Patents by Inventor Donald ALDEN
Donald ALDEN 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).
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Patent number: 11944403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
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Patent number: 11890073Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a movable component coupled at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled at the proximal end of the shaft, and an actuation element with a first end coupled to the force transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to the movable component. The actuation element being configured to transmit an actuation force from the force transmission mechanism to the movable component. A coil spring is coupled to the actuation element between the first and second ends. First and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to longitudinally separated locations on the actuation element. The coil spring is configured to passively expand and contract in response to tension changes in the actuation element. A distance between the longitudinally separated locations changes as the coil spring passively expands and contracts.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald Alden
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Publication number: 20220354598Abstract: A method for providing a visual indication regarding a state of an instrument comprises sensing usage information about the instrument and using a motor to rotate an indicator body from a first position to a second position in response to sensing the usage information meets a predetermined condition. The method further comprises holding the indicator body in the first position or the second position, respectively. In the first position a first portion of the indicator body is visible on an exterior of the instrument and in the second position a second portion is visible. In the first position, the first portion of the indicator body provides a visual indication that the usage information of the instrument does not meet the predetermined condition, and in the second position the second portion of the visual indicator body provides a visual indication that the usage information of the instrument meets the predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Donald ALDEN, Bram Gilbert Antoon LAMBRECHT
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Patent number: 11344378Abstract: A method for providing a visual expiration indication for a surgical instrument includes holding an indicator body in a first position with a detent mechanism to provide a visual in-service indication for the surgical instrument. The indicator body is engaged with a motor and the indicator body is rotated with the motor from the first position to a second position that provides a visual expired indication. The indicator body is prevented from rotating from the second position to the first position with the detent mechanism. The detent mechanism may hold the indicator body in one of only two positions. The visual indications may be displayed through an aperture fixed to the base of the surgical instrument. The indicator body may be elastically deformed when the indicator body is rotated from the first position to the second position. The motor may be rotated to gain momentum before rotating the indicator body.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Donald Alden, Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht
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Publication number: 20220110704Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a movable component coupled at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled at the proximal end of the shaft, and an actuation element with a first end coupled to the force transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to the movable component. The actuation element being configured to transmit an actuation force from the force transmission mechanism to the movable component. A coil spring is coupled to the actuation element between the first and second ends. First and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to longitudinally separated locations on the actuation element. The coil spring is configured to passively expand and contract in response to tension changes in the actuation element. A distance between the longitudinally separated locations changes as the coil spring passively expands and contracts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald ALDEN
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Patent number: 11234784Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a movable component coupled at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled at the proximal end of the shaft, and an actuation element with a first end coupled to the force transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to the movable component. The actuation element being configured to transmit an actuation force from the force transmission mechanism to the movable component. A coil spring is coupled to the actuation element between the first and second ends. First and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to longitudinally separated locations on the actuation element. The coil spring is configured to passively expand and contract in response to tension changes in the actuation element. A distance between the longitudinally separated locations changes as the coil spring passively expands and contracts.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald Alden
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Publication number: 20210137627Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Gregory W. DACHS, II, Bruce Michael SCHENA, Donald ALDEN, Edward P. DONLON, Scott HARRINGTON, Craig TSUJI, William A. BURBANK
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Patent number: 10898288Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
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Patent number: 10814442Abstract: A nut torqueing device for a recessed nut is disclosed. The nut torqueing device includes a nut engaging assembly to engage a nut in a recess. The nut engaging assembly includes: a nut engaging element to engage the nut in the recess, at least one stackable riser element to stackably connect to one of the nut engaging element and an adjacent stackable riser element therebelow, and a transmission engaging element to stackably connect to an uppermost one of the at least one stackable riser element. A ratchet interface within the nut engaging assembly allows rotation of the nut engaging element in only one direction, while other stackable elements rotationally interlock. A low profile transmission extends within a small space to transmit rotational power to the nut engaging assembly. The nut torqueing device is applicable with a terminal nut of an electric generator.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald Alden VanSlyke, Murat Alver, Erkin Bayindir, Philip Frank Burnett, Curtis Maurice Hebert, Mesut Merev, August Elwood Pendergast, Paul August Quail
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Publication number: 20200078107Abstract: A method for providing a visual expiration indication for a surgical instrument includes holding an indicator body in a first position with a detent mechanism to provide a visual in-service indication for the surgical instrument. The indicator body is engaged with a motor and the indicator body is rotated with the motor from the first position to a second position that provides a visual expired indication. The indicator body is prevented from rotating from the second position to the first position with the detent mechanism. The detent mechanism may hold the indicator body in one of only two positions. The visual indications may be displayed through an aperture fixed to the base of the surgical instrument. The indicator body may be elastically deformed when the indicator body is rotated from the first position to the second position. The motor may be rotated to gain momentum before rotating the indicator body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Donald Alden, Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht
