Patents by Inventor Matthew R. Willams

Matthew R. Willams 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).

  • ARTICULATABLE MEMBERS HAVING CONSTRAINED MOTION AND RELATED DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170056118
    Abstract: An articulatable member includes a distal end, a proximal end, an actuation member, and a constraint member. The actuation member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The actuation member transmits force to bend the articulatable member from a neutral position. The constraint member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The constraint member may have opposite ends that are fixed to the distal end and the proximal end. In one embodiment, the constraint member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member from the proximal end to the distal end. In another embodiment, the actuation member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Matthew R. Willams, William J. Park