Patents by Inventor Sam Crews

Sam Crews 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: 20230330406
    Abstract: A method of electrically grounding a medical instrument includes inserting a medical instrument through a channel of a surgical port extending from a first end of the surgical port to a second end of the surgical port and while the medical instrument is inserted through the channel, contacting the medical instrument with an electrically conductive material portion protruding into an interior of the channel and extending through a sidewall of the surgical port. Contact of the medical instrument with the electrically conductive material portion does not extend around an entire circumference of the medical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael HURST, Sam CREWS, Bryan E. BLAIR
  • Patent number: 11707613
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20200230392
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael HURST, Sam CREWS, Bryan E. BLAIR
  • Patent number: 10617858
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20180221639
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Patent number: 7503930
    Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Sharkawy, Mark Foley, Darin Gittings, David Cole, Sam Crews
  • Publication number: 20070162113
    Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Adam Sharkawy, Mark Foley, Darin Gittings, David Cole, Sam Crews
  • Patent number: 7186265
    Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Sharkawy, Mark Foley, Darin Gittings, David Cole, Sam Crews
  • Publication number: 20050203618
    Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Adam Sharkawy, Mark Foley, Darin Gittings, David Cole, Sam Crews
  • Publication number: 20050192604
    Abstract: Devices and methods for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel to communicate the target vessel with a source of blood. A conduit is coupled to the target vessel by first and second securing components that compress or sandwich the vessel wall. The conduit may be preshaped to assume a desired orientation when in an unbiased state, for example, to allow the conduit to be deformed during delivery and then regain its desired orientation once which is regained when deployed. The first and second securing components may be any shape but are preferably elongated in the direction of the vessel axis, e.g., elliptical or rectangular, such that a minimum amount of material is present at the outlet to closely approximate the cross-sectional area of the native target vessel. The securing components do not significantly occlude the target vessel lumen, may be secured to the vessel wall in non-penetrating fashion, and provides a fluid-tight seal around the attachment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Dean Carson, Michael Reo, Stephen Olson, Keke Lepulu, Sam Crews, David Cole, Adam Sharkawy, Darin Gittings, Mark Foley