Patents by Inventor Michael D. Walker

Michael D. Walker 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: 12256987
    Abstract: A probe for resecting and coagulating tissue comprises an outer sleeve having a tissue cutting window and an inner sleeve having a tissue cutting distal end. And RF cutting region is formed at the distal end of the inner member and an RF coagulation region is formed on an exterior surface of the inner member immediately proximal to the cutting surface. A single power supply providing a single RF energy mode can be connected to both RF applicator regions to simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, John H. Shadduck, Michael D. Walker, Kyle Klein, Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 12178497
    Abstract: A resecting probe includes a shaft assembly having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has an axial bore and an outer window in a distal side thereof, and the inner sleeve has an axial extraction channel and inner window in a distal side thereof. The inner sleeve is rotationally disposed in the axial bore of the outer sleeve to allow the inner sleeve window to be rotated in and out of alignment with the outer sleeve window, and the shaft assembly forms a flow aperture in a distal portion when the inner cutting window and the outer cutting window are out of alignment. An electrode is carried on the inner sleeve, and a motor drive is coupled to rotate the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Jeff Norton, Kyle Klein, Michael D Walker
  • Patent number: 12161389
    Abstract: An arthroscopic cutter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an elongated outer sleeve that extends about a longitudinal axis with an interior bore having an open distal end. An inner sleeve is rotatable in the interior bore in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve carries a distal housing having a longitudinal metal member and a longitudinal ceramic member that respectively form longitudinal-extending sides of the housing around an inner channel that communicates with a negative pressure source. The arthroscopic cutter also includes an electrode that is disposed in an outer surface of the longitudinal ceramic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Norton, Evan Nessim, Aaron Germain, Michael D Walker
  • Publication number: 20240398441
    Abstract: A fluid management system for use with a fluid reservoir includes an inflow pump and an outflow pump. The inflow pump is connectable to a probe for delivering a distention fluid to a body cavity. The outflow pump removes the distention fluid through the same probe, thus establishing a re-circulating volume of distention fluid within the body cavity. The removed fluid is filtered and returned to a fluid reservoir for eventual recycling to the body cavity. A controller adjusts the flow rates of the inflow pump and the outflow pump to maintain a pre-selected fluid pressure or volume within the body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, John H. Shadduck, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko, Balazs Lesko
  • Publication number: 20240341837
    Abstract: Tissue is resected and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects resection and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the resected tissue through an extraction lumen of the resecting device. Resection is achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly including a first electrode on a resecting member and a second electrode within a resection probe or tool. Over a first resecting portion, radio frequency current helps resect the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current initiates vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the resection device. In one embodiment, an extending element extends from a housing and into a channel in a resecting member as the resecting member moves toward a distal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: AARON GERMAIN, MICHAEL D. WALKER, BENEDEK ORCZY-TIMKO
  • Publication number: 20240299087
    Abstract: A tissue resection device comprises inner and outer coaxial sleeves. The outer sleeve has a cutting window formed therein, and the inner sleeve has a distal cutting end that can be reciprocated past the cutting window. The sleeves comprise electrodes to provide electrosurgical cutting, and an edge portion of the window includes a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: AARON GERMAIN, KYLE KLEIN, MICHAEL D. WALKER, BENEDEK ORCZY-TIMKO
  • Publication number: 20240293141
    Abstract: A surgical fluid management system delivers fluid for distending a uterine cavity to allow cutting and extraction of uterine fibroid tissue, polyps and other abnormal uterine tissue. The system comprises a fluid source, fluid deliver lines, one or more pumps, and a filter for re-circulating the distension fluid between the source and the uterine cavity. A controller can monitor fluid retention by the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Klein, Aaron Germain, Csaba Truckai, Michael D. Walker
  • Patent number: 12076048
    Abstract: A fluid management system for use with a fluid reservoir includes an inflow pump and an outflow pump. The inflow pump is connectable to a probe for delivering a distention fluid to a body cavity. The outflow pump removes the distention fluid through the same probe, thus establishing a re-circulating volume of distention fluid within the body cavity. The removed fluid is filtered and returned to a fluid reservoir for eventual recycling to the body cavity. A controller adjusts the flow rates of the inflow pump and the outflow pump to maintain a pre-selected fluid pressure or volume within the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, John H. Shadduck, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko, Balazs Lesko
  • Publication number: 20240245450
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for resecting tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a tissue resecting device may comprise an elongated structure having a longitudinal axis, the elongated structure comprising an outer sleeve with a distal window configured to receive uterine polyp tissue and an inner sleeve configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the window. In some further embodiments, the device may also comprise an electrode element coupled to the inner sleeve. In some even further embodiments, the device may include an insulative layer covering at least a portion of the inner sleeve, wherein the tissue resecting device is configured to fail when used to resect tissue more fibrous than uterine polyp tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Michael D. Walker, Jacob Roland, Jan Echeverry
  • Patent number: 12042214
    Abstract: Tissue is resected and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects resection and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the resected tissue through an extraction lumen of the resecting device. Resection is achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly including a first electrode on a resecting member and a second electrode within a resection probe or tool. Over a first resecting portion, radio frequency current helps resect the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current initiates vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the resection device. In one embodiment, an extending element extends from a housing and into a channel in a resecting member as the resecting member moves toward a distal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko
