Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Miller

Thomas B. Miller 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: 20240147243
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a method to increase the efficiency of security checkpoint operations. A security checkpoint kiosk serves as a Relying Party System (RPS). The RPS establishes a secure local connection between the RPS and a User Mobile-Identification-Credential Device (UMD). The RPS sends a user information request to the UMD, via the secure local connection, seeking release of user information associated with a Mobile Identification Credential (MIC). The RPS obtains authentication of the user information received in response to the user information request. The RPS retrieves user travel information based on the user information. The RPS determines that the user travel information matches the user information. When the user travel information matches the user information, the RPS approves the user to proceed past the security checkpoint kiosk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Haya Iris VILLANUEVA GAVIOLA, Gianpaolo FASOLI, Vinay GANESH, Irene M. GRAFF, Martijn Theo HARING, Ahmer A. KHAN, Franck Farian RAKOTOMALALA, Gordon Y. SCOTT, Ho Cheung CHUNG, Antonio ALLEN, Mayura Dhananjaya DESHPANDE, Thomas John MILLER, Christopher SHARP, David W. SILVER, Policarpo B. WOOD, Ka YANG
  • Patent number: 11950101
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a method to increase the efficiency of security checkpoint operations. A security checkpoint kiosk serves as a Relying Party System (RPS). The RPS establishes a secure local connection between the RPS and a User Mobile-Identification-Credential Device (UMD). The RPS sends a user information request to the UMD, via the secure local connection, seeking release of user information associated with a Mobile Identification Credential (MIC). The RPS obtains authentication of the user information received in response to the user information request. The RPS retrieves user travel information based on the user information. The RPS determines that the user travel information matches the user information. When the user travel information matches the user information, the RPS approves the user to proceed past the security checkpoint kiosk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haya Iris Villanueva Gaviola, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Vinay Ganesh, Irene M. Graff, Martijn Theo Haring, Ahmer A. Khan, Franck Farian Rakotomalala, Gordon Y. Scott, Ho Cheung Chung, Antonio Allen, Mayura Dhananjaya Deshpande, Thomas John Miller, Christopher Sharp, David W. Silver, Policarpo B. Wood, Ka Yang
  • Publication number: 20130041372
    Abstract: A medical device includes a tissue dissector and a snare loop on a common shaft. At least the distal tip of the snare loop is energizable to function as an electrosurgical element for tissue dissection. In use the snare loop is partially extended from the shaft to expose the electrosurgical element for electrosurgical dissection, and the snare loop is fully extended from the shaft to deploy the snare loop for retrieval and positioning of an implant such as a gastric banding device. The snare loop may be deployed through a pair of jaws also mounted on the shaft for use in tissue dissection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert E. Welt, William L. Athas, Thomas B. Miller
  • Patent number: 8246617
    Abstract: A medical device includes a tissue dissector and a snare loop on a common shaft. At least the distal tip of the snare loop is energizable to function as an electrosurgical element for tissue dissection. In use the snare loop is partially extended from the shaft to expose the electrosurgical element for electrosurgical dissection, and the snare loop is fully extended from the shaft to deploy the snare loop for retrieval and positioning of an implant such as a gastric banding device. The snare loop may be deployed through a pair of jaws also mounted on the shaft for use in tissue dissection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: TransEnterix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Welt, William L. Athas, Thomas B. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110082456
    Abstract: A medical device includes a tissue dissector and a snare loop on a common shaft. At least the distal tip of the snare loop is energizable to function as an electrosurgical element for tissue dissection. In use the snare loop is partially extended from the shaft to expose the electrosurgical element for electrosurgical dissection, and the snare loop is fully extended from the shaft to deploy the snare loop for retrieval and positioning of an implant such as a gastric banding device. The snare loop may be deployed through a pair of jaws also mounted on the shaft for use in tissue dissection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Robert E. Welt, William L. Athas, Thomas B. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090157076
    Abstract: A system for minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate tubular access cannula comprising an elongate tubular member having a rigid proximal portion and an articulating portion. The tubular member has a first branch and a tubular bifurcation extending from the first branch, allowing simultaneous use of multiple instruments. A dissector suitable for use with the access cannula, or other access devices, for implantation of gastric bands or for other procedures includes a pre-curved distal portion having a dissection element such as a monopolar RF conductor and/or a dissection balloon, as well as a snare. In one method, the dissector is advanced around the posterior side of the stomach to form a tunnel in the connective tissue, and the snare is then extended from the dissector to engage a portion of the band and withdraw it through the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: William L. Athas, Thomas B. Miller, Aurora Pryor, Geoffrey A. Orth, Michael S. Williams, Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard A. Glenn, Daniel W. Fifer
  • Publication number: 20090012546
    Abstract: A device for treating GERD includes a pair of sections. Each section includes a proximal end portion with an arcuate interior opening, a distal end portion with an arcuate interior opening, an exterior plate portion, and a tapered body portion extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The pair of sections surround the esophagus at the gastro-esophageal junction thereof and to be secured together to form a tubular housing with a proximal orifice, a distal orifice smaller than the proximal orifice, and a plate adjacent the distal orifice. A portion of the housing adjacent the distal orifice is configured to elastically deform to constrict the esophagus and serve the function of the LES when a force is applied to the plate by the fundus. The proximal end portion of each mating section includes a flange portion configured to be attached to a body cavity wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Colleen Stack N'diaye, Jeffrey A. Smith, Geoffrey A. Orth, Michael S. Williams, William L. Athas, Thomas B. Miller
  • Patent number: 5803903
    Abstract: A surgical retractor for use in combination with balloon dissection of internal body tissue of a human body part to maintain an operative space created by the dissection of the internal body tissue. The retractor has a frame comprising a base with opposing sides and at least one arcuate body tissue support element extending upwardly from one side to the other side of the base so as to form an arc extending transversely over a human body part wherein internal body tissue is to be balloon dissected. As least one suture anchor element is located along the length of the arcuate support element to allow a tensioning suture extending from separated internal body tissue of the human body part being balloon dissected to be secured thereto to maintain an open operation cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: MIST, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Athas, William S. Eubanks, Jr., Thomas B. Miller
  • Patent number: D359709
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas B. Miller
  • Patent number: D1022197
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan B. Bajana Merizalde, Thomas G. T. Brisebras, Fabien Y. Schmitt, Matthew C. Miller, Stephen M. Christopher, Shawn C. Snyder, Evan N. Stambler, Clinton W. Denlinger, Samuel J. Malanowski