Patents by Inventor Brandon D. Itkowitz

Brandon D. Itkowitz 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: 12232834
    Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes articulating means; means for receiving, via a means for communicatively coupling the computer-assisted device with a table means, a table movement request from a table command means, the table means being separate from the computer-assisted device; means for determining whether the table movement request should be allowed; and means for allowing the table means to perform the table movement request based on determining that the table movement request should be allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Paul G. Griffiths, Jason Hemphill, Goran A Lynch, Daniel N. Miller, Patrick O'Grady, Nitish Swarup, Kamyar Ziaei
  • Patent number: 12232837
    Abstract: A robotic system comprises an input device movable by an operator and a processing unit. An operator reference frame is defined relative to the operator. The processing unit is configured to present, to the operator, a first image of a first tool captured by an imaging device, receive, from the operator, a first indication that a first axis of the input device is aligned with a corresponding axis of the first tool in the first image, and in response to the first indication, determine a first alignment relationship between the imaging device and the first tool based on a second alignment relationship between the operator reference frame and the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ambarish G. Goswami, Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12226179
    Abstract: Techniques for maintaining instrument position and orientation include a computer-assisted device having an articulated structure and a control unit. The articulated structure includes a plurality of joints and is configured to support an instrument. The control unit is configured to determine a reference frame based on a type of a disturbance that causes a movement of a first joint of the plurality of joints; determine, in the reference frame, a first change to the instrument due to the disturbance; and rive at least a second joint of the plurality of joints to reduce the first change. The first change comprises: a change in a position of the instrument, or a change in an orientation of the instrument, or a change in both the position of the instrument and the orientation of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Nitish Swarup, Paul G. Griffiths, Goran Lynch
  • Patent number: 12213814
    Abstract: A bifurcated navigation control system defines a path whereby a manipulator cart is to navigate from an initial location to a target location, and identifies a navigation condition associated with a navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. Based on the navigation condition, the bifurcated navigation control system defines a propulsion limitation for the manipulator cart during the navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. The bifurcated navigation control system directs the manipulator cart to navigate along at least part of the path in a bifurcated navigation control mode in which the bifurcated navigation control system is configured to autonomously control a steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of a propulsion of the manipulator cart in accordance with the propulsion limitation. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sophia R. Hannaford, Marisa C. Babb, Simon P. DiMaio, Craig Gotsill, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Omid Mohareri, Dinesh Rabindran
  • Patent number: 12211154
    Abstract: A region-based augmentation system is configured to determine that a viewpoint of a user of a display device is directed within an anchor region of a physical world containing the user. In response, the system directs the display device to present augmented content in an evident manner. The evident manner comprises anchoring the augmented content relative to the viewpoint, such that the augmented content follows the viewpoint as the user moves the viewpoint within the anchor region. The system further determines that the viewpoint is directed outside of the anchor region by the user. In response, the system directs the display device to present the augmented content in a less evident manner. The presenting of the augmented content in the less evident manner comprises presenting the augmented content less visibly than the evident manner and/or unanchoring the augmented content relative to the viewpoint. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon P. DiMaio, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Terrence B. McKenna, III, Govinda Payyavula
  • Patent number: 12201484
    Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to display an image of a surgical environment. The image includes an information icon corresponding to an instrument in the surgical environment. The instructions further cause the system to display an image of a body part of a user. The image of the body part is used to interact with the information icon. The instructions further cause the system to receive a gesture of the body part, via a gesture-based input device registering movement of the body part, to cause the image of the body part to interact with the information icon. The instructions further cause the system to display an information menu in the image of the surgical environment based on the interaction between the image of the body part and the information icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, Paul W. Mohr, Theodore W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 12186033
    Abstract: Techniques for registering a computer-assisted device to a table include a computer-assisted device having an articulated arm and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive information of a first motion of a table, the first motion comprising a first rotation about a first axis and causing a second motion of a point associated with the articulated arm; receive information of the second motion; receive information of a third motion of the table, the third motion of the table comprising a second rotation about a second axis different from the first axis and causing a fourth motion of the point; receive information of the fourth motion; determine a relationship between the computer-assisted device and the table based on a position of the point, the first rotation, the second motion, the second rotation, and the fourth motion; and control motion of the articulated arm based on the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz
  • Patent number: 12185930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating tissue. A tissue control point is displayed over an image of the tissue in a user interface. An input is received that moves the tissue control point within the user interface. A first instrument that is physically associated with the tissue is operated based on the received input to thereby manipulate the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Pushkar Hingwe
  • Patent number: 12178399
    Abstract: A system and method of view restoration include a computer-assisted device having an imaging device and a controller coupled to the imaging device. The controller is configured to record kinematic information, imaging information, or both the kinematic information and the imaging information before movement of the imaging device from a first repositionable arm to a second repositionable arm or from a first workspace port to a second workspace port; detect the movement of the imaging device from the first repositionable arm to the second repositionable arm or from the first workspace port to the second workspace port; determine, in response to the detection, a desired position and orientation of the imaging device based on the recorded kinematic information, the recorded imaging information, or both the recorded kinematic information and the recorded imaging information; and move the imaging device based on the desired position and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Yiming Mei
  • Patent number: 12164684
    Abstract: A system comprises a display configured to present a graphical user interface including a viewing area and one or more user interface elements. The system also comprises a gaze tracking device configured to detect a change in a gaze of a user while the user views the graphical user interface presented on the display. The system also comprises an audio input device configured to receive audio information. The system also comprises one or more processors configured to process the audio information received at the audio input device in accordance with a first mode to direct the received audio information as audio output to one or more audio output devices; and in response to the gaze tracking device detecting the change in the gaze of the user, process the received audio information in accordance with a second mode, the second mode being distinct from the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Joseph M. Arsanious, Christopher R. Burns, Heath Feather
  • Publication number: 20240370080
    Abstract: A method is provided to control actuation of a click event by a hand-actuated selector moveably mounted to a mount structure, comprising: in a first control state, imparting a maintaining force to the hand-actuated selector; in a second control state, imparting a haptic force to the hand-actuated selector that increases as a function of increasing displacement of the hand-actuated selector from the neutral displacement position; imparting a click event signal to cause an occurrence of the click event at a display system, in a third control state, imparting a haptic force to the hand-actuated selector that decreases in magnitude to a reduced magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ehsan Noohi Bezanjani, Keith Watza, Ashwinram Suresh, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Sean Duffy, Sarthak Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20240358462
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring a computer-assisted device include a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator being configured to support an instrument, each manipulator having a control point; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: determine a first spatial configuration of the plurality of control points, the first spatial configuration being prior to a movement of a table separate from the computer-assisted device, and the movement of the table causing motion of at least one control point; determine the movement of the table; determine, based on the movement of the table and the first spatial configuration, an expected spatial configuration of the plurality of control points; determine, based on a comparison of the expected spatial configuration with an actual spatial configuration of the plurality of control points, whether to perform a remedial action; and perform the remedial action in response to a determination to perform the remedial action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Goran A. LYNCH
  • Publication number: 20240325098
    Abstract: A system comprises a medical tool including a shaft having proximal and distal ends and an articulatable distal portion coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to determine a target in a medical environment. The articulatable distal portion is directed toward the target. The processing unit is also configured to determine a motion of at least a portion of the shaft, and in response to the determined motion, control a pose of the articulatable distal portion so that the articulatable distal portion remains directed toward the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, David W. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20240315786
    Abstract: A computer-assisted device includes an articulating means configured to support an end effector and a processing means. When coupled to the articulating means and a patient supporting means, the processing means is configured to configure a first joint of the articulating means to a first mode to allow movement of the first joint in response to an external force on the articulating means, detect movement of the first joint, determine a movement of the patient supporting means, and drive a second joint of the articulating means based on the movement of the first joint and the movement of the patient supporting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Nitish SWARUP, Kamyar ZIAEI
