Patents by Inventor Chris Alan LIGHTCAP

Chris Alan LIGHTCAP 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: 11202676
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, and a surgical tool coupled to the robotic device and comprising a distal end. The system further includes a neural monitor configured to generate an electrical signal and apply the electrical signal to the distal end of the surgical tool, wherein the electrical signal causes innervation of a first portion of a patient's anatomy which generates an electromyographic signal, and a sensor configured to measure the electromyographic signal. The neural monitor is configured to determine a distance between the distal end of the surgical tool and a portion of nervous tissue based on the electrical signal and the electromyographic signal, and cause feedback to be provided to a user based on the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Publication number: 20190000553
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic device, and a surgical tool coupled to the robotic device and comprising a distal end. The system further includes a neural monitor configured to generate an electrical signal and apply the electrical signal to the distal end of the surgical tool, wherein the electrical signal causes innervation of a first portion of a patient's anatomy which generates an electromyographic signal, and a sensor configured to measure the electromyographic signal. The neural monitor is configured to determine a distance between the distal end of the surgical tool and a portion of nervous tissue based on the electrical signal and the electromyographic signal, and cause feedback to be provided to a user based on the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Patent number: 10058392
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic aim. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic aim resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Publication number: 20180064492
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic aim. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic aim resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Patent number: 9801686
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Publication number: 20150320500
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang, Arthur E. Quaid, III, Rony Abovitz
  • Patent number: 8996169
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Alan Lightcap, Hyosig Kang
  • Publication number: 20130172902
    Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system may have a robotic arm including a surgical tool and a processor communicatively connected to the robotic arm. The processor may be configured to receive, from a neural monitor, a signal indicative of a distance between the surgical tool and a portion of a patient's anatomy including nervous tissue. The processor may be further configured to generate a command for altering a degree to which the robotic arm resists movement based on the signal received from the neural monitor; and send the command to the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Alan LIGHTCAP, Hyosig Kang