Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Ulrich
Daniel J. Ulrich 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: 20240390024Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effector control and calibration are described. The method may include detecting a signal in response to movement of a first tube relative to a second tube, the first tube driving movement of a clamp arm of the end effector. The method may further include determining a clamp arm position of the end effector relative to a ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the signal. The method may also include adjusting a power output to the ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the clamp arm position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Inventors: Phillip H. Clauda, Cameron Nott, John F. Cummings, David J. Cagle, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 11998230Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effector control and calibration are described. The method may include detecting a signal in response to movement of a first tube relative to a second tube, the first tube driving movement of a clamp arm of the end effector. The method may further include determining a clamp arm position of the end effector relative to a ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the signal. The method may also include adjusting a power output to the ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the clamp arm position.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Phillip H. Clauda, Cameron Nott, John F. Cummings, David J. Cagle, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20220226014Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effector control and calibration are described. The method may include detecting a signal in response to movement of a first tube relative to a second tube, the first tube driving movement of a clamp arm of the end effector. The method may further include determining a clamp arm position of the end effector relative to a ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the signal. The method may also include adjusting a power output to the ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the clamp arm position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Phillip H. Clauda, IV, Cameron Nott, John F. Cummings, David J. Cagle, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 11266430Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effector control and calibration are described. The method may include detecting a signal in response to movement of a first tube relative to a second tube, the first tube driving movement of a clamp arm of the end effector. The method may further include determining a clamp arm position of the end effector relative to a ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the signal. The method may also include adjusting a power output to the ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the clamp arm position.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Phillip H. Clauda, Cameron Nott, John F. Cummings, David J. Cagle, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 10285695Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a housing, a shaft assembly, and an end effector is disclosed. The housing comprises a plurality of electric motors. The shaft assembly comprises a plurality of rotatable shafts. The electric motors are simultaneously coupled to the rotatable shafts as the shaft assembly is connected to the housing. The shaft assembly further comprises an articulation joint including an electrically conductive articulation joint conductor that traverses the articulation joint, an electrically conductive shaft conductor in communication with the articulation joint conductor, and a distal coupler. The end effector is releasably connectable to the distal coupler and comprises an electrically conductive end effector conductor. The distal coupler comprises an electrically conductive coupler pathway from the end effector conductor to the articulation joint conductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Michael D. Auld, John S. Kimsey, Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 10226249Abstract: A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: ETHICON LLCInventors: Gary S. Jaworek, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Michael D. Auld, John S. Kimsey, Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20180146976Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effector control and calibration are described. The method may include detecting a signal in response to movement of a first tube relative to a second tube, the first tube driving movement of a clamp arm of the end effector. The method may further include determining a clamp arm position of the end effector relative to a ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the signal. The method may also include adjusting a power output to the ultrasonic blade of the end effector based on the clamp arm position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Phillip H. Clauda, Cameron Nott, John F. Cummings, David J. Cagle, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 9554794Abstract: In various forms, the modular motor control system may comprise one or more motor controllers each having an associated motor. The one or more motor controllers may be in communication with a master controller. The master controller is configured to provide control signals to the motor controllers to control the associated motors. In some forms, the one or more motor controllers and the associated motors may be located within a surgical module. The surgical module may provide a communications interface between the master controller and the one or more motor controllers.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20140246478Abstract: In various forms, the modular motor control system may comprise one or more motor controllers each having an associated motor. The one or more motor controllers may be in communication with a master controller. The master controller is configured to provide control signals to the motor controllers to control the associated motors. In some forms, the one or more motor controllers and the associated motors may be located within a surgical module. The surgical module may provide a communications interface between the master controller and the one or more motor controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.Inventors: Daniel L. Baber, Richard L. Leimbach, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 7538659Abstract: A bed monitoring system that remotely monitors a patient bed. The bed monitoring system comprises a bed status system and a master station. The bed status system is coupled to the patient bed and is configured to monitor at least one condition of the bed, and to generate a bed message indicating the status of the monitored condition. The master station, remote from the patient bed, is operatively coupled to the bed status system to receive bed status information. The bed message can include a bed identifier, bed type identifier, patient exit detection signal, bed occupied signal, or various other status signals. The system can also include locating stations that receive the bed messages from any beds within its monitored location, and generates a station message including information from the bed messages. The master station receives the station messages and can determine the status and location of any bed.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Matthew W. Weismiller, Thomas E. Scott, Robert J. Jennings, Julie E. Myers, Joseph H. Novak
-
Patent number: 7409735Abstract: A person support surface comprises a multitude of inflatable cells. The cells are inflated and deflated to adjust an interface pressure between the person support surface and a person supported by the surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Marshall S. Dahneke, John P. Biondo, Reed N. Wilcox, David T. Schwanemann, Douglas E. Borgman, John D. Miller, David J. Ulrich, Daniel J. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 7242308Abstract: A bed monitoring system that remotely monitors a patient bed. The bed monitoring system comprises a bed status system and a master station. The bed status system is coupled to the patient bed and is configured to monitor at least one condition of the bed, and to generate a bed message indicating the status of the monitored condition. The master station, remote from the patient bed, is operatively coupled to the bed status system to receive bed status information. The bed message can include a bed identifier, bed type identifier, patient exit detection signal, bed occupied signal, or various other status signals. The system can also include locating stations that receive the bed messages from any beds within its monitored location, and generates a station message including information from the bed messages. The master station receives the station messages and can determine the status and location of any bed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Matthew W. Weismiller, Tom Scott, Bob Jennings, Julie Myers, Joe Novak
-
Patent number: 6897780Abstract: An apparatus is configured to control at least one function of a bed located in a room from a remote location outside of the room. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the at least one bed function, an interface device coupled to the controller, and an input device located at the remote location. The input device is configured to generate a message signal to control the at least one bed function. The message signal is transmitted from the input device to the interface device and from the interface device to the controller to control the at least one bed function from the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Matthew W. Weismiller, Tom Scott, Bob Jennings, Julie Myers, Joe Novak
-
Patent number: 6825763Abstract: A system is provided for locating and tracking tags within an area. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically. Location messages are received and processed by at least one monitoring system to determine whether a tag has changed location.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Michael Edward Wagener, Sanjeev Patel, Joseph James Schmid, Robert J. Jennings
-
Publication number: 20030030569Abstract: A system is provided for locating and tracking tags within an area. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically. Location messages are received and processed by at least one monitoring system to determine whether a tag has changed location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Michael Edward Wagener, Sanjeev Patel, Joseph James Schmid, Robert J. Jennings
-
Publication number: 20020151990Abstract: An apparatus is configured to control at least one function of a bed located in a room from a remote location outside of the room. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the at least one bed function, an interface device coupled to the controller, and an input device located at the remote location. The input device is configured to generate a message signal to control the at least one bed function. The message signal is transmitted from the input device to the interface device and from the interface device to the controller to control the at least one bed function from the remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Matthew W. Weismiller, Tom Scott, Bob Jennings, Julie Myers, Joe Novak
-
Patent number: 6462656Abstract: A system is provided for locating and tracking tags within an awareness area including a first sub-awareness area and a second sub-awareness area. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically, and at least one tag is assigned to the first sub-awareness area. The system includes a first monitoring system associated with the first sub-awareness area and a second monitoring system associated with the second sub-awareness area.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Michael Edward Wagener, Sanjeev Patel, Joseph James Schmid, Robert J. Jennings
-
Patent number: 6362725Abstract: An apparatus is configured to control at least one function of a bed located in a room from a remote location outside of the room. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the at least one bed function, an interface device coupled to the controller, and an input device located at the remote location. The input device is configured to generate a message signal to control the at least one bed function. The message signal is transmitted from the input device to the interface device and from the interface device to the controller to control the at least one bed function from the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Matthew W. Weismiller, Tom Scott, Bob Jennings, Julie Myers, Joe Novak
-
Patent number: 6344794Abstract: A personnel and asset tracking system for locating and tracking objects throughout an awareness area comprises a communication network, a central server connected to said communication network maintaining an awareness area database, a plurality of receiver nodes, and a plurality of tags. Each tag is associated with an object to be tracked and has a transmitter which periodically transmits a tag transmission including a unique object identifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignees: Hill-Rom, Inc., Arial Systems CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Michael Edward Wagener, Sanjeev Patel, Joseph J. Schmid, Robert J. Jennings
-
Publication number: 20010000958Abstract: A system is provided for locating and tracking tags within an awareness area including a first sub-awareness area and a second sub-awareness area. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically, and at least one tag is assigned to the first sub-awareness area. The system includes a first monitoring system associated with the first sub-awareness area and a second monitoring system associated with the second sub-awareness area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: May 10, 2001Inventors: Daniel J. Ulrich, Michael Edward Wagener, Sanjeev Patel, Joseph James Schmid, Robert J. Jennings