Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Grey
Thomas L. Grey 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: 10582844Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: INVUITY, INC.Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson, Kenneth B. Trauner
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Patent number: 10568712Abstract: An illumination system includes a surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for optics of the tool. The illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 10548682Abstract: An illumination system includes a surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for optics of the tool. The illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 10531933Abstract: An illumination system includes a surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for optics of the tool. The illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 10512518Abstract: The illumination system includes an arthroscope, endoscope or other surgical tool and an attachable cannula including a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end to the distal end of the cannula, illuminating the surgical field through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of an arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further includes one or more illumination sources at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other location. The cannula includes a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide, which is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination of the surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
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Publication number: 20190350670Abstract: An illuminated medical system comprises a medical instrument and a light transmitting waveguide. The waveguide projects lights from a distal portion of the waveguide toward a target area. The waveguide is formed primarily of a cyclic olefin copolymer or a cyclic olefin polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
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Patent number: 10485077Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 10455665Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting control system with a motion sensor unit that electrically couples to a load circuit through a latching relay or load controller for turning on and off lights. The motion sensor unit is configured to power down to draw zero power after a time delay, when motion is longer detected within the work space by the motion sensor unit. The lighting control system further includes a control circuit that reinitiates or turns the motion sensor back on through a switch device.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Steven Mix, Tho Phan, Thomas L. Grey, Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20190306953Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 10405941Abstract: An illuminated medical system comprises a medical instrument and a light transmitting waveguide. The waveguide projects lights from a distal portion of the waveguide toward a target area. The waveguide is formed primarily of a cyclic olefin copolymer or a cyclic olefin polymer.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
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Patent number: 10327307Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Publication number: 20180249902Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Thomas L. GREY, Alex VAYSER, Jonathan G. GASSON, Kenneth B. TRAUNER
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Patent number: 9986901Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: INVUITY, INC.Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson, Kenneth B. Trauner
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Patent number: 9877639Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson
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Publication number: 20180014378Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 9844364Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade. This illuminated surgical retractor system may include a retractor and a light guide disposed over the retractor. The retractor has a front surface facing a surgical field, a rear surface adapted to engage tissue, a distal end, and a proximal end. The light guide conforms to the shape of the retractor and is removably secured to the retractor and conducts light through the front or rear surface of the retractor. The light guide has an input adaptor and one or more light emitting surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson
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Patent number: 9717129Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Publication number: 20170150580Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting control system with a motion sensor unit that electrically couples to a load circuit through a latching relay or load controller for turning on and off lights. The motion sensor unit is configured to power down to draw zero power after a time delay, when motion is longer detected within the work space by the motion sensor unit. The lighting control system further includes a control circuit that reinitiates or turns the motion sensor back on through a switch device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Steven Mix, Tho Phan, Thomas L. Grey, Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20170100022Abstract: The illumination system described below comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
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Publication number: 20170095310Abstract: The illumination system described below comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: Invuity, Inc.Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey