Patents by Inventor Justin Krom

Justin Krom 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).

  • Publication number: 20230329836
    Abstract: A cannula for insertion of a medical instrument includes a tube portion and an attachment portion coupled to the tube portion. One or more magnets are arranged at the attachment portion and configured to encode identifying information of the cannula. The attachment portion comprises a plurality of encoding positions that each indicate part of the identifying information; and for each encoding position of the plurality of encoding positions, absence of one of the one or more magnets at the respective encoding position indicates a first value, presence of one of the one of the magnets with a first orientation at the respective encoding position indicates a second value, and presence of one of the one of the magnets with a second orientation at the respective encoding position indicates a third value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. Garbus, Allen C. Thompson, Justin Krom
  • Patent number: 11707343
    Abstract: A teleoperable medical system comprises a manipulator arm and a cannula mount coupled to the manipulator arm. The manipulator arm comprises an interface configured to operably couple with a medical instrument. The cannula mount is configured to removably mount a cannula to the manipulator arm in a position to permit removable insertion of the medical instrument through the cannula. The cannula mount comprises a receptacle configured to receive an attachment portion of the cannula in a mounted state of the cannula, and a reader positioned to be in magnetic field sensing proximity to the attachment portion of the cannula in the mounted state of the cannula. The teleoperable medical system comprises a controller configured to receive output signals from the reader and determine identification information about the cannula based on the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. Garbus, Allen C. Thompson, Justin Krom
  • Publication number: 20230043818
    Abstract: Gas-tight seal assemblies for use during minimally invasive surgery include various aspects. A wiper seal includes a sealing portion and a surrounding flex portion. Upper and lower faces of the sealing portions are angled with reference to an inserted instrument, the upper face's angle being more acute with reference to the instrument's shaft than the lower face's angle. The flex portion is corrugated, support ribs are in one or more corrugation grooves, and the support ribs allow the groove to easily collapse but resist the groove widening. The support ribs also prevent the sealing portion from inverting. An instrument insertion guide is positioned over the sealing portion and moves laterally with the sealing portion. A latch piece removably secures the seal assembly to a cannula. An anti-inversion piece prevents the wiper seal from inverting when an instrument is withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert C. Reid, Justin Krom, Tyler J. Morrissette, Joseph P. Orban, III, William A. Burbank, David DeTroy
  • Patent number: 11534205
    Abstract: Gas-tight seal assemblies for us during minimally invasive surgery include various aspects. A wiper seal includes a sealing portion and a surrounding flex portion. Upper and lower faces of the sealing portions are angled with reference to an inserted instrument, the upper face's angle being more acute with reference to the instrument's shaft than the lower face's angle. The flex portion is corrugated, support ribs are in one or more corrugation grooves, and the support ribs allow the groove to easily collapse but resist the groove widening. The support ribs also prevent the sealing portion from inverting. An instrument insertion guide is positioned over the sealing portion and moves laterally with the sealing portion. A latch piece removably secures the seal assembly to a cannula. An anti-inversion piece prevents the wiper seal from inverting when an instrument is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C Reid, Justin Krom, Tyler J. Morrissette, Joseph P. Orban, III, William A. Burbank, David DeTroy
  • Publication number: 20220304674
    Abstract: A needle driver device comprises an arcuate-shaped distal end portion defining an aperture opening at a distal end of the needle driver device and a cutting element disposed an exterior surface portion of the needle driver device. The cutting element is configured to cut suturing material. Devices, systems, and methods relate to cutting suturing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald G. LITKE, John F. GOODMAN, Justin KROM, Jake A. LUCKMAN, Nathan VENSKYTIS
  • Publication number: 20220203048
    Abstract: A medical device includes a device body and an insufflation fitting coupled to and extending from the device body. The insufflation fitting includes an annular high-flow fitting portion and an annular low-flow fitting portion extending away from the device body from the annular high-flow fitting portion. The annular high-flow fitting portion includes a first inner surface and a radially outward sealing surface generally reverse from the first inner surface. The annular low-flow fitting portion includes an inner sealing surface and a first radially outward surface generally reverse from the inner sealing surface. The first inner surface of the annular high-flow fitting portion and the inner sealing surface of the annular low-flow fitting portion define an insufflation gas flow passageway through the insufflation fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald G. Litke, Justin Krom, Joseph P. Orban, III
  • Publication number: 20220125542
