Patents by Inventor Michael P. Schaller

Michael P. Schaller 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: 20190183681
    Abstract: A surgical device for cutting a lens within a capsular bag of an eye. Related methods, systems, and devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Michael P. Schaller, Peter Bentley, Luke W. Clauson, Maria Tsontcheva Guguchkova, Matthew Newell, Adam Larson
  • Publication number: 20190133825
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Michael P. Schaller, Scott Chamness, Brendan Reese
  • Patent number: 10231870
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: IanTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Michael P. Schaller
  • Publication number: 20190053802
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an un-deployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: NATHAN H. WHITE, MICHAEL P. SCHALLER, MICHAEL MURILLO, JARED L. VAN CLEAVE, PHILIPE R. MANOUX, BRYAN D. KNODEL, BENJAMIN J. MATTHIAS, JOHN E. RIVERA
  • Patent number: 10172614
    Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Michael P. Schaller, Philipe R. Manoux
  • Publication number: 20180362060
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to arm carts for transporting and securing a robotic arm to a surgical table. In some embodiments, an arm cart may include an arm support having two joints that can be manipulated to move an arm into a position in which a coupler of the arm is engageable with a coupling site of a surgical table. In some embodiments, an arm cart may include an arm support that is rotatable and translatable to permit movement of an attachment area for receiving and attaching a coupling site of a surgical table to a coupler attached to an arm. In some embodiments, an arm cart may include an arm support that releasably couples to a middle segment of the arm positioned at least two segments away from an end of the arm having a coupler for coupling to a coupling site of a surgical table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. SCHALLER, Brendan C. REESE, Luke W. CLAUSON
  • Patent number: 10130362
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an undeployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Michael Murillo, Jared L. Van Cleave, Philipe R. Manoux, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, John E. Rivera
  • Publication number: 20180318133
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Michael P. Schaller
  • Publication number: 20180318132
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing an ophthalmic procedure in an eye are disclosed. The devices include a hand-held portion and a distal, elongate member coupled to the hand-held portion having a lumen operatively coupled to a vacuum source. A drive mechanism operatively coupled to the elongate member is configured to oscillate the elongate member. When in use, the device is configured to aspirate ocular material from the eye through the lumen. The drive mechanism retracts the elongate member with a retraction speed profile and advances the elongate member with an extension speed profile. The retraction speed profile is different from the extension speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Luke W. Clauson, Michael P. Schaller, Scott Chamness, Brendan Reese
  • Publication number: 20180271604
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a coupler for coupling a robotic arm to a surgical table having a table top on which a patient can be disposed. The coupler can include a first portion configured to couple to a surgical table and a second portion configured to couple to a robotic arm. The second portion may include a post that may translate into the first portion. The first portion may comprise a locking mechanism having one or more stages to constrain movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in six degrees of freedom. The coupler can thus provide secure coupling of the robotic arm to the surgical table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne GROUT, David James CAGLE, Richard William TIMM, Brendan C. Reese, Michael P. SCHALLER, Robert J. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20180078439
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a surgical table and an adapter coupled thereto. The adapter includes an interface structure, a first link member pivotally coupled to the interface structure at a first joint, and coupled to a second link member of the adapter at a second joint. The second link member can also be coupleable to a robotic arm via a coupling. The first joint can allow the first link member to rotate about a first axis defined in a vertical direction relative to the table top, and the second joint can allow the second link member and a robotic arm coupled thereto to move in a vertical direction relative to the table top. The first link member and the second link member collectively provide for movement of the robotic arm in at least one of a lateral, longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the table top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: David CAGLE, Pablo E. GARCIA KILROY, Karen Shakespear KOENIG, Jacob Spencer GEE, Wayne GROUT, Michael P. SCHALLER
  • Patent number: 9414855
    Abstract: A tool for treating a target vessel may include a longitudinally elongated anvil, a channel defined substantially longitudinally in the anvil, and a knife rotatable from a stowed position substantially completely within the channel to an active position in which at least part of the knife extends upward out of the channel, whereby rotation of the knife from the stowed position to the active position incises the target vessel from the inside out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Luke W. Clauson
  • Patent number: 9386986
    Abstract: One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a first plurality of staples fixed directly to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; a plurality of extension arms extending at least partially in the lateral direction away from the feeder belt; and a second plurality of staples each fixed to an extension arm at a location spaced laterally apart from the feeder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Michael Murillo, Jared L. Van Cleave, Philipe R. Manoux, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, John E. Rivera
  • Patent number: 9289208
    Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a flexible articulation insert and at least one feeder belt extending through the articulation insert, where at least some of the staples are frangibly connected to the feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one movable feeder belt; staples fixed to the feeder belt; and a flexible articulation insert having at least one feeder belt passage defined therein, the flexible articulation insert configured to bend through a range of motion; where each feeder belt extends through a corresponding feeder belt passage, and where each feeder belt passage is shaped such that the corresponding feeder belt and staples fixed thereto are slidable along the passage throughout the entire range of motion of the flexible articulation insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Knodel, Philipe R. Manoux, Michael P. Schaller
  • Patent number: 9192377
    Abstract: An exemplary medical apparatus may include a surgical tool; a feeder belt located at least partially within the surgical tool; a plurality of staples affixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; and a forming station positioned within the surgical tool that receives the feeder belt; where motion of the feeder belt through the forming station bends at least one staple relative to the feeder belt substantially at the junction between that staple and the feeder belt in order to work harden that junction within the surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Schaller
  • Publication number: 20150150503
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring the extravascular lung water status of a patient. For example, an acoustic diagnostic device is provided that includes a housing configured to be worn by a patient and including a patient contact surface configured to contact the patient's skin of the patient's thorax; an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy via the patient contact surface into the patient's thorax and receiving reflected acoustic energy from the patient's thorax; and one or more processors coupled to the acoustic transducer for analyzing the reflected acoustic energy to provide an indication of extravascular lung water status of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Ravinder D. Pamnani, Sidhartha R. Sinha, Joelle K. Barral, Michael P. Schaller, Paul G. Yock, Anshuman Bhuyan, Pierre Khuri-Yakub, Roman Solek
  • Patent number: 9038881
    Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Schaller, Philipe R. Manoux
  • Publication number: 20140332580
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an undeployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Michael Murillo, Jared L. Van Cleave, Philipe R. Manoux, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, John E. Rivera
  • Patent number: 8398653
    Abstract: A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Luke W. Clauson, Michael Murillo, Bernard A. Hausen
  • Patent number: 8365973
    Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a surgical staple deformable from a first configuration to a second, deployed configuration, where the surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg; where in the second, deployed configuration the surgical staple forms substantially a D-shape. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; a surgical staple deformable from a first configuration to a second, deployed configuration, where the surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg, where one end of the first leg is frangibly affixed to the feeder belt and one end of said the leg is free; where in the second, deployed configuration the surgical staple forms substantially a D-shape. An exemplary method of treating tissue may include providing a surgical staple; urging the surgical staple into tissue, while the surgical staple has a first shape; and deforming the surgical staple into substantially a D-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan H. White, Michael P. Schaller, Michael Murillo, Jared L. Van Cleave, Philipe R. Manoux, Bryan D. Knodel, Benjamin J. Matthias, John E. Rivera