Patents by Inventor Edward P. Donlon

Edward P. Donlon 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: 20240118500
    Abstract: A system comprises an optical fiber, a manipulator assembly, and a control unit. The manipulator assembly comprises a chassis, an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, and a drive mechanism housed within the chassis. The optical fiber cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning tape, a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use. The drive mechanism is configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber. The control unit is configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark E. Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 11944403
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
  • Patent number: 11899248
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn, a drive mechanism configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool, and one or more first connectors configured to mate with one or more connectors of a system, the system including a first optical fiber. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes one or more second connectors configured to mate with one or more optical fiber connectors of a device while the optical fiber cleaning assembly is attached to the system by the one or more first connectors, the device including a second optical fiber. The drive mechanism is configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool to wipe the face of the first or second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20240009441
    Abstract: A valve system comprises a first valve plunger configured for insertion into a first valve plunger channel. The first valve plunger has a first latch member disposed at a distal end. A first sealing member and a first valve are opening disposed proximally from the first latch member. The valve system also comprises a second valve plunger configured for insertion into a second valve plunger channel. The second valve plunger includes a second valve opening that is longer than the first valve opening. The valve system also includes a valve body having the first and second valve plunger channels. The first and second valve plunger channels are configured to receive the first and second valve plungers, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11793990
    Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device comprises a valve body having one or more conduits fluidically coupled thereto and a first channel extending through the valve body. The medical device also comprises a first valve plunger disposed along the first channel and configured to move along an axis to open and close the first channel. The first valve plunger has a first opening to permit a fluid to flow through the first channel. The medical device also comprises a second valve plunger disposed along the first channel and along a second channel to couple the second channel into the first channel when the second valve plunger is in a first position. The second valve plunger has a second opening that has at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the first opening of the first valve plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20230143152
    Abstract: A floating optical fiber connector interface generally includes a retention bracket, a translating socket slidingly associated with the retention bracket, and a biasing element positioned between the retention bracket and the translating socket. A tab portion may permit translation of the translating socket with respect to the retention bracket, and an aperture configured to receive a carriage optical fiber connector. The translating socket may translate with respect to the retention bracket within a plane and may further translate in the insertion direction, and the biasing element may resist translation of the translating socket. An alignment plate may be configured to align an instrument interface for connection to a carriage, including a telescoping standoff operable to position the plate at a first position in which the plate is spaced apart from the carriage and to position the plate at a second position in which the plate is adjacent to the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher M. Major, Scot C. Fairchild, Ryan C. Abbott, David W. Bailey, Edward P. Donlon, Matthew D, Rohr Daniel, Timothy D. Boucher
  • Patent number: 11478317
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Publication number: 20220105336
    Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device comprises a valve body having one or more conduits fluidically coupled thereto and a first channel extending through the valve body. The medical device also comprises a first valve plunger disposed along the first channel and configured to move along an axis to open and close the first channel. The first valve plunger has a first opening to permit a fluid to flow through the first channel. The medical device also comprises a second valve plunger disposed along the first channel and along a second channel to couple the second channel into the first channel when the second valve plunger is in a first position. The second valve plunger has a second opening that has at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the first opening of the first valve plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11224733
    Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device valve system comprises a first valve plunger configured for insertion into a first valve plunger channel. The first valve plunger has a first latch member disposed at a distal end with a first sealing member and a first valve opening disposed proximally from the first latch member. The system also comprises a second valve plunger configured for insertion into a second valve plunger channel. The second valve plunger includes a second valve opening that is longer than the first valve opening. The system also comprises a valve body having the first and second valve plunger channels. The first and second valve plunger channels are configured to receive the first and second valve plungers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20210322118
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. DONLON, Craig TSUJI, Alain SADAKA
  • Publication number: 20210278604
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes a drive mechanism for moving the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool. A face of an optical fiber may be placed into contact with the cleaning tape, such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes the face of the optical fiber as the drive mechanism moves the cleaning tape from the first spool onto the second spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 11026759
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Publication number: 20210137627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. DACHS, II, Bruce Michael SCHENA, Donald ALDEN, Edward P. DONLON, Scott HARRINGTON, Craig TSUJI, William A. BURBANK
  • Patent number: 10898288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena, Donald Alden, Edward P. Donlon, Scott Harrington, Craig Tsuji, William A. Burbank
  • Publication number: 20200197117
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. DONLON, Craig TSUJI, Alain SADAKA
  • Patent number: 10595949
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Donlon, Craig Tsuji, Alain Sadaka
  • Patent number: D884157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D890329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D921186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon
  • Patent number: D922562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hulford, Robert B. Hubler, Elie Eyram Ahovi, Craig Tsuji, Edward P. Donlon