Patents by Inventor Michael Vu

Michael Vu 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: 12582435
    Abstract: A surgical cutting device includes a handle, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, a cutting tool extending through the shaft assembly, and a retractable shield. The retractable shield and/or the cutting tool is movable relative to the other between a retracted position, wherein a distal tip of the cutting tool extends through and distally beyond a ring (or other opening) of the retractable shield, and one or more extended positions, wherein the ring (or other portion) of the retractable shield extends distally beyond the distal tip of the cutting tool. In aspects, a sensor is disposed on a distal face of the retractable shield. In aspects, a surgical system including the surgical cutting device includes control circuitry configured to receive sensed data from the sensor and to provide an output based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Milton F. Barnes, John W. Kulas, Sophie A. Pervere
  • Patent number: 12539178
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. Further, a tracking device may be used to track a location of at least a portion of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton F. Barnes, Thomas M. Meese, Michael Vu, Vikram A. Garadi, Zachary S. Heiliger, Aayush Malla
  • Publication number: 20250359947
    Abstract: Surgical tracking, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a machine vision system. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device and generate an alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Roberto Montane, Brandt Williams, Seamus Gilhooley, Jonathan Mark Morgan, Mark Palm, Michael Vu
  • Patent number: 12408990
    Abstract: Navigation systems, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a localizer. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Roberto Montane, Brandt Williams, Seamus Gilhooley, Jonathan Mark Morgan, Mark Palm, Michael Vu
  • Publication number: 20250248714
    Abstract: A surgical bur is disclosed having cutting and trailing edges and associated flutes and lands. Each flute includes a cutting edge. Each of the trailing edges relatives in a selected dimension to a preceding cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Donald E. Stearns
  • Patent number: 12256945
    Abstract: A surgical bur is disclosed having cutting and trailing edges and associated flutes and lands. Each flute includes a cutting edge. Each of the trailing edges relatives in a selected dimension to a preceding cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Donald E. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20250057542
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a housing configured to receive a tool having a cylinder configured to support a drive shaft. A collar assembly is disposed atop the housing and is configured to engage a cylinder head of the cylinder. The collar assembly includes: a collar having a step ring separating an inner peripheral surface and a spring assembly seat, the inner peripheral surface dimensioned to engage the housing and the spring assembly seat configured to receive a spring assembly therein. One or more engagement spheres are configured to seat within a ball pocket defined through the housing. The sphere(s) is configured on one end to abut the cylinder head upon introduction into the housing and on the opposite end to seat within a groove defined within the collar. The sphere(s) translates within the groove between first and second pockets upon collar rotation to secure the cylinder within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Hubert B. Beamon, Michael Vu, Jennifer M. Cao, Aayush Malla, Saideep Nakka
  • Publication number: 20240398434
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a tool and a motor configured to drive movement of the tool. The tool is supported on a shaft assembly and the shaft assembly and the motor include a plurality of components that cooperate to support or drive the tool. One or more indicators are disposed proximate one or more of the plurality of components and are configured to provide feedback indicative of one or more properties of one of the plurality of components either prior to, during or after use of the surgical device. The plurality of components may include at least one of gears, shafts and bearings, and the indicators may include any one of: thermochromic indicators, thermally-activated elements, thermal fuses, thermocouples, and thermistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Jennifer M. Cao, Haoran Li, Aayush Malla, Andrew J. Wald, Saideep Nakka, Mark W. Garwood, Milton F. Barnes, Sophie A. Pervere, John W. Kulas
  • Publication number: 20240398505
    Abstract: A method for identifying a surgical tool for use with a surgical device includes integrating a variable indicator within a removably engageable component of a surgical tool of a surgical device. The method also includes engaging the surgical tool with the surgical device, wherein, upon engagement, the variable indicator aligns with one or more leads connected to a power console. The power control reads the variable indicator and identifies the surgical tool based on quantifying the variable indicator. The power control is then calibrated according to the operating parameters of the surgical tool stored within the power control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Haoran Li, John W. Kulas
  • Publication number: 20240382224
    Abstract: A surgical system having adaptive control includes a surgical cutting device, at least one sensor, and a controller. The surgical cutting device includes a cutting tool and a motor configured to drive movement of the cutting tool. The at least one sensor is configured to produce sensor data indicative of at least one property of the surgical cutting device during use. The controller is configured to receive the sensor data and determine a performance condition of the surgical cutting device based at least on the sensor data. The controller is further configured, where the determined performance condition is an adverse performance condition, to at least one of: adjust settings of the surgical cutting device or recommend a change relating to use of the surgical cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Milton F. Barnes, Jaffar Hleihil, Aayush Malla, Andrew J. Wald, Mahin Maharjan, Saideep Nakka, Haoran Li, Sophie A. Pervere, Bret R. Hauser, John W. Kulas
