Patents by Inventor Grant M. Kadokura

Grant M. Kadokura 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: 11969225
    Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system is provided that includes a surgical instrument that includes an end effector mounted for rotation about a slave pivot axis; a master control input includes a mount member, first and second master grip rotatably secured at the mount member for rotation about a master pivot axis; sensor to produce a sensor signal indicative of a slave grip counter-force about the slave pivot axis; one or more motors to impart a shear force to the mount member, perpendicular to the master pivot axis; one or more processors to convert the sensor signal to motor control signals to cause the motors to impart the feedback shear force to the first and second master grip members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. Kadokura
  • Patent number: 11857284
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, William A. McDonald, II
  • Patent number: 11815412
    Abstract: A force sensor includes an annular diaphragm that includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter; the diaphragm has an outer annular portion having a tapered thickness that increases with decreasing radial distance from the outer perimeter; the diaphragm has an inner annular portion having a tapered thickness that increases with decreasing radial distance from the inner perimeter; a first strain gauge at the outer annular portion; and a second strain gauge at the inner annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. Kadokura
  • Publication number: 20230301738
    Abstract: Implementations relate to a master control device. In some implementations, a master control device includes a control body comprising a proximal end, a thumb grip portion, and a finger grip portion. The control body has a length configured to engage the proximal end of the control body in the palm of a hand of the user while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with a thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with a finger of the hand. The control body is configured to allow the proximal end of the control body to be selectively engaged by the palm of the hand and selectively disengaged from the palm of the hand while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with the thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with the finger of the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen C. THOMPSON, Grant M. KADOKURA, John Ryan STEGER
  • Publication number: 20230285100
    Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system is provided that includes a surgical instrument that includes an end effector mounted for rotation about a slave pivot axis; a master control input includes a mount member, first and second master grip rotatably secured at the mount member for rotation about a master pivot axis; sensor to produce a sensor signal indicative of a slave grip counter-force about the slave pivot axis; one or more motors to impart a shear force to the mount member, perpendicular to the master pivot axis; one or more processors to convert the sensor signal to motor control signals to cause the motors to impart the feedback shear force to the first and second master grip members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. KADOKURA
  • Publication number: 20230286179
    Abstract: A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft, and a rotary device. The shaft is rotatable with reference to the transmission mechanism through a defined range of rotational motion about a first axis of rotation and includes a protrusion extending from the shaft in a direction normal to the first axis of rotation. The rotary device includes a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and a notch between the first stop surface and the second stop surface, with the notch configured to receive the protrusion extending from the shaft. Rotation of the shaft through a midpoint of the range of rotational motion causes the protrusion to enter the notch of the rotary device and rotate the rotary device from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury
  • Patent number: 11712314
    Abstract: Implementations relate to a master control device. In some implementations, a master control device includes a control body comprising a proximal end, a thumb grip portion, and a finger grip portion. The control body has a length configured to engage the proximal end of the control body in the palm of a hand of the user while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with a thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with a finger of the hand. The control body is configured to allow the proximal end of the control body to be selectively engaged by the palm of the hand and selectively disengaged from the palm of the hand while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with the thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with the finger of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen C. Thompson, Grant M. Kadokura, John Ryan Steger
  • Patent number: 11691299
    Abstract: A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft rotatable relative to the transmission mechanism, and a stop mechanism associated with the shaft, the stop mechanism being transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the shaft is free to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the second state, the shaft is constrained from rotating in one of the first direction or the second direction by a defined first endpoint of a range of rotational motion of the shaft. Devices and methods relate to rotation stop mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury
  • Patent number: 11666402
    Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system is provided that includes a surgical instrument that includes an end effector mounted for rotation about a slave pivot axis; a master control input includes a mount member, first and second master grip rotatably secured at the mount member for rotation about a master pivot axis; sensor to produce a sensor signal indicative of a slave grip counter-force about the slave pivot axis; one or more motors to impart a shear force to the mount member, perpendicular to the master pivot axis; one or more processors to convert the sensor signal to motor control signals to cause the motors to impart the feedback shear force to the first and second master grip members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. Kadokura
