Patents by Inventor M. Howell

M. Howell 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: 12290322
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided includes a hand-held portion with a working portion movably coupled to the hand-held portion for driving a tool. Actuators are provided for moving the working portion with each of the actuators having a travel range. An indicator notices a user when at least one of actuators is: (i) within the travel range; (ii) approaching a travel limit of the travel range; or (iii) outside the travel range. A surgical system is also provided inclusive the surgical device and a computing system configured to activate the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 12220137
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 12178532
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 12161429
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided includes a hand-held portion with a working portion movably coupled to the hand-held portion for driving a tool. Actuators are provided for moving the working portion with each of the actuators having a travel range. An indicator notices a user when at least one of actuators is: (i) within the travel range; (ii) approaching a travel limit of the travel range; or (iii) outside the travel range. A surgical system is also provided inclusive the surgical device and a computing system configured to activate the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 12082893
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 11680599
    Abstract: In one aspect, a lock nut is provided that includes a washer, a threaded body, and an actuator that are distinct from one another. The washer is configured to form a non-rotatable connection with a vehicle spindle. The threaded body has threads to engage threads of the vehicle spindle. The actuator has a rotary drive structure and is configured to be turned in a tightening direction to cause turning of the threaded body in the tightening direction relative to the washer. The lock nut includes a lock operably coupled to the actuator and configured to inhibit turning of the threaded body in a loosening direction relative to the washer. The actuator is configured to be turned relative to the threaded body in the loosening direction to disengage the lock and permit turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Consolidated Metco, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Coyne, Logan M. Howell, Joseph M. Shaw, Mary K. Marshall, Michael Barden, Jonathan Liao
  • Patent number: 11641282
    Abstract: Systems and methods performed for generating authentication information for an image using optical computing are provided. When a user takes a photo of an object, an optical authentication system receives light reflected and/or emitted from the object. The system also receives a random key from an authentication server. The system converts the received light to plenoptic data and uploads it to the authentication server. In addition, the system generates an optical hash of the received light using the random key, converts the generated optical hash to a digital optical hash, and uploads the digital optical hash to the authentication server. When the authentication server receives the upload, it verifies whether the time of the upload is within a certain threshold time from the sending of the random key and whether the digital optical hash was generated from the same light as the plenoptic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Maxwell R. Murialdo, Brian Giera, Brian M. Howell, Robert M. Panas
  • Publication number: 20220323162
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided includes a hand-held portion with a working portion movably coupled to the hand-held portion for driving a tool. Actuators are provided for moving the working portion with each of the actuators having a travel range. An indicator notices a user when at least one of actuators is: (i) within the travel range; (ii) approaching a travel limit of the travel range; or (iii) outside the travel range. A surgical system is also provided inclusive the surgical device and a computing system configured to activate the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Publication number: 20220323163
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided includes a hand-held portion with a working portion movably coupled to the hand-held portion for driving a tool. Actuators are provided for moving the working portion with each of the actuators having a travel range. An indicator notices a user when at least one of actuators is: (i) within the travel range; (ii) approaching a travel limit of the travel range; or (iii) outside the travel range. A surgical system is also provided inclusive the surgical device and a computing system configured to activate the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 11457980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating planar cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the planar cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the planar cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: THINK SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Publication number: 20220265376
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Publication number: 20220265377
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Publication number: 20220249107
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Think Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bonny, Joel Zuhars, Stephen M. Howell, Timothy Pack, Kyle Kuznik, Babak Kianmajd
  • Patent number: 11344370
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an arthroplasty jig is disclosed herein. The method may include the following: generate a bone model, wherein the bone model includes a three dimensional computer model of at least a portion of a joint surface of a bone of a patient joint to undergo an arthroplasty procedure; generate an implant model, wherein the implant model includes a three dimensional computer model of at least a portion of a joint surface of an arthroplasty implant to be used in the arthroplasty procedure; assess a characteristic associated with the patient joint; generate a modified joint surface of the implant model by modifying at least a portion of a joint surface of the implant model according to the characteristic; and shape match the modified joint surface of the implant model and a corresponding joint surface of the bone model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ilwhan Park, Charlie W. Chi, Stephen M. Howell
