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).

  • Patent number: 8864662
    Abstract: Medical retractors including light guides made of cyclo olefin polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
  • Publication number: 20140292507
    Abstract: A dual-technology motion sensor with an ultrasonic sensor element (transducer) and a PIR sensor element is disclosed. The dual-technology motion sensor is configured to modulate ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor element when the motion sensor detects a condition under which other wireless devices, especially ultrasound-based wireless devices, are in operation, thereby eliminating problems associated with interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Jon Null, Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20140175985
    Abstract: A multi-sensor lighting control system includes at least two light sensors. Each sensor gathers light from different sources, by comparing and contrasting the output signals from the two sensors, the controller can automate many lighting control and commissioning processes leading to easier, simpler installations and maintenance and happier customers, and removing the need for special tools. Applying automated closed loop lamp warm-up techniques, the daylight ratio and the maximum electric light contribution can be learned automatically by the system. A multi-sensor lighting control system may also provide intermediate zones of lighting control between adjacent task areas with different lighting requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Billig, Thomas L. Grey
  • Patent number: 8708896
    Abstract: The illumination system 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 by 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Jonathan G. Gasson, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20140062310
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20140057223
    Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Thomas l. Grey
  • Publication number: 20140058209
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Publication number: 20140058211
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson
  • Publication number: 20130324801
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jon Gasson
  • Patent number: 8596847
    Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20130281790
    Abstract: Medical retractors including light guides made of cyclo olefin polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
  • Patent number: 8410922
    Abstract: A dual-technology motion sensor with an ultrasonic sensor element (transducer) and a PIR sensor element is disclosed. The dual-technology motion sensor is configured to modulate ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor element when the motion sensor detects a condition under which other wireless devices, especially ultrasound-based wireless devices, are in operation, thereby eliminating problems associated with interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Null, Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
  • Patent number: 8317693
    Abstract: Medical retractors including light guides made of cyclo olefin polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
  • Publication number: 20120136216
    Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20120130511
    Abstract: A dual-technology motion sensor with an ultrasonic sensor element (transducer) and a PIR sensor element is disclosed. The dual-technology motion sensor is configured to modulate ultrasonic radiation emitted from the ultrasonic sensor element when the motion sensor detects a condition under which other wireless devices, especially ultrasound-based wireless devices, are in operation, thereby eliminating problems associated with interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jon Null, Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20120083663
    Abstract: An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass. 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. The light output portion of the illuminator contains from two to eight output zones, each zone having specially designed output optical structures that control and direct light to escape the illuminator to shine onto a predetermined area of interest or to form one or more predetermined shapes or footprints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson, Kenneth C. Trauner
  • Patent number: 8132949
    Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B Trauner, Thomas L. Grey
  • Publication number: 20120041268
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Fernando Erismann, Alex Vayser
  • Patent number: 8088066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Publication number: 20110319720
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Grey, Alex Vayser, Jonathan G. Gasson