Patents by Inventor Paul G. GRIFFITHS

Paul G. GRIFFITHS 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: 20240115332
    Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes articulating means; means for receiving, via a means for communicatively coupling the computer-assisted device with a table means, a table movement request from a table command means, the table means being separate from the computer-assisted device; means for determining whether the table movement request should be allowed; and means for allowing the table means to perform the table movement request based on determining that the table movement request should be allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Jason HEMPHILL, Goran A. LYNCH, Daniel N. MILLER, Patrick O'GRADY, Nitish SWARUP, Kamyar ZIAEI
  • Publication number: 20240108426
    Abstract: A robotic system comprises an input device movable by an operator and a processing unit. An operator reference frame is defined relative to the operator. The processing unit is configured to present, to the operator, a first image of a first tool captured by an imaging device, receive, from the operator, a first indication that a first axis of the input device is aligned with a corresponding axis of the first tool in the first image, and in response to the first indication, determine a first alignment relationship between the imaging device and the first tool based on a second alignment relationship between the operator reference frame and the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ambarish G. Goswami, Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11896326
    Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. To support integrated motion with a table physically separate from and communicatively coupled to the computer-assisted device via a communications connection, the control unit is configured to receive a table movement request from a table command unit of the table, determine whether the table movement request should be allowed, and allow the table to perform the table movement request based on determining that the table movement request should be allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Paul G. Griffiths, Jason Hemphill, Goran A. Lynch, Daniel N. Miller, Patrick O'Grady, Nitish Swarup, Kamyar Ziaei
  • Publication number: 20240025050
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for imaging device control in a computer-assisted device that includes a repositionable structure configured to support an imaging device, and a control system coupled to the repositionable structure. The control system is configured to: determine a position of a reference point offset from a display unit, convert the position of the reference point to a target position of another reference point offset from the imaging device, determine a movement command of the first repositionable structure that moves the imaging device such that the another reference point moves toward the target position, and cause actuation of the repositionable structure based on the movement command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Mohammad Sina PARASTEGARI, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Goran A. LYNCH
  • Publication number: 20240024049
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for imaging device control in a computer-assisted device that includes a repositionable structure configured to support an imaging device, and a control system configured to determine a position of a first reference point associated with a first input modality; in a first mode, determine a position of a target reference point for the imaging device based on the first reference point; in a second mode, determine a position of a second reference point associated with a second input modality, and determine the position of the target reference point based on the position of the first reference point and the position of the second reference point; determine a movement of the first repositionable structure that moves the imaging device such that a third reference point associated with the imaging device moves toward the target reference point; and cause actuation of the repositionable structure based on the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Mohammad Sina PARASTEGARI, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Goran A. LYNCH
  • Patent number: 11877816
    Abstract: A robotic system comprises a display that is viewable by an operator. An operator reference frame is defined relative to the display or the operator viewing the display. The robotic system also includes an input device movable by the operator and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to present, in the display, a first image of a first tool captured by an imaging device, receive, from the operator, a first indication that a first axis of the input device is aligned with a corresponding axis of the first tool in the first image, and in response to the first indication, determine a first alignment relationship between the imaging device and the first tool based on a second alignment relationship between the operator reference frame and the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ambarish G. Goswami, Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240008942
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computer-assisted robotic system, In some embodiments, the system includes a head input device, the head input device comprising a head input sensor configured to provide head input signals indicative of a an operator's head inputs, and a foot input device comprising a foot input sensor configured to provide foot input signals indicative of the operator's foot inputs. The system further includes a controller, configured to process the head input signals and the foot input signals, and identify, based on the processed head and foot input signals, that the operator has provided a combination of head and foot inputs corresponding to a steerable viewer mode activation command. The controller is further configured to cause the robotic system to enter a steerable viewer mode in response to identifying that the operator has provided a combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Mohammad Sina PARASTEGARI, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Goran A. LYNCH
  • Publication number: 20240009837
    Abstract: Disturbance compensation in computer-assisted devices include an articulated arm comprising one or more first joints and one or more second joints and one or more processors coupled to the articulated arm. The articulated arm is configured to support an end effector. The one or more processors when executing instructions are configured to: detect a disturbance to the one or more first joints, the disturbance causing a point of interest associated with the end effector to move; determine a predicted motion of the point of interest based on the detected disturbance; and drive the one or more second joints to move the point of interest based on an error in a position of the point of interest indicated by the predicted motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Nitish SWARUP, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Goran A. LYNCH, Daniel N. MILLER
  • Publication number: 20230397963
    Abstract: A computer-assisted device includes a first repositionable arm configured to support a first end effector, a second repositionable arm configured to support a second end effector, and a control unit. The control unit configured to monitor an actual motion of at least one structure selected from the group consisting of the first repositionable arm and the first end effector; determine a deviation between the actual motion and a desired motion of the at least one structure; and in response to determining that the deviation is greater than a deviation threshold, select whether to halt motion of the first repositionable arm and the first end effector or the second repositionable arm and the second end effector based on a mode of operation of the first repositionable arm the first end effector, the second repositionable arm, or a mode of operation of the second end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Goran A. LYNCH, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Michael TURNER
  • Publication number: 20230372029
    Abstract: Techniques for registering a computer-assisted device to a table include a computer-assisted device having an articulated arm and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive information of a first motion of a table, the first motion comprising a first rotation about a first axis and causing a second motion of a point associated with the articulated arm; receive information of the second motion; receive information of a third motion of the table, the third motion of the table comprising a second rotation about a second axis different from the first axis and causing a fourth motion of the point; receive information of the fourth motion; determine a relationship between the computer-assisted device and the table based on a position of the point, the first rotation, the second motion, the second rotation, and the fourth motion; and control motion of the articulated arm based on the relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ
  • Patent number: 11813093
    Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments during a computer-assisted remote procedure can comprise a base; a steering interface having a portion configured to be grasped by a user; a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface by a user; and a switch operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cart may further include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and, on the condition that the switch is in the engaged position, to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism. A driven wheel mounted to the base of the cart may be configured to impart motion to the cart in response to the movement command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Arjang M. Hourtash, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Nitish Swarup, John W. Zabinski, Mark W. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11806875
    Abstract: Disturbance compensation in computer-assisted devices include a first articulated arm configured to support an imaging device a second articulated arm configured to support an end effector, and a control unit coupled to the first articulated arm and the second articulated arm. The control unit is configured to set a first reference frame, where the first reference frame is based on a first position of the imaging device at a first time. The control unit is further configured to detect a first disturbance to the first articulated arm moving the imaging device away from the first position, receive a command to move the end effector, and transform the command to move the end effector from a command in the first reference frame to a command in a reference frame for the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nitish Swamp, Paul G. Griffiths, Goran A. Lynch, Daniel N. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230329815
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling a system include a first structural means supporting a manipulating means, a second structural means supporting the first structural means, and a processing means. The processing means is configured to determine, relative to the first structural means, a first position of a reference location on the system entering into the first mode, the reference location being associated with a linking means of the manipulating means; and while the system in the first mode: detect a manual movement of the reference location that causes a first displacement of the reference location from the first position in a first direction and a second displacement of the reference location from the first position in a second direction,; and, in response, command the second structural means to move relative to the reference location in the first direction so as to reduce the first component while not changing the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Paul W. MOHR, Nitish SWARUP, Michael COSTA, David Q. LARKIN, Thomas G. COOPER
  • Patent number: 11779415
    Abstract: A computer-assisted device includes a first repositionable arm configured to support a first end effector, a second repositionable arm configured to support a second end effector, and a control unit. The control unit configured to monitor an actual motion of at least one structure selected from the group consisting of the first repositionable arm and the first end effector, determine a deviation threshold based on at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of a mode of operation of the first end effector and a mode of operation of the computer-assisted device, and in response to determining that the actual motion of the at least one structure deviates from a desired motion of the at least one structure by more than the deviation threshold, halt motion of the first repositionable arm and the first end effector or halt motion of the second repositionable arm and the second end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Goran A. Lynch, Paul G. Griffiths, Michael Turner
  • Publication number: 20230310105
    Abstract: Techniques for maintaining instrument position and orientation include a computer-assisted device having a control unit and an articulated structure. The articulated structure includes a plurality of joints and is configured to support an instrument. The control unit is configured to determine an error that is introduced, by movement of a first joint of the plurality of joints, to a position of the instrument, an orientation of the instrument, or both the position of the instrument and the orientation of the instrument; and in response at least to determining that a second joint of the plurality of joints is at a range of motion limit or is about to reach the range of motion limit drive one or more joints of the plurality of joints to partially reduce the error, the one or more joints not comprising the second joint, and provide feedback that not all of the error is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Nitish SWARUP, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Goran LYNCH
  • Publication number: 20230301735
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring control points of a computer-assisted device include one or more articulated arms having one or more control points and a control unit coupled to the one or more articulated arms. Each control point of the one or more control points is located based on a kinematic configuration of the one or more articulated arms. The control unit is configured to determine, during a movement of a table that causes a change in the kinematic configuration of the one or more articulated arms, an actual spatial configuration of the one or more control points; determine, based on a comparison of the actual spatial configuration with an expected spatial configuration of the one or more control points, whether to perform a remedial action; and perform the remedial action in response to a determination to perform the remedial action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Goran A. LYNCH
  • Patent number: 11759265
    Abstract: Techniques for registering a computer-assisted device to a table include a computer-assisted device having an articulated arm and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. The control unit is configured to receive information of a first motion of a table. The first motion of the table caused a corresponding second motion of a point associated with the articulated arm. The control unit further configured to receive information of the second motion and determine a first angular relationship between the table and the computer-assisted device based on the first motion and the second motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz
  • Patent number: 11737842
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring control points of a computer-assisted device include a first articulated arm associated with a first control point and a control unit coupled to the first articulated arm. The control unit is configured to determine a first expected path representative of expected positions of the first control point over time when a movement of the first control point is caused by a movement of a table that moves the first articulated arm, the table being separate from the computer-assisted device; determine a first actual path representative of actual positions of the first control point over time when the movement of the first control point is caused by the movement of the table; determine whether to perform a first remedial action based on the first actual path and the first expected path; and in response to a determination to perform the first remedial action, perform the first remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Goran A. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20230263584
    Abstract: A computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm configured to support an end effector and a control unit. When coupled to the articulated arm and a table, the control unit is configured to detect movement of the articulated arm caused by movement of the table, determine a movement of the table based on motion data received from the table, and drive one or more first joints of the articulated arm based on the movement of the articulated arm and the determined movement of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Nitish SWARUP, Kamyar ZIAEI
  • Publication number: 20230255704
    Abstract: A system and method of breakaway clutching in a device includes an arm having a first joint and a control unit coupled to the arm. The control unit includes one or more processors. The control unit switches the first joint from a first state of the first joint to a second state of the first joint in response to an external stimulus applied to the arm exceeding a first threshold. Movement of the first joint is more restricted in the first state than in the second state. The control unit further switches the first joint from the second state to the first state in response to a speed associated with the first joint falling below a speed threshold. The first threshold is based on at least one first property of the arm. The speed threshold is based on at least one second property of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel MILLER, Nitish SWARUP, Michael TURNER, Arjang M. HOURTASH, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Paul W. MOHR