  • Patent number: 11271747
    Abstract: Systems and methods performed for generating authentication information for an image using optical computing are provided. When a user takes a photo of an object, an optical authentication system receives light reflected and/or emitted from the object. The system also receives a random key from an authentication server. The system converts the received light to plenoptic data and uploads it to the authentication server. In addition, the system generates an optical hash of the received light using the random key, converts the generated optical hash to a digital optical hash, and uploads the digital optical hash to the authentication server. When the authentication server receives the upload, it verifies whether the time of the upload is within a certain threshold time from the sending of the random key and whether the digital optical hash was generated from the same light as the plenoptic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Maxwell R. Murialdo, Brian Giera, Brian M. Howell, Robert M. Panas
  • Publication number: 20210288815
    Abstract: Systems and methods performed for generating authentication information for an image using optical computing are provided. When a user takes a photo of an object, an optical authentication system receives light reflected and/or emitted from the object. The system also receives a random key from an authentication server. The system converts the received light to plenoptic data and uploads it to the authentication server. In addition, the system generates an optical hash of the received light using the random key, converts the generated optical hash to a digital optical hash, and uploads the digital optical hash to the authentication server. When the authentication server receives the upload, it verifies whether the time of the upload is within a certain threshold time from the sending of the random key and whether the digital optical hash was generated from the same light as the plenoptic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Maxwell R. Murialdo, Brian Giera, Brian M. Howell, Robert M. Panas
  • Publication number: 20210083879
    Abstract: Systems and methods performed for generating authentication information for an image using optical computing are provided. When a user takes a photo of an object, an optical authentication system receives light reflected and/or emitted from the object. The system also receives a random key from an authentication server. The system converts the received light to plenoptic data and uploads it to the authentication server. In addition, the system generates an optical hash of the received light using the random key, converts the generated optical hash to a digital optical hash, and uploads the digital optical hash to the authentication server. When the authentication server receives the upload, it verifies whether the time of the upload is within a certain threshold time from the sending of the random key and whether the digital optical hash was generated from the same light as the plenoptic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Maxwell R. Murialdo, Brian Giera, Brian M. Howell, Robert M. Panas
  • Patent number: 10939923
    Abstract: Methods and instruments for performing a kinematically-aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are disclosed. Goals of the kinematically-aligned TKA can include restoration of (1) the femoral and tibial joint lines to the patient's natural joint line, (2) the patient's Hip-Knee-Ankle alignment to their constitutional alignment prior to developing osteoarthritis and (3) restoration of the patient's natural soft tissue laxity and envelope. A shim block assembly can be used in resecting the distal medial and lateral condyles to account for cartilage wear on the distal condyles from osteoarthritis. The shim block assembly can include a plurality of shims, and each shim can be attachable to or integral with a reference block. At least one of the plurality of shims can have a medial portion with a thickness different from a thickness of a lateral portion of the shim. The shims need not be joined together as a single medial/lateral component but may be independent of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Yager, Shaun R. Cronin, Stephen M. Howell, David B. Willard
  • Patent number: 10927758
    Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield to be secured with nacelle of aircraft. Safety shield is shaped like nacelle such that nacelle is covered by use of safety shield. Shield frame of safety shield is provided with a plurality of openings of pre-defined size and shape and disposed at desired orientations. Openings facilitate ventilation to a mechanical engine provided in nacelle. Safety shield is connected to nacelle by clamping elements that securely clamps safety shield with nacelle. In operation, safety shield prevents collision of birds and foreign particles with fan blade of mechanical engine and thus saves life and failure of mechanical engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Janie M. Howell
  • Publication number: 20200200209
    Abstract: In one aspect, a lock nut is provided that includes a washer, a threaded body, and an actuator that are distinct from one another. The washer is configured to form a non-rotatable connection with a vehicle spindle. The threaded body has threads to engage threads of the vehicle spindle. The actuator has a rotary drive structure and is configured to be turned in a tightening direction to cause turning of the threaded body in the tightening direction relative to the washer. The lock nut includes a lock operably coupled to the actuator and configured to inhibit turning of the threaded body in a loosening direction relative to the washer. The actuator is configured to be turned relative to the threaded body in the loosening direction to disengage the lock and permit turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Brendan Coyne, Logan M. Howell, Joseph M. Shaw, Mary K. Marshall, Michael Barden, Jonathan Liao