Patents by Inventor Michael A. Duff

Michael A. Duff 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: 20240118391
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, lidar systems, and vehicles that include optical redirectors. An example lidar system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes at least one light-emitter device configured to transmit emission light into an environment. The receiver is configured to detect return light from the environment and includes a plurality of apertures, a plurality of photodetectors, and a plurality of optical redirectors. Each optical redirector is configured to optically couple a respective portion of return light from a respective aperture to at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. Each optical redirector also has a rotational orientation relative to other optical redirectors such that the redirection paths of optical redirectors that correspond to adjacent apertures are not coplanar with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Blaise Gassend, David Duff, Pierre-Yves Droz, Paul Karplus, Jason Watson, Michael Brickner, Alex Rivas
  • Publication number: 20240109519
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to wiper devices for cleaning sensor housings. An example embodiment includes a wiper device for cleaning a surface of a rotatable sensor housing. The wiper device may have a driving arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the driving arm is connected to a rotatable shaft. The wiper device may also have a wiper arm pivotally connected to the second end of the driving arm. The pivotal connection is located between a front region and a rear region of the wiper arm. Further, the wiper device may have a wiper blade coupled to the front region of the wiper arm. The wiper blade may be configured to wipe the surface of the rotatable sensor housing. Additionally, the wiper device may have a counterweight coupled to the rear region of the wiper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: David Duff, Michael Hall-Snyder, Glenn Wheelock
  • Patent number: 11744648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Globus Medicall, Inc.
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20230078504
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device including an exhaust valve, that operates on a pressurised working fluid. The device includes a working chamber, defined at least in part by a side wall, which working chamber can hold a workload to or toward a first end thereof, the working chamber to receive the working fluid to act on a rear surface of the workload to propel the workload to or towards a second end, opposite the first, of the working chamber. The device also includes a return chamber to receive fluid under pressure from a front surface of the workload, the pressure developed at least in part by the movement of the workload towards the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Globalforce IP Limited
    Inventors: Ian Craig Paterson, William Michael Duff
  • Publication number: 20230065490
    Abstract: An actuation trigger for a device, comprising or including, A dose chamber to hold a charge of high pressure working fluid, received from a high pressure source, A dose valve, biased closed to seal the dose chamber off from a working chamber, and hold the charge in the dose chamber, A hammer operated by a piston with a driven chamber on a first side of the piston, and a trigger chamber on a second side of the piston, sealed from the first side, the driven chamber receiving high pressure working fluid directly or indirectly from the high pressure source, A trigger valve to selectively supply high pressure working fluid to the trigger chamber, or to release high pressure working fluid from the trigger chamber, Such that when the hammer has high pressure working fluid in both the driven chamber and the trigger chamber it is held by a force imbalance in a first position, and when the high pressure working fluid is released from the trigger chamber, the hammer is driven to, or towards a second position towards the
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Globalforce IP Limited
    Inventors: Ian Craig Paterson, William Michael Duff
  • Publication number: 20220390024
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spool valve to valve a fluid between at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, having a bore with a spool operably associated therein. The bore has one or more inlet ports and at least one outlet port. Located in the bore is at least one in-bore seal, the seal fluidly sealing on a seal outer diameter to an inside diameter of the bore, and selectively fluidly sealing on a seal inside diameter to a spool outside diameter. Present also is at least one spacer located in the bore, adjacent the at least one in-bore seal having a fluid communication from a spacer internal diameter to a spacer external diameter with at least one inlet port, or the at least one outlet port. The spool moves to allow or prevent flow from an inlet port to outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Globalforce IP Limited
    Inventors: William Michael Duff, Ian Craig Paterson
  • Publication number: 20220358514
    Abstract: A customer relationship management (CRM) platform may use a sales opportunity object to store information about a particular sales opportunity. However, if the life cycle of the sales opportunity involves multiple distinct sales attempts separated by dormant periods, the CRM platform can store historical data associated with one or more earlier sales attempts in sales attempt objects linked to the sales opportunity object. By storing historical data associated with previous sales attempts in linked sales attempt objects, the CRM platform can retain the historical data while allowing the sales opportunity object to be updated based on a more recent sales attempt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Duff, Venkata Siva Brahma Prakash Padigala, Melissa Plassman
  • Publication number: 20220047337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 11202681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20200237448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 10660712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 10589825
    Abstract: An adaptor for an anchor including a first member configured for coupling a chain and a hollow second member for pivotally coupling an anchor. The second member defines a longitudinally extending blind slot on an inner surface and a longitudinally extending opening diametrically opposite the blind slot. The blind slot configured to restrict pivoting motion of the anchor within the second member and a swivel coupler for coupling the first member to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: CMP GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Michael A. Duff, Mark Pocock
  • Publication number: 20180319462
    Abstract: An adaptor for an anchor including a first member configured for coupling a chain and a hollow second member for pivotally coupling an anchor. The second member defines a longitudinally extending blind slot on an inner surface and a longitudinally extending opening diametrically opposite the blind slot. The blind slot configured to restrict pivoting motion of the anchor within the second member and a swivel coupler for coupling the first member to the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Duff, Mark Pocock
  • Publication number: 20180042684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20180008353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 9833292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 9830892
    Abstract: A frog, and a bow with a frog, for stringed musical instruments is disclosed. The frog is made with a body from stabilized wood. The speed of sound through the frog body is enhanced resulting in more beautiful music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Duff
  • Patent number: 9308050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20160038238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Patent number: 9125680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu