Patents by Inventor Benjamin Varughese Johnson

Benjamin Varughese Johnson 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: 11642185
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures. Such a system includes a cannula having proximal and distal portions. At least one carriage unit is slidably mounted within the proximal portion of the cannula for translation in axial directions of the cannula, and a tool has a shaft that is coupled to the carriage unit and protrudes through a port at the distal portion of the cannula. The tool has a working element mounted on a portion of the shaft that protrudes from the cannula to perform tasks within the cavity. A translation mechanism is provided for translating the carriage unit and its tool in the axial directions of the cannula, and a rotation mechanism is provided for rotating the tool about an axis of its shaft and relative to the first carriage unit. Rotation and translation mechanisms of each carriage unit are preferably individually and independently controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Yang Ding, Benjamin Varughese Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210177528
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures. Such a system includes a cannula having proximal and distal portions. At least one carriage unit is slidably mounted within the proximal portion of the cannula for translation in axial directions of the cannula, and a tool has a shaft that is coupled to the carriage unit and protrudes through a port at the distal portion of the cannula. The tool has a working element mounted on a portion of the shaft that protrudes from the cannula to perform tasks within the cavity. A translation mechanism is provided for translating the carriage unit and its tool in the axial directions of the cannula, and a rotation mechanism is provided for rotating the tool about an axis of its shaft and relative to the first carriage unit. Rotation and translation mechanisms of each carriage unit are preferably individually and independently controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Yang Ding, Benjamin Varughese Johnson
  • Patent number: 10806489
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures. Such a system includes a cannula having a tubular body and a distal end is sized and configured to be inserted into a body cavity. The system further includes a tool passing through a first port at s proximal end of the cannula, extending through the cannula, and protruding from the distal end of the cannula through a second port. The tool has a working element on a distal end of a shaft thereof. The working element is capable of articulation relative to the shaft and rotation relative to the cannula, and the tool is adapted for translation and rotation relative to the cannula. The system further includes a control system and actuator that articulate the tip of the working element relative to the shaft of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Benjamin Varughese Johnson, Brian Anthony Cole
  • Patent number: 10709324
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a surgical procedure within a body cavity. The systems include a cannula having a tubular body with ports located at first and second ends thereof, wherein the second end is configured to be inserted into the cavity. The systems further include one or more tools configured to be inserted into the cannula through the ports on the first end, extend through the body of the cannula, and protrude from the ports on the second end. The tools each include a shaft with a working element on a distal end of the shaft, at least portions of which are capable of articulation relative to the shaft, rotation relative to the cannula, and are configured to perform tasks in the cavity. The working element may be produced with an additive manufacturing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Benjamin Varughese Johnson, Brian Anthony Cole
  • Publication number: 20180132891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures. Such a system includes a cannula having a tubular body and a distal end is sized and configured to be inserted into a body cavity. The system further includes a tool passing through a first port at s proximal end of the cannula, extending through the cannula, and protruding from the distal end of the cannula through a second port. The tool has a working element on a distal end of a shaft thereof. The working element is capable of articulation relative to the shaft and rotation relative to the cannula, and the tool is adapted for translation and rotation relative to the cannula. The system further includes a control system and actuator that articulate the tip of the working element relative to the shaft of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Benjamin Varughese Johnson, Brian Anthony Cole
  • Publication number: 20170027606
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a surgical procedure within a body cavity. The systems include a cannula having a tubular body with ports located at first and second ends thereof, wherein the second end is configured to be inserted into the cavity. The systems further include one or more tools configured to be inserted into the cannula through the ports on the first end, extend through the body of the cannula, and protrude from the ports on the second end. The tools each include a shaft with a working element on a distal end of the shaft, at least portions of which are capable of articulation relative to the shaft, rotation relative to the cannula, and are configured to perform tasks in the cavity. The working element may be produced with an additive manufacturing technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: David John Cappelleri, Benjamin Varughese Johnson, Brian Anthony Cole