Patents by Inventor Caitlin Q. Donhowe

Caitlin Q. Donhowe 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: 11957424
    Abstract: A system includes an interventional instrument and a control system. The control system is configured to: generate a graphical user interface (GUI) including an image of a target region for deploying the interventional instrument, wherein the target region includes a plurality of target points and is determined by a probabilistic collection of the plurality of target points, wherein a size of the target region is based at least in part on a location of a target structure within a patient anatomy; responsive to an engagement of the interventional instrument with tissue in the target region, update the GUI to include an engagement location marker; and responsive to the engagement of the interventional instrument, update the GUI to include an image of a revised target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper
  • Publication number: 20240081775
    Abstract: A method of planning a procedure to deploy an interventional instrument comprises receiving a model of an anatomic structure. The anatomic structure includes a plurality of passageways. The method further includes identifying a target structure in the model and receiving information about an operational capability of the interventional instrument within the plurality of passageways. The method further comprises identifying a planned deployment location for positioning a distal tip of the interventional instrument to perform the procedure on the target structure based upon the operational capability of the interventional instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Prashant Chopra, Dorin Panescu, Carol Reiley, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240023902
    Abstract: A method of modeling a cyclic anatomical motion comprises receiving a pose dataset for an identified point on an interventional instrument retained within and in compliant movement with a cyclically moving patient anatomy for a plurality of time parameters. The method also includes determining a set of pose differentials for the identified point with respect to a reference point at each of the plurality of time parameters and identifying a periodic signal for the cyclic anatomical motion from the set of pose differentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Prashant Chopra, Vincent Duindam, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Timothy D. Soper, Federico Barbagli
  • Publication number: 20240024038
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving shape information for an elongate flexible portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a reference portion movably coupled to a fixture having a known pose in a surgical reference frame. The fixture includes a constraint structure having a known constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame. The elongate flexible portion is coupled to the reference portion and is sized to pass through the constraint structure. The method further includes receiving reference portion position information in the surgical reference frame; determining an estimated constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame from the reference portion position information and the shape information; determining a correction factor by comparing the estimated constraint structure location to the known constraint structure location; and modifying the shape information based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11871898
    Abstract: A system for performing an interventional procedure includes an interventional instrument and a control system. The instrument includes a catheter and an interventional tool extendable from the catheter. The control system includes a processor and a memory comprising machine-readable instructions that cause the control system to: receive a model of an anatomic structure, the anatomic structure including a plurality of passageways; identify a target structure in the model; receive information about a maximum extension length the interventional tool can be extended relative to a distal tip of the catheter; based upon the received information about the maximum extension length, identify a planned deployment location for positioning the distal tip of the catheter to perform the interventional procedure on the target structure; determine a navigational path for the catheter to the target structure; and navigate the catheter to the identified planned deployment location via computer control or based on user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Prashant Chopra, Dorin Panescu, Carol Reiley, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230420107
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises providing instructions to a teleoperational assembly to move an instrument within an anatomic passageway according to a commanded velocity profile. The method also comprises receiving a set of spatial information from the instrument positioned within the anatomic passageway and filtering the set of spatial information to select a quantity of spatial data records from the set of spatial information proportionate to the commanded velocity profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Federico Barbagli
  • Patent number: 11791032
    Abstract: A medical system comprises a medical instrument system and an assembly removably coupled to the medical instrument system. The assembly is configured to operate the medical instrument system by moving it within an anatomic passageway. The medical system also comprises a sensor system coupled to the instrument system and configured to generate information including spatial data and shape data about the instrument system. The medical system also comprises a control system communicatively coupled to the instrument system, the assembly, and the sensor system. The control system receives, from the sensor system, a first set of the spatial data including position information for a distal end of the medical instrument system during a plurality of time periods. The control system also receives the shape data from the sensor system and filters the first set of the spatial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Federico Barbagli
  • Patent number: 11759262
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving shape information for an elongate flexible portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a reference portion movably coupled to a fixture having a known pose in a surgical reference frame. The fixture includes a constraint structure having a known constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame. The elongate flexible portion is coupled to the reference portion and is sized to pass through the constraint structure. The method further includes receiving reference portion position information in the surgical reference frame; determining an estimated constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame from the reference portion position information and the shape information; determining a correction factor by comparing the estimated constraint structure location to the known constraint structure location; and modifying the shape information based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230270980
    Abstract: A medical system includes a catheter and a vision probe that can be removed from the catheter and replaced with a medical probe. The vision probe can thus be used to steer and pose the catheter, and then be removed and replaced with the medical probe when a medical task such as a lung biopsy is performed. A sensor system in the catheter at least partly measures a pose of the catheter, and control logic controls actuation of the catheter to maintain the desired working configuration when the medical probe is used. A small diameter catheter can thus provide vision and biopsy functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Vincent Duindam, Samuel Kwok Wai Au, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Carolyn M. Fenech, Catherine J. Mohr, Giuseppe Maria Prisco
  • Patent number: 11723606
    Abstract: A medical system includes an interventional instrument and a control system including one or more processors. The control system is configured to: receive a pose dataset for a point on the instrument retained in compliant movement with a cyclically moving patient anatomy for a plurality of time parameters during a cyclical anatomical motion; determine a set of pose differentials for the identified point with respect to a reference point at each time parameter; identify a periodic signal for the anatomical motion from the set of pose differentials; generate a command signal indicating an intended movement of the instrument relative to the patient anatomy; adjust the command signal to include an instruction for a cyclical instrument motion based on a phase of the anatomical motion; and cause the intended movement of the instrument relative to the patient anatomy based on the adjusted command signal to compensate for the anatomical motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Chopra, Vincent Duindam, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Timothy D. Soper, Federico Barbagli
