Patents by Inventor Gunter D. Niemeyer
Gunter D. Niemeyer 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).
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Patent number: 9232984Abstract: Systems and methods for performing robotically-assisted surgical procedures on a patient enable an image display device to provide an operator with auxiliary information related to the surgical procedure, in addition to providing an image of the surgical site itself. The systems and methods allow an operator to selectively access and reference auxiliary information on the image display device during the performance of a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gary S. Guthart, Gunter D. Niemeyer, Robert G. Younge, J. Kenneth Salisbury, Thomas G. Cooper
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Patent number: 9101397Abstract: Systems and methods for performing robotically-assisted surgical procedures on a patient enable an image display device to provide an operator with auxiliary information related to the surgical procedure, in addition to providing an image of the surgical site itself. The systems and methods allow an operator to selectively access and reference auxiliary information on the image display device during the performance of a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Gary S. Guthart, David S. Mintz, Gunter D. Niemeyer, J. Kenneth Salisbury, Jr., Robert G. Younge
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Publication number: 20150157412Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Frederic H. Moll, Robert G. Younge, Kenneth M. Martin, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Patent number: 8974408Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Frederic H. Moll, Robert G. Younge, Kenneth M. Martin, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Publication number: 20150066053Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, William C. Nowlin, Günter D. Niemeyer, David S. Mintz
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Patent number: 8914150Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, David J. Rosa, Andris D. Ramans, Steven J. Blumenkranz, Gary S. Guthart, Gunter D. Niemeyer, William C. Nowlin, J. Kenneth Salisbury, Jr., Michael J. Tierney
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Patent number: 8903549Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Opeations, Inc.Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, William C. Nowlin, Günter D. Niemeyer, David S. Mintz
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Publication number: 20140350573Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for compensate for friction within powered automatic systems, particularly for telesurgery and other telepresence applications. Dynamic friction compensation may comprise applying a continuous load in the direction of movement of a joint, and static friction compensation may comprise applying alternating loads in positive and negative joint actuation directions whenever the joint velocity reading falls within a low velocity range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Publication number: 20140296870Abstract: Robotic, telerobotic, and/or telesurgical devices, systems, and methods take advantage of robotic structures and data to calculate changes in the focus of an image capture device in response to movement of the image capture device, a robotic end effector, or the like. As the size of an image of an object shown in the display device varies with changes in a separation distance between that object and the image capture device used to capture the image, a scale factor between a movement command input may be changed in response to moving an input device or a corresponding master/slave robotic movement command of the system. This may enhance the perceived correlation between the input commands and the robotic movements as they appear in the image presented to the system operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: John D. Stern, Robert G. Younge, David S. Gere, Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Publication number: 20140296875Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
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Patent number: 8827989Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for compensate for friction within powered automatic systems, particularly for telesurgery and other telepresence applications. Dynamic friction compensation may comprise applying a continuous load in the direction of movement of a joint, and static friction compensation may comprise applying alternating loads in positive and negative joint actuation directions whenever the joint velocity reading falls within a low velocity range.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventor: Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Patent number: 8801661Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
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Publication number: 20140195048Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, David J. Rosa, Andris D. Ramans, Steven J. Blumenkranz, Gary S. Guthart, Gunter D. Niemeyer, William C. Nowlin, J. Kenneth Salisbury, JR., Michael J. Tierney
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Patent number: 8715167Abstract: Robotic, telerobotic, and/or telesurgical devices, systems, and methods take advantage of robotic structures and data to calculate changes in the focus of an image capture device in response to movement of the image capture device, a robotic end effector, or the like. As the size of an image of an object shown in the display device varies with changes in a separation distance between that object and the image capture device used to capture the image, a scale factor between a movement command input may be changed in response to moving an input device or a corresponding master/slave robotic movement command of the system. This may enhance the perceived correlation between the input commands and the robotic movements as they appear in the image presented to the system operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: John D. Stern, Robert G Younge, David S. Gere, Gunter D. Niemeyer
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Publication number: 20140081292Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: HANSEN MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
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Patent number: 8666544Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, David J. Rosa, Andris D. Ramans, Steven J. Blumenkranz, Gary S. Guthart, Gunter D. Niemeyer, William C. Nowlin, J. Kenneth Salisbury, Jr., Michael J. Tierney
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Publication number: 20140051922Abstract: Systems and methods for performing robotically-assisted surgical procedures on a patient enable an image display device to provide an operator with auxiliary information related to the surgical procedure, in addition to providing an image of the surgical site itself. The systems and methods allow an operator to selectively access and reference auxiliary information on the image display device during the performance of a surgical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicants: Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: GARY S. GUTHART, David S. Mintz, Gunter D. Niemeyer, J. Kenneth Salisbury, JR., Robert G. Younge
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Patent number: 8617102Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David C. Lundmark
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Publication number: 20130331859Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rajesh Kumar, Brian David Hoffman, Giuseppe Maria Prisco, David Q. Larkin, William C. Nowlin, Frederic H. Moll, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Gunter D. Niemeyer, J. Kenneth Salisbury, JR., Yulun Wang, Modjtaba Ghodoussi, Darrin R. Uecker, James W. Wright, Amante A. Mangaser, Ranjan Mauherjee
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Publication number: 20130310847Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for compensate for friction within powered automatic systems, particularly for telesurgery and other telepresence applications. Dynamic friction compensation may comprise applying a continuous load in the direction of movement of a joint, and static friction compensation may comprise applying alternating loads in positive and negative joint actuation directions whenever the joint velocity reading falls within a low velocity range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventor: Gunter D. Niemeyer