Patents by Inventor Peter M. Mueller

Peter M. Mueller 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: 20170238992
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: TONY MOUA, DAVID N. HEARD, JONATHAN A. COE, JOHN J. KAPPUS, PETER M. MUELLER, RAYMOND A. SIRIANNE, RYAN C. ARTALE
  • Publication number: 20170231687
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Kim V. Brandt, Dennis W. Butcher, Edward M. Chojin, Keir Hart, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Daniel A. Joseph, Duane E. Kerr, Dylan R. Kingsley, Peter M. Mueller, Jessica E. C. Olson, John R. Twomey, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Patent number: 9713479
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a flexible portion supported therebetween. The flexible portion permits pivotal movement of the distal portion of the elongated shaft and an end effector supported thereon. A locking mechanism is operatively associated with the flexible portion of the elongated shaft to selectively impede pivotal motion of the distal portion. The locking mechanism includes a locking coil disposed about an axis defined by the flexible portion of the elongated shaft. A distal end of the locking coil is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft, and a proximal end of the locking coil is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to laterally approximate the locking coil to flexible portion, and thus frictionally engage the flexible portion of the elongated shaft to selectively impede articulating motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Peter M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9668810
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Glenn A. Horner, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, Robert B. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 9655637
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing supporting first and second actuators, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, and an end effector supported by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. A tensile member extending through the elongated shaft is coupled to the first actuator and the end effector such that first actuator may be manipulated to induce motion of the end effector. A locking mechanism associated with the tensile member selectively impedes motion of the end effector. The locking mechanism includes a collet disposed about the tensile member and a collet clamp for receiving the collet. Receipt of the collet into the collet clamp induces radial compression of the collet to impede the motion of the tensile member therethrough. An actuation member extending through the elongated shaft induces insertion and withdrawal of the collet from the collet clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Peter M. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170135775
    Abstract: A system and method for using a remote control to control an electrosurgical instrument, where the remote control includes at least one momentum sensor. As the surgeon rotates their hand mimicking movements of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, the movements are translated and sent to the remote controlled (RC) electrosurgical instrument. The surgeon uses an augmented reality (AR) vision system to assist the surgeon in viewing the surgical site. Additionally, the surgeon can teach other doctors how to perform the surgery by sending haptic feedback to slave controllers. Also, the surgeon can transfer control back and forth between the master and slave controller to allow a learning surgeon to perform the surgery, but still allow the surgeon to gain control of the surgery whenever needed. Also, the surgeon could be located at a remote location and perform the surgery with the assistance of the AR vision system.m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: James S. Cunningham, Peter M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9649152
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Tony Moua, David N. Heard, Jonathan A. Coe, John J. Kappus, Peter M. Mueller, Raymond A. Sirianne, Ryan C. Artale
  • Patent number: 9636166
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, Glenn A. Horner, Paul Hrenchir, Peter M. Mueller, Robert B. Stoddard, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 9636169
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Ryan C. Artale, Kim V. Brandt, Dennis W. Butcher, Edward M. Chojin, Keir Hart, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Daniel A. Joseph, Duane E. Kerr, Dylan R. Kingsley, Peter M. Mueller, Jessica E. C. Olson, John R. Twomey, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20170071656
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes a housing having shaft extending therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft includes an articulating section disposed thereon. The articulating section has a central annulus extending therealong and first and second pluralities of bores. The first plurality of bores configured to receive corresponding tendons therethrough and the second plurality of bores configured to receive corresponding conductive leads therethrough. An end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft including a pair of first and second jaw members. The corresponding conductive leads transition from a first state for enabling articulation of the shaft about the articulating section, to a second state for disabling articulation of the shaft about the articulating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: PETER M. MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20170065332
    Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: DAVID M. GARRISON, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, JEFFREY R. UNGER, DUANE E. KERR, SEAN T. O'NEILL, PETER M. MUELLER, KIM V. BRANDT, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, KEIR HART, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, JASON T. SANDERS, ROBERT M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20170049506