  • Publication number: 20230215007
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11684758
    Abstract: A robotic system comprises an instrument including proximal distal sections. The distal section comprises a steerable segment and a distal tip. The instrument also includes a main lumen and a pull wire. The system also comprises a sensor to detect a position of the distal tip of the instrument and a computing device that causes the system to record a position of a working configuration of the distal tip, determine, based on a sensor signal, a movement of the distal tip in response to insertion of a probe into the main lumen, and generate a control signal based on the determined movement. The system also comprises a drive interface connected to the pull wire at the proximal section of the instrument. The drive interface adjusts a tensioning of the pull wire based on the control signal to return the distal tip towards the working configuration recorded before the movement occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Duindam, Samuel Kwok Wai Au, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Carolyn M. Fenech, Catherine J. Mohr, Giuseppe Maria Prisco
  • Patent number: 11666243
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument that comprises an elongated, flexible body including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is shaped to define a lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongated, flexible body. The instrument further comprises a plurality of portions extending along a length of the elongated, flexible body. The apparatus further comprises a radiopaque material incorporated into a first portion of the plurality of portions and a second portion of the plurality of portions, wherein the radiopaque material is incorporated into the first portion such that the first portion has a first radiopacity, and the radiopaque material is incorporated into the second portion such that the second portion has a second radiopacity, wherein the first radiopacity is different from the second radiopacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 11636597
    Abstract: A medical system includes an instrument, a display system, and a processing unit. The instrument includes an instrument shape sensor. The processing unit includes one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to, receive an anatomic model of a patient anatomy, receive shape sensor data from the instrument shape sensor while the instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy and registered to the anatomic model, determine a preferred fluoroscopic image plane for display on the display system based on the received shape sensor data and the area of interest, and provide an indication on the display system to guide positioning of a fluoroscopy system to obtain a fluoroscopic image in the preferred fluoroscopic image plane. An area of interest is identified in the anatomic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220400975
    Abstract: A catheter system comprises an elongate flexible catheter and a support structure mounted on the catheter. The support structure comprises a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first alignment feature is configured to mate with a first sensor component and the second alignment feature configured to mate with a second sensor component. When the system further comprises a first sensor component mated with the first alignment feature and a second sensor component mated with the second alignment feature, the first sensor component is fixed relative to the second sensor component in at least one degree of freedom at the support structure by the first and second alignment features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: ANOOP B. KOWSHIK, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Carolyn M. Fenech
  • Publication number: 20220378316
    Abstract: A system comprises a medical instrument including a sensing tool and comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to receive data related to a patient anatomy from the sensing tool while the medical instrument traverses the patient anatomy. The processing unit is further configured to construct an anatomic model of the patient anatomy from the data received from the sensing tool. The processing unit is further configured to generate an image of the anatomic model for display and register a position of the medical instrument to the anatomic model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: TAO ZHAO, Vincent Duindam, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Timothy D. Soper, Frederico Barbagli
  • Publication number: 20220346751
    Abstract: A method of planning a procedure to deploy an interventional instrument comprises receiving a model of an anatomic structure. The anatomic structure includes a plurality of passageways. The method further includes identifying a target structure in the model and receiving information about an operational capability of the interventional instrument within the plurality of passageways. The method further comprises identifying a planned deployment location for positioning a distal tip of the interventional instrument to perform the procedure on the target structure based upon the operational capability of the interventional instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Prashant Chopra, Dorin Panescu, Carol Reiley, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220346886
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system comprises a fluoroscopic imager having a full scan range in a surgical coordinate space. The system further comprises one or more processors configured to perform a method. The method includes receiving a first fluoroscopic image data set of a patient anatomy. The first fluoroscopic image data set is obtained from the full scan range of the fluoroscopic imager. The method further includes receiving at least one additional fluoroscopic image data set of the patient anatomy from the fluoroscopic imager operating in a constrained range substantially smaller than the full scan range. The method further includes constructing a first planar tomographic image from the first and at least one additional fluoroscopic image data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy D. Soper, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Oliver Wagner, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220343504
    Abstract: A method of registering sets of anatomical data for use during a surgical procedure is provided herein. The method may include segmenting a set of first modality image data representing a model of one or more passageways within a patient and generating a first set of points based on the segmented set of first modality image data representing the model of the one or more passageway's. The method may further include determining a set of matches between a second set of points and the first set of points, wherein the second set of points is obtained by a second modality and discarding a subset of the set of matches based on a first heuristic to generate a modified set of matches. The second set of points may then be moved relative to the first set of points based on the modified set of matches and displayed on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11471066
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a manipulator assembly including at least one actuator, a control system including at least one processor configured to control the manipulator assembly, an elongate flexible catheter configured to be manipulated by the at least one actuator, and a support structure mounted on a proximal portion of the elongate flexible catheter. The support structure includes a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first alignment feature is configured to mate with a first sensor such that the first sensor is maintained parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support structure. The second alignment feature is configured to mate with a second sensor such that the second sensor is maintained parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support structure and such that the second sensor is fixed relative to the first sensor in at least one degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Anoop B. Kowshik, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Carolyn M. Fenech