  • Patent number: 11432894
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ryan Steger, Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury, Manuel Ahumada
  • Publication number: 20220015847
    Abstract: Capstan slip-stop shoulders limit relative rotation of capstans: a drive is shaft rotatably inserted within first and second axially aligned annular capstans, the first capstan including a first tooth extending parallel to the drive shaft in a first direction, the second capstan including a second tooth extending parallel to the drive shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first tooth including first and second circumferentially spaced first tooth slip-stop shoulders, the second tooth including first and second circumferentially spaced second tooth slip-stop shoulders, the first and second capstans arranged such that abutting contact between the first and second slip-stop shoulders can halt capstan rotation about the drive shaft in one direction, and abutting contact between the second first and second slip-stop shoulders can halt capstan rotation about the drive shaft in an opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Grant M. Kadokura
  • Publication number: 20220003615
    Abstract: A force sensor includes an annular diaphragm that includes an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter; the diaphragm has an outer annular portion having a tapered thickness that increases with decreasing radial distance from the outer perimeter; the diaphragm has an inner annular portion having a tapered thickness that increases with decreasing radial distance from the inner perimeter; a first strain gauge at the outer annular portion; and a second strain gauge at the inner annular portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. KADOKURA
  • Publication number: 20210401524
    Abstract: A surgical tool is provided that includes a hollow shaft and a cable extending within the shaft such that the cable is isolated from external forces imparted to the shaft; the shaft and a carriage are included as links of a 4-bar linkage that also includes first and second side links that are rotatably mounted to the carriage at respective first and second distal pivot axes and that are rotatably mounted to the shaft at respective first and second proximal pivot axes; the segment of the cable extends between a distal pulley rotatably at the carriage and a proximal pulley rotatably mounted at the shaft and a segment of the cable extends within the shaft; a distance between the first distal and first proximal pivot axes matches a distance between an axis of the distal pulley axis and an axis of the proximal pulley such that a rocking motion of the 4-bar linkage due to external force upon the shaft exerts no force upon the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwinram SURESH, Grant M. KADOKURA
  • Publication number: 20210401523
    Abstract: Control cables in a surgical instrument are kept parallel to the instrument's longitudinal axis to prevent transverse forces from the cables being sensed by a transverse force sensor in the instrument. A surgical instrument includes an elongated hollow shaft having a longitudinal center axis. Multiple cables extend within the shaft. A force sensor includes a beam disposed within the shaft and one or more strain gauges disposed on the beam. A proximal anchor is disposed within the shaft and in contact with a proximal end of the beam. A distal anchor is at the distal end of the shaft and in contact with a distal end of the beam. A cable guide is disposed within the shaft to constrain portions of the multiple cables disposed alongside the beam to movement parallel to the center axis, and so prevent force from the moving cables causing transverse force on the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwinram SURESH, Grant M. KADOKURA, Andrew C. WATERBURY
  • Publication number: 20210267701
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, William A. McDonald, II
  • Patent number: 11013568
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, William A. McDonald, II
  • Publication number: 20200390510
    Abstract: Implementations relate to a master control device. In some implementations, a master control device includes a control body comprising a proximal end, a thumb grip portion, and a finger grip portion. The control body has a length configured to engage the proximal end of the control body in the palm of a hand of the user while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with a thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with a finger of the hand. The control body is configured to allow the proximal end of the control body to be selectively engaged by the palm of the hand and selectively disengaged from the palm of the hand while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with the thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with the finger of the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Allen C. THOMPSON, Grant M. KADOKURA, John Ryan STEGER
  • Publication number: 20200261174
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: John Ryan Steger, Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury, Manuel Ahumada
  • Publication number: 20200246983
    Abstract: A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft rotatable relative to the transmission mechanism, and a stop mechanism associated with the shaft, the stop mechanism being transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the shaft is free to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the second state, the shaft is constrained from rotating in one of the first direction or the second direction by a defined first endpoint of a range of rotational motion of the shaft. Devices and methods relate to rotation stop mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. KADOKURA, Andrew C. WATERBURY
  • Publication number: 20200237465
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, William A. McDonald, II