Patents by Inventor Christian M. Ulm

Christian M. Ulm 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).

  • Publication number: 20250127495
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Patent number: 12121225
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Publication number: 20240180533
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
  • Patent number: 11857171
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
  • Publication number: 20220008046
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Patent number: 11045172
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Publication number: 20210100538
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
  • Patent number: 10856856
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
  • Publication number: 20180317893
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Patent number: 10022110
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Publication number: 20180078244
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Peter WOLTON, Daniel ROBERTSON, Thomas FISK, Joseph A. STAND, III, Christian M. ULM, Carl PIERCE
  • Patent number: 9844363
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
  • Publication number: 20170000466
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Peter WOLTON, Daniel ROBERTSON, Thomas FISK, Joseph A. STAND, III, Christian M. ULM, Carl PIERCE
  • Publication number: 20160089121
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Patent number: D735342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn Asad, Mark A. Catron, Eric Collins, Kenneth F. DeFreitas, David Gilstrap, Alan J. Harvey, Joseph Kapushion, Kraig J. Kruger, Henry Landry, Arnold Oyola, Christian M. Ulm, David VandeRiet, Samantha E. Vish
  • Patent number: D870895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kathryn Asad, Mark A. Catron, Eric Collins, Kenneth F. DeFreitas, David Gilstrap, Alan J. Harvey, Joseph Kapushion, Kraig J. Kruger, Henry Landry, Arnold Oyola, Christian M. Ulm, David VandeRiet, Samantha E. Vish, Joseph A. Stand, III
  • Patent number: D983977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn Asad, Mark A. Catron, Eric Collins, Kenneth F. DeFreitas, David Gilstrap, Alan J. Harvey, Joseph Kapushion, Kraig J. Kruger, Henry Landry, Arnold Oyola, Christian M. Ulm, David VandeRiet, Samantha E. Vish, Joseph A. Stand, III