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: 9050065
    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: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: MICRO INTERVENTIONAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 9033868
    Abstract: A flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. Another flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one flexible drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a coupling connected to a distal end of the outer sheath configured to couple to a surgical attachment. A sleeve includes an elongated shaft configured to receive a flexible shaft therein and a securing arrangement configured to selectively and variably retain the elongated shaft in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank, David A. Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20150133224
    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: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Patent number: 9017371
    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 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 9016540
    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 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner
  • Patent number: 8960519
    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: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald T. Malinouskas
  • Publication number: 20150048144
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20150011988
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20150011833
    Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Gerald Dorros, Jeremy Hill
  • Publication number: 20150005643
    Abstract: A surgical imaging device includes at least one light source for illuminating an object at least two image sensors configured to generate image data corresponding to the object in the form of an image frame, and a video processor configured to receive from each image sensor the image data corresponding to the image frames and to process the image data so as to generate a composite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Publication number: 20140374463
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first law, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, and a ball bearing disposed within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 8888762
    Abstract: An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system that 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: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 8875973
    Abstract: A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20140316458
    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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 8862209
    Abstract: A surgical imaging device includes at least one light source for illuminating an object, at least two image sensors configured to generate image data corresponding to the object in the form of an image frame, and a video processor configured to receive from each image sensor the image data corresponding to the image frames and to process the image data so as to generate a composite image. The video processor may be configured to normalize, stabilize, orient and/or stitch the image data received from each image sensor so as to generate the composite image. Preferably, the video processor stitches the image data received from each image sensor by processing a portion of image data received from one image sensor that overlaps with a portion of image data received from another image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Patent number: 8858589
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. A first driver is configured to cause relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw in a plane. The first driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel, e.g., perpendicular, correspondence to the plane. The device may also include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and stapling element, disposed within the first jaw. A second driver is configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The second driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel correspondence to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Patent number: 8851353
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first jaw, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, a ball bearing disposed within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk
  • Publication number: 20140296912
    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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 8845665
    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 piercable 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 piercable ampulla.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20140275761
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw portion and a shaft portion that is pivotably coupled to the jaw portion. The shaft portion defines an interior space having first and second openings on respective radially-opposite sides of the shaft portion. A camera assembly is coupled to the shaft portion and is moveable between a first position, in which the camera assembly is positioned within the interior space of the shaft portion, and, for example, second and third positions, in which the camera assembly extends through a respective one of the first and second radially-opposite openings of the shaft portion. In this manner, the camera assembly may be positionable on, and may provide imaging data of, either side of the surgical device, irrespective of which lateral side the jaw portion is articulated relative to the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas