Patents by Inventor Michael Steven Whitlock

Michael Steven Whitlock 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).

  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS HAVING A JAW LOCKING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20240315761
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a jaw lock includes first jaw and second jaws that are moveable from an open position to a closed position. At least one of the jaws includes a jaw slot having a jaw closing portion and a jaw locking portion. A pin positioned within the jaw slot is advanced by a blade. The blade includes a cutting edge and a notch defining a first edge configured to advance the pin to move the jaws to, and secure the jaws in, the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steven Whitlock, William A. Burbank, Scott Eugene Manzo
  • Surgical instruments having a jaw locking mechanism
    Patent number: 12029473
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a jaw lock includes first jaw and second jaws that are moveable from an open position to a closed position. At least one of the jaws includes a jaw slot having a jaw closing portion and a jaw locking portion. A pin positioned within the jaw slot is advanced by a blade. The blade includes a cutting edge and a notch defining a first edge configured to advance the pin to move the jaws to, and secure the jaws in, the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steven Whitlock, William A. Burbank, Scott Eugene Manzo
  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS HAVING A JAW LOCKING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20190365458
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a jaw lock includes first jaw and second jaws that are moveable from an open position to a closed position. At least one of the jaws includes a jaw slot having a jaw closing portion and a jaw locking portion. A pin positioned within the jaw slot is advanced by a blade. The blade includes a cutting edge and a notch defining a first edge configured to advance the pin to move the jaws to, and secure the jaws in, the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Steven Whitlock, William A. Burbank, Scott Eugene Manzo