  • Patent number: 12036352
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a pump connectable to a fluid source. An inflow line removably connects to a cannula for delivering a fluid flow from the pump into a surgical site, such as a joint cavity. A flow pressure sensor is coupled to measure flow pressure in the inflow line and produce a measured pressure value, A controller is connected to the pump and the flow pressure sensor, and the controller maintains a pressure set point by controlling a pump speed based on a backpressure-adjusted pressure value calculated by subtracting a backpressure value selected from a backpressure table from the measured pressure value. The BAPV is monitored to determine whether the BAPV deviates outside an initial BAPV range, and corrective measure are taken should such deviations occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Steffan Benamou, Michael D Walker, Aaron Germain
  • Publication number: 20240225720
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device has an outer sleeve with a distal window and an inner cutting sleeve which moves past the window to cut tissue. The inner cutting sleeve has a lumen which may have a larger proximal diameter than distal diameter. A perimeter of the window may comprise a dielectric material. A distal edge of the inner sleeve may be displaced inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko, Balazs Lesko
  • Patent number: 12023432
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a pump connectable to a fluid source. An inflow line removably connects to a cannula for delivering a fluid flow from the pump into a surgical site, such as a joint cavity. A flow pressure sensor is coupled to measure flow pressure in the inflow line and produce a measured pressure value, A controller is connected to the pump and the flow pressure sensor, and the controller maintains a pressure set point by controlling a pump speed based on a backpressure-adjusted pressure value calculated by subtracting a backpressure value selected from a backpressure table from the measured pressure value. The BAPV is monitored to determine whether the BAPV deviates outside an initial BAPV range, and corrective measure are taken should such deviations occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Steffan Benamou, Michael D Walker, Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 12023090
    Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting member having a plurality of sharp edges is formed from a wear-resistant ceramic material is carried at the distal end of the elongated sleeve. A motor drive is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated sleeve to rotate the sleeve at cutting member at high RPMs to cut bone and other hard tissue. An electrode is carried in a distal portion of ceramic cutting member for RF ablation of tissue when the sleeve and cutting member are is a stationary position. In methods of use, (i) the ceramic member can be engaged against bone and then rotated at high speed to cut bone tissue, and (ii) the ceramic member can be held in a stationary (non-rotating) position to engage tissue and RF energy can be delivered to the electrode to create a plasma that ablates tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D Walker, Ben Poser
  • Patent number: 12016618
    Abstract: A tissue resection device comprises inner and outer coaxial sleeves. The outer sleeve has a cutting window formed therein, and the inner sleeve has a distal cutting end that can be reciprocated past the cutting window. The sleeves comprise electrodes to provide electrosurgical cutting, and an edge portion of the window includes a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko
  • Patent number: 11986203
    Abstract: A surgical fluid management system delivers fluid for distending a uterine cavity to allow cutting and extraction of uterine fibroid tissue, polyps and other abnormal uterine tissue. The system comprises a fluid source, fluid deliver lines, one or more pumps, and a filter for re-circulating the distension fluid between the source and the uterine cavity. A controller can monitor fluid retention by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Klein, Aaron Germain, Csaba Truckai, Michael D. Walker
  • Publication number: 20240130779
    Abstract: A tissue cutting device has an outer sleeve with a distal window and an inner cutting sleeve which moves past the window to cut tissue. The inner cutting sleeve has a lumen which may have a larger proximal diameter than distal diameter. A perimeter of the window may comprise a dielectric material. A distal edge of the inner sleeve may be displaced inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Michael D. Walker, Benedek Orczy-Timko, Balazs Lesko
  • Patent number: 11957406
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for resecting tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a tissue resecting device may comprise an elongated structure having a longitudinal axis, the elongated structure comprising an outer sleeve with a distal window configured to receive uterine polyp tissue and an inner sleeve configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the window. In some further embodiments, the device may also comprise an electrode element coupled to the inner sleeve. In some even further embodiments, the device may include an insulative layer covering at least a portion of the inner sleeve, wherein the tissue resecting device is configured to fail when used to resect tissue more fibrous than uterine polyp tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Michael D. Walker, Jacob Roland, Jan Echeverry
  • Patent number: 11937843
    Abstract: An electrosurgical probe includes an elongated shaft assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A distal housing is mounted on the distal end of the shaft and optionally includes a laterally open window where a plane of the window is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. An interior channel extends axially through the shaft and further through an interior of the housing to the window in the housing. An electrode member with a serrated or other elongated edge may extend longitudinally across the window and may be configured to reciprocate the elongated edge longitudinally relative to the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Steffan Benamou, Michael D Walker, Aaron Germain
  • Publication number: 20240032992
    Abstract: The tissue cutting device comprises an elongated assembly including both an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a tissue-receiving window, and the inner sleeve has a distal end which cuts tissue as the inner sleeve is advanced past the window. The tissue is received into a lumen of the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve lumen is typically enlarged in a proximal direction to reduce the tendency of resected tissue to lodge therein. The tissue displacement member is optionally provided at a distal end of the outer sleeve to further aid in dislodging tissue which becomes captured in a distal end of the inner sleeve of the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: MINERVA SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Benedek Orczy-Timko, John H. Shadduck, Michael D. Walker, Casba Truckai, Balazs Lesko