Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Bender

Nicholas J. Bender 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: 11937891
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes at least one eye tracking system positioned detect the direction of at least one user's gaze. Input derived from the eye tracking system may be used to enter commands to the surgical robotic system depending on the directions of the gaze detected or other aspects of the gaze such as pupil dilation or speed of eye movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J Bender, Alexander John Maret, Matthew Robert Penny, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Dustin Owen Vaughan, Sevan Abashian, Michael Okyen
  • Patent number: 11768204
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Patent number: 11497481
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a drive unit on a support. The drive unit includes motors or other actuators and a plurality of output elements arranged such that operation of each drive unit linearly translates a corresponding one of the output elements. A surgical device has an input subsystem carried at the proximal end of the shaft. The input subsystem includes linearly translatable input elements or pistons. The input and output elements are positioned such that operation of an actuator linearly translates an output element, causing linear translation of a corresponding input element. The input elements deliver linear motion to a rotary conversion system which converts the linear motion to rotary motion and delivers the rotary motion to a shaft of the surgical device, causing axial rolling of the surgical device or its distal end effector. A sterile drape is positionable between the input elements and the output elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R Penny, Nicholas J Bender, Paul W Schnur, Robert Henson, Dale Hinman, Sevan Abashian
  • Publication number: 20220117683
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a drive unit on a support. The drive unit includes motors or other actuators and a plurality of output elements arranged such that operation of each drive unit linearly translates a corresponding one of the output elements. A surgical device has an input subsystem carried at the proximal end of the shaft. The input subsystem includes linearly translatable input elements or pistons. The input and output elements are positioned such that operation of an actuator linearly translates an output element, causing linear translation of a corresponding input element. The input elements deliver linear motion to a rotary conversion system which converts the linear motion to rotary motion and delivers the rotary motion to a shaft of the surgical device, causing axial rolling of the surgical device or its distal end effector. A sterile drape is positionable between the input elements and the output elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Paul W. Schnur, Robert Henson, Matthew R. Penny, Nicholas J. Bender, Dale Hinman, Sevan Abashian
  • Publication number: 20220104890
    Abstract: An open platform surgical robotic system for use in manipulating and actuating a surgical hand instrument of the type having a handle configured to be grasped by a human hand and actuation members of elements configured to be operated by fingers of a human hand. The system includes a robotic arm including an end effector having a gripper comprising a plurality of digits. The digits are configured to receive the handle of the manual surgical instrument and operate the actuation members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Penny, Stefan Atay, Alexander John Maret, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J Bender, Sevan Abashian
  • Publication number: 20220104898
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes at least one eye tracking system positioned detect the direction of at least one user's gaze. Input derived from the eye tracking system may be used to enter commands to the surgical robotic system depending on the directions of the gaze detected or other aspects of the gaze such as pupil dilation or speed of eye movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Matthew Robert Penny, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Dustin Owen Vaughan, Sevan Abashian, Michael Oyken
  • Publication number: 20220008146
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a drive unit on a support. The drive unit includes motors or other actuators and a plurality of output elements arranged such that operation of each drive unit linearly translates a corresponding one of the output elements. A surgical device has an input subsystem carried at the proximal end of the shaft. The input subsystem includes linearly translatable input elements or pistons. The input and output elements are positioned such that operation of an actuator linearly translates an output element, causing linear translation of a corresponding input element. The input elements deliver linear motion to a rotary conversion system which converts the linear motion to rotary motion and delivers the rotary motion to a shaft of the surgical device, causing axial rolling of the surgical device or its distal end effector. A sterile drape is positionable between the input elements and the output elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Nicholas J. Bender, JR., Paul W. Schnur, Robert Henson, Dale Hinman, Sevan Abashian
  • Publication number: 20210405052
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Patent number: 11119105
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20210247396
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Patent number: 10945800
