Patents by Inventor Lance Miller

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: 11964347
    Abstract: A safety plug for a female welding lead connector configured to remain tethered to the female welding lead connector and including a male head configured in the shape of a male end of a male welding lead connector so that the male head of the safety plug can be inserted into a female welding lead connector, rotated, and secured in place inside a female welding lead connector in the same manner as a male welding lead connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Lance Pearman, Kenny Lavelle 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: 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
  • 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: 11867324
    Abstract: Hoses include an inner tube, a reinforcement layer disposed outwardly from the inner tube, and a cover layer disposed outwardly from the reinforcement layer, where the cover layer and/or the inner tube includes a cured composition having a sustainable content and formed from a mixture including EPDM/EPR sustainable polymer and a sulfur or peroxide based curing system. In some cases, the EPDM/EPR sustainable polymer has ethylene monomer derived from one or more renewable sources, such as, ethylene monomer derived from sugar cane. The mixture may further include one or more of recovered carbon black and sustainable oils from renewable sources. The hose embodiments may also include the reinforcement layer formed of fibers from sustainable material. The hose may contain the sustainable content in an amount of up to 75% by weight based upon total hose weight, or even greater than 25% by weight based upon total hose weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ContiTech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Miller, Jeffrey T. Epperson, Jenny Zhaoxia Yu, Mathew Augustine, Jeffrey P. Dotson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230338033
    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: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20230338041
    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: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20230338043
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Matthew Monti, Adam Harp, Kenneth Lance Miller, Jason Iain Glithero
  • Publication number: 20230338032
    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: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Publication number: 20230338040
    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: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller
  • Publication number: 20230338031
    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: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11678928
    Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example end effector for a surgical device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and an articulating mechanism operable to move the first jaw between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. An example articulating mechanism may include a first jaw mount coupled to the first jaw so that movement of the first jaw mount along a path causes rotation and translation of the first jaw mount and the first jaw. A pivotably mounted crank may operably couple an actuator linkage to the first jaw mount so that moving the actuator linkage rotates the crank, and rotation of the crank may move the first jaw mount along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Privitera, Kenneth Lance Miller, Melissa Deitzer, Douglas J. Seith, Akiva Kirschner, Sydney Gaynor, Kurtis Klingenberg
  • Patent number: 11565494
    Abstract: Hoses include an inner tube, a reinforcement layer disposed outwardly from the inner tube, and a cover layer disposed outwardly from the reinforcement layer, where the cover layer and/or the inner tube includes a cured composition having a sustainable content and formed from a mixture including EPDM/EPR sustainable polymer and a sulfur or peroxide based curing system. In some cases, the EPDM/EPR sustainable polymer has ethylene monomer derived from one or more renewable sources, such as, ethylene monomer derived from sugar cane. The mixture may further include one or more of recovered carbon black and sustainable oils from renewable sources. The hose embodiments may also include the reinforcement layer formed of fibers from sustainable material. The hose may contain the sustainable content in an amount of up to 75% by weight based upon total hose weight, or even greater than 25% by weight based upon total hose weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ContiTech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Miller, Jeffrey T. Epperson, Jenny Zhaoxia Yu, Mathew Augustine, Jeffrey P. Dotson
  • Publication number: 20230009892
    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: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: 11266413
    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: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Winkler, Kenneth Lance Miller, Matthew Monti, Todd Frangolis, Nicholas Bailey, Robert M. Trusty
  • Patent number: D1021801
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Lance Pearman, Kenny Lavelle Miller
  • Patent number: D1023958
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Lance Pearman, Kenny Lavelle Miller