Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Merril
Gregory L. Merril 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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Publication number: 20150109129Abstract: A system for detecting head impacts comprises a sensor for detecting acceleration and providing a signal representative of applied impacts, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive data from the acceleration sensor and determine whether a magnitude of an impact exceeds a threshold. In response to a magnitude of an impact exceeding the threshold, the system displays a cumulative report of impacts exceeding the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Gregory L. Merril, Robert F. Cohen, Andrew Lipovsky
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Patent number: 8638308Abstract: A method for interfacing a user with a computer running an application program, the computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical object and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body, comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the graphical object in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the graphical object interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard L Cunningham, Robert F Cohen, Russell H Dumas, Gregory L Merril, Philip G Feldman, Joseph L Tasto
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Patent number: 8480406Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman, Diego Fontayne, Gregory L. Merril, Mario Turchi
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Publication number: 20110148794Abstract: A method for interfacing a user with a computer running an application program, the computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical object and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body, comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the graphical object in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the graphical object interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Immersion CorporationInventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Robert F. Cohen, Russell H. Dumas, Gregory L. Merril, Philip G. Feldman, Joseph L. Tasto
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Patent number: 7931470Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Patent number: 7864164Abstract: A method for interfacing a user with a computer running an application program, the computer generating a graphical environment comprising a graphical object and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body, comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the graphical object in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the graphical object interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Robert F. Cohen, Russell H. Dumas, Gregory L. Merril, Philip G. Feldman, Joseph L. Tasto
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Patent number: 7819799Abstract: Apparatus for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of a surgical instrument. Movement and/or forces applied to the surgical instrument are preferably sensed within the apparatus. An actuator is preferably used to apply force to the surgical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. The apparatus applies variable force feedback to apply force to the surgical instrument in one or more degrees of freedom to provide an enhanced haptic experience to the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Merril, Richard L. Cunningham, J. Michael Brown, Robert F. Cohen, Philip G. Feldman
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Patent number: 7308831Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a vascular access simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock or actual medical instruments to the simulation system to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a catheter unit assembly for receiving a catheter needle assembly, and a skin traction mechanism to simulate placing skin in traction or manipulating other anatomical sites for performing a medical procedure. The catheter needle assembly and skin traction mechanism are manipulated by a user during a medical procedure. The catheter unit assembly includes a base, a housing, a bearing assembly and a shaft that receives the catheter needle assembly. The bearing assembly enables translation of the catheter needle assembly, and includes bearings that enable the shaft to translate in accordance with manipulation of the catheter needle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Philip Feldman, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Patent number: 7307619Abstract: A palpation simulator comprises an interface for interfacing a user with a computer running a palpation simulation. The computer generates a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body. In one version, a method comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Robert F. Cohen, Russell H. Dumas, Gregory L. Merril, Philip G. Feldman, Joseph L. Tasto
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Patent number: 7202851Abstract: A palpation simulator comprises an interface for interfacing a user with a computer running a palpation simulation. The computer generates a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body. In one version, a method comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Immersion Medical Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Robert F. Cohen, Russell H. Dumas, Gregory L. Merril, Philip G. Feldman, Joseph L. Tasto
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Patent number: 6929481Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1999Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Richard L. Cunningham, Ben Feldman, Diego Fontayne, Gregory L. Merril, Mario Turchi
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Patent number: 6817973Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of medical instruments. An elongated member of a medical instrument can be sensed, and an actuator can be used to apply force to the medical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. Via use of the applied forces, the instrument can be moved to a desired position in a working channel, haptic indications of position can be output to the user, and/or user control over the instrument can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Merril, Richard L. Cunningham, J. Michael Brown, Robert F. Cohen, Philip G. Feldman
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Publication number: 20040048230Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: HT Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Alexander, J. Michael Brown, Eric Cabahug, Philip J. Churchill, Robert F. Cohen, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Publication number: 20030176770Abstract: An endoscopic assembly having and elongated member with a distal end and a haptic-feedback housing having a passageway, the elongated member being removably disposed therein, the haptic-feedback housing being configured to provide variable force feedback as the distal end of the elongated member is proximate to a distal end of the haptic-feedback housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Gregory L. Merril, Richard L. Cunningham, J. Michael Brown, Robert F. Cohen, Philip G. Feldman
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Publication number: 20030069719Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a vascular access simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock or actual medical instruments to the simulation system to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a catheter unit assembly for receiving a catheter needle assembly, and a skin traction mechanism to simulate placing skin in traction or manipulating other anatomical sites for performing a medical procedure. The catheter needle assembly and skin traction mechanism are manipulated by a user during a medical procedure. The catheter unit assembly includes a base, a housing, a bearing assembly and a shaft that receives the catheter needle assembly. The bearing assembly enables translation of the catheter needle assembly, and includes bearings that enable the shaft to translate in accordance with manipulation of the catheter needle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: Immersion Medical Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Philip Feldman, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Publication number: 20030040737Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of medical instruments. An elongated member of a medical instrument can be sensed, and an actuator can be used to apply force to the medical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. Via use of the applied forces, the instrument can be moved to a desired position in a working channel, haptic indications of position can be output to the user, and/or user control over the instrument can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Gregory L. Merril, Richard L. Cunningham, J. Michael Brown, Robert F. Cohen, Philip G. Feldman
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Publication number: 20020163497Abstract: A palpation simulator comprises an interface for interfacing a user with a computer running a palpation simulation. The computer generates a graphical environment comprising a cursor and a graphical representation of at least a portion of a living body. In one version, a method comprises providing an object in communication with the computer, controlling the cursor in relation to manipulation of at least a portion of the object by the user, and outputting a haptic sensation to the user when the cursor interacts with a region within the graphical representation to provide the user with haptic feedback related to a simulated palpation of the region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Robert F. Cohen, Russell H. Dumas, Gregory L. Merril, Philip G. Feldman, Joseph L. Tasto
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Patent number: 6470302Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a vascular access simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock or actual medical instruments to the simulation system to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a catheter unit assembly for receiving a catheter needle assembly, and a skin traction mechanism to simulate placing skin in traction or manipulating other anatomical sites for performing a medical procedure. The catheter needle assembly and skin traction mechanism are manipulated by a user during a medical procedure. The catheter unit assembly includes a base, a housing, a bearing assembly and a shaft that receives the catheter needle assembly. The bearing assembly enables translation of the catheter needle assembly, and includes bearings that enable the shaft to translate in accordance with manipulation of the catheter needle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Immersion Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Cunningham, Philip Feldman, Ben Feldman, Gregory L. Merril
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Patent number: 6106301Abstract: An interventional radiology interface apparatus and method interfaces peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to a medical procedure simulation system to enable performance of a medical procedure on a virtual patient. The interface apparatus includes a guidewire, catheter and sheath, an injection syringe, an inflation syringe and a foot switch to realistically simulate the instruments utilized during an actual medical procedure. A user manipulates guidewire, catheter and sheath peripherals to traverse an arterial network toward a simulated blockage shown on the medical procedure simulation system display. The foot switch controls the display to provide a fluoroscope image showing the position of the guidewire, catheter, sheath and blockage within the arterial network. The injection syringe may be manipulated to simulate injections of contrast fluid or other pharmaceutical substances through the catheter or sheath into the virtual patient.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: HT Medical Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gregory L. Merril