounding tissue, by at least one anchor and an anchor deployment device. The prosthetic valve device may be compliant with native tissue and may receive the at least one anchor in at least one anchor receptacle to affix the prosthetic valve to native tissue. The anchor may include a distal tip, a proximal head, and a tension component, such that upon deployment into tissue the tension component is situated in a tensioned state to exert a pulling force on the distal end of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20160074035
    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: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk, Donald Malinouskas, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 9282961
    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: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 9247940
    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: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, David A. Nicholas