Patents by Inventor Daniel T. Wallace

Daniel T. Wallace 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: 10751140
    Abstract: A robotic system can include a high force instrument that amplifies input forces such that output forces are greater than input forces. The high force instrument can include an end effector. The high force instrument can further include a first pulley configured to rotate about a pulley axis and a first jaw member connected to the first pulley by a first drive pin. The high force instrument can also include a second pulley configured to rotate about the pulley axis and a second jaw member connected to the second pulley by a second drive pink. A link can provide a first pivot point about which the first jaw member can pivot and a second pivot point about which the second jaw member can pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Travis Michael Schuh, Spencer James Witte
  • Publication number: 20200107894
    Abstract: Provided is a robotic system that includes a surgical instrument with a wrist including an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a wrist extending from the distal end of the elongate shaft, and an end effector extending from the wrist. The end effector may include a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaw being moveable between an open position in which ends of the jaws are separated from each other, and a closed position in which the ends of the jaws are closer to each other as compared to the open position. The surgical instrument may also include at least one rotary cutter extending from the wrist and positioned at least partially within a recess formed in a face of the first jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Benjamin L. Smith, Travis R. Marsot
  • Publication number: 20190374297
    Abstract: A robotic system can include a high force instrument that amplifies input forces such that output forces are greater than input forces. The high force instrument can include an end effector. The high force instrument can further include a first pulley configured to rotate about a pulley axis and a first jaw member connected to the first pulley by a first drive pin. The high force instrument can also include a second pulley configured to rotate about the pulley axis and a second jaw member connected to the second pulley by a second drive pink. A link can provide a first pivot point about which the first jaw member can pivot and a second pivot point about which the second jaw member can pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Travis Michael Schuh, Spencer James Witte
  • Publication number: 20190350660
    Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter G. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
  • Publication number: 20190314616
    Abstract: A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Randall L. Schlesinger, Farzad Soleimani, Daniel T. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10368951
    Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
  • Patent number: 10350390
    Abstract: A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Randall L. Schlesinger, Farzad Soleimani, Daniel T. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20190046173
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. A positively positionable multi-disk wrist mechanism includes a plurality of disks or vertebrae stacked in series. Each vertebra is configured to rotate in pitch or in yaw with respect to each neighboring vertebra. Actuation cables are used to manipulate and control movement of the vertebrae. In specific embodiments, some of the cables are distal cables that extend from a proximal vertebra through one or more intermediate vertebrae to a distal vertebra, while the remaining cables are medial cables that extend from the proximal vertebra to one or more of the intermediate vertebrae. The cables are actuated by a pivoted plate cable actuator mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Daniel T. Wallace, Stacey Chang, S. Christopher Anderson, Dustin Williams
  • Publication number: 20180338805
    Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft having a working end and a shaft axis, and a pair of linking arms each having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is pivotally mounted on the working end of the shaft to rotate around a first pitch axis to produce rotation in first pitch. A wrist member has a proximal portion pivotally connected to the distal end of the linking arm to rotate around a second pitch axis to produce rotation in second pitch. An end effector is pivotally mounted on a distal portion of the wrist member to rotate around a wrist axis of the wrist member to produce rotation in distal roll. The wrist axis extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wrist member. The elongate shaft is rotatable around the shaft axis to produce rotation in proximal roll. At about 90° pitch, the wrist axis is generally perpendicular to the shaft axis. The proximal roll around the shaft axis and the distal roll around the wrist axis do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tracey A. Morley, Daniel T. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10105128
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. A positively positionable multi-disk wrist mechanism includes a plurality of disks or vertebrae stacked in series. Each vertebra is configured to rotate in pitch or in yaw with respect to each neighboring vertebra. Actuation cables are used to manipulate and control movement of the vertebrae. In specific embodiments, some of the cables are distal cables that extend from a proximal vertebra through one or more intermediate vertebrae to a distal vertebra, while the remaining cables are medial cables that extend from the proximal vertebra to one or more of the intermediate vertebrae. The cables are actuated by a pivoted plate cable actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Daniel T. Wallace, Stacey Chang, S. Christopher Anderson, Dustin Williams
