Patents by Inventor John W. Kulas
John W. Kulas 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: 12765887Abstract: A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2024Date of Patent: October 20, 2026Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20260215808Abstract: A surgical cutting device includes a handle, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, a cutting tool extending through the shaft assembly, and a retractable shield. The retractable shield and/or the cutting tool is movable relative to the other between a retracted position, wherein a distal tip of the cutting tool extends through and distally beyond a ring (or other opening) of the retractable shield, and one or more extended positions, wherein the ring (or other portion) of the retractable shield extends distally beyond the distal tip of the cutting tool. In aspects, a sensor is disposed on a distal face of the retractable shield. In aspects, a surgical system including the surgical cutting device includes control circuitry configured to receive sensed data from the sensor and to provide an output based thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2026Publication date: July 30, 2026Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Milton F. Barnes, John W. Kulas, Sophie A. Pervere
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Patent number: 12582435Abstract: A surgical cutting device includes a handle, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, a cutting tool extending through the shaft assembly, and a retractable shield. The retractable shield and/or the cutting tool is movable relative to the other between a retracted position, wherein a distal tip of the cutting tool extends through and distally beyond a ring (or other opening) of the retractable shield, and one or more extended positions, wherein the ring (or other portion) of the retractable shield extends distally beyond the distal tip of the cutting tool. In aspects, a sensor is disposed on a distal face of the retractable shield. In aspects, a surgical system including the surgical cutting device includes control circuitry configured to receive sensed data from the sensor and to provide an output based thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2023Date of Patent: March 24, 2026Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Milton F. Barnes, John W. Kulas, Sophie A. Pervere
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Publication number: 20250127522Abstract: A surgical bur for use in cutting bone includes a stem adapted to selectively couple to an attachment tube of a micro-burring instrument assembly and is configured for selective rotation upon activation of the micro-burring instrument. The surgical bur includes a plurality of cutting flutes disposed at a distal end of the stem which defines a corresponding number of clearance surfaces disposed therebetween. Each of the cutting flutes includes a cutting edge and a trailing edge. One or more push-off elements is defined in the clearance surface between adjacent pairs of cutting flutes of the plurality of cutting flutes, the push-off elements being configured to contact bone during rotation of the surgical bur and being configured to deflect the surgical bur relative thereto and optimize the cutting efficiency and effectiveness of the surgical bur based on the rotational speed (RPM) thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Inventors: Bret R. Hauser, Hubert B. Beamon, Milton F. Barnes, Mahin Maharjan, Aayush Malla, John W. Kulas
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Publication number: 20240407793Abstract: A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20240398434Abstract: A surgical device includes a tool and a motor configured to drive movement of the tool. The tool is supported on a shaft assembly and the shaft assembly and the motor include a plurality of components that cooperate to support or drive the tool. One or more indicators are disposed proximate one or more of the plurality of components and are configured to provide feedback indicative of one or more properties of one of the plurality of components either prior to, during or after use of the surgical device. The plurality of components may include at least one of gears, shafts and bearings, and the indicators may include any one of: thermochromic indicators, thermally-activated elements, thermal fuses, thermocouples, and thermistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Michael Vu, Jennifer M. Cao, Haoran Li, Aayush Malla, Andrew J. Wald, Saideep Nakka, Mark W. Garwood, Milton F. Barnes, Sophie A. Pervere, John W. Kulas
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Publication number: 20240398505Abstract: A method for identifying a surgical tool for use with a surgical device includes integrating a variable indicator within a removably engageable component of a surgical tool of a surgical device. The method also includes engaging the surgical tool with the surgical device, wherein, upon engagement, the variable indicator aligns with one or more leads connected to a power console. The power control reads the variable indicator and identifies the surgical tool based on quantifying the variable indicator. The power control is then calibrated according to the operating parameters of the surgical tool stored within the power control.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Haoran Li, John W. Kulas
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Publication number: 20240382224Abstract: A surgical system having adaptive control includes a surgical cutting device, at least one sensor, and a controller. The surgical cutting device includes a cutting tool and a motor configured to drive movement of the cutting tool. The at least one sensor is configured to produce sensor data indicative of at least one property of the surgical cutting device during use. The controller is configured to receive the sensor data and determine a performance condition of the surgical cutting device based at least on the sensor data. The controller is further configured, where the determined performance condition is an adverse performance condition, to at least one of: adjust settings of the surgical cutting device or recommend a change relating to use of the surgical cutting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Michael Vu, Milton F. Barnes, Jaffar Hleihil, Aayush Malla, Andrew J. Wald, Mahin Maharjan, Saideep Nakka, Haoran Li, Sophie A. Pervere, Bret R. Hauser, John W. Kulas
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Patent number: 12064126Abstract: A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20230346421Abstract: A surgical cutting device includes a handle, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, a cutting tool extending through the shaft assembly, and a retractable shield. The retractable shield and/or the cutting tool is movable relative to the other between a retracted position, wherein a distal tip of the cutting tool extends through and distally beyond a ring (or other opening) of the retractable shield, and one or more extended positions, wherein the ring (or other portion) of the retractable shield extends distally beyond the distal tip of the cutting tool. In aspects, a sensor is disposed on a distal face of the retractable shield. In aspects, a surgical system including the surgical cutting device includes control circuitry configured to receive sensed data from the sensor and to provide an output based thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Milton F. Barnes, John W. Kulas, Sophie A. Pervere
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Patent number: 11576685Abstract: Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system, a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. A guide may be used with the system to select various features of a procedure, such as depth and position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Card, Brad Clayton, Allen P. Hilton, John W. Kulas
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Patent number: 11439410Abstract: A surgical dissection tool for cutting bone and other tissue includes a cutting head having an outer surface having non-paired or an odd number of flutes formed therein. Each flute includes a rake surface intersecting with the outer surface to form a cutting edge, and a relief surface opposite the rake surface. The relief surface and the rake surface form a first angle. Each flute also includes a leading angled surface extending from the relief surface to a distal end portion of the cutting head, the leading angled surface and the rake surface forming a second angle substantially the same as the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Patent number: 11253271Abstract: A surgical bur including flutes and lands. Each of the flutes includes a cutting edge, rake surfaces and a clearance surface. The rake surfaces of one of the flutes are decoupled from each other. Each of the lands is disposed between a pair of the flutes.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Patent number: 11191551Abstract: A surgical bur includes a body and a drill point. The body includes flutes and lands. Each of the flutes includes a cutting edge, a rake face, and a clearance surface. Each of the lands is convex-shaped and disposed between a pair of the flutes. The drill point includes axial relief surfaces. Each of the axial relief surfaces has a planar area, is distinct from the lands and borders (i) a distal portion of one of the cutting edges, (ii) one of the lands, and (iii) one of the clearance surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20210121186Abstract: Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system, a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. A guide may be used with the system to select various features of a procedure, such as depth and position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Jennifer Mincieli, Brad Clayton, Allen P. Hilton, John W. Kulas
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Publication number: 20210000488Abstract: A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Patent number: 10786266Abstract: A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20200113582Abstract: A surgical dissection tool for cutting bone and other tissue includes a cutting head having an outer surface having non-paired or an odd number of flutes formed therein. Each flute includes a rake surface intersecting with the outer surface to form a cutting edge, and a relief surface opposite the rake surface. The relief surface and the rake surface form a first angle. Each flute also includes a leading angled surface extending from the relief surface to a distal end portion of the cutting head, the leading angled surface and the rake surface forming a second angle substantially the same as the first angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: John W. KULAS, Donald E. Stearns
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Patent number: 10507028Abstract: A surgical dissection tool for cutting bone and other tissue includes a cutting head having an outer surface having non-paired or an odd number of flutes formed therein. Each flute includes a rake surface intersecting with the outer surface to form a cutting edge, and a relief surface opposite the rake surface. The relief surface and the rake surface form a first angle. Each flute also includes a leading angled surface extending from the relief surface to a distal end portion of the cutting head, the leading angled surface and the rake surface forming a second angle substantially the same as the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns
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Publication number: 20190321053Abstract: A surgical bur including flutes and lands. Each of the flutes includes a cutting edge, rake surfaces and a clearance surface. The rake surfaces of one of the flutes are decoupled from each other. Each of the lands is disposed between a pair of the flutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: John W. Kulas, Donald E. Stearns