    Abstract: A sterile drape assembly may comprise a drape and a cable guide coupled or configured to be coupled to the drape. The drape may comprise a first portion configured to cover a medical device holder and a second portion configured to cover a portion of an arm that supports the medical device holder. The cable guide may comprise two opposing guidepost arms extending in a first direction and defining a first opening and a side arm extending laterally from one of the guidepost arms, the side arm defining a second opening. The first opening is configured to receive and route a first transmission line along a first path. The second opening is spaced from the first opening and is configured to receive and route a second transmission line along a second path spaced from the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John W. ZABINSKI, Russell BLANCHARD, Humphrey W. CHOW, Gary ETTINGER, Sarah GALVIS, Stefan GEIGER, Craig GOTSILL, Amy KERDOK, Justin KROM, Daryl OSHATZ
  • Publication number: 20220105283
    Abstract: A medical device includes a device body and an insufflation fitting coupled to and extending from the device body. The insufflation fitting includes an annular low-flow fitting and an annular high-flow fitting. The annular low-flow fitting includes a radially outward surface generally reverse of a first inner sealing surface. The inner sealing surface defines a flow passageway for insufflation gas. The annular high-flow fitting includes a second inner sealing surface extending around and radially offset from the radially outward surface of the low-flow fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald G. Litke, Justin Krom, Joseph P. Orban, III
  • Publication number: 20220047299
    Abstract: A reducer device for insertion into a surgical cannula includes a tubular member having a proximal opening and a distal opening and an electrically conductive component configured and positioned to provide an electrically conductive path from an interior of the tubular member to an exterior of the tubular member. The electrically conductive path is localized along an axial length of the tubular member. A method of configuring a surgical device includes positioning a surgical cannula within an incision of a patient's body wall, positioning a reducer device within the surgical cannula, and positioning a surgical instrument within the reducer device. Positioning the surgical instrument within the reducer device includes forming an electrically conductive pathway between the surgical cannula and the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tyler MORRISSETTE, Justin KROM, Joseph ORBAN, III
  • Publication number: 20220016349
    Abstract: A cannula may include a bowl portion comprising a first opening and a second opening, and an insertion tube extending from the bowl portion. The insertion tube defines a passage extending from the second opening and terminating in a distal end opening. The passage is configured to receive an instrument to be advanced through the cannula. The insertion tube has a transparent portion extending proximally from the distal end opening, and a strengthened portion extending proximally from the transparent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas S. LANGLEY, Justin KROM, Robert C. REID
  • Publication number: 20220008100
    Abstract: A cannula includes a tube having a central passage extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tube along a longitudinal axis of the tube. A first cross section of the passage taken at or adjacent the distal end of the tube and in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis has a first cross-sectional shape, the first cross-sectional shape being non-circular. A second cross section of the passage taken through a portion of the tube proximal to the distal end of the tube and in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis has a second cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape is different from the second cross-sectional shape. Systems related to cannulas and tools for insertion through cannulas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald G. LITKE, Joseph P. ORBAN, III, Justin KROM, John W. ZABINSKI, Nathan VENSKYTIS
  • Publication number: 20210401538
    Abstract: A teleoperable medical system comprises a manipulator arm and a cannula mount coupled to the manipulator arm. The manipulator arm comprises an interface configured to operably couple with a medical instrument. The cannula mount is configured to removably mount a cannula to the manipulator arm in a position to permit removable insertion of the medical instrument through the cannula. The cannula mount comprises a receptacle configured to receive an attachment portion of the cannula in a mounted state of the cannula, and a reader positioned to be in magnetic field sensing proximity to the attachment portion of the cannula in the mounted state of the cannula. The teleoperable medical system comprises a controller configured to receive output signals from the reader and determine identification information about the cannula based on the output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. GARBUS, Allen C. THOMPSON, Justin KROM
  • Patent number: 11166744
