Patents by Inventor Joan Savall

Joan Savall 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: 11980435
    Abstract: User interface devices for manipulating a robotic surgical tool in a surgical robotic system are described. A user interface device can include a device body containing a tracking sensor to generate a spatial state signal in response to movement of the device body. The spatial state signal can be used to control a spatial motion of a surgical robotic system actuator. Several grip linkages can be pivotally coupled to the device body. A grip linkage displacement sensor may monitor movement of the grip linkages relative to the device body, and generate a grip signal in response to the movement. The grip signal can be used to control a grip motion of a robotic surgical tool mounted on the surgical robotic system actuator. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Allegra Anna Lenta Shum
  • Patent number: 11960645
    Abstract: A method for disengaging a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system comprising receiving a gaze input from an eye tracker; determining, by one or more processors, whether the gaze input indicates the gaze of the user is outside or inside of the display; in response to determining the gaze input indicates the gaze of the user is outside of the display, determining an amount of time the gaze of the user is outside of the display; in response to determining the gaze of the user is outside of the display for less than a maximum amount of time, pause the surgical robotic system from a teleoperation mode; and in response to determining the gaze of the user is outside of the display for more than the maximum amount of time, disengage the surgical robotic system from the teleoperation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Denise Ann Miller, Paolo Invernizzi, Joan Savall, John Magnasco
  • Publication number: 20240115346
    Abstract: An immersive display for use in a robotic surgical system includes a support arm, a housing mounted to the support arm and configured to engage with a face of the user, at least two eyepiece assemblies disposed in the housing and configured to provide a three-dimensional display, and at least one sensor, wherein the sensor enables operation of the robotic surgical system, and wherein the support arm is actuatable to move the housing for ergonomic positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kent ANDERSON, Joan SAVALL, Brent NOBLES, Allegra SHUM, Pablo E. GARCIA KILROY, Karen Shakespear KOENIG
  • Patent number: 11944402
    Abstract: Surgical robotic systems, and methods of verifying functionality of a user interface device of such systems, are described. During a surgical procedure, the user interface device controls motion of a surgical tool. Proximity sensors of the user interface device generate proximity measures throughout the surgical procedure. The proximity measures are used to detect whether the user interface device is dropped and to responsively halt motion of the surgical tool. To verify an accuracy of the proximity sensors that provide the drop detection, a test is performed when the user interface device is placed in a dock. The test compares the generated proximity measures to expected proximity data. When the proximity measures match the expected proximity data, the system determines that the proximity sensors are functioning accurately and verifies that the user interface device is functioning safely. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Karan Handa, Denise Ann Miller, Joan Savall, Mufaddal Jhaveri
  • Publication number: 20240099795
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system is disclosed to include an operating table, a plurality of robotic arms and surgical instruments, a user console, and a control tower. The plurality of robotic arms are mounted on the operating table and can be stowed folded under the table for storage. The user console has one or more user interface devices, which function as master devices to control the plurality of surgical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Karen S. Koenig, Andrea Bajo, Robert T. Wiggers, Joan Savall, Eric M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240081929
    Abstract: A method for engaging and disengaging a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system comprising: receiving a plurality of interlock inputs from one or more interlock detection components of the surgical robotic system; determining, by one or more processors communicatively coupled to the interlock detection components, whether the plurality of interlock inputs indicate each of the following interlock requirements are satisfied: (1) a user is looking toward a display, (2) at least one or more user interface devices of the surgical robotic system are configured in a usable manner, and (3) a surgical workspace of the surgical robotic system is configured in a usable manner; in response to determining each of the interlock requirements are satisfied, transition the surgical robotic system into a teleoperation mode; and in response to determining less than all of the interlock requirements are satisfied, transition the surgical robotic system out of a teleoperation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller, Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Paolo Invernizzi, John Magnasco
  • Patent number: 11911120
    Abstract: A method of determining a location of a user input device of a surgical robotic system within a surgical workspace using a virtual workspace including determining, by one or more processors communicatively coupled to a user input device, that a user is engaging with the user input device within a surgical workspace; in response to determining the user is engaging with the user input device, displaying a virtual user input device within a first virtual workspace boundary, wherein at least a portion of the first virtual workspace boundary is operable to move in response to a movement of the user input device; displaying a second virtual workspace boundary that represents a second workspace limit beyond which the user input device is inoperable to control the surgical robotic instrument in the teleoperation mode; and determining a location of the user input device within the surgical workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Eric Mark Johnson, Joan Savall
  • Publication number: 20240058078
    Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system. The foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal base, a foot pedal and a sensor. The foot pedal moves relative to the foot pedal base and has a contact surface extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the foot pedal. The contact surface is to come into contact with a foot of a user during use of the foot pedal assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system and the distal end is farther away from a heel of the foot than the proximal end during use of the assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system. The sensor is coupled to the contact surface of the foot pedal at a position closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and the sensor is operable to sense a target object positioned a distance over the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Taylor Cone, Joan Savall
  • Patent number: 11903667
    Abstract: A method for engaging and disengaging a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system including receiving a sequence of user inputs from one or more user interface devices of the surgical robotic system; determining, by one or more processors communicatively coupled to the user interface devices and the surgical instrument, whether the sequence of user inputs indicates an intentional engagement or disengagement of a teleoperation mode in which the surgical instrument is controlled by user inputs received from the user interface devices; in response to determining of engagement, transition the surgical robotic system into the teleoperation mode; and in response to determining of disengagement, transition the surgical robotic system out of the teleoperation mode such that the user interface devices are prevented from controlling the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Joseph Cone, Joan Savall, Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Eric Mark Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240036350
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic three-dimensional display system for surgical robotics has an autostereoscopic three-dimensional display configured to receive and display video from a surgical robotics camera, and a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. A processor is configured to detect and track an eye position or a head position of a user relative to the display based on processing output data of the first sensor assembly, and to detect and track a gaze of the user based on processing output data of the second sensor assembly. The processor further is configured to modify or control an operation of the display system based on the detected gaze of the user. A spatial relationship of the display also can be automatically adjusted in relation to the user based on the detected eye or head position of the user to optimize the user's visualization of three-dimensional images on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Bernhard A. Fuerst, Pablo Garcia Kilroy, Joan Savall, Anette Lia Freiin Von Kapri
  • Publication number: 20240033023
    Abstract: A method performed by a surgical robotic system that includes a seat that is arranged for a user to sit and a display column that includes at least one display for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) surgical presentation. The method includes receiving an indication that the user has manually adjusted the seat and in response, determining, while the user is sitting on the seat, a position of the user's eyes, determining a configuration for the display column based on the determined position of the user's eyes, and adjusting the display column by actuating one or more actuators of the display column according to the determined configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Anette Lia FREIIN VON KAPRI, Joan SAVALL, Denise Ann MILLER
  • Patent number: 11826115
    Abstract: A method performed by a surgical robotic system that includes a seat that is arranged for a user to sit and a display column that includes at least one display for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) surgical presentation. The method includes receiving an indication that the user has manually adjusted the seat and in response, determining, while the user is sitting on the seat, a position of the user's eyes, determining a configuration for the display column based on the determined position of the user's eyes, and adjusting the display column by actuating one or more actuators of the display column according to the determined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin Von Kapri, Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller
  • Patent number: 11813122
    Abstract: An immersive display for use in a robotic surgical system includes a support arm, a housing mounted to the support arm and configured to engage with a face of the user, at least two eyepiece assemblies disposed in the housing and configured to provide a three-dimensional display, and at least one sensor, wherein the sensor enables operation of the robotic surgical system, and wherein the support arm is actuatable to move the housing for ergonomic positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Kent Anderson, Joan Savall, Brent Nobles, Allegra Shum, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Karen Shakespear Koenig
  • Patent number: 11812924
