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: 11449139
    Abstract: A method for passively calibrating and verifying eye tracking in a surgical robotic system. The gaze of a user facing a user display of a user console of a surgical robotic system is tracked while the user is using a user interface device (UID). When a user interaction to the UID is detected, an expected gaze position on the display of the user console is determined without instructing the user to look at the expected gaze position. The latter becomes a reference gaze point of the user at the time of detected user action. The measured gaze point of the user is compared with an acceptable threshold of the reference gaze point, and in response to a determination of a mismatch, calibration parameters used by the tracking are adjusted according to the reference gaze point. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Denise Miller, Joan Savall
  • Patent number: 11439478
    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: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Kent Anderson, Joan Savall, Brent Nobles, Allegra Shum, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Karen Shakespear Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220244566
    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: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard A. Fuerst, Pablo Garcia Kilroy, Joan Savall, Anette Lia Freiin Von Kapri
  • Patent number: 11389360
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a surgical table and an adapter coupled thereto. The adapter includes an interface structure, a first link member coupled to a second link member, and a third link member coupled to a fourth link member. The first link member and the third link member are each pivotally coupled to the interface mechanism at a shared first pivot joint. The second link member and the fourth link member are each coupleable to a robotic arm. The first link member and the second link member collectively provide for movement of the first robotic arm in at least one of a lateral, longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the table top. The third link member and the fourth link member collectively provide for movement of the second robotic arm in at least one of a lateral, longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the table top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: Verb Surgical Inc., Maquet GmbH
    Inventors: Karen Shakespear Koenig, Joan Savall, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Bernard Fai Kin Siu, Thomas D. Egan
  • Publication number: 20220192763
    Abstract: A user console for a surgical robotic system has a seat having an armrest and an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter coupled to the armrest to generate an EM field in an EM tracking space around the armrest. A user input device having a handheld housing is to be positioned within the EM tracking by an operator who is seated in the seat, during a surgical procedure. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard Adolf Fuerst, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Berk Gonenc, Jose Luis Cordoba, Joan Savall
  • Publication number: 20220179483
    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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Denise Ann Miller, Paolo Invernizzi, Joan Savall, John Magnasco
  • Patent number: 11337767
    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: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Denise Ann Miller, Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Paolo Invernizzi, John Magnasco
  • Patent number: 11333899
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Bernhard A. Fuerst, Pablo Garcia Kilroy, Joan Savall, Anette Lia Freiin Von Kapri
  • Publication number: 20220087748
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joan SAVALL, Denise Ann MILLER, Karan HANDA
  • Publication number: 20220087762
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Karan HANDA, Denise Ann MILLER, Joan SAVALL, Mufaddal JHAVERI
  • Publication number: 20220080602
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Michael Nobles, Joan Savall, Scott Anderson
  • Publication number: 20220079694
    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: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Anette Lia FREIIN VON KAPRI, Joan SAVALL, Denise Ann MILLER
  • Patent number: 11266469
    Abstract: A user console for a surgical robotic system has a seat having an armrest and an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter coupled to the armrest to generate an EM field in an EM tracking space around the armrest. A user input device having a handheld housing is to be positioned within the EM tracking by an operator who is seated in the seat, during a surgical procedure. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Bernhard Adolf Fuerst, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Berk Gonenc, Jose Luis Cordoba, Joan Savall
  • Publication number: 20220022988
    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 housing having a gripping surface symmetrically disposed about a central axis. The gripping surface can include a surface of revolution about the central axis. A tracking sensor can be mounted within the device housing to generate spatial state signals in response to movement of the device housing. The spatial state signals can be used to control motion of robotic system actuators. A finger clutch can be disposed at an end of the device housing, and can generate a clutch signal in response to a touch by a user. The clutch signal can be used to pause the motion of the robotic system actuators. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Allegra Anna Lenta Shum
  • Publication number: 20220015839
    Abstract: A handheld user interface device for controlling a robotic system may include a member, a housing at least partially disposed around the member and configured to be held in the hand of a user, and a tracking sensor system disposed on the member and configured to detect at least one of position and orientation of at least a portion of the device. At least one of the detected position of the portion of the device and detected orientation of the portion of the device is correlatable to a control of the robotic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Joan SAVALL, Allegra Anna Lenta SHUM, Jose Luis CORDOBA, Yiqi ZENG
  • Publication number: 20220015852
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Allegra Anna Lenta Shum
  • Patent number: 11204640
    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: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Denise Ann Miller, Paolo Invernizzi, Joan Savall, John Magnasco
  • Publication number: 20210382551
    Abstract: A method for passively calibrating and verifying eye tracking in a surgical robotic system. The gaze of a user facing a user display of a user console of a surgical robotic system is tracked while the user is using a user interface device (UID). When a user interaction to the UID is detected, an expected gaze position on the display of the user console is determined without instructing the user to look at the expected gaze position. The latter becomes a reference gaze point of the user at the time of detected user action. The measured gaze point of the user is compared with an acceptable threshold of the reference gaze point, and in response to a determination of a mismatch, calibration parameters used by the tracking are adjusted according to the reference gaze point. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Anette Lia Freiin von Kapri, Denise Miller, Joan Savall
  • Patent number: 11135030
    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 housing having a gripping surface symmetrically disposed about a central axis. The gripping surface can include a surface of revolution about the central axis. A tracking sensor can be mounted within the device housing to generate spatial state signals in response to movement of the device housing. The spatial state signals can be used to control motion of robotic system actuators. A finger clutch can be disposed at an end of the device housing, and can generate a clutch signal in response to a touch by a user. The clutch signal can be used to pause the motion of the robotic system actuators. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Allegra Anna Lenta Shum
  • Patent number: 11135031
    Abstract: User interface devices for manipulating a robotic surgical tool in a surgical robotic system are described. A user interface device can includes 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: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Joan Savall, Allegra Anna Lenta Shum