Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Nixon

Thomas R. Nixon 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: 10905507
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the first imaging device based on the mounting of the first imaging device to the first manipulator, detect mounting of a second imaging device to a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, select the first imaging device as a reference imaging device, and in response to selecting the first imaging device as the reference imaging device, control the second imaging device relative to the first reference frame. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to select the first imaging device as the reference imaging device in response to the first imaging device being mounted prior to the second imaging device operator selection or based on a type of the first imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Nicola Diolaiti, Pushkar Hingwe, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Nitish Swarup
  • Patent number: 10898287
    Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Robinson, Thomas R. Nixon, Michael Hanuschik, Randal P. Goldberg, Jason Hemphill, David Q. Larkin, Paul Millman
  • Patent number: 10882064
    Abstract: A paint cup assembly for a paint sprayer is disclosed and includes a cap, a paint reservoir formed with an air inlet port, and a valve assembly disposed within the paint reservoir and engaged with the air inlet, wherein the valve assembly is configured to be operable from a closed configuration, in which air flow through the air inlet port is prevented, and an open configuration, in which air flow through the air inlet port is permitted, upon actuation of a spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC./SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIFS
    Inventors: Biagio P. Pellegrino, Thomas R. Nixon, Clemens E. Zoellner
  • Publication number: 20200360099
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the first imaging device based on the mounting of the first imaging device to the first manipulator, detect mounting of a second imaging device to a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, select the first imaging device as a reference imaging device, and in response to selecting the first imaging device as the reference imaging device, control the second imaging device relative to the first reference frame. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to select the first imaging device as the reference imaging device in response to the first imaging device being mounted prior to the second imaging device operator selection or based on a type of the first imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Nicola Diolaiti, Pushkar Hingwe, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Nitish Swarup
  • Publication number: 20200331147
    Abstract: An endoscope captures images of a surgical site for display in a viewing area of a monitor. When a tool is outside the viewing area, a GUI indicates the position of the tool by positioning a symbol in a boundary area around the viewing area so as to indicate the tool position. The distance of the out-of-view tool from the viewing area may be indicated by the size, color, brightness, or blinking or oscillation frequency of the symbol. A distance number may also be displayed on the symbol. The orientation of the shaft or end effector of the tool may be indicated by an orientation indicator superimposed over the symbol, or by the orientation of the symbol itself. When the tool is inside the viewing area, but occluded by an object, the GUI superimposes a ghost tool at its current position and orientation over the occluding object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Thomas R. Nixon, David S. Mintz
  • Patent number: 10779899
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods include a teleoperated system including a kinematic structure having a joint, a drive or brake system for controlling the joint, and a computing unit coupled with the drive or brake system. The computing unit is configured to detect that the joint is between a software defined range of motion limit for the joint and a physical range of motion limit for the joint, the software defined range of motion limit being spaced a distance apart from the physical range of motion limit and delay for a duration of time, in response to detecting the joint between the software defined range of motion limit and the physical range of motion limit, applying the drive or brake system to stop motion of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Paul W. Mohr, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Thomas R. Nixon, Roman Devengenzo
  • Patent number: 10773388
    Abstract: An endoscope captures images of a surgical site for display in a viewing area of a monitor. When a tool is outside the viewing area, a GUI indicates the position of the tool by positioning a symbol in a boundary area around the viewing area so as to indicate the tool position. The distance of the out-of-view tool from the viewing area may be indicated by the size, color, brightness, or blinking or oscillation frequency of the symbol. A distance number may also be displayed on the symbol. The orientation of the shaft or end effector of the tool may be indicated by an orientation indicator superimposed over the symbol, or by the orientation of the symbol itself. When the tool is inside the viewing area, but occluded by an object, the GUI superimposes a ghost tool at its current position and orientation over the occluding object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, David S. Mintz, Thomas R. Nixon
  • Publication number: 20200281672
    Abstract: A method of assigning an auxiliary input device to control a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted surgical system includes detecting a first surgical instrument coupled to a first manipulator interface assembly of a computer-assisted surgical system, the first manipulator interface assembly being controlled by a first input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randal P. GOLDBERG, Michael HANUSCHIK, Paul MILLMAN, Paul W. MOHR, Thomas R. NIXON, David W. ROBINSON
  • Patent number: 10743953
