Patents by Inventor Philip J. Churchill
Philip J. Churchill 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).
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Patent number: 9336028Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Philip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Patent number: 8480406Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman, Diego Fontayne, Gregory L. Merril, Mario Turchi
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Patent number: 7931470Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Publication number: 20100328323Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Philip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Patent number: 7833018Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman
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Patent number: 7806696Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman
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Patent number: 6929481Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1999Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman, Diego Fontayne, Gregory L. Merril, Mario Turchi
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Publication number: 20040076940Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman
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Publication number: 20040048230Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: HT Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Publication number: 20040045561Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman
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Patent number: 5632433Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Grant, Michael Lang, Philip J. Churchill, W. Thompson Lawrence
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Patent number: 5609285Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Grant, Michael Lang, Philip J. Churchill, W. Thompson Lawrence
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Patent number: 5439156Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Grant, Michael Lang, Philip J. Churchill, W. Thompson Lawrence
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Patent number: 5312024Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Grant, Michael Lang, Philip J. Churchill, W. Thompson Lawrence
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Patent number: 5271543Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Grant, Michael Lang, Philip J. Churchill, W. Thompson Lawrence