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to facilitate access to interior components thereof for cleaning and refurbishment purposes includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft assembly and an end effector. The housing assembly includes an actuator, and the elongated shaft assembly includes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator. The elongated shaft assembly also includes outer cover including first and second cover members and a hinge coupling the first and second cover members to one another such that the outer cover may be selectively moved between a closed configuration wherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer cover and an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposed. The end effector is supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and is operatively associated with the interior control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, ROBERT M. SHARP, KRISTEL L. AMBROSIUS, GLENN A. HORNER, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, PETER M. MUELLER, DUANE E. KERR, RYAN C. ARTALE
  • Patent number: 9554866
    Abstract: A system and method for using a remote control to control an electrosurgical instrument, where the remote control includes at least one momentum sensor. As the surgeon rotates their hand mimicking movements of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, the movements are translated and sent to the remote controlled (RC) electrosurgical instrument. The surgeon uses an augmented reality (AR) vision system to assist the surgeon in viewing the surgical site. Additionally, the surgeon can teach other doctors how to perform the surgery by sending haptic feedback to slave controllers. Also, the surgeon can transfer control back and forth between the master and slave controller to allow a learning surgeon to perform the surgery, but still allow the surgeon to gain control of the surgery whenever needed. Also, the surgeon could be located at a remote location and perform the surgery with the assistance of the AR vision system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James S. Cunningham, Peter M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9545245
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes a housing having shaft extending therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft includes an articulating section disposed thereon. The articulating section has a central annulus extending therealong and first and second pluralities of bores. The first plurality of bores configured to receive corresponding tendons therethrough and the second plurality of bores configured to receive corresponding conductive leads therethrough. An end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft including a pair of first and second jaw members. The corresponding conductive leads transition from a first state for enabling articulation of the shaft about the articulating section, to a second state for disabling articulation of the shaft about the articulating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Peter M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9510891
    Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to facilitate access to interior components thereof for cleaning and refurbishment purposes. The instrument includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft assembly and an end effector. The housing assembly includes an actuator, and the elongated shaft assembly includes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator. The elongated shaft assembly also includes outer cover including first and second cover members and a hinge coupling the first and second cover members to one another such that the outer cover may be selectively moved between a closed configuration wherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer cover and an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposed. The end effector is supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and is operatively associated with the interior control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Robert M. Sharp, Kristel L. Ambrosius, Glenn A. Horner, Daniel A. Joseph, Peter M. Mueller, Duane E. Kerr, Ryan C. Artale
  • Patent number: 9504514
    Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: David M. Garrison, James D. Allen, IV, Jeffrey R. Unger, Duane E. Kerr, Sean T. ONeill, Peter M. Mueller, Kim. V. Brandt, James S. Cunningham, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Jason T. Sanders, Robert M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9486220
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. In the approximated position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity that is configured to house tissue grasped between the jaw members. An injectable material configured for injection into the cavity defined by the jaw members is also provided. The injectable material is configured to substantially surround tissue housed within the cavity. The injectable material is transitionable from a first state, facilitating injection of the injectable material into the cavity, to a second state, wherein the injectable material forms about tissue housed within the cavity to occlude tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV, Kim V. Brandt, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Publication number: 20160302852
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and a deployment mechanism. The first drive assembly is coupled to a first component and is configured to translate a first longitudinal distance X1 to deploy the first component. The second drive assembly is coupled to a second component and is configured to translate a second longitudinal distance X2 to deploy the second component. The deployment mechanism is operably coupled to both the first and second drive assemblies and is configured to move from a first position to a second position to translate the first and second drive assemblies the respective first and second longitudinal distances X1 and X2 to deploy the first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: PETER M. MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20160302853
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN J. EVANS, PETER M. MUELLER, NATHAN WHITE, DAVID A. SCHECHTER, STEPHEN EVANS
  • Publication number: 20160206368
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: TONY MOUA, DAVID N. HEARD, JONATHAN A. COE, JOHN J. KAPPUS, PETER M. MUELLER, RAYMOND A. SIRIANNE, RYAN C. ARTALE