    Abstract: A system includes manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of an imaging device to a first manipulator of the manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the imaging device based on the mounting of the imaging device to the first manipulator, control a tool relative to the first reference frame by controlling a relative position and orientation of a tip of the tool relative to the imaging device in the first reference frame by correlating movement of a master input control to movement of the tool in the first reference frame, detect mounting of the imaging device to a second manipulator of the manipulators, the second manipulator being different from the first manipulator, determine a second reference frame for the imaging device based on the mounting of the imaging device to the second manipulator, and control the tool relative to the second reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Smaby, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Nicola Diolaiti, Pushkar Hingwe, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Nitish Swarup
  • Publication number: 20200246092
    Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. ROBINSON, Thomas R. NIXON, Michael HANUSCHIK, Randal P. GOLDBERG, Jason HEMPHILL, David Q. LARKIN, Paul MILLMAN
  • Patent number: 10730187
    Abstract: An endoscope captures images of a surgical site for display in a viewing area of a monitor. When a tool is outside the viewing area, a GUI indicates the position of the tool by positioning a symbol in a boundary area around the viewing area so as to indicate the tool position. The distance of the out-of-view tool from the viewing area may be indicated by the size, color, brightness, or blinking or oscillation frequency of the symbol. A distance number may also be displayed on the symbol. The orientation of the shaft or end effector of the tool may be indicated by an orientation indicator superimposed over the symbol, or by the orientation of the symbol itself. When the tool is inside the viewing area, but occluded by an object, the GUI superimposes a ghost tool at its current position and orientation over the occluding object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Thomas R. Nixon, David S. Mintz
  • Publication number: 20200237456
    Abstract: A slave manipulator manipulates a medical device in response to operator manipulation of an input device through joint control systems. The stiffness and strength of the slave manipulator are adjustable according to criteria such as the mode of operation of the slave manipulator, the functional type of the medical device currently being held by the slave manipulator, and the current phase of a medical procedure being performed using the slave manipulator by changing corresponding parameters of the control system. For safety purposes, such changes are not made until it is determined that it can be done in a smooth manner without causing jerking of the medical device. Further, an excessive force warning may be provided to surgery staff when excessive forces are being commanded on the slave manipulator for more than a specified period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maria Prisco, Hubert Stein, Paul Millman, David W. Bailey, William C. Nowlin, Gregory K. Toth, Thomas R. Nixon
  • Patent number: 10624706
    Abstract: A system for controlling a surgical instrument comprises an input device operably coupled to remotely control movement of a surgical instrument operably coupled to a computer-assisted surgical system; a first auxiliary input device configured to transmit an auxiliary function control signal to activate an auxiliary function of a surgical instrument in an operably coupled state of the first auxiliary input device and the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randal P. Goldberg, Michael Hanuschik, Paul Millman, Paul W. Mohr, Thomas R. Nixon, David Robinson
  • Patent number: 10610316
    Abstract: A system and method of aligning with a reference target includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes a link, one or more first joints coupled proximally to the link, an articulated arm comprising one or more second joints coupled distally to the link, the articulated arm configured to couple to an instrument, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to position or orient the link, using the one or more first joints, based on at least one reference of the instrument selected from the group consisting of a reference point associated with the instrument and a reference orientation of the instrument. The control unit is further configured to maintain, while positioning or orienting the link and by using the one or more second joints, a position or an orientation of the instrument relative to a workspace in accordance with the at least one reference of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitish Swarup, Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Michael Hanuschik, Thomas R. Nixon
  • Patent number: 10595946
    Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Nixon
  • Patent number: 10575909
    Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Robinson, Thomas R. Nixon, Michael Hanuschik, Randal P. Goldberg, Jason Hemphill, David Q. Larkin, Paul Millman
  • Patent number: 10548459
    Abstract: A medical imaging system comprises a teleoperational assembly and a processing unit configured for receiving a roll position indicator for an imaging instrument coupled to the teleoperational assembly. The imaging instrument has a view angle other than 0° relative to an optical axis of the imaging instrument, and the imaging instrument is a stereoscopic imaging instrument including first and second image sources. The processing unit is further configured for: obtaining first image data from the imaging instrument at a first roll position; obtaining subsequent image data from the imaging instrument at a second roll position; and, responsive to a roll movement of the imaging instrument between the first and second roll positions, transitioning between presentation of the first image data on a user display and presentation of the subsequent image data on the user display. The transition includes changing a position of presentation of the first and second image sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Ian E. McDowall, Thomas R. Nixon, Bruce M. Schena, Niels Smaby
  • Publication number: 20190290373
    Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory K. Toth, Nitish Swarup, Thomas R. Nixon, David Q. Larkin, Steven J. Colton
  • Patent number: 10350015
    Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Toth, Nitish Swarup, Thomas R. Nixon, David Q. Larkin, Steven J. Colton
  • Patent number: 10240704
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a fluid connection including a plurality of flexible polymeric tubes; an integral fluid connector coupled to and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of tubes; and a shell disposed over and encapsulating the fluid connector. The fluid connection surprisingly exhibiting significant increases in the working pressure, particularly in biopharmaceutical fluid transfer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bryan L. Cassiday, Mitchell L. Snyder, David Damzyn, Thomas R. Nixon