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Publication number: 20190365494Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
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Patent number: 10470829Abstract: An indicator mechanism for a surgical instrument includes an aperture fixed to a base. An indicator body is rotatably supported by the base. The indicator body includes features for engaging a motor that rotates the indicator body. A visual indicator, visible through the aperture, is coupled to the indicator body. A detent mechanism holds the indicator body in one of two positions. A first of the two positions provides a visual indication that the surgical instrument is in service and a second of the two positions provides a visual indication that the surgical instrument is expired. A controller may track use events for a surgical instrument to determine expiration. Use events may include operations and conditions in addition to those that occur in the surgical instrument. When the use events tracked by the controller indicate expiration, the controller may rotate a motor to set the visual indication to expired.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Donald Alden, Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht
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Publication number: 20190314101Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a movable component coupled at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled at the proximal end of the shaft, and an actuation element with a first end coupled to the force transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to the movable component. The actuation element being configured to transmit an actuation force from the force transmission mechanism to the movable component. A coil spring is coupled to the actuation element between the first and second ends. First and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to longitudinally separated locations on the actuation element. The coil spring is configured to passively expand and contract in response to tension changes in the actuation element. A distance between the longitudinally separated locations changes as the coil spring passively expands and contracts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald ALDEN
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Patent number: 10420622Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
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Publication number: 20180093356Abstract: A nut torqueing device for a recessed nut is disclosed. The nut torqueing device includes a nut engaging assembly to engage a nut in a recess. The nut engaging assembly includes: a nut engaging element to engage the nut in the recess, at least one stackable riser element to stackably connect to one of the nut engaging element and an adjacent stackable riser element therebelow, and a transmission engaging element to stackably connect to an uppermost one of the at least one stackable riser element. A ratchet interface within the nut engaging assembly allows rotation of the nut engaging element in only one direction, while other stackable elements rotationally interlock. A low profile transmission extends within a small space to transmit rotational power to the nut engaging assembly. The nut torqueing device is applicable with a terminal nut of an electric generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Donald Alden VanSlyke, Murat Alver, Erkin Bayindir, Philip Frank Burnett, Curtis Maurice Hebert, Mesut Merev, August Elwood Pendergast, Paul August Quail
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Patent number: 9750578Abstract: An actuation input mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument may include an interface structure and a shaft connected to the interface structure. The interface structure may be engageable with a drive structure of an actuation interface assembly of a teleoperated surgical system to be driven by the drive structure. The shaft may be rotatable in response to the interface structure being driven. The interface structure may comprise a depression shaped and sized to receive a fingertip. The interface structure may further comprise one or more gripping features disposed in the depression. A surgical instrument for a teleoperated surgical system may include an instrument shaft, an end effector, and a force transmission mechanism. The force transmission mechanism may comprise an actuation input mechanism to transmit drive forces to actuate the surgical instrument, the actuation input mechanism including an interface structure and a shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald Alden
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Patent number: 9680343Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, a generator field upgrade kit includes a design modification package configured to be installed in a generator field of a generator as a retrofit to mitigate damage of the generator field due to high cyclic duty of the generator. The design modification package includes a plurality of individual modifications that are selectable based on specific operational and performance parameters of the generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Mitchell Draina, Benjamin Alber Mancuso, Donald Alden VanSlyke
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Publication number: 20160361048Abstract: An indicator mechanism for a surgical instrument includes an aperture fixed to a base. An indicator body is rotatably supported by the base. The indicator body includes features for engaging a motor that rotates the indicator body. A visual indicator, visible through the aperture, is coupled to the indicator body. A detent mechanism holds the indicator body in one of two positions. A first of the two positions provides a visual indication that the surgical instrument is in service and a second of the two positions provides a visual indication that the surgical instrument is expired. A controller may track use events for a surgical instrument to determine expiration. Use events may include operations and conditions in addition to those that occur in the surgical instrument. When the use events tracked by the controller indicate expiration, the controller may rotate a motor to set the visual indication to expired.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Donald Alden, Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht
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Publication number: 20160361049Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
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Publication number: 20150257744Abstract: An actuation input mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument may include an interface structure and a shaft connected to the interface structure. The interface structure may be engageable with a drive structure of an actuation interface assembly of a teleoperated surgical system to be driven by the drive structure. The shaft may be rotatable in response to the interface structure being driven. The interface structure may comprise a depression shaped and sized to receive a fingertip. The interface structure may further comprise one or more gripping features disposed in the depression. A surgical instrument for a teleoperated surgical system may include an instrument shaft, an end effector, and a force transmission mechanism. The force transmission mechanism may comprise an actuation input mechanism to transmit drive forces to actuate the surgical instrument, the actuation input mechanism including an interface structure and a shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Donald ALDEN