Patents by Inventor Michael P. Whitman

Michael P. Whitman 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: 20140257353
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Patent number: 8814785
    Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Gerald Dorros, Jeremy Hill
  • Patent number: 8812086
    Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion though a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 8771169
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw portion and a shaft portion that is pivotably coupled to the jaw portion. The shaft portion defines an interior space having first and second openings on respective radially-opposite sides of the shaft portion. A camera assembly is coupled to the shaft portion and is moveable between a first position, in which the camera assembly is positioned within the interior space of the shaft portion, and, for example, second and third positions, in which the camera assembly extends through a respective one of the first and second radially-opposite openings of the shaft portion. In this manner, the camera assembly may be positionable on, and may provide imaging data of, either side of the surgical device, irrespective of which lateral side the jaw portion is articulated relative to the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Patent number: 8764795
    Abstract: A device having a plurality of anchors configured to be driven into a tissue, and a closure element extending between the anchors and configured to urge the anchors from a first configuration in which the anchors are a first distance from each other, toward a second configuration in which the anchors are a second distance from each other, the second distance being less than the first distance, wherein the device is configured to maintain the anchors in the first configuration during a surgical intervention and to subsequently allow the anchors to be moved by the closure element toward the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Interventional Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Publication number: 20140175148
    Abstract: A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activateable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20140180000
    Abstract: A self-contained surgical system includes a sterilizable shaft having a light source and/or an image capture device mounted at the distal end of the shaft or connected to the distal end of the shaft by fiber optics. The light source is a light emitting diode or an array of light emitting diodes, and has its own power source located at the distal end of the shaft. The shaft includes a working channel, an irrigation/aspiration channel, and an electric cable. The shaft is coupled at its proximal end to a control module having a video processor and an integrally-mounted display screen for displaying image data from the image capture device. The control module includes an irrigation/aspiration system, a control unit, and a controller. The power module includes steering motors connected to steering cables in the shaft and drive motors and a power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 8752748
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed corresponence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may be, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, Peter Datcuk, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 8746533
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device comprises a first jaw, a second jaw having an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw, a carriage, a driver, and an actuator configured to reciprocate the driver at a high rate with respect to the first and second jaws to translate the carriage with respect to the first and second jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: New Hope Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, David Johnston, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 8740932
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Publication number: 20140135575
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a surgical device. The surgical device includes a jaw assembly and a camera assembly coupled to the jaw assembly. The camera assembly includes a camera housing defining an interior space having at least one opening on a side thereof, first and second support arms pivotally coupled within the camera housing and deployable therefrom, and a camera body coupled to the first and second support arms and moveable between a first position, in which the camera body is positioned within the interior space of the camera housing, and a second position, in which the camera body extends from the at least one opening of the camera assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Publication number: 20140131416
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion with a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. The surgical device also includes a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion. A driver is configured to cause relative movement of the jaw portion and the shaft portion. The driver may be configured to cause the jaw portion to pivot relative to the shaft portion about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to first and second longitudinal axes defined by the jaw portion and the shaft portion, respectively. The driver may also be configured to cause at least a portion of the jaw portion to rotate relative to the shaft portion about the first longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the surgical device includes a surgical member, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within the first jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk
  • Publication number: 20140103091
    Abstract: A staple pocket arrangement on the anvil portion of a surgical stapler device includes pairs of staple pockets corresponding to each one of a plurality of staples to be closed. Each respective staple leg is received at a longitudinal end of the staple pocket that provides a relatively wide target area for receiving the staple leg to eliminate or at least minimize the likelihood that a staple leg will miss the staple pocket. The staple pockets may be arranged in rows, each row of staple pockets being longitudinally offset from another row, such that each staple pocket in a first row of staple pockets is nested with a staple pocket from an adjacent row of staple pockets to make more efficient use of space on the anvil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Patent number: 8696552
    Abstract: A self-contained surgical, e.g., endoscope, system. The surgical, e.g., endoscope, system may include a sterilizable shaft having a light source and/or an image capture device mounted at the distal end of the shaft or connected to the distal end of the shaft by fiber optics. The light source is a light emitting diode or an array of light emitting diodes, and may have its own power source located at the distal end of the shaft. The shaft includes a working channel, an irrigation/aspiration channel, and an electric cable. The shaft is coupled at its proximal end to a control module having a video processor and an integrally-mounted display screen for displaying image data from the image capture device. The control module may also include an irrigation/aspiration system, a control unit, and a controller. The control module is coupled to a power module. The power module includes steering motors connected to steering cables in the shaft. In addition, the power module includes drive motors and a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 8690913
    Abstract: A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activatable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20140066702
    Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion through a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
  • Patent number: 8647258
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a surgical device. The surgical device includes a jaw assembly and a camera assembly coupled to the jaw assembly. The camera assembly includes a camera housing defining an interior space having at least one opening on a side thereof, first and second support arms pivotally coupled within the camera housing and deployable therefrom, and a camera body coupled to the first and second support arms and moveable between a first position, in which the camera body is positioned within the interior space of the camera housing, and a second position, in which the camera body extends from the at least one opening of the camera assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ernest Aranyi, Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David A. Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20140039548
    Abstract: A device that, when implanted in the heart, closes the wound and complies with wall motion (i.e., expands and contracts with the myocardium).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICRO INTERVENTIONAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter Datcuk
  • Patent number: 8636193
    Abstract: A staple pocket arrangement on the anvil portion of a surgical stapler device includes pairs of staple pockets corresponding to each one of a plurality of staples to be closed. The staple pockets may have a generally triangular shape when viewed from above. Each respective staple leg is received at a longitudinal end of the staple pocket that provides a relatively wide target area for receiving the staple leg to eliminate or at least minimize the likelihood that a staple leg will miss the staple pocket due to, e.g., misalignment between a first jaw of the surgical stapler having the anvil and a second jaw of the surgical stapler having a cartridge configured to fire the staples. The staple pockets may be arranged in rows, each row of staple pockets being longitudinally offset from another row, such that each staple pocket in a first row of staple pockets is nested with a staple pocket from an adjacent row of staple pockets to make more efficient use of space on the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
  • Patent number: 8636762
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion with a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. The surgical device also includes a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion. A driver is configured to cause relative movement of the jaw portion and the shaft portion. The driver may be configured to cause the jaw portion to pivot relative to the shaft portion about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to first and second longitudinal axes defined by the jaw portion and the shaft portion, respectively. The driver may also be configured to cause at least a portion of the jaw portion to rotate relative to the shaft portion about the first longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the surgical device includes a surgical member, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk