Patents by Inventor Craig Tsuji

Craig Tsuji 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: 11478317
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Publication number: 20220249181
    Abstract: A surgical instrument may comprise a chassis configured to be removably coupled with a surgical robotic manipulator and may comprise an elongate flexible shaft coupled to the chassis. The surgical instrument may also comprise a robotic actuation piece coupled to and rotatable relative to the chassis and a manual actuator coupled to and translatable relative to the chassis. A rack gear may be engaged with the manual actuator and with the robotic actuation piece. The rack gear may be movable by the robotic actuation piece and by the manual actuator to control an operation of the elongate flexible shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Todd J. Radgowski, Craig Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11317977
    Abstract: A method for using a surgical instrument comprises actuating a movable valve member at a first time using robotic action and actuating the valve member at a second time using manual action. The instrument comprises the valve member, a robotic actuation piece, a chassis, a transport shaft coupled to the chassis, a cavity extending through the transport shaft, and a valve. The chassis is adapted to be mated with a robotic manipulator. The valve comprises the valve member, a manual button coupled thereto, and a valve channel. The valve member is configured to translate across the valve channel along an axis. Robotic actuation comprises rotating the robotic actuation piece around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the valve member. Manual action comprises translating the manual button parallel to the axis of the valve member. The robotic actuation piece remains engaged with the valve member during the manual action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Radgowski, Craig Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20220105336
    Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device comprises a valve body having one or more conduits fluidically coupled thereto and a first channel extending through the valve body. The medical device also comprises a first valve plunger disposed along the first channel and configured to move along an axis to open and close the first channel. The first valve plunger has a first opening to permit a fluid to flow through the first channel. The medical device also comprises a second valve plunger disposed along the first channel and along a second channel to couple the second channel into the first channel when the second valve plunger is in a first position. The second valve plunger has a second opening that has at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the first opening of the first valve plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11224733
    Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device valve system comprises a first valve plunger configured for insertion into a first valve plunger channel. The first valve plunger has a first latch member disposed at a distal end with a first sealing member and a first valve opening disposed proximally from the first latch member. The system also comprises a second valve plunger configured for insertion into a second valve plunger channel. The second valve plunger includes a second valve opening that is longer than the first valve opening. The system also comprises a valve body having the first and second valve plunger channels. The first and second valve plunger channels are configured to receive the first and second valve plungers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20210353373
    Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft, a beam, a hard stop structure, and a link. A proximal end portion of the beam is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and a distal end portion of the beam is coupled to the link. A strain sensor is on the beam. A hard stop structure includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and first opposing stop surfaces. The proximal end portion of the hard stop structure is coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft, and the distal end portion of the hard stop structure is coupled to the link. The first opposing stop surfaces are positioned to limit a lateral range of motion of the distal end of the beam with reference to the proximal end of the beam in a first direction by the first stop surfaces contacting one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou YE, Harsukhdeep RATIA, Ashwinram SURESH, Craig TSUJI
  • Publication number: 20210322118
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. DONLON, Craig TSUJI, Alain SADAKA
  • Patent number: 11026759
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Publication number: 20210137627
    Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter couples a surgical instrument and an instrument carriage. The instrument sterile adapter includes an instrument plate that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument and a latch plate joined to the instrument plate. The latch plate includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate and an instrument latch arm joined to the carriage latch arm. The instrument latch arm extends through the instrument plate and away from the first surface of the instrument plate. A connecting member flexibly connects the carriage latch arm and the instrument latch arm to a remainder of the latch plate. The connecting member may be perpendicular to the latch arms. The latch arms may engage fixed locking surfaces in the instrument carriage and the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. DACHS, II, Bruce Michael SCHENA, Donald ALDEN, Edward P. DONLON, Scott HARRINGTON, Craig TSUJI, William A. BURBANK
  • Patent number: 10898288
    Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
  • Publication number: 20200330169
    Abstract: A method for using a surgical instrument comprises actuating a movable valve member at a first time during a surgical procedure by using a robotic action and actuating the movable valve member at a second time during the surgical procedure by using a manual action. The surgical instrument comprises the movable valve member, a robotic actuation piece, a chassis, an auxiliary channel defined in the chassis, a transport shaft coupled to the chassis, a cavity extending through the transport shaft that intersects the auxiliary channel, and a valve. The valve comprises the movable valve member, a manual button coupled to the movable valve member, and a valve channel that intersects an auxiliary channel. Robotic actuation comprises rotating the robotic actuation piece around an axis perpendicular to an axis of the movable valve member. Manual action comprises translating the manual button parallel to the axis of the movable valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Todd J. Radgowski, Craig Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10716636
    Abstract: An instrument includes a chassis having a side adapted to be removably mated with a surgical robotic manipulator arm, a transport shaft coupled to the chassis, a valve including a valve channel and a movable valve member, a first robotic actuation piece, and a manual button. An auxiliary channel is defined in the chassis. A cavity extends through the transport shaft and intersects the auxiliary channel, which define an instrument axis. The valve channel intersects the auxiliary channel. The movable valve member translates across the valve channel along a valve member axis. The first robotic actuation piece is coupled to translate the movable valve member along the valve member axis and rotates about an actuation piece axis perpendicular to and offset from the valve member axis. The manual button is coupled to translate the movable valve member along the valve member axis and translates parallel to the valve member axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Radgowski, Craig Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20200197117
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. DONLON, Craig TSUJI, Alain SADAKA
  • Patent number: 10595949
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Publication number: 20190365494
    Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
  • Patent number: D874641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D884157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D890329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D921186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D922562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon