Patents by Inventor Caitlin Q. Donhowe

Caitlin Q. Donhowe 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: 12369780
    Abstract: A method may comprise storing a first waypoint corresponding to a first position of a tip of a steerable medical device including an articulatable segment. The controller may perform a motion pause check operation to determine that an insertion motion of the articulatable segment into a patient anatomy has been paused, while the tip is at a second position. The controller may determine that the articulatable segment has resumed the insertion motion into the patient anatomy. After determining that the articulatable segment has resumed the insertion motion, a second waypoint corresponding to the second position of the tip of the steerable medical device, may be stored. A boundary region may be defined to form a three-dimensional volume enclosing the positions of the stored waypoints. The articulatable segment may be constrained to remain within the boundary region as the articulatable segment is inserted in the patient anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Amir Belson, Kristoffer J. Donhowe, Kenneth R. Krieg, Eric Storne, Thomas J. Yorkey, Jun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20250228622
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a set of model points of a model of one or more passageways of a patient. The set of model points comprises a plurality of model segments. The method further comprises receiving a set of measured points collected from within the patient passageways. Each point comprises coordinates within a surgical environment occupied by the patient. The method further comprises: matching each measured point to a model point to generate a set of matches; identifying a particular model segment from the plurality of model segments that includes fewer than a threshold quantity of measured points matched thereto; discarding matches that include a model point of the particular model segment to provide a modified set of matches; and moving the set of measured points relative to the set of model points based on the modified set of matches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12361558
    Abstract: A method of registering sets of anatomical data for use during a surgical procedure is provided herein. The method may include segmenting a set of first modality image data representing a model of one or more passageways within a patient and generating a first set of points based on the segmented set of first modality image data representing the model of the one or more passageways. The method may further include determining a set of matches between a second set of points and the first set of points, wherein the second set of points is obtained by a second modality and discarding a subset of the set of matches based on a first heuristic to generate a modified set of matches. The second set of points may then be moved relative to the first set of points based on the modified set of matches and displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12354727
    Abstract: A system includes a medical instrument configured for movement by a teleoperational assembly and a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to provide instructions to the teleoperational assembly to move the medical instrument within an anatomic passageway according to a commanded velocity profile, receive a set of spatial information from the medical instrument positioned within the anatomic passageway, and filter the set of spatial information to select a quantity of spatial data records from the set of spatial information proportionate to the commanded velocity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Federico Barbagli
  • Patent number: 12343094
    Abstract: A method comprises tracking a set of optical fiducials positioned on a reference portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes an elongated flexible body with a distal end and a rigid proximal body which includes the reference portion. The method further comprises receiving shape information from a shape sensor extending within the medical instrument between the reference portion and the distal end and determining a pose of a portion of the elongated flexible body with respect to the patient anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Duindam, Federico Barbagli, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao, Caitlin Q. Donhowe
  • Patent number: 12285223
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a set of model points of a model of one or more passageways of a patient. The method further comprises receiving a set of measured points collected from within the one or more passageways of the patient. Each point comprises coordinates within a medical environment occupied by the patient. The method further comprises matching each measured point to a model point to generate a set of matches. The method further comprises assigning a weight to each of the measured points based on the set of matches to generate a weighted set of matches. The method further comprises moving the set of measured points relative to the set of model points based on the weighted set of matches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12243233
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 12236602
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20250032195
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving shape information for an elongate flexible portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a reference portion movably coupled to a fixture having a known pose in a surgical reference frame. The fixture includes a constraint structure having a known constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame. The elongate flexible portion is coupled to the reference portion and is sized to pass through the constraint structure. The method further includes receiving reference portion position information in the surgical reference frame; determining an estimated constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame from the reference portion position information and the shape information; determining a correction factor by comparing the estimated constraint structure location to the known constraint structure location; and modifying the shape information based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12150718
    Abstract: A system includes a fixture having a known location in a surgical reference frame, a medical instrument, a position measuring device, and a computing system. The fixture includes a constraint structure having a known constraint structure pose in the surgical reference frame. The medical instrument includes a reference portion movably coupled to the fixture, an elongate flexible portion coupled to the reference portion, wherein the elongate flexible portion is sized to pass through the constraint structure, and a shape sensor. The position measuring device measures motion of the reference portion with respect to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240293189
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a set of model points of a model of one or more passageways of a patient. The method further comprises receiving a set of measured points collected from within the one or more passageways of the patient. Each point comprises coordinates within a medical environment occupied by the patient. The method further comprises matching each measured point to a model point to generate a set of matches. The method further comprises assigning a weight to each of the measured points based on the set of matches to generate a weighted set of matches. The method further comprises moving the set of measured points relative to the set of model points based on the weighted set of matches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240289958
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20240277421
    Abstract: A method comprises tracking a set of optical fiducials positioned on a reference portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes an elongated flexible body with a distal end and a rigid proximal body which includes the reference portion. The method further comprises receiving shape information from a shape sensor extending within the medical instrument between the reference portion and the distal end and determining a pose of a portion of the elongated flexible body with respect to the patient anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Vincent Duindam, Federico Barbagli, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao, Caitlin Q. Donhowe
  • Publication number: 20240281976
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Michael D. Paris, Timothy D. Soper, Oliver J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20240245476
    Abstract: A method of deploying an interventional instrument comprises identifying a target structure in an anatomic frame of reference. The method further comprises determining a target region in the anatomic frame of reference with respect to a current position of the interventional instrument and recording a first engagement location of the interventional instrument within the target region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper
  • Patent number: 12011232
    Abstract: A system includes a medical instrument, a teleoperation manipulator, an optical tracking sensor, and a control system. The medical instrument includes an elongated flexible body, a rigid proximal body comprising a reference portion, and a shape sensor having a reference point. The control system is configured to: track, with the optical tracking sensor, a first set of optical fiducials on a patient anatomy and a second set of optical fiducials on the reference portion; determine, using the second set of optical fiducials, a position of the reference point for a plurality of insertion measurements of a position measuring device; receive shape information from the shape sensor; and determine a pose of a portion of the elongated flexible body with respect to the patient anatomy using the first set of optical fiducials, the position of the reference point as indicated by the position measuring device, and the shape information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Duindam, Federico Barbagli, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao, Caitlin Q. Donhowe
  • Patent number: 12004820
    Abstract: A method of registering sets of anatomical data for use during a surgical procedure is provided herein. The method may include segmenting a set of first modality image data representing a model of one or more passageways within a patient and generating a first set of points based on the segmented set of first modality image data representing the model of the one or more passageways. The method may further include determining a set of matches between a second set of points and the first set of points, wherein the second set of points is obtained by a second modality and discarding a subset of the set of matches based on a first heuristic to generate a modified set of matches. The second set of points may then be moved relative to the first set of points based on the modified set of matches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11957424
    Abstract: A system includes an interventional instrument and a control system. The control system is configured to: generate a graphical user interface (GUI) including an image of a target region for deploying the interventional instrument, wherein the target region includes a plurality of target points and is determined by a probabilistic collection of the plurality of target points, wherein a size of the target region is based at least in part on a location of a target structure within a patient anatomy; responsive to an engagement of the interventional instrument with tissue in the target region, update the GUI to include an engagement location marker; and responsive to the engagement of the interventional instrument, update the GUI to include an image of a revised target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Federico Barbagli, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper
  • Publication number: 20240081775
    Abstract: A method of planning a procedure to deploy an interventional instrument comprises receiving a model of an anatomic structure. The anatomic structure includes a plurality of passageways. The method further includes identifying a target structure in the model and receiving information about an operational capability of the interventional instrument within the plurality of passageways. The method further comprises identifying a planned deployment location for positioning a distal tip of the interventional instrument to perform the procedure on the target structure based upon the operational capability of the interventional instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Prashant Chopra, Dorin Panescu, Carol Reiley, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240023902
    Abstract: A method of modeling a cyclic anatomical motion comprises receiving a pose dataset for an identified point on an interventional instrument retained within and in compliant movement with a cyclically moving patient anatomy for a plurality of time parameters. The method also includes determining a set of pose differentials for the identified point with respect to a reference point at each of the plurality of time parameters and identifying a periodic signal for the cyclic anatomical motion from the set of pose differentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Prashant Chopra, Vincent Duindam, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Tao Zhao, Timothy D. Soper, Federico Barbagli