    Abstract: A reducer device for insertion into a surgical cannula includes a tubular member having a proximal opening and a distal opening and an electrically conductive component configured and positioned to provide an electrically conductive path from an interior of the tubular member to an exterior of the tubular member. The electrically conductive path is localized along an axial length of the tubular member. A method of configuring a surgical device includes positioning a surgical cannula within an incision of a patient's body wall, positioning a reducer device within the surgical cannula, and positioning a surgical instrument within the reducer device. Positioning the surgical instrument within the reducer device includes forming an electrically conductive pathway between the surgical cannula and the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Morrissette, Justin Krom, Joseph Orban, III
  • Publication number: 20210315609
    Abstract: A medical device includes a tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a wall extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the tube and surrounding a hollow interior of the tube, and one or more engagement features on the lateral wall. An inflatable member is located at a distal end portion of the tube. The medical device also includes a repositionable anchor located on the tube proximal to the inflatable anchor and configured to engage the one or more features on the lateral wall. In a first configuration of the medical device, the repositionable anchor is translatable along the tube, and in a second configuration of the medical device the repositionable anchor is fixed in translation relative to the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin KROM, Ronald G. LITKE
  • Patent number: 11116601
    Abstract: A method includes sensing magnet information at a plurality of magnet positions on a cannula and determining identification information for the cannula based on the magnet information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. Garbus, Allen C. Thompson, Justin Krom
  • Patent number: 11097057
    Abstract: A cannula may include a bowl portion comprising a first opening and a second opening, and an insertion tube extending from the bowl portion. The insertion tube defines a passage extending from the second opening and terminating in a distal end opening. The passage is configured to receive an instrument to be advanced through the cannula. The insertion tube has a transparent portion extending proximally from the distal end opening, and a strengthened portion extending proximally from the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Langley, Justin Krom, Robert C. Reid
  • Patent number: 11000331
    Abstract: A cover for an electrosurgical instrument having a wrist structure and an end effector is provided. The cover includes a hollow elongated structure, which includes a tip cover portion and a base cover portion integrally connected to the tip cover portion. The tip cover portion has a distal end with an opening therethrough sized to receive the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument and is composed of a first, electrically insulative material having a flexibility sufficient to allow the end effector to be manipulated while the end effector is received in the opening. The base cover portion is composed of a second material having a higher tear strength than the first material. The tip cover portion and the base cover portion overlap at an overlap region configured to receive the wrist structure of the electrosurgical instrument when the end effector is received in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Krom, Kenneth L. Gong, Richard D. Gresham, Scott E. Manzo, Joseph P. Orban, III
  • Publication number: 20200268479
    Abstract: A method includes sensing magnet information at a plurality of magnet positions on a cannula and determining identification information for the cannula based on the magnet information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. GARBUS, Allen C. THOMPSON, Justin KROM
  • Patent number: 10682205
    Abstract: A cannula for a surgical system may include a magnet located in a position to be sensed by the surgical system in a mounted position of the cannula to the surgical system. At least one of a presence of the magnet and a polarity of the magnet is sensed in the mounted position of the cannula to provide identification information relating to the cannula. Exemplary embodiments further encompass a patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system, the patient side cart including a base, a main column, and an arm connected to the main column. The arm may include a mount to receive a cannula and a reader to sense a magnet of an identification device in the cannula so as to receive identification information relating to a mounted cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon R. Garbus, Allen C. Thompson, Justin Krom
  • Publication number: 20200100815
    Abstract: Gas-tight seal assemblies for us during minimally invasive surgery include various aspects. A wiper seal includes a sealing portion and a surrounding flex portion. Upper and lower faces of the sealing portions are angled with reference to an inserted instrument, the upper face's angle being more acute with reference to the instrument's shaft than the lower face's angle. The flex portion is corrugated, support ribs are in one or more corrugation grooves, and the support ribs allow the groove to easily collapse but resist the groove widening. The support ribs also prevent the sealing portion from inverting. An instrument insertion guide is positioned over the sealing portion and moves laterally with the sealing portion. A latch piece removably secures the seal assembly to a cannula. An anti-inversion piece prevents the wiper seal from inverting when an instrument is withdrawn. An assembly may include device. The seal assembly may rotate within a cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Robert C. Reid, Justin Krom, Tyler J. Morrissette, Joseph P. Orban, III, William A. Burbank, David DeTroy