Patents by Inventor Grant Duque
Grant Duque 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: 20190261988Abstract: Systems include an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, a motor system configured to actuate the end effector, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a maximum tip deflection for the end effector, determine a torque limit based on the maximum tip deflection, and operate, subject to the torque limit, the end effector using the motor system. In some embodiments, the maximum tip deflection is determined based a type of staple cartridge being used by the end effector. In some embodiments, the type of staple cartridge identifies a length of staples fired by the end effector. In some embodiments, the firing of the staples is stalled when an applied torque exceeds the torque limit. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to fire staples subject to the torque limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Publication number: 20190222099Abstract: A motor assembly and method of operating the motor assembly include a motor, a memory to store calibrated parameters of the motor, and electronics coupled to the memory and the motor. The electronics are configured to retrieve the calibrated parameters from the memory, provide the calibrated parameters to an external system, and receive control signals for driving the motor from the external system. The control signals are based on the calibrated parameters. The calibrated parameters include a motor speed versus no-load current relationship for the motor determined by a procedure that includes performing an initial calibration of the motor, wearing in the motor after performing the initial calibration, performing a final calibration of the motor after wearing in the motor, and storing the calibrated parameters in the memory based on the initial calibration and the final calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Patent number: 10327773Abstract: Embodiments of a clamping instrument are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamping device with calibrated parameters and a calibration process for the clamping device is presented. A method of calibrating a clamping instrument can include acquiring a data set of clamping torque as a function of tip deflection data for the clamping instrument; determining a torque limit from the data set; and storing the torque limit in the clamping instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Publication number: 20190162310Abstract: Sealing assemblies and methods are disclosed for sealing a surgical instrument having an internal drive shaft subject to lateral displacement. A sealing assembly includes a rigid portion shaped to interface with an instrument shaft of the surgical instrument. A laterally oriented slot is open at a radially perimeter location and configured to receive an o-ring seal via the perimeter location. Apertures are disposed on opposing sides of the slot and open to the slot. The apertures are configured to receive the drive shaft there through and are larger than the drive shaft to accommodate lateral displacement of the drive shaft. The slot includes opposing internal sides spaced to interface with opposed axial surfaces of the o-ring seal. The seal inhibits axial transmission of an insufflated gas and/or bodily fluids while accommodating lateral displacement of the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Grant Duque, Todd Murphy, William Burbank, Gregory W. Dachs, II
-
Publication number: 20190133579Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Grant Duque, Thomas N. McNamara, Jeffrey A. Smith, Bennie Thompson, Ashley Wellman, Donald Frank Wilson, JR.
-
Patent number: 10277097Abstract: A motor assembly is presented. A motor assembly can include at least one motor; a memory to store calibrated parameters related to the at least one motor; and electronics coupled to the memory, the at least one motor, the electronics including interfaces to couple with a clamping device and a system to control the operation of the at least one motor. The calibrated parameters are determined for the at least one motor with a procedure that includes performing an initial calibration of the at least one motor; wearing in the at least one motor; performing a final calibration of the at least one motor; and storing calibration data in the memory. In some embodiments, the at least one motor can include a clamping motor and/or a firing motor. In some embodiments, lifetime parameters are stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Patent number: 10228058Abstract: Sealing assemblies and methods are disclosed for sealing a surgical instrument having an internal drive shaft subject to lateral displacement. A sealing assembly includes a rigid portion shaped to interface with an instrument shaft of the surgical instrument. A laterally oriented slot is open at a radially perimeter location and configured to receive an o-ring seal via the perimeter location. Apertures are disposed on opposing sides of the slot and open to the slot. The apertures are configured to receive the drive shaft there through and are larger than the drive shaft to accommodate lateral displacement of the drive shaft. The slot includes opposing internal sides spaced to interface with opposed axial surfaces of the o-ring seal. The seal inhibits axial transmission of an insufflated gas and/or bodily fluids while accommodating lateral displacement of the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Grant Duque, Todd E. Murphy, William A. Burbank, Gregory W. Dachs, II
-
Patent number: 10194908Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Grant Duque, Thomas N. McNamara, Jeffrey A. Smith, Bennie Thompson, Ashley Wellman, Donald Frank Wilson, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20180325606Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an end effector include a first jaw, a second jaw, a first actuation mechanism configured to actuate the first jaw and the second jaw toward each other with a first force, and a second actuation mechanism configured to actuate the first jaw and the second jaw toward each other with a second force greater than the first force. The second actuation mechanism is different from the first actuation mechanism. In some embodiments, the first actuation mechanism includes a first pull cable configured to increase an angle between the first jaw and the second jaw and a second pull cable configured to decrease the angle between the first jaw and the second jaw. In some embodiments, the second actuation mechanism includes a lead screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: David W. Weir, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David W. Robinson, John W. Zabinski
-
Patent number: 9999472Abstract: End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David Weir, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David Robinson, John Zabinski
-
Publication number: 20170333037Abstract: A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Ashley Wellman, William Burbank, Grant Duque, Patrick Flanagan
-
Patent number: 9814530Abstract: End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods are disclosed. The disclosed end effectors may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David Weir, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David Robinson, John Zabinski
-
Patent number: 9757125Abstract: A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Ashley Wellman, William A. Burbank, Grant Duque, Patrick Flanagan
-
Patent number: 9675354Abstract: Embodiments of a clamping system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system used with a motor assembly and a clamping device is presented, the system adjusting torque limits in the motor assembly according to conditions, for example operating temperature of the motor assembly and aging of the clamping device and the motor assembly. The clamping device can be, for example, a stapler or a vessel sealer.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Gabriel F. Brisson, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Patent number: 9662177Abstract: End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaws, measuring the separation parameter between the jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David Weir, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David Robinson, John Zabinski
-
Publication number: 20170079651Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Grant Duque, Thomas N. McNamara, Jeffrey A. Smith, Bennie Thompson, Ashley Wellman, Donald Frank Wilson, JR.
-
Publication number: 20170071679Abstract: End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: DAVID WEIR, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David Robinson, John Zabinski
-
Publication number: 20170055995Abstract: Embodiments of a clamping instrument are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamping device with calibrated parameters and a calibration process for the clamping device is presented. A method of calibrating a clamping instrument can include acquiring a data set of clamping torque as a function of tip deflection data for the clamping instrument; determining a torque limit from the data set; and storing the torque limit in the clamping instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Patent number: 9522003Abstract: Embodiments of a clamping instrument are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamping device with calibrated parameters and a calibration process for the clamping device is presented. A method of calibrating a clamping instrument can include acquiring a data set of clamping torque as a function of tip deflection data for the clamping instrument; determining a torque limit from the data set; and storing the torque limit in the clamping instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: David W. Weir, Melody Wu, Kevin Durant, Grant Duque
-
Patent number: 9498215Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Grant Duque, Tom McNamara, Jeffrey A. Smith, Bennie Thompson, Ashley Wellman, Don Wilson