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).
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Publication number: 20140021238Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Publication number: 20140025105Abstract: A surgical device including a first jaw and a second jaw is presented. The surgical device also includes a biasing element that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw. The device also includes a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw. The first driver is configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw. The device further includes at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element disposed within the second jaw, preferably a blade rotatably mounted on a wedge. A second driver is configured to move the cutting element and/or the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Publication number: 20140018802Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device, system and/or method may include a housing, at least two opposing jaw, and at least one electrical contact associated with at least one of the jaws. The electrical contact may include at least one of a bipolar electrical contact and an ultrasonic electrical contact. The electrical contact may be a row of electrodes located on one or all of the jaws. A sensor may also be associated with any tissue located between the jaws to sense and report the temperature of that tissue. A piercable ampulla containing fluid may also be placed on at least one of the jaws so that the fluid is releasable when the jaws are in closed position and the electrode(s) pass through the tissue into the piercable ampulla.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8628467Abstract: A flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. Another flexible shaft includes a flexible, elongated outer sheath, at least one flexible drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a coupling connected to a distal end of the outer sheath configured to couple to a surgical attachment. A sleeve includes an elongated shaft configured to receive a flexible shaft therein and a securing arrangement configured to selectively and variably retain the elongated shaft in any one of a number of longitudinal positions along the flexible shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank, David A. Zeichner
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Publication number: 20140008411Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. A first driver is configured to cause relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw in a plane. The first driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel, e.g., perpendicular, correspondence to the plane. The device may also include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and stapling element, disposed within the first jaw. A second driver is configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The second driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel correspondence to the plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Publication number: 20140008410Abstract: A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner
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Publication number: 20130292452Abstract: A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Publication number: 20130264369Abstract: A system for processing data provided by medical devices. The system includes a medical device having a memory device configured to store medical device information; an information system connected to the medical device; at least a server configured to receive at least a portion of the medical device information from the memory device of the medical device. The server is also configured to employ the medical device information to process patient data, prescription data and/or inventory/ordering data. The medical device information may include serial number data, device identifier data, operation data and/or usage data for the medical device. The patient data may include patient tracking data, patient recordkeeping data and/or patient billing data. The prescription data may include prescription issuance data, prescription filling data and prescription tracking data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8540733Abstract: A surgical device including a first jaw and a second jaw is presented. The surgical device also includes a biasing element that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw. The device also includes a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw. The first driver is configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw. The device further includes at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element disposed within the second jaw, preferably a blade rotatably mounted on a wedge. A second driver is configured to move the cutting element and/or the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Publication number: 20130240596Abstract: An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system that includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Publication number: 20130233907Abstract: A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Covidien LPInventors: David A. Nicholas, Peter Datcuk, Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8523890Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device, system and/or method may include a housing, at least two opposing jaw, and at least one electrical contact associated with at least one of the jaws. The electrical contact may include at least one of a bipolar electrical contact and an ultrasonic electrical contact. The electrical contact may be a row of electrodes located on one or all of the jaws. A sensor may also be associated with any tissue located between the jaws to sense and report the temperature of that tissue. A piercable ampulla containing fluid may also be placed on at least one of the jaws so that the fluid is releasable when the jaws are in closed position and the electrode(s) pass through the tissue into the piercable ampulla.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8518074Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. A first driver is configured to cause relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw in a plane. The first driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel, e.g., perpendicular, correspondence to the plane. The device may also include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and stapling element, disposed within the first jaw. A second driver is configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The second driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel correspondence to the plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Patent number: 8512359Abstract: 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. As the wedge is moved proximally from the distal end of the second jaw to the proximal end, the wedge pushes a plurality of staples against a plurality of opposing staple guides disposed in the first jaw in order to staple a section of tissue while cutting the section of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, John E. Burbank
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Patent number: 8499992Abstract: A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas, David A. Zeichner
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Patent number: 8459523Abstract: A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8454585Abstract: An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system that includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8444037Abstract: A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: David A. Nicholas, Peter Datcuk, Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 8381828Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first jaw, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, a ball bearing disposed within the channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael P. Whitman, Peter T. Datcuk
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Publication number: 20130035598Abstract: a surgical imaging device is provided, including a housing configured to couple to an outer surface of a surgical device and an image capture arrangement configured to generate image data; the surgical imaging device may also include a circuit arrangement disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the camera arrangement, in which the circuit arrangement is configured to communicate the image data to at least one remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventor: Michael P. Whitman