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).

  • Patent number: 12295587
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: James David Hughett, Sr., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
  • Publication number: 20250082399
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
  • Publication number: 20250025178
    Abstract: 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 sprin
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew J. WINKLER, Kenneth Lance MILLER, Matthew MONTI, Todd FRANGOLIS, Nicholas BAILEY, Robert M. TRUSTY
  • Patent number: 12193680
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 12178442
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew Monti, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Jason Iain Glithero
  • Publication number: 20240390057
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli, Dominic James Armagno, Paighton Anne Schrupp, Salvatore Privitera, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 12121295
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
  • Patent number: 12076019
    Abstract: 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 sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20240206882
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: James David Hughett, SR., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
  • Publication number: 20240197426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 12004752
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 11998212
    Abstract: 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 sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11998211
    Abstract: 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 sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20240156464
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Patent number: 11925355
    Abstract: 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 sprin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11911042
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20240050151
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Geni Giannotti Rupley, Salvatore Privitera, Peter Joseph France, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Jackson Thomas Romelli
  • Patent number: 11883037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: James David Hughett, Sr., Keith Edward Martin, Kenneth Lance Miller, Michael Dolgin
  • Patent number: 11883035
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew Monti, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Jason Iain Glithero
  • Publication number: 20230355297
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Kenneth Lance Miller, Melissa Deitzer, Douglas J. Seith, Akiva Kirschner, Sydney Gaynor, Kurtis Klingenberg