  • Publication number: 20240307142
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgical system is configured to activate a first mode of operation in which movement of a user control mechanism is translated to movement of a surgical instrument coupled to a manipulator arm; receive, during the first mode of operation, a first user input by way of a user input mechanism associated with the user control mechanism; activate, based on the first user input, a second mode of operation in which the user control mechanism is repositionable without causing the surgical instrument to move; receive, during the first mode of operation, a second user input by way of the user input mechanism, wherein the second user input is different from the first user input; and activate, based on the second user input, a function associated with a third mode of operation different from the first and second modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Adrian N. Bedard
  • Publication number: 20240296608
    Abstract: A system comprises: a robotic arm operatively coupleable to a tool comprising a working end; and an input device communicatively coupled to the robotic arm. The input device is manipulatable by an operator. The system further comprises a processor configured to cause an image of a work site, captured by an image capture device from a perspective of an image reference frame, to be displayed on a display. The image of the work site includes an image of the working end of the tool. The processor is further configured to determine a position of the working end of the tool in the image of the work site and render a tool information overlay at the position of the working end of the tool in the image of the work site. The tool information overlay visually indicates an identity of the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, Daniel J. Halabe, Christopher J. Hasser, Brian David Hoffman, David Q. Larkin, Catherine J. Mohr, Paul W. Mohr, Tao Zhao, Wenyi Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240285362
    Abstract: Techniques for ratcheting an alignment between an input means and an instrument include a teleoperated system comprising a robotic means configured to support an instrument, an input means configured to be manipulated by an operator to command motion of the instrument, and a ratcheting means. The ratcheting means is configured to determine first rotation values describing an orientation of the input means; determine second rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument; determine, based on the first rotation values and the second rotation values, an orientation error between the orientation of the input means and the orientation of the instrument; generate, based on the orientation error, a motion command for the instrument to reduce the orientation error by increasing an alignment between the input means and the instrument; and command the robotic means to move in accordance with the motion command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Simon P. DIMAIO, William C. NOWLIN, Gunter D. NIEMEYER, David S. MINTZ
  • Patent number: 12073013
    Abstract: A method is provided to control actuation of a click event by a hand-actuated selector moveably mounted to a mount structure, comprising: in a first control state, imparting a maintaining force to the hand-actuated selector; in a second control state, imparting a haptic force to the hand-actuated selector that increases as a function of increasing displacement of the hand-actuated selector from the neutral displacement position; imparting a click event signal to cause an occurrence of the click event at a display system, in a third control state, imparting a haptic force to the hand-actuated selector that decreases in magnitude to a reduced magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ehsan Noohi Bezanjani, Keith Watza, Ashwinram Suresh, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Sean Duffy, Sarthak Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20240277434
    Abstract: Techniques for maintaining instrument position and orientation include a computer-assisted device having an articulated structure and a control unit. The articulated structure includes a plurality of joints and is configured to support an instrument. The control unit is configured to determine a reference frame based on a type of a disturbance that causes a movement of a first joint of the plurality of joints; determine, in the reference frame, a first change to the instrument due to the disturbance; and rive at least a second joint of the plurality of joints to reduce the first change. The first change comprises: a change in a position of the instrument, or a change in an orientation of the instrument, or a change in both the position of the instrument and the orientation of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Nitish SWARUP, Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Goran LYNCH
  • Patent number: 12064201
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring control points of a computer-assisted device include one or more articulated arms having one or more control points and a control unit coupled to the one or more articulated arms. Each control point of the one or more control points is located based on a kinematic configuration of the one or more articulated arms. The control unit is configured to determine, during a movement of a table that causes a change in the kinematic configuration of the one or more articulated arms, an actual spatial configuration of the one or more control points; determine, based on a comparison of the actual spatial configuration with an expected spatial configuration of the one or more control points, whether to perform a remedial action; and perform the remedial action in response to a determination to perform the remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Goran A. Lynch