Patents by Inventor Matthew C. Miller

Matthew C. 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).

  • Publication number: 20250043995
    Abstract: A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventor: Matthew C. Miller
  • Patent number: 12214224
    Abstract: A generator comprising an interface and a control circuit is disclosed. The interface is to electrically couple to an ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising a switch. The switch is configurable between a first switch state and a second switch state. The control circuit is to provide a continuous drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the first switch state. The control circuit is to provide a pulsed drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the second switch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20250020367
    Abstract: Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventor: Matthew C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20240341792
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240292922
    Abstract: A safety helmet includes an outer shell configured for surrounding a head of a user, and an infrared reflective layer disposed in an interior of the outer shell. The infrared reflective layer is configured for reflecting at a least a portion of incident infrared radiation transmitted through the outer shell. The infrared reflective layer has infrared reflectivity of at least 40%. The safety helmet further may have an evaporative cooling pad positioned within a cavity defined by the inner surface of the outer shell. A method of manufacturing a safety helmet is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Celeste L. Hort, Michael Goodspeed, Kevin R. Ketterer, Jefferson S. Mendenhall, Matthew C. Miller, James R. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 12061016
    Abstract: A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: NATIVUS, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew C. Miller
  • Patent number: 12011057
    Abstract: A safety helmet includes an outer shell configured for surrounding a head of a user, and an infrared reflective layer disposed in an interior of the outer shell. The infrared reflective layer is configured for reflecting at a least a portion of incident infrared radiation transmitted through the outer shell. The infrared reflective layer has infrared reflectivity of at least 40%. The safety helmet further may have an evaporative cooling pad positioned within a cavity defined by the inner surface of the outer shell. A method of manufacturing a safety helmet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Celeste L. Hort, Michael Goodspeed, Kevin R. Ketterer, Jefferson S. Mendenhall, Matthew C. Miller, James R. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 11998229
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system is disclosed comprising a surgical instrument and a wrench assembly. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly and a body member pivotably coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a first finger grip, an ultrasonic blade, and a waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade. The body member comprises a second finger grip, a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, a first body surface defined on a first side of the body member, and a second body surface defined on a second side of the body member. The wrench assembly comprises a wrench and an adapter operably coupled to the wrench. The adapter comprises a first wrench surface configured to engage the first body surface and a second wrench surface configured to engage the second body surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Karen K. Isaacs, Kenneth S. Kramer, Michael R. Lamping, Ashvani K. Madan, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Eitan T. Wiener, Joseph E. Young
  • Publication number: 20240165429
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Foster B. Stulen, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240148429
    Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, JR., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11963691
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240081802
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, David T. Martin, Matthew C. Miller, Mark J. Reese, Wells D. Haberstich, Carl Shurtleff, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Daniel H. Duke, Daniel J. Mumaw, Gregory W. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 11906212
    Abstract: Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nativus, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew C. Miller
  • Patent number: 11890491
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, Eitan T. Wiener, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Daniel J. Abbott, Matthew C. Miller, Aaron C. Voegele, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Nathan J. Price, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11871982
    Abstract: A control circuit is disclosed that comprises a resistor and a switch network. The switch network is configured to transition between a plurality of states corresponding to a plurality of operational modes of a surgical instrument. In a first phase of a control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to a surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a first state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide an output corresponding to one of the plurality of states. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a second state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Brian T. Noyes, Jeffrey D. Messerly, James R. Giordano, Robert J. Beetel, III, Nathan J. Price, Matthew C. Miller, Jeffrey P. Wiley, Daniel W. Price, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Joseph A. Brotz, John E. Hein
  • Patent number: 11849934
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, David T. Martin, Matthew C. Miller, Mark J. Reese, Wells D. Haberstich, Carl Shurtleff, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Daniel H. Duke, Daniel J. Mumaw, Gregory W. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: D1022197
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan B. Bajana Merizalde, Thomas G. T. Brisebras, Fabien Y. Schmitt, Matthew C. Miller, Stephen M. Christopher, Shawn C. Snyder, Evan N. Stambler, Clinton W. Denlinger, Samuel J. Malanowski
  • Patent number: D1026010
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brendan J. Oberkircher, Cory G. Kimball, Matthew C. Miller, Jacob S. Childs, Leonardo N. Rossoni
  • Patent number: D1028907
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Matthew C. Miller, Brendan J. Oberkircher
  • Patent number: D1039143
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Miller, Thomas G. T. Brisebras, Juan B. Bajana Merizalde, Fabien Y. Schmitt, Stephen M. Christopher, Evan N. Stambler, Shawn C. Snyder