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).
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Publication number: 20250127495Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Patent number: 12121225Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Publication number: 20240180533Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
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Patent number: 11857171Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
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Publication number: 20220008046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Patent number: 11045172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Publication number: 20210100538Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
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Patent number: 10856856Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
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Publication number: 20180317893Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Patent number: 10022110Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Publication number: 20180078244Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Peter WOLTON, Daniel ROBERTSON, Thomas FISK, Joseph A. STAND, III, Christian M. ULM, Carl PIERCE
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Patent number: 9844363Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Peter Wolton, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Joseph A. Stand, III, Christian M. Ulm, Carl Pierce
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Publication number: 20170000466Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Peter WOLTON, Daniel ROBERTSON, Thomas FISK, Joseph A. STAND, III, Christian M. ULM, Carl PIERCE
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Publication number: 20160089121Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
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Patent number: D735342Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: D870895Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: D983977Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: 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