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system is disclosed to include an operating table, a plurality of robotic arms and surgical instruments, a user console, and a control tower. The plurality of robotic arms are mounted on the operating table and can be stowed folded under the table for storage. The user console has one or more user interface devices, which function as master devices to control the plurality of surgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Karen S. Koenig, Andrea Bajo, Robert T. Wiggers, Joan Savall, Eric M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11806104
    Abstract: A method for engaging and disengaging a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system comprising: receiving a plurality of interlock inputs from one or more interlock detection components of the surgical robotic system; determining, by one or more processors communicatively coupled to the interlock detection components, whether the plurality of interlock inputs indicate each of the following interlock requirements are satisfied: (1) a user is looking toward a display, (2) at least one or more user interface devices of the surgical robotic system are configured in a usable manner, and (3) a surgical workspace of the surgical robotic system is configured in a usable manner; in response to determining each of the interlock requirements are satisfied, transition the surgical robotic system into a teleoperation mode; and in response to determining less than all of the interlock requirements are satisfied, transition the surgical robotic system out of a teleoperation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller, Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Paolo Invernizzi, John Magnasco
  • Publication number: 20230346198
    Abstract: Communication apparatus and devices for surgical robotic systems are described. The communication apparatus can include a user console in communication with a communication device having a surgical tool. The communication device can include a microphone to convert a sound input into an acoustic input signal. The communication device can transmit the acoustic input signal to the user console for reproduction as a sound output for a remote operator. The surgical tool can include an endoscope having several microphones mounted on a housing. The surgical tool can be a sterile barrier having a microphone and a drape. The microphone(s) of the surgical tools can face a surrounding environment such that a tableside staff is a source of the sound input that causes the sound output, and a surgeon and the tableside staff can communicate in a noisy environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Denise Ann Miller, Joan Savall, Geoffrey Robert Russell
  • Patent number: 11786320
    Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system. The foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal base, a foot pedal and a sensor. The foot pedal moves relative to the foot pedal base and has a contact surface extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the foot pedal. The contact surface is to come into contact with a foot of a user during use of the foot pedal assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system and the distal end is farther away from a heel of the foot than the proximal end during use of the assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system. The sensor is coupled to the contact surface of the foot pedal at a position closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and the sensor is operable to sense a target object positioned a distance over the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Cone, Joan Savall
  • Patent number: 11786315
    Abstract: Surgical robotic systems, and methods of controlling such systems based on a user's grip on a user interface device, are described. During a surgical procedure, a surgical robotic system generates control commands to actuate a component of the surgical robotic system. The component can be a surgical tool that is actuated to move based on tracking data from the user interface device. The component can be the user interface device, which is actuated to render haptic feedback to the user's hand based on load data from a surgical robotic arm holding the surgical tool. In either case, the actuation is based on a center of rotation of the user interface device that corresponds to the user's grip on the user interface device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller, Karan Handa
  • Patent number: 11787063
    Abstract: An adjustable arm support for a surgical robotic system, the arm support comprising: a fixed armrest portion that is fixedly coupled to a console seat of the surgical robotic system; and an adjustable armrest portion that is adjustably coupled to the fixed armrest portion, the adjustable armrest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Michael Nobles, Joan Savall, Scott Anderson
  • Publication number: 20230293251
    Abstract: Surgical systems including a user console for controlling a surgical robotic tool are described. A witness sensor and a reference sensor can be mounted on the user console to measure an electromagnetic field distortion near a location, and to measure deformation of the location, respectively. Distortion in the electromagnetic field can be detected based on the measurements from the witness sensor and the reference sensor. An alert can be generated, or teleoperation of the surgical tool can be adjusted or paused, when a user interface device used to control the surgical tool is within a range of the distortion. The distortion can be from a known source, such as from actuation of a haptic motor of the user interface device, and the user console can adjust the actuation to reduce the likelihood that the distortion will disrupt surgical tool control. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller, Hamid Reza Sani