  • Patent number: 10052155
    Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft having a working end and a shaft axis, and a pair of linking arms each having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is pivotally mounted on the working end of the shaft to rotate around a first pitch axis to produce rotation in first pitch. A wrist member has a proximal portion pivotally connected to the distal end of the linking arm to rotate around a second pitch axis to produce rotation in second pitch. An end effector is pivotally mounted on a distal portion of the wrist member to rotate around a wrist axis of the wrist member to produce rotation in distal roll. The wrist axis extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wrist member. The elongate shaft is rotatable around the shaft axis to produce rotation in proximal roll. At about 90° pitch, the wrist axis is generally perpendicular to the shaft axis. The proximal roll around the shaft axis and the distal roll around the wrist axis do not overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracey A. Morley, Daniel T. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20170281296
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. A positively positionable multi-disk wrist mechanism includes a plurality of disks or vertebrae stacked in series. Each vertebra is configured to rotate in pitch or in yaw with respect to each neighboring vertebra. Actuation cables are used to manipulate and control movement of the vertebrae. In specific embodiments, some of the cables are distal cables that extend from a proximal vertebra through one or more intermediate vertebrae to a distal vertebra, while the remaining cables are medial cables that extend from the proximal vertebra to one or more of the intermediate vertebrae. The cables are actuated by a pivoted plate cable actuator mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Daniel T. Wallace, Stacey Chang, S. Christopher Anderson, Dustin Williams
  • Publication number: 20170215978
    Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Frederic H. Moll, Robert G. Younge, Kenneth M. Martin, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 9717486
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. A positively positionable multi-disk wrist mechanism includes a plurality of disks or vertebrae stacked in series. Each vertebra is configured to rotate in pitch or in yaw with respect to each neighboring vertebra. Actuation cables are used to manipulate and control movement of the vertebrae. In specific embodiments, some of the cables are distal cables that extend from a proximal vertebra through one or more intermediate vertebrae to a distal vertebra, while the remaining cables are medial cables that extend from the proximal vertebra to one or more of the intermediate vertebrae. The cables are actuated by a pivoted plate cable actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Daniel T. Wallace, Stacey Chang, S. Christopher Anderson, Dustin Williams
  • Patent number: 9629682
    Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Frederic H. Moll, Robert G. Younge, Kenneth M. Martin, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20170086929
    Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
  • Patent number: 9457168
    Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HANSEN MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Daniel T. Wallace, Gregory J. Stahler, David F. Moore, Daniel T. Adams, Kenneth M. Martin, Robert G. Younge, Michael R. Zinn, Gunter D. Niemeyer, David Lundmark
  • Publication number: 20160279394
    Abstract: A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, Randall L. Schlesinger, Farzad Soleimani, Daniel T. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20160235495
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods related to remotely-steerable ablation procedures are described. A necked-down ablation catheter may be coupled within a working lumen of a robotically-steerable sheath configured to be driveably coupled to an electromechanical instrument driver. The ablation catheter may be an irrigated ablation catheter having an irrigation fluid reservoir at its distal tip. The outer diameter of the distal portion of the ablation catheter is generally larger than that of the more proximal aspects due, in part, to the fact that the proximal aspects are designed to fit through a relatively low-profile steerable sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel T. Wallace, Katherine Whitin Lee, Sean Murphy, Randall L. Schlesinger, Eric A. Schultheis, William K. Yee
  • Patent number: 9381067
    Abstract: Surgical accessories are presented in vivo and used by surgical tools in the surgical site to perform additional tasks without the need to remove the tools from the surgical site for tool change or instrument loading. The accessories can be introduced into the surgical site by a dedicated accessory introducer, or can be supported on the body of a surgical tool inserted into the surgical site and be manipulated using another surgical tool in the surgical site. The accessory introducer can be resiliently biased to bias the accessories toward a predetermined position in the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Julian, Daniel T. Wallace, Frederic H. Moll, David J. Rosa, John G. Freund, John W. Hill