Patents by Inventor Brian D. Hoffman

Brian D. Hoffman 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: 9801690
    Abstract: A synthetic representation of a tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show force on the tool, an actual position of the tool, or to show the location of the tool when out of a field of view. A three-dimensional pointer is also provided for a viewer in the surgeon console of a telesurgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Brian D. Hoffman, Paul W. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9788909
    Abstract: A synthetic representation of a tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show force on the tool, an actual position of the tool, or to show the location of the tool when out of a field of view. A three-dimensional pointer is also provided for a viewer in the surgeon console of a telesurgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Brian D. Hoffman, Paul W. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9789608
    Abstract: A synthetic representation of a robot tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show the position of a view volume of an image capture device with respect to the robot. The synthetic representation may also be used to find a tool that is outside of the field of view, to display range of motion limits for a tool, to remotely communicate information about the robot, and to detect collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Daniel J. Halabe, Tao Zhao, Simon Dimaio, Christopher J. Hasser, Catherine J. Mohr, Paul W. Mohr, David Q. Larkin, Wenyi Zhao, Brian D. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170282372
    Abstract: A synthetic representation of a robot tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show the position of a view volume of an image capture device with respect to the robot. The synthetic representation may also be used to find a tool that is outside of the field of view, to display range of motion limits for a tool, to remotely communicate information about the robot, and to detect collisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Simon P. DiMaio, Daniel J. Halabe, Christopher J. Hasser, Brian D. Hoffman, David Q. Larkin, Catherine J. Mohr, Paul W. Mohr, Tao Zhao, Wenyi Zhao
  • Patent number: 9775499
    Abstract: An endoscope with an optical channel is held and positioned by a robotic surgical system. A capture unit captures (1) a visible first image at a first time and (2) a visible second image combined with a fluorescence image from the light at a second time. An image processing system receives (1) the visible first image and (2) the visible second image combined with the fluorescence image and generates at least one fluorescence image. A display system outputs an output image including an artificial fluorescence image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Scott, Wenyi Zhao, Brian D. Hoffman, John D. Stern, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20170258537
    Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar, Brian D. Hoffman, Giuseppe Maria Prisco, David Q. Larkin, William C. Nowlin, Frederic H. Moll, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Gunter D. Niemeyer, J. Kenneth Salisbury, JR., Yulun Wang, Modjtaba Ghodoussi, Darrin R. Uecker, James W. Wright, Amante A. Mangaser, Ranjan Mukherjee
  • Publication number: 20170245948
    Abstract: A synthetic representation of a tool for display on a user interface of a robotic system. The synthetic representation may be used to show force on the tool, an actual position of the tool, or to show the location of the tool when out of a field of view. A three-dimensional pointer is also provided for a viewer in the surgeon console of a telesurgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Brian D. Hoffman, Paul W. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9729799
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system includes a scene anti-bloom process that allows switching between imaging modes on a stereoscopic display without causing a surgeon to look-away or being momentarily distracted by sudden changes in overall scene luminance. The process receives a switch from a first imaging mode to a second imaging mode. An overall scene luminance of a scene in the first imaging mode is less than an overall scene luminance of a scene in the second imaging mode. The process delays the switch to the second imaging mode until after an illumination output level of a visible illumination source has changed to a higher output level, and then switches to the second imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick O'Grady, Ian E. McDowall, Brian D. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9699445
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a digital zoom and panning system for digital video includes an image acquisition device to capture digital video images; an image buffer to store one or more frames of digital video images as source pixels; a display device having first pixels to display images; a user interface to accept user input including a source rectangle to select source pixels within frames of the digital video images, a destination rectangle to select target pixels within the display device to display images, and a region of interest within the digital video images to display in the destination rectangle; and a digital mapping and filtering device to selectively map and filter source pixels in the region of interest from the image buffer into target pixels of the display device in response to the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, Christopher J. Hasser, William C. Nowlin
  • Publication number: 20170165013
    Abstract: A medical imaging system comprises a teleoperational assembly configured to control the movement of a medical instrument including an instrument tip and a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to determine an instrument tip position and determine a position error associated with the instrument tip position. The processing unit is also configured to determine at least one instrument tip bounding volume based upon the position error and determine if the instrument tip is within a field of view of an imaging instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon D. ITKOWITZ, Brian D. HOFFMAN, Paul W. MOHR
  • Publication number: 20170112354
    Abstract: Non-white light from an endoscope (201) of a teleoperated surgical system (200) is used to illuminate a surgical site (203). A camera (220L) captures an image of the surgical site, and the image is displayed on a monitor (251). The non-white light illumination minimizes noise in the images of the surgical site presented on the monitor relative to images captured using white light illumination and displayed on the monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey DiCarlo, Tao Zhao, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Brian D. Hoffman, Geoff Richmond
  • Publication number: 20170095297
    Abstract: Scenes captured with an endoscope (201) of a teleoperated surgical system (200) and displayed on a display unit (251) maintain a consistent brightness even though optical output power of an illuminator (210) changes, and working distance (204) between tissue (203) and the distal tip of the endoscope changes. Teleoperated surgical system (200) also automatically detects when endoscope (201) contacts tissue (203) and adjusts the output optical power of illuminator (210) so that tissue damage does not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Geoff Richmond, Brian D. Hoffman, Jeffrey M. DiCarlo
  • Publication number: 20170079725
    Abstract: Methods and system perform tool tracking during minimally invasive robotic surgery. Tool states are determined using triangulation techniques or a Bayesian filter from either or both non-endoscopically derived and endoscopically derived tool state information, or from either or both non-visually derived and visually derived tool state information. The non-endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from sensor data provided either by sensors associated with a mechanism for manipulating the tool, or sensors capable of detecting identifiable signals emanating or reflecting from the tool and indicative of its position, or external cameras viewing an end of the tool extending out of the body. The endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from image data provided by an endoscope inserted in the body so as to view the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, David Q. Larkin, Giuseppe Prisco, Guanghua G. Zhang, Rajesh Kumar
  • Publication number: 20170079722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for registering a manipulator assembly and independently positionable surgical table are provided herein. In one aspect, methods include reading a fiducial marker on the surgical table with a sensor associated with the manipulator assembly and localizing the manipulator assembly and surgical table with respect to a common reference frame. Methods may further include translating a 3D configuration of the surgical table to a 2D frame of reference so as to estimate a 3D pose of the surgical table relative the manipulator assembly for use in coordinating movements therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick O'GRADY, Tao ZHAO, Christopher R. BURNS, Jason HEMPHILL, Brian D. HOFFMAN, Simon P. DIMAIO, Rodney VANCE
  • Publication number: 20170079726
    Abstract: Methods and system perform tool tracking during minimally invasive robotic surgery. Tool states are determined using triangulation techniques or a Bayesian filter from either or both non-endoscopically derived and endoscopically derived tool state information, or from either or both non-visually derived and visually derived tool state information. The non-endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from sensor data provided either by sensors associated with a mechanism for manipulating the tool, or sensors capable of detecting identifiable signals emanating or reflecting from the tool and indicative of its position, or external cameras viewing an end of the tool extending out of the body. The endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from image data provided by an endoscope inserted in the body so as to view the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, David Q. Larkin, Giuseppe Prisco, Guanghua G. Zhang, Rajesh Kumar
  • Patent number: 9526587
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and tools for tool tracking using image-derived data from one or more tool-located reference features. A method includes: capturing a first image of a tool that includes multiple features that define a first marker, where at least one of the features of the first marker includes an identification feature; determining a position for the first marker by processing the first image; determining an identification for the first marker by using the at least one identification feature by processing the first image; and determining a tool state for the tool by using the position and the identification of the first marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Wenyi Zhao, Daniel J. Halabe, Brian D. Hoffman, William C. Nowlin
  • Publication number: 20160357838
    Abstract: A robotic system is provided. The robotic system includes a publishing node including at least one first synchronization database that includes a plurality of attributes, each of the attributes including a tag identifying the attribute and data, a flag associated with each of the attributes, and a subscriber list. The system also includes a subscriber node including at least one second synchronization database. The publishing node is configured to set the flag associated with the attributes when the attributes are written in the at least one first synchronization database or when the data included in the attributes are modified and publish the flagged attributes to the subscriber node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, Joshua Radel
  • Patent number: 9424303
    Abstract: A robotic system is provided. The robotic system includes a publishing node including at least one first synchronization database that includes a plurality of attributes, each of the attributes including a tag identifying the attribute and data, a flag associated with each of the attributes, and a subscriber list. The system also includes a subscriber node including at least one second synchronization database. The publishing node is configured to set the flag associated with the attributes when the attributes are written in the at least one first synchronization database or when the data included in the attributes are modified and publish the flagged attributes to the subscriber node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, Joshua Radel
  • Patent number: 9402690
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to show telestration in 3-D to a surgeon in real time. A proctor is shown one side of a stereo image pair, such that the proctor can draw a telestration line on the one side with an input device. Points of interest are identified for matching to the other side of the stereo image pair. In response to the identified points of interest, regions and features are identified and used to match the points of interest to the other side. Regions can be used to match the points of interest. Features of the first image can be matched to the second image and used to match the points of interest to the second image, for example when the confidence scores for the regions are below a threshold value. Constraints can be used to evaluate the matched points of interest, for example by excluding bad points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Chenyu Wu, David Hirvonen, Christopher J. Hasser, Brian E. Miller, Catherine J. Mohr, Tao Zhao, Simon Di Maio, Brian D. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20150189148
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system includes a scene anti-bloom process that allows switching between imaging modes on a stereoscopic display without causing a surgeon to look-away or being momentarily distracted by sudden changes in overall scene luminance. The process receives a switch from a first imaging mode to a second imaging mode. An overall scene luminance of a scene in the first imaging mode is less than an overall scene luminance of a scene in the second imaging mode. The process delays the switch to the second imaging mode until after an illumination output level of a visible illumination source has changed to a higher output level, and then switches to the second imaging mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick O'Grady, Ian E. McDowall, Brian D. Hoffman