    Abstract: A motorized surgical system includes at least one support positionable within a sterile field in proximity to a patient positioned on a surgical table. An instrument driver is carried by the support and includes a steerable distal end positionable in a body cavity. A user input device is carried by the support and is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of a portion of the user input device by a user. One or more steering motors are operably coupled to the instrument driver and are operable to deflect the steerable distal end of the instrument driver in response to the movement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: GREAT BELIEF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew R Penny, Nicholas J Bender, Mohan Nathan, Nicholas J. Jardine, Galen Robertson, Carson Shellenberger, Lucas A. Tew, Richard M Mueller, James Cuevas, Jeff Wilson, Keith Philip Laby
  • Publication number: 20200367985
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a hydraulic drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the hydraulic drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: TransEnterix Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20180238883
    Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J. Bender, Alexander John Maret, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Sevan Abashian, Dustin Vaughan
  • Patent number: 9687260
    Abstract: A dual reconstructive wire system for use with an anatomy can include a first guide wire, a second guide wire, a first guide instrument, a first cannulated insertion instrument, and a second cannulated insertion instrument. The first guide wire can pass through the first cannulated insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the first guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the first cannulated insertion instrument. The second guide wire can pass through the second cannulation insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the second guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the second cannulated insertion instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. O'Reilly, Philip H. Frank, Nicholas J Bender, Michael Charles Strycharz
  • Publication number: 20170165019
    Abstract: A motorized surgical system includes at least one support positionable within a sterile field in proximity to a patient positioned on a surgical table. An instrument driver is carried by the support and includes a steerable distal end positionable in a body cavity. A user input device is carried by the support and is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of a portion of the user input device by a user. One or more steering motors are operably coupled to the instrument driver and are operable to deflect the steerable distal end of the instrument driver in response to the movement signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew R. Penny, Nicholas J. Bender, Mohan Nathan, Nicholas J. Jardine, Galen Robertson, Carson Shellenberger, Lucas A. Tew, Richard M. Mueller, James Cuevas, Jeff Wilson, Keith Philip Laby
  • Patent number: 9333040
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TransEnterix Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Carson Shellenberger, Keith Phillip Laby, Richard M Mueller, Nicholas J. Bender, Galen Robertson, Nicholas J. Jardine, Matthew R. Penny, Mohan Nathan, Lucas Tew, James Cuevas, Jeff Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160074050
    Abstract: A dual reconstructive wire system for use with an anatomy can include a first guide wire, a second guide wire, a first guide instrument, a first cannulated insertion instrument, and a second cannulated insertion instrument. The first guide wire can pass through the first cannulated insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the first guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the first cannulated insertion instrument. The second guide wire can pass through the second cannulation insertion instrument such that a first end and a second end of the second guide wire extends beyond the first end and the second end, respectively of the second cannulated insertion instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph M. O'Reilly, Philip H. Frank, Nicholas J. Bender, Michael Charles Strycharz
  • Patent number: 9232978
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TRANSENTERIX SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Carson Shellenberger, Keith Phillip Laby, Richard M Mueller, Nicholas J. Bender, Galen Robertson, Nicholas J. Jardine, Matthew R. Penny, Mohan Nathan, Lucas Tew, James Cuevas, Jeff Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140276667
    Abstract: An instrument shaft includes an outer elongate shaft having a rigid proximal section, a rigid distal section, and a fixed bend between the rigid proximal and distal sections. An inner shaft includes rigid proximal and distal sections and a flexible intermediate section between the rigid proximal and distal sections. The inner shaft is slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft such that the flexible intermediate section extends through the bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TransEnterix Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Carson Shellenberger, Nicholas J Bender
  • Publication number: 20140222020
    Abstract: An instrument channel device for receiving a medical instrument having a distal tip includes an elongate tubular shaft including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion positionable within a body cavity. The shaft defines a lumen for passage of the distal tip of a flexible medical instrument therethrough, allowing positioning of the medical instrument such that its distal tip is disposed distally of the distal shaft portion. A telescoping reinforcement is positioned on the distal shaft portion. The reinforcement has a collapsed position in which the telescoping reinforcement has a length that is shorter than the length of the telescoping reinforcement in an expanded position. As an instrument is advanced from the distal end of the lumen, the telescoping reinforcement is engaged by a distal portion of the instrument such that advancement of the distal tip to a position beyond a distal end of the telescoping reinforcement moves the telescoping reinforcement to the expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TransEnterix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Bender, Matthew Robert Penny, Bryan J. Peters, Nicholas J. Jardine