  • Publication number: 20240156482
    Abstract: A surgical device for cutting or shaving bone or tissue includes an outer housing having a collet secured to an inner peripheral surface thereof including one or more apertures defined therein. A housing includes an elongated tube extending therefrom configured to support a surgical tool at a distal end thereof. A gear assembly is disposed within the housing and is configured to drive the surgical tool, the gear assembly includes a drive gear housing selectively moveable within the housing to switch the gear assembly between an oscillation mode and a rotation mode for driving the surgical tool. A motor is operably coupled to the gear assembly, such that, upon activation thereof, the motor oscillates or rotates the surgical tool depending upon the position of the drive gear housing within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Milton F. Barnes, Haoran Li, Michael Vu, Mohamed S. Mohammed, Bret R. Hauser, Mahin Maharjan
  • Publication number: 20240156486
    Abstract: A surgical device for cutting or shaving bone or tissue includes a housing having an elongated tube extending therefrom, the elongated tube configured to support a surgical tool at a distal end thereof. A gear assembly is disposed within the housing and is configured to control oscillation of the surgical tool. A motor is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to drive the gear assembly upon activation thereof. The motor is moveable relative to the housing to adjust one or more gears of the gear assembly which, in turn, adjusts an oscillation angle of the surgical tool to control the aggressiveness of the surgical tool when cutting tissue or bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Milton F. Barnes, Michael Vu
  • Publication number: 20240058077
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. Further, a tracking device may be used to track a location of at least a portion of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Milton F. Barnes, Thomas M. Meese, Michael Vu, Vikram A. Garadi, Zachary S. Heiliger, Aayush Malla
  • Patent number: 11819289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. Further, a tracking device may be used to track a location of at least a portion of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton F. Barnes, Thomas M. Meese, Michael Vu, Vikram A. Garadi, Zachary S. Heiliger, Aayush Malla
  • Publication number: 20230346421
    Abstract: A surgical cutting device includes a handle, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, a cutting tool extending through the shaft assembly, and a retractable shield. The retractable shield and/or the cutting tool is movable relative to the other between a retracted position, wherein a distal tip of the cutting tool extends through and distally beyond a ring (or other opening) of the retractable shield, and one or more extended positions, wherein the ring (or other portion) of the retractable shield extends distally beyond the distal tip of the cutting tool. In aspects, a sensor is disposed on a distal face of the retractable shield. In aspects, a surgical system including the surgical cutting device includes control circuitry configured to receive sensed data from the sensor and to provide an output based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Aayush Malla, Milton F. Barnes, John W. Kulas, Sophie A. Pervere
  • Publication number: 20230270508
    Abstract: Navigation systems, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a localizer. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Roberto Montane, Brandt Williams, Seamus Gilhooley, Jonathan Mark Morgan, Mark Palm, Michael Vu
  • Patent number: 11690680
    Abstract: Protective packaging, surgical kits, systems, and methods are described herein for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. The protective packaging retains the tool and has trackable features defined relative to a tool center point of the tool. The trackable features have a predetermined state defined relative to the tool center point and the trackable features are configured to be detectable by a localizer to locate the tool center point. One or more controllers can compare the actual state of the tool center point with an expected state of the tool center point, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Roberto Montane, Brandt Williams, Seamus Gilhooley, Jonathan Mark Morgan, Mark Palm, Michael Vu
  • Publication number: 20220378439
    Abstract: A surgical bur is disclosed having cutting and trailing edges and associated flutes and lands. Each flute includes a cutting edge. Each of the trailing edges relatives in a selected dimension to a preceding cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Michael VU, Donald E. Stearns
  • Patent number: 11406396
    Abstract: A surgical bur is disclosed having cutting and trailing edges and associated flutes and lands. Each flute includes a cutting edge. Each of the trailing edges relatives in a selected dimension to a preceding cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Donald E. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20220125447
    Abstract: A drill assembly including a cutting tool slidably movable along a longitudinal axis of the drill assembly and drivable to cut an object. In an active configuration, a pressure loaded drive control assembly transfers energy from a motor to the cutting tool to drive the cutting tool. In an inactive configuration, the pressure loaded drive control assembly prevents energy transfer from the motor to the cutting tool. A biasing member of the pressure loaded drive control assembly is configured to bias the pressure loaded drive control assembly in the inactive configuration. Depressing the cutting tool against the object moves the cutting tool along the longitudinal axis and moves the pressure loaded drive control assembly to the active configuration. The biasing member returns the pressure loaded drive control assembly to the inactive configuration when the cutting tool is no longer depressed against the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Vu, Milton F. Barnes, Seralaathan Hariharesan, Aayush Malla