Patents by Inventor J. Michael Stuart
J. Michael Stuart 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: 20090157192Abstract: A replacement joint for a human body and a method of installing such a replacement joint is provided. A ball portion of the replacement joint is installed on an end of a first bone. A receptacle having an engagement surface that has an aspherical configuration is formed in a second bone. A socket portion of the replacement joint is inserted in the receptacle so as to receive the ball portion on the first bone. The socket portion has an engagement surface with an aspherical configuration complementary to the engagement surface of the receptacle in the second bone. The configurations of the engagement surfaces of the socket portion and the receptacle in the second bone are such that inserting the socket portion in the receptacle in the second bone provides the socket portion with at least four degrees of constraint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventor: J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20080202274Abstract: A manipulator, such as for use in medical procedures, is provided. The manipulator includes a body and a first actuator system connected to the body at a first attachment point and capable of moving the first attachment point with at least three degrees of freedom. A second actuator system is connected to the body at a second attachment point and capable of moving the second attachment point with at least three degrees of freedom. A third actuator system is integrated with the body and is capable of moving at least a portion of the body with at least one degree of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventor: J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20080154151Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Publication number: 20080058805Abstract: A spinal fusion implant system and a method of using the spinal fusion implant system are provided. The spinal fusion implant system includes a plurality of links with each link having a pair of opposing end portions. The spinal fusion implant system also includes a plurality of pedicle screws. Each pedicle screw has a head and a depending shank for fixing the pedicle screw to a bone. The head has a slotted recess configured to receive one end portion of at least two different links or two slotted recesses each of which is configured to receive an end portion of one of the links. Each recess has an associated set screw for clamping the end portions of the respective links in the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventor: J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20070156064Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Mark Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred Burbank, Kenneth Galt
-
Patent number: 7226424Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Publication number: 20040162564Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical manipulator which capable of manipulating a surgical or medical tool in up to six degrees of freedom. The manipulator has a relatively lightweight, compact design as a result of the use of high force to mass ratio actuators. The manipulator includes a mounting fixture which permits the manipulator to be fixied relative to a portion of a body of a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steve T. Charles, J. Michael Stuart, Larry Bronisz
-
Patent number: 6723106Abstract: A surgical manipulator (10) can manipulate a medical tool (12) with one or more degrees of freedom. In preferred embodiments, the manipulator (10) is a parallel mechanism including a plurality of arms (21, 22) pivotally supporting a medical tool (12), with the orientation of the medical tool (12) being adjusted by varying the position of joints (23, 24) mounted on the arms (21, 22). The motions of the joints (23, 24) can be controlled such that the tool (12) is pivoted about a virtual pivot point located within the body wall of a patient (30). The manipulator (10) can enhance the dexterity of an operator and enable the operator to perform medical procedures more easily than by hand.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steve T. Charles, Robert Stoughton, J. Michael Stuart, Larry Bronisz
-
Patent number: 6702805Abstract: A manipulator for producing a remote center of revolute motion is provided. The manipulator includes a base and a first parallelogram linkage mechanism including a first link pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about a first axis such that the first link moves in a first plane. The manipulator also includes a second parallelogram linkage mechanism including a second link pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about a second axis such that the second link moves in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The first link is pivotal about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second link is pivotal about a fourth axis perpendicular to the second axis. The first and second parallelogram linkages are pivotally connected together by a first connector link and a second connector link.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Microdexterity Systems, Inc.Inventor: J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20040024385Abstract: A manipulator for producing a remote center of revolute motion is provided. The manipulator includes a base and a first parallelogram linkage mechanism including a first link pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about a first axis such that the first link moves in a first plane. The manipulator also includes a second parallelogram linkage mechanism including a second link pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about a second axis such that the second link moves in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The first link is pivotal about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second link is pivotal about a fourth axis perpendicular to the second axis. The first and second parallelogram linkages are pivotally connected together by a first connector link and a second connector link.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventor: J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20040019299Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Patent number: 6676669Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical manipulator which capable of manipulating a surgical or medical tool in up to six degrees of freedom. The manipulator has a relatively lightweight, compact design as a result of the use of high force to mass ratio actuators. The manipulator includes a mounting fixture which permits the manipulator to be fixed relative to a portion of a body of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steve T. Charles, J. Michael Stuart, Larry Bronisz
-
Patent number: 6665554Abstract: A manipulator for use in medical procedures can manipulate a medical tool with one or more degrees of freedom with respect to a patient. The manipulator is particularly useful for positioning a medical tool with respect to a patient disposed inside an imaging device such as a computer tomography machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Inventors: Steve T. Charles, J. Michael Stuart
-
Publication number: 20030005786Abstract: A parallel mechanism for manipulating an object in space is provided. The parallel mechanism includes an end platform for supporting an object to be manipulated and an intermediate platform arranged in spaced relation from the end platform and connected to the end platform by a connecting element. A plurality of first links are connected to the end platform and a plurality of second links are connected to the intermediate platform. A linear motor is associated with each first link and each second link for translating the ends of the first and second links to move the end and intermediate platforms.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventors: J. Michael Stuart, Steve T. Charles
-
Publication number: 20020133174Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical manipulator which capable of manipulating a surgical or medical tool in up to six degrees of freedom. The manipulator has a relatively lightweight, compact design as a result of the use of high force to mass ratio actuators. The manipulator includes a mounting fixture which permits the manipulator to be fixed relative to a portion of a body of a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: MicroDexterity Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steve T. Charles, J. Michael Stuart, Larry Bronisz
-
Publication number: 20020120212Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Patent number: 6428486Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Publication number: 20020016555Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Publication number: 20010007925Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2000Publication date: July 12, 2001Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt
-
Patent number: 5649547Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Biopsys Medical, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Ritchart, J. Michael Stuart, Fred H. Burbank, Kenneth M. Galt