Patents by Inventor David E. Hegeman
David E. Hegeman 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: 11547287Abstract: A tool comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion spaced apart by a shaft along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion includes a distal link and the proximal portion including a proximal link. The distal link and proximal link form a pair of links. The tool also comprises a set of tension load bearing members connecting the proximal link and the distal link and terminating at the links of the pair to transfer movement therebetween. The tool also comprises an articulation lock positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion and configured to allow through passage of the set of tension load bearing members. The articulation lock is adjustable between an unlocked configuration in which the proximal and distal links are moveable and a locked configuration in which an effective length of the shaft is increased, creating a force to impede movement of the proximal and distal links.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David E. Hegeman, Lincoln J. Alvord, David J. Danitz, Cameron D. Hinman
-
Publication number: 20190282314Abstract: A tool comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion spaced apart by a shaft along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion includes a distal link and the proximal portion including a proximal link. The distal link and proximal link form a pair of links. The tool also comprises a set of tension load bearing members connecting the proximal link and the distal link and terminating at the links of the pair to transfer movement therebetween. The tool also comprises an articulation lock positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion and configured to allow through passage of the set of tension load bearing. The articulation lock is adjustable between an unlocked configuration in which the proximal and distal links are moveable and a locked configuration in which an effective length of the shaft is increased, creating a force to impede movement of the proximal and distal links.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: David E. Hegeman, Lincoln J. Alvord, David J. Danitz, Cameron D. Hinman
-
Patent number: 9577227Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
-
Publication number: 20150111082Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
-
Patent number: 8636757Abstract: A shaft assembly that has a flexible shaft and a series of alternating rigid beads around the flexible shaft that ensure the shaft is kept rigid while in any position when the shaft is locked. The flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent. The series of alternating beads is made up of an alternating series of 2 types of beads.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Patent number: 8303611Abstract: A shaft for use with a clamp device, includes a cable which extends through a bore of the shaft; and a plurality of alternating first beads and second beads defining the shaft, each of the first and second beads having an inner opening defining the bore of the shaft, and having a surface, wherein each of the second beads has a larger inner diameter of the inner opening than each of the first beads, each of the second beads is supported on the surface of two adjacent first beads at a line of contact, and the surface of each of the second beads has a convex shape at the line of contact, wherein the first beads and the second beads have a three-dimensional convex torus configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Vitalitec International, Inc.Inventors: David J Danitz, David E Hegeman, Adam C Gold
-
Publication number: 20120240714Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Patent number: 7901418Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Vitalitec International, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Publication number: 20110022067Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: VITALITEC INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Publication number: 20040068280Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Novare Surgical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Patent number: 6676676Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Novare Surgical SystemsInventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Patent number: 6638287Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Novare Surgical SystemsInventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Patent number: 6544274Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly. The flexible shaft also defines a bore that retains a cable which is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also includes a retractable generally rigid covering which can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Novare Surgical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Terrence J. Buelna, Adam C. Gold
-
Publication number: 20020165560Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly. The flexible shaft also defines a bore that retains a cable which is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also includes a retractable generally rigid covering which can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Terrence J. Buelna, Adam C. Gold
-
Publication number: 20020165565Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Applicant: Novare Surgical SystemsInventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold
-
Publication number: 20020165564Abstract: A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: David J. Danitz, David E. Hegeman, Adam C. Gold