Patents by Inventor Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou 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: 20230087621Abstract: In general, separable surgical instrument joints and methods of using separable surgical instrument joints are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a joint at which a distal tip of the surgical instrument is configured to articulate relative to an elongate shaft of the instrument. The surgical instrument is configured to move between first and second states. In the first state, the distal tip of the surgical instrument cannot be articulated relative to the elongate shaft. In the second state, the distal tip can be articulated relative to the elongate shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Spencer Witte, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Grant Nair
-
Publication number: 20230072380Abstract: A medical instrument system includes actuators, a medical instrument, and a control system operably connected to the actuators. The medical instrument includes an end portion and transmission systems, each of which couples the end portion to an actuator of the actuators such that the actuators are operable to drive the transmission systems to move the end portion. The control system is configured to execute operations including determining a difference between a current configuration of the end portion and a desired configuration of the end portion, and operating the actuators to apply tensions to the transmission systems based on the difference and based on constant offset tensions. The constant offset tensions are independent of current tensions experienced by the transmission systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Gabriel F. Brisson, Nicola Diolaiti, David W. Weir, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
-
Patent number: 11540889Abstract: A medical instrument system includes actuators, a medical instrument, and a control system operably connected to the actuators. The medical instrument includes an end portion and transmission systems, each of which couples the end portion to an actuator of the actuators such that the actuators are operable to drive the transmission systems to move the end portion. The control system is configured to execute operations including determining a difference between a current configuration of the end portion and a desired configuration of the end portion, and operating the actuators to apply tensions to the transmission systems based on the difference and based on constant offset tensions. The constant offset tensions are independent of current tensions experienced by the transmission systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel F. Brisson, Nicola Diolaiti, David W. Weir, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
-
Publication number: 20200275984Abstract: A medical instrument system includes actuators, a medical instrument, and a control system operably connected to the actuators. The medical instrument includes an end portion and transmission systems, each of which couples the end portion to an actuator of the actuators such that the actuators are operable to drive the transmission systems to move the end portion. The control system is configured to execute operations including determining a difference between a current configuration of the end portion and a desired configuration of the end portion, and operating the actuators to apply tensions to the transmission systems based on the difference and based on constant offset tensions. The constant offset tensions are independent of current tensions experienced by the transmission systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Gabriel F. Brisson, Nicola Diolaiti, David W. Weir, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
-
Patent number: 10078031Abstract: Compliant leak detection system. The system includes structure adapted to support at least two rows of leak detection leaves, each leak detection leaf supported by an arm pivotally attached to the structure and urged outwardly by a torsion spring into contact with a pipe wall so as to adjust for changes in pipe diameter. The leak detection leaf includes a rigid support and a flexible member such that suction from a leak will cause the flexible member to contact the pipe wall and put a drag force on the structure. An axial force transmitting drum measures the drag force to indicate presence of a leak.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben-Mansour
-
Publication number: 20170234759Abstract: Compliant leak detection system. The system includes structure adapted to support at least two rows of leak detection leaves, each leak detection leaf supported by an arm pivotally attached to the structure and urged outwardly by a torsion spring into contact with a pipe wall so as to adjust for changes in pipe diameter. The leak detection leaf includes a rigid support and a flexible member such that suction from a leak will cause the flexible member to contact the pipe wall and put a drag force on the structure. An axial force transmitting drum measures the drag force to indicate presence of a leak.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben-Mansour
-
Patent number: 9335233Abstract: Leak detection system. The system includes a structure sized to fit within a pipe for supporting at least one sensing element near an inside wall of the pipe, whereby a pressure gradient at a leak in the pipe will cause the sensing element to respond. Structure is provided for detecting movement or deformation of the sensing element, the movement or deformation indicating the presence of a leak. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes two spaced-apart rings for supporting the at least one sensing element. The sensing element is a diaphragm in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the sensing element is supported for movement with respect to the ring structure which includes sensing circuitry for detecting the movement to indicate a leak. Other embodiments employ different sensing elements that respond to pressure gradients near leaks.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Atia Khalifa, Rached Ben-Mansour, Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Mohamed A. Habib, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
-
Patent number: 9321466Abstract: Force control system. The system includes a first pair of permanent magnets for providing a normal force on the wheel of a robot adapted for n-pipe inspections. A second pair of magnets is provided with opposite polarity so that a rotor containing magnets may be rotated with a minimum of torque required and therefore with a minimum of energy expended.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Changrak Choi, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben-Mansour, Kamal Youcef-Toumi
-
Patent number: 9285290Abstract: Leak detection apparatus for deployment in a pipe. The apparatus includes a carrier disposed for motion along the pipe and a detector connected to move with the carrier in an axial direction. The detector comprises a drum mounted for rotation about pitch and yaw axes. A flexible material is mounted on, and extends from, the drum and at least two sensors responsive to drum rotation are provided. The flexible material will be drawn into contact with a wall of the pipe at a leak location, thereby producing a torque on the drum, causing the drum to rotate, and the at least two sensors to generate signals from which leak location is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Samir Mekid, Rached Ben-Mansour, Atia Khalifa, Kamal Youcef-Toumi
-
Patent number: 8869599Abstract: Leak detection system. A rigid body is resiliently supported within an outer cage. Structure is provided for detecting displacement of the rigid body with respect to the outer cage, the displacement indicating a leak when the rigid body is moved by a suction force generated by a local pressure gradient resulting from a leak within a pipe network. The invention allows a leak to be determined around the circumference of a pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsInventors: Rached Ben-Mansour, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Atia Khalifa, Changrak Choi, Kamal Youcef-Toumi
-
Publication number: 20140290763Abstract: Force control system. The system includes a first pair of permanent magnets for providing a normal force on the wheel of a robot adapted for n-pipe inspections. A second pair of magnets is provided with opposite polarity so that a rotor containing magnets may be rotated with a minimum of torque required and therefore with a minimum of energy expended.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Changrak Choi, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben-Mansour, Kamal Youcef-Toumi
-
Patent number: 8820143Abstract: The system includes structure for supporting at least one tube within a pipe. The tube has one end disposed close to, or in contact with, a wall of the pipe. A sensor is disposed within the at least one tube to detect a pressure gradient or fluid movement within the tube. Such pressure gradient or fluid movement indicates a leak in the pipe adjacent to the tube location. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a ring sized to fit within the pipe and the ring supports a plurality of tubes. In another aspect, the tube includes a restriction to prevent flow and pressure is measured on each side of the restriction.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Sanjay E. Sarma, Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Stephen Sai-Wung Ho, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben Mansour
-
Publication number: 20140130577Abstract: Leak detection apparatus for deployment in a pipe. The apparatus includes a carrier disposed for motion along the pipe and a detector connected to move with the carrier in an axial direction. The detector comprises a drum mounted for rotation about pitch and yaw axes. A flexible material is mounted on, and extends from, the drum and at least two sensors responsive to drum rotation are provided. The flexible material will be drawn into contact with a wall of the pipe at a leak location, thereby producing a torque on the drum, causing the drum to rotate, and the at least two sensors to generate signals from which leak location is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Samir Mekid, Rached Ben-Mansour, Atia Khalifa, Kamal Youcef-Toumi
-
Publication number: 20120272722Abstract: Leak detection system. The system includes a structure sized to fit within a pipe for supporting at least one sensing element near an inside wall of the pipe, whereby a pressure gradient at a leak in the pipe will cause the sensing element to respond. Structure is provided for detecting movement or deformation of the sensing element, the movement or deformation indicating the presence of a leak. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes two spaced-apart rings for supporting the at least one sensing element. The sensing element is a diaphragm in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the sensing element is supported for movement with respect to the ring structure which includes sensing circuitry for detecting the movement to indicate a leak. Other embodiments employ different sensing elements that respond to pressure gradients near leaks.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Atia Khalifa, Rached Ben-Mansour, Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Mohamed A. Habib, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou
-
Publication number: 20120255343Abstract: The system includes structure for supporting at least one tube within a pipe. The tube has one end disposed close to, or in contact with, a wall of the pipe. A sensor is disposed within the at least one tube to detect a pressure gradient or fluid movement within the tube. Such pressure gradient or fluid movement indicates a leak in the pipe adjacent to the tube location. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a ring sized to fit within the pipe and the ring supports a plurality of tubes. In another aspect, the tube includes a restriction to prevent flow and pressure is measured on each side of the restriction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Sanjay E. Sarma, Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Stephen Sai-Wung Ho, Dimitrios Chatzigeorgiou, Rached Ben Mansour