Patents by Inventor Kenneth Lance Miller
Kenneth Lance Miller 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: 12295587Abstract: A laparoscopic device comprising: (a) a housing operatively coupled to a first control and a second control; (b) an end effector operatively coupled to the first control, the end effector comprising a first component and a second component selectively repositionable with respect to one another within an X-Y plane, the end effector also including a third component selectively repositionable with respect to the second component within an Y-Z plane; (c) a laparoscopic conduit extending between the housing and the end effector; and, (d) an occlusion clip deployment device operatively coupled to the end effector and the second control.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2024Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: James David Hughett, Sr., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
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Publication number: 20250082399Abstract: Ablation systems, components thereof, and related methods are disclosed. An example ablation system may include a first ablation component including a first ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue and a second ablation component including a second ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a second side of the target tissue. The first ablation component may include a first ablation component permanent magnet that is translationally repositionable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The second ablation component may include a second ablation component permanent magnet that is freely rotatable and is configured to rotatably self-orient into a magnetically attractive orientation with the first ablation component permanent magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
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Publication number: 20250025178Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprinType: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: Matthew J. WINKLER, Kenneth Lance MILLER, Matthew MONTI, Todd FRANGOLIS, Nicholas BAILEY, Robert M. TRUSTY
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Patent number: 12193680Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
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Patent number: 12178442Abstract: An occlusion device including a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion operatively coupled to one another via a U-shaped urging member, a fabric cover circumscribing the first clamping portion, the second clamping portion, and the U-shaped urging member, the fabric cover including an attachment wing extending away from at least one of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, the attachment wing including a through orifice.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew Monti, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Jason Iain Glithero
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Publication number: 20240390057Abstract: A pulsed field ablation effector comprising: (a) an electrode including an electrode surface for delivering electric current to anatomical tissue, and a deformable insulator selectively covering the electrode surface, the deformable insulator configured to deform when contacted by the anatomical tissue to expose the electrode surface. Also disclosed are methods and devices for carrying out electroporation and other forms of ablation concomitant with electroporation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli, Dominic James Armagno, Paighton Anne Schrupp, Salvatore Privitera, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller
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Patent number: 12121295Abstract: Ablation systems, components thereof, and related methods are disclosed. An example ablation system may include a first ablation component including a first ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue and a second ablation component including a second ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a second side of the target tissue. The first ablation component may include a first ablation component permanent magnet that is translationally repositionable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The second ablation component may include a second ablation component permanent magnet that is freely rotatable and is configured to rotatably self-orient into a magnetically attractive orientation with the first ablation component permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2023Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
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Patent number: 12076019Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprinType: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Atricure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
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Publication number: 20240206882Abstract: A laparoscopic device comprising: (a) a housing operatively coupled to a first control and a second control; (b) an end effector operatively coupled to the first control, the end effector comprising a first component and a second component selectively repositionable with respect to one another within an X-Y plane, the end effector also including a third component selectively repositionable with respect to the second component within an Y-Z plane; (c) a laparoscopic conduit extending between the housing and the end effector; and, (d) an occlusion clip deployment device operatively coupled to the end effector and the second control.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2024Publication date: June 27, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: James David Hughett, SR., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
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Publication number: 20240197426Abstract: An ablation system and method provides for cooperatively transdermally ablating cardiac tissue by cooperating epicardial and endocardial components. The ablation system includes a first ablation component configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue. The first ablation component includes a first ablation element and a first magnetic element. The ablation system includes a second ablation component configured to be positioned on a second side of a target tissue. The second side is opposite the first side. The second ablation component includes a second ablation element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured to cooperate to facilitate positioning at least one of the first ablation component and the second component on the target tissue. The first ablation element and the second ablation element are configured to cooperate to create a lesion in the target tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Monti, Kenneth Lance Miller, Keith Edward Martin, Salvatore Privitera, Tamer Ibrahim, Jeremy D. Dando, Adam Wesley Cates, Paighton Anne Schrupp, Sonja Kosir, Liam Douglas Malone, Joseph Thomas Batley
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Patent number: 12004752Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Atricure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
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Patent number: 11998212Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprinType: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
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Patent number: 11998211Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprinType: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
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Publication number: 20240156464Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2024Publication date: May 16, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
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Patent number: 11925355Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprinType: GrantFiled: February 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
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Patent number: 11911042Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
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Publication number: 20240050151Abstract: Ablation systems, components thereof, and related methods are disclosed. An example ablation system may include a first ablation component including a first ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue and a second ablation component including a second ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a second side of the target tissue. The first ablation component may include a first ablation component permanent magnet that is translationally repositionable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The second ablation component may include a second ablation component permanent magnet that is freely rotatable and is configured to rotatably self-orient into a magnetically attractive orientation with the first ablation component permanent magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
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Patent number: 11883037Abstract: A laparoscopic device comprising: (a) a housing operatively coupled to a first control and a second control; (b) an end effector operatively coupled to the first control, the end effector comprising a first component and a second component selectively repositionable with respect to one another within an X-Y plane, the end effector also including a third component selectively repositionable with respect to the second component within an Y-Z plane; (c) a laparoscopic conduit extending between the housing and the end effector; and, (d) an occlusion clip deployment device operatively coupled to the end effector and the second control.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: James David Hughett, Sr., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
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Patent number: 11883035Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to devices and methods for deploying a biased occlusion clamp. In addition, the present disclosure includes devices and methods for deploying a biased occlusion clamp using robotics. Moreover, the present disclosure includes devices and methods for reducing the force necessary to open an occlusion clamp without permanently compromising the clamping force of the clamp itself.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew Monti, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Jason Iain Glithero
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Publication number: 20230355297Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example surgical device may include an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a head, the head comprising an articulating mechanism, the articulating mechanism being operable to move a first jaw between an open position in which the first jaw and a second jaw are separated and substantially non-parallel and a closed position in which the first jaw and the second jaw are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel, where each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a first substantially straight portion proximate the head, a second substantially straight portion, a third substantially straight portion distant from the head, a first curved portion between the first substantially straight portion and the second substantially straight portion, and a second curved portion between the second substantially straight portion and the third substantially straight portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Kenneth Lance Miller, Melissa Deitzer, Douglas J. Seith, Akiva Kirschner, Sydney Gaynor, Kurtis Klingenberg