Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Brown

Jeffrey D. Brown 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: 8856602
    Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement utilize scan logic disposed on a multi-core processor integrated circuit device or chip to perform internal voting-based built in self test (BIST) of the chip. Test patterns are generated internally on the chip and communicated to the scan chains within multiple processing cores on the chip. Test results output by the scan chains are compared with one another on the chip, and majority voting is used to identify outlier test results that are indicative of a faulty processing core. A bit position in a faulty test result may be used to identify a faulty latch in a scan chain and/or a faulty functional unit in the faulty processing core, and a faulty processing core and/or a faulty functional unit may be automatically disabled in response to the testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brown, Miguel Comparan, Robert A. Shearer, Alfred T. Watson, III
  • Patent number: 8852208
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems and methods of coupling a surgical instrument to a manipulator arm are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a base; a setup link operably coupled to the base, the setup link locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a distal link operably coupled to the proximal link. A plurality of instrument manipulators are rotatably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, each of the instrument manipulators including a plurality of actuator outputs distally protruding from a distal end of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Robert Elliot Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad, Theodore W. Rogers, Todd R. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20140296872
    Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: THOMAS G. COOPER, Jeffrey D. Brown, Nicola Diolaiti, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert Elliot Holop, Paul E. Lilagan, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Patent number: 8849439
    Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Dean M. J. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton
  • Publication number: 20140276946
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an instrument guide is provided. An instrument guide according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a channel portion, the channel portion including a plurality of channels through which surgical instruments can be inserted; a lower part mechanically fixed to the channel portion, the lower part including doors to seal each of the channels; an upper part, the upper part mechanically attached to the lower part and including a funnel for guiding the instruments into the plurality of channels; and one or more seals fixed between the upper part and the lower part, the seal(s) having openings corresponding to the channels and sealing against the doors when the doors are closed and sealing against surgical instruments when surgical instruments are inserted into the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht, William J. Park, Jeffrey D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140276947
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an instrument is provided. An instrument seal according to some embodiments includes a seal body that can be captured between an upper part and a lower part of an instrument guide; and openings in the seal body that align with channels on the instrument guide, wherein the seal body seals against doors in the lower part and an instrument shaft inserted through the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht, William J. Park, Jeffrey D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140276465
    Abstract: A cannula cap is disclosed. A cannula cap according to some embodiments of the invention includes an instrument guide attachment; a cannula attachment; and a seal captured between the instrument guide attachment and the cannula attachment. In some embodiments, a cannula cap can include a lid; a locking ring; a base; and a cannula seal captured between the lid and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht, William J. Park, Jeffrey D. Brown
  • Patent number: 8784435
    Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Jeffrey D. Brown, Nicola Diolaiti, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert Elliot Holop, Paul E. Lilagan, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Patent number: 8746252
    Abstract: A sterile drape, a surgical system with the drape, and a draping method are provided. In one embodiment, a sterile drape includes a plurality of drape pockets, each of the drape pockets including an exterior surface to be adjacent a sterile field for performing a surgical procedure and an interior surface to be adjacent a non-sterile instrument manipulator coupled to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system. The drape further includes a plurality of flexible membranes at a distal face of each of the drape pockets for interfacing between outputs of an instrument manipulator and inputs of a respective surgical instrument, and a rotatable seal adapted to couple a proximal opening of each of the drape pockets to a rotatable element at a distal end of the manipulator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony K. McGrogan, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20130159799
    Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement utilize scan logic disposed on a multi-core processor integrated circuit device or chip to perform internal voting-based built in self test (BIST) of the chip. Test patterns are generated internally on the chip and communicated to the scan chains within multiple processing cores on the chip. Test results output by the scan chains are compared with one another on the chip, and majority voting is used to identify outlier test results that are indicative of a faulty processing core. A bit position in a faulty test result may be used to identify a faulty latch in a scan chain and/or a faulty functional unit in the faulty processing core, and a faulty processing core and/or a faulty functional unit may be automatically disabled in response to the testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brown, Miguel Comparan, Robert A. Shearer, Alfred T. Watson, III
  • Publication number: 20130079794
    Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Jeffrey D. Brown, Nicola Diolaiti, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Paul E. Lilagan, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20120202664
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: JEFFREY D BROWN, Dennis J Faucher, Jeffrey W Fritz, Gottfried J Hohm, Adam D DeNoble, Ryan M Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20120116525
    Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a nonarticulating surface including contoured surfaces and/or planar surfaces. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a bone surface for receiving the prostheses described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brown, Adam M. Griner, Robert A. Hodorek, Raymond C. Parisi, Brian E. Vanskyock, Toby N. Farling
  • Patent number: 8128704
    Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a nonarticulating surface including contoured surfaces and/or planar surfaces. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a bone surface for receiving the prostheses described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brown, Adam M. Griner, Robert A. Hodorek, Raymond C. Parisi, Brian E. Vanskyock, Toby N. Farling
  • Publication number: 20110288669
    Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Dean M.J. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton
  • Publication number: 20110282358
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems and methods of coupling a surgical instrument to a manipulator arm are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a base; a setup link operably coupled to the base, the setup link locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a distal link operably coupled to the proximal link. A plurality of instrument manipulators are rotatably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, each of the instrument manipulators including a plurality of actuator outputs distally protruding from a distal end of a frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Robert E. Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad, Theodore W. Rogers, Todd R. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20110282357
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a setup link for locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a manipulator arm assembly including an active proximal link and an active distal link, the proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a plurality of instrument manipulators operably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, the plurality of instrument manipulators rotatable about an instrument manipulator assembly roll axis. A cannula mount is movably coupled to a proximal end of the distal link, and a cannula is coupled to the cannula mount, the cannula having a longitudinal axis substantially coincident with the instrument manipulator assembly roll axis. The system further includes an entry guide tube at least partially within the cannula, the entry guide tube rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Nicola Diolaiti, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20110282351
    Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Jeffrey D. Brown, Nicola Diolaiti, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Paul E. Lilagan, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20110277776
    Abstract: A sterile drape, a surgical system with the drape, and a draping method are provided. In one embodiment, a sterile drape includes a plurality of drape pockets, each of the drape pockets including an exterior surface to be adjacent a sterile field for performing a surgical procedure and an interior surface to be adjacent a non-sterile instrument manipulator coupled to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system. The drape further includes a plurality of flexible membranes at a distal face of each of the drape pockets for interfacing between outputs of an instrument manipulator and inputs of a respective surgical instrument, and a rotatable seal adapted to couple a proximal opening of each of the drape pockets to a rotatable element at a distal end of the manipulator arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: ANTHONY K. McGrogan, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Craig R. Ramstad
  • Publication number: 20110196815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacturing, inventorying, and supplying of medical components. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes fabricating individual subcomponents of a modular medical device system as finished goods. The finished subcomponents may then be sterilized, stocked, and inventoried and, upon request from a consumer, the individual subcomponents may be supplied to the consumer. For example, the consumer may be a hospital, a surgeon, or a sales representative. Once the individual subcomponents are received by the consumer, the individual subcomponents may then be assembled by the consumer to form a final, implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Dean M.J. Acker, Jeffrey D. Brown, Brian D. Earl, John E. Pendleton