Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Major

Christopher M. Major 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: 20240118500
    Abstract: A system comprises an optical fiber, a manipulator assembly, and a control unit. The manipulator assembly comprises a chassis, an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, and a drive mechanism housed within the chassis. The optical fiber cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning tape, a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use. The drive mechanism is configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber. The control unit is configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark E. Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 11899248
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn, a drive mechanism configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool, and one or more first connectors configured to mate with one or more connectors of a system, the system including a first optical fiber. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes one or more second connectors configured to mate with one or more optical fiber connectors of a device while the optical fiber cleaning assembly is attached to the system by the one or more first connectors, the device including a second optical fiber. The drive mechanism is configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool to wipe the face of the first or second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20230143152
    Abstract: A floating optical fiber connector interface generally includes a retention bracket, a translating socket slidingly associated with the retention bracket, and a biasing element positioned between the retention bracket and the translating socket. A tab portion may permit translation of the translating socket with respect to the retention bracket, and an aperture configured to receive a carriage optical fiber connector. The translating socket may translate with respect to the retention bracket within a plane and may further translate in the insertion direction, and the biasing element may resist translation of the translating socket. An alignment plate may be configured to align an instrument interface for connection to a carriage, including a telescoping standoff operable to position the plate at a first position in which the plate is spaced apart from the carriage and to position the plate at a second position in which the plate is adjacent to the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher M. Major, Scot C. Fairchild, Ryan C. Abbott, David W. Bailey, Edward P. Donlon, Matthew D, Rohr Daniel, Timothy D. Boucher
  • Publication number: 20230128263
    Abstract: A catheter system may comprise an articulation joint including a first pair of links and a second pair of links. Each link may include a central channel enclosed at least in part by radially extending arcuate segments. The first pair of links may include a first link and a second link, and the second pair of links may include the second link and a third link. The system may also comprise a first pair of springs coupled between the first and second links. The system may also comprise a second pair of springs coupled between the second and third links. The system may also include control wires extending through the first pair of springs and a control wires extending through the second pair of springs. The spring walls may share a radial dimension with the link walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER M. MAJOR, Joseph D. Bogusky, Lucas S. Gordon, Francis T. Macnamara, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20210278604
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes a drive mechanism for moving the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool. A face of an optical fiber may be placed into contact with the cleaning tape, such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes the face of the optical fiber as the drive mechanism moves the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger