Patents by Inventor Erik Carlson

Erik Carlson 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: 9655709
    Abstract: A mesh deployment device having separate mesh deployment and actuation units is provided. A mesh deployment device includes an actuation unit and a mesh deployment unit configured to be releasably secured to the actuation unit. When the mesh deployment unit is secured to the actuation unit, a first actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from an expanded condition to a collapsed condition and a second actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The mesh deployment device may further include a mesh releasably secured to the mesh deployment unit. A third actuation of the actuation unit may release the mesh from the mesh deployment unit. Also provided is a kit including multiple mesh deployment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William T. Kelly, Jason T. Iceman, Jay Breindel, Erik Carlson, Thomas Wenchell, Kayla Cloutier, Shane Reardon
  • Publication number: 20170086809
    Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a tube assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a plunger assembly. The cartridge assembly is releasably engagable with the tube assembly and includes an end effector assembly disposed therein. The end effector assembly includes a specimen retrieval bag releasably coupled thereto at a distal end thereof and a first engagement member disposed at a proximal end thereof. The plunger assembly is configured for insertion through the tube assembly and into the cartridge assembly. The plunger assembly includes a second engagement member configured for releasably engaging the first engagement member. When the first and second engagement members are engaged with one another, the plunger assembly is movable between a more proximal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are retracted within the cartridge assembly, and a more distal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are deployed from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Erik Carlson
  • Publication number: 20170037675
    Abstract: A spacer formation cell usable in configuration of a window assembly, wherein the cell includes a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, and the stages include a holding stage, a cutting stage, a bending stage, and a connecting stage. The stages can be arranged in interlinked configuration, enabling spacers to be fabricated in a direct and time-efficient manner. The stages can be interlinked to form a framework, forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell, and enabling at least of the majority of the cell's operations to be readily overseen by an operator from single vantage points around the cell. The configuration of the formation cell enables a wide variety of spacer types and/or sizes to be readily processed, with such processing to be readily alternated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Curtis Queck, Michael Milewski, Robert Buchanan, Erik Carlson, James Newman
  • Patent number: 9549747
    Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a tube assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a plunger assembly. The cartridge assembly is releasably engagable with the tube assembly and includes an end effector assembly disposed therein. The end effector assembly includes a specimen retrieval bag releasably coupled thereto at a distal end thereof and a first engagement member disposed at a proximal end thereof. The plunger assembly is configured for insertion through the tube assembly and into the cartridge assembly. The plunger assembly includes a second engagement member configured for releasably engaging the first engagement member. When the first and second engagement members are engaged with one another, the plunger assembly is movable between a more proximal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are retracted within the cartridge assembly, and a more distal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are deployed from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Erik Carlson
  • Publication number: 20160324617
    Abstract: An instrument for deploying a surgical implant includes a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a frame arm. The frame arm includes a clip pair for releasably attaching the surgical implant to the frame arm. The clip pair includes first and second clips operably coupled by a spring member. The first and second clips are repositionable from a closed position to an open position. The spring member biases the first and second clips towards the closed position. A lock bar is coupled to the frame arm and translatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the lock bar maintains the first and second clips in either the open or the closed position. When the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the first and second clips are freely rotatable between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jason T. Iceman, Kevin Beaulieu, Erik Carlson, Ofek Levin, Arie Levy
  • Patent number: 9419678
    Abstract: A transmitting node in an industrial wireless network transmits a first number of bits to a receiving node, where at least one bit is partitioned into segments and each segment is transmitted at a different frequency according to a frequency transmission scheme. The receiving node receives the number of bits, determines the quality of each segment of a received bit, collects quality determinations of segments, forms a quality measure for each frequency through combining quality determinations of the corresponding frequency, compares each quality measure with a quality measure criterion, determines at least one frequency that does not fulfill the quality measure criterion and informs the transmitting node about frequencies for which the corresponding quality measures do not fulfill the quality measure criterion. The transmitting node receives the information and updates the frequency transmission scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Anne Vallestad, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Knut Rimstad
  • Patent number: 9393093
    Abstract: An instrument for deploying a surgical implant includes a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a frame arm. The frame arm includes a clip pair for releasably attaching the surgical implant to the frame arm. The clip pair includes first and second clips operably coupled by a spring member. The first and second clips are repositionable from a closed position to an open position. The spring member biases the first and second clips towards the closed position. A lock bar is coupled to the frame arm and translatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the lock bar maintains the first and second clips in either the open or the closed position. When the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the first and second clips are freely rotatable between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jason T. Iceman, Kevin Beaulieu, Erik Carlson, Ofek Levin, Arie Levy
  • Publication number: 20150381231
    Abstract: A transmitting node in an industrial wireless network transmits a first number of bits to a receiving node, where at least one bit is partitioned into segments and each segment is transmitted at a different frequency according to a frequency transmission scheme. The receiving node receives the number of bits, determines the quality of each segment of a received bit, collects quality determinations of segments, forms a quality measure for each frequency through combining quality determinations of the corresponding frequency, compares each quality measure with a quality measure criterion, determines at least one frequency that does not fulfill the quality measure criterion and informs the transmitting node about frequencies for which the corresponding quality measures do not fulfill the quality measure criterion. The transmitting node receives the information and updates the frequency transmission scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Anne Vallestad, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Knut Rimstad
  • Publication number: 20150088169
    Abstract: A mesh deployment device having separate mesh deployment and actuation units is provided. A mesh deployment device includes an actuation unit and a mesh deployment unit configured to be releasably secured to the actuation unit. When the mesh deployment unit is secured to the actuation unit, a first actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from an expanded condition to a collapsed condition and a second actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The mesh deployment device may further include a mesh releasably secured to the mesh deployment unit. A third actuation of the actuation unit may release the mesh from the mesh deployment unit. Also provided is a kit including multiple mesh deployment units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: William T. Kelly, Jason T. Iceman, Jay Breindel, Erik Carlson, Thomas Wenchell, Kayla Cloutier, Shane Reardon
  • Publication number: 20140263555
    Abstract: A surgical device including an end effector that is configured and adapted to receive an interchangeable tip is disclosed. Also disclosed are several interchangeable tips that are configured and adapted for different surgical procedures. The interchangeable tips facilitate the performance of different surgical procedures while using the same device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Elizabeth Hufnagel, Gregg Krehel, Jason Iceman, Erik Carlson, Ramiro Cabrera, Kenneth Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20130310857
    Abstract: An instrument for deploying a surgical implant includes a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a frame arm. The frame arm includes a clip pair for releasably attaching the surgical implant to the frame arm. The clip pair includes first and second clips operably coupled by a spring member. The first and second clips are repositionable from a closed position to an open position. The spring member biases the first and second clips towards the closed position. A lock bar is coupled to the frame arm and translatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the lock bar maintains the first and second clips in either the open or the closed position. When the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the first and second clips are freely rotatable between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Jason T. Iceman, Kevin Beaulieu, Erik Carlson, Ofek Levin, Arie Levy
  • Patent number: 8022655
    Abstract: A robot controller including a control unit and a portable device (TPU) for teaching and manually operating the robot. The TPU includes safety equipment, a safety TPU-part having a first communication unit and a main TPU-part having a third communication unit. The control unit includes a safety control part having a second communication unit and a main control part having a forth communication unit. The first and second communication units form a first communication channel for transferring data from the TPU to the control unit. The third and fourth communication units form a second communication channel for transferring data between the TPU and the control unit. Each of the main TPU-part, safety TPU-part, main control part, and safety control part includes a processor for generating and/or handling the data. Each communication unit is connected to a network and forms a node in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Ralph Sjöberg, Olov Nylén
  • Patent number: 7933667
    Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and including an operator control. The transmissions may be made wirelessly with redundant software processes for transmission and/or reception. Safety is increased by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Ralph Sjöberg, Nick Warren, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090212731
    Abstract: A robot controller including a control unit and a portable operating device (TPU) for teaching and manually operating the robot. The TPU includes safety equipment, a safety TPU-part having a first communication unit and a main TPU-part having a third communication unit. The control unit includes a safety control part having a second communication unit and a main control part having a forth communication unit. The first and second communication units are arranged such that they form a first communication channel for transferring communication data including information regarding the status of safety equipment from the TPU to the control unit. The third and fourth communication units are arranged such that they form a second communication channel for transferring general communication data between the TPU and the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Ralph Sjöberg, Olov Nylén
  • Patent number: 7577497
    Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit, and an emergency stop unit. The emergency stop unit is arranged movable and the portable operating unit includes a first receiving member for receiving the emergency stop unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Svein Johannessen, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson, Ralph Sjöberg
  • Publication number: 20080277467
    Abstract: An arrangement for return of an object for which a deposit has been paid or to a lending system has an acceptance zone for intake or positioning of the object to be accepted, a reading device for ascertaining an association of the object with a specific deposit or lending system, and a transporting device connected to the reading device so that after the object's association has been ascertained, the object is accepted and transported further in the arrangement. An identification sensor identifies the accepted object and, in the case of a redeemable object, acquires an appropriate amount of redemption or, in the case of a lending system, registers the acceptance of the object. Two blocking members are operationally connected to each other to form a lock for the object, one of the blocking members always being closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: TRION AG
    Inventor: Sven-Erik CARLSON
  • Patent number: 7451016
    Abstract: An industrial robot system including a plurality of industrial robots. Each robot includes a manipulator, a control unit for automatically operating the manipulator, and a movable key device configured to store information about the identity of the robot to which the moveable key device belongs. A portable operating unit is configured to teach and program the robots. The portable operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with each control unit. The portable operating unit includes a member for receiving one of the moveable key devices, a reader for reading a robot identity from the received moveable device, and a communication establisher for establishing wireless communication between the operating unit and the control unit of the identified robot upon reading the robot identity from the moveable key device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Svein Johannessen, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson
  • Patent number: 7328028
    Abstract: Methods and devices for performing a selection action of information in a central system before communicating selected information to a user terminal. The selection is based on at least the identity of the user and position of the user terminal. Using relations between identity and profiles, a first information filtering can be achieved. Using relations between the actual position of the user terminal and constitution of the industrial automation facility, information irrelevant for parts in the vicinity of the user terminal is removed. The operational situation of the facility and history of user actions may be used for filtering or prioritizing the information. The most prioritized data quantity is communicated to the user terminal and displayed at a user terminal display. If all the data, despite sifting, is too extensive to be shown at once on the user terminal, the user may move between different parts of the relevant information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Erik Carlson, George Fodor, Lars Gertmar, Jan-Anders Nolemo
  • Patent number: 7316351
    Abstract: In order to identify an item, on which a return deposit can be imposed, an element, which can at least be read in the radio frequency range and/or optionally one which can be switched or activated, are/is provided on the item. This element is activated optionally before or upon handing over the item and/or payment of a deposit for the item. The element is activated in such a manner that enables the item to be identified as one on which a deposit has been imposed. Before or upon returning the item, the element is read and, optionally when reimbursing the deposit, the element is activated and or deactivated in such a manner that enables the item to be identified as one on which a deposit is not imposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Trion AG
    Inventor: Sven-Erik Carlson
  • Publication number: 20070297890
    Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot, which operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and including an operator control. The transmissions may be made wirelessly with redundant software processes for transmission and/or reception. Safety is increased by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Ab
    Inventors: Ralph Sjoberg, Nick Warren, Jan Endresen, Erik Carlson