Patents by Inventor David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson 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: 11660786
    Abstract: A leveler table includes a plate with a flat top work surface that is level in all planes, by locating a circular level recessed within the center of the plate, so that the level indicator of the circular level is in horizontal alignment with the top work surface. By locating the circular level in the middle of the plate, at the same horizontal level as the work surface, this leveler table provides accuracy and repeatability for use of the flat top work surface in manufacturing steps, particularly the forming of parts where repeatability is necessary, such as the in situ forming of an automotive windshield sensor pad in an open ended package supported on the flat top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Steven R Meizlish, David W Robinson
  • Publication number: 20230157687
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling staple firing include a manipulator, a drive system, and a processor. The manipulator is configured to be releasably coupled to an instrument. The instrument has an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw. The drive system is configured to apply a force or torque to the instrument to cause staple firing to occur using the end effector. The processor is configured to monitor a force or torque applied by the drive system to cause staple firing to occur and in response to determining that the applied force or torque is outside of an acceptable range of force or torque, maintain application of clamping by the first jaw and the second jaw while suspending application of the force or torque that causes the staple firing to occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: David W. WEIR, Kevin DURANT, Patrick FLANAGAN, David W. ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20230114914
    Abstract: Techniques for active and semi-active damping include a system including a processor and a linkage having a first link, a second link, and a damper coupling the second link to the first link. The processor is configured to receive a movement command for moving the linkage; determine one or more first vibrations expected to occur in the linkage as a result of performing the movement command; determine a movement profile for moving the linkage to reduce the one or more first vibrations; and drive, using a drive component, the linkage to move according to the movement profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Roman L. DEVENGENZO, Bruce M. SCHENA, David W. ROBINSON
  • Patent number: 11589863
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling staple firing include an end effector, a drive system configured to apply a force or torque to cause staple firing to occur, and a processor. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw holding staples. The processor is configured to monitor the applied force or torque to cause staple firing to occur and maintain application of clamping by the first jaw and the second jaw while suspending application of the force or torque that causes the staple firing, when the applied force or torque is outside an acceptable range of force or torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Weir, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11547506
    Abstract: Techniques for active and semi-active damping include a system including a base, a first linkage, a second linkage, and a processor. A proximal end of the first linkage is coupled to the base. The first linkage is configured to support a first instrument. The first linkage includes a first link, a second link, and a first damper coupling the second link to the first link. A proximal end of the second linkage is coupled to the base. The second linkage is configured to support a second instrument. The second linkage incudes a third link, a fourth link, and a second damper coupling the fourth link to the third link. The processor is configured to detect a movement or vibration of the first linkage caused by motion of the second linkage and control the second linkage to mitigate the detected movement or vibration of the first linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Bruce M. Schena, David W. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220296317
    Abstract: A system may comprise an image capture device to capture an image of a work site. The system may also comprise a processor to determine whether a tool disposed at the work site is energized and determine a first area of the captured image of the work site, including or adjacent to an image of a portion of the tool in the captured image. The processor may also determine a second area of the captured image including a remainder of the captured image that does not include the first area. Conditioned upon determining that the tool is energized, at least one of the first area and the second area of the captured image of the work site may be processed to indicate that the tool in the first area is being energized. The image of the work site with the first area and the second area may be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: SIMON P. DIMAIO, Brian D. Hoffman, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Tao Zhao, Wenyi Zhao
  • Patent number: 11389255
    Abstract: A system may comprise an image capture device disposed to capture an image of a work site, a display, and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine whether a tool disposed at the work site is energized and determine an area of the captured image of the work site, including or adjacent to an image of a portion of the tool in the captured image, to be filtered to indicate the tool has been energized. Conditioned upon determining that the tool is energized, the processer may also filter the area of the captured image of the work site to generate a filtered area of the captured image of the work site so as to create a glowing effect on the image of the portion of the energized tool, indicating that the tool is being energized. The image of the work site with the filtered area may be displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon P. DiMaio, Brian D. Hoffman, Brandon D. Itkowitz, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Tao Zhao, Wenyi Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220160444
    Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Pushkar Hingwe, Amy E. Kerdok, William C. Nowlin, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11311347
    Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pushkar Hingwe, Amy E. Kerdok, William C. Nowlin, David W. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220117685
    Abstract: Techniques for active and semi-active damping include a system including a base, a first linkage, a second linkage, and a processor. A proximal end of the first linkage is coupled to the base. The first linkage is configured to support a first instrument. The first linkage includes a first link, a second link, and a first damper coupling the second link to the first link. A proximal end of the second linkage is coupled to the base. The second linkage is configured to support a second instrument. The second linkage incudes a third link, a fourth link, and a second damper coupling the fourth link to the third link. The processor is configured to detect a movement or vibration of the first linkage caused by motion of the second linkage and control the second linkage to mitigate the detected movement or vibration of the first linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Roman L. DEVENGENZO, Bruce M. SCHENA, David W. ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20220063142
    Abstract: A leveler table includes a plate with a flat top work surface that is level in all planes, by locating a circular level recessed within the center of the plate, so that the level indicator of the circular level is in horizontal alignment with the top work surface. By locating the circular level in the middle of the plate, at the same horizontal level as the work surface, this leveler table provides accuracy and repeatability for use of the flat top work surface in manufacturing steps, particularly the forming of parts where repeatability is necessary, such as the in situ forming of an automotive windshield sensor pad in an open ended package supported on the flat top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Marcy Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Meizlish, David W. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220054187
    Abstract: Methods for minimally invasive electro-surgical systems are disclosed. One method includes determining if an input device is selected at a control console. If the input device is selected then, providing feedback to a user of the selection of the input device, delaying a first predetermined period of time for the user to receive the feedback, determining if the input device is deselected, and if not deselected, then activating an electrosurgical device to couple energy to tissue. If deselected, the method skips activation of the electrosurgical device. While active, a method includes determining if the input device is deselected, and if so, then deactivating the electrosurgical device, determining if the input device is reselected and if the input device is not reselected, then waiting and determining if a second predetermined period of time has lapsed prior to reselection of the input device and if not, then repeating the reselected determining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Thomas R. Nixon, Michael Hanuschik, Randal P. Goldberg, Salvatore J. Brogna
  • Publication number: 20220031417
    Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. GRIFFITHS, Arjang M. HOURTASH, Paul W. MOHR, David W. ROBINSON, Nitish SWARUP, John W. ZABINSKI, Mark W. ZIMMER
  • Patent number: 11234778
    Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pushkar Hingwe, Amy E. Kerdok, William C. Nowlin, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11234782
    Abstract: Active and semi-active damping of systems include a first link supported by a base, a second link, a damper coupling the first link to the second link, the damper having a variable damping coefficient, and a processor. The processor is configured to predict an acceleration or a vibration of the second link expected to result from a commanded movement of the second link and adjust the variable damping coefficient of the damper based on the predicted acceleration or the predicted vibration to reduce vibration in the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Bruce M. Schena, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11166758
    Abstract: A method for a minimally invasive surgical system is disclosed including capturing camera images of a surgical site; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including a first colored border portion in a first side and a second colored border in a second side opposite the first side; and overlaying the GUI onto the captured camera images of the surgical site for display on a display device of a surgeon console. The GUI provides information to a user regarding the first electrosurgical tool and the second tool in the surgical site that is concurrently displayed by the captured camera images. The first colored border portion in the GUI indicates that the first electrosurgical tool is controlled by a first master grip of the surgeon console and the second colored border portion indicates the tool type of the second tool controlled by a second master grip of the surgeon console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Thomas R. Nixon, Michael Hanuschik, Randal P. Goldberg, Salvatore J. Brogna
  • Publication number: 20210338354
    Abstract: A system includes a tool, an input device, a shape sensor system, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine a state estimate of the input device based on shape information from the shape sensor system, and control the tool based on the state estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Simon P. DiMaio, Mark Froggatt, Xingchi He, Govinda Payyavula, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11160622
    Abstract: A method of assigning an auxiliary input device to control a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted surgical system includes detecting a first surgical instrument coupled to a first manipulator interface assembly of a computer-assisted surgical system, the first manipulator interface assembly being controlled by a first input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randal P. Goldberg, Michael Hanuschik, Paul Millman, Paul W. Mohr, Thomas R. Nixon, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11129688
    Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Arjang M. Hourtash, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Nitish Swarup, John W. Zabinski, Mark W. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20210251702
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an end effector include an end effector for grasping a material, a drive system coupled to the end effector, and a processor. The processor is configured to use the drive system to grasp a material using the end effector, determine a grasping separation parameter of the end effector, determine, based on the determined grasping separation parameter, a prediction of success or failure in configuring the end effector for firing a staple through the material, and based on the determined grasping separation parameter, output an indicator of whether it is safe to proceed with stapling of the material grasped by the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: David W. WEIR, Grant DUQUE, Kevin DURANT, Patrick FLANAGAN, Margaret M. NIXON, David W. ROBINSON, John W. ZABINSKI