Patents by Inventor Michael Elkins

Michael Elkins 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).

  • Ablation probes with guidance indicators to support location and direction guidance systems
    Patent number: 12544148
    Abstract: An ablation probe includes an elongated needle portion comprising a distal end for positioning at a target tissue and a proximal end positioned away from the distal end and a guidance indicator positioned at the proximal end. The guidance indicator includes one or more markings or indicators to identify actual alignment of the probe relative to a preferred alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Medema, Michael Elkins, Eric Hunt, Justin May
  • ABLATION PROBES WITH GUIDANCE INDICATORS TO SUPPORT LOCATION AND DIRECTION GUIDANCE SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20240189039
    Abstract: An ablation probe includes an elongated needle portion comprising a distal end for positioning at a target tissue and a proximal end positioned away from the distal end and a guidance indicator positioned at the proximal end. The guidance indicator includes one or more markings or indicators to identify actual alignment of the probe relative to a preferred alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Medema, Michael Elkins, Eric Hunt, Justin May
  • Adaptive localized notifications
    Patent number: 11541902
    Abstract: A method for alerting a driver includes detecting an object in a spatial environment adjacent to a vehicle and identifying a set of output devices located within a cabin of the vehicle. Each one of the set of output devices may be located at a different location of the cabin. The method also includes selecting an output device of the set of output devices based on a location of the object in relation to the vehicle and generating a notification via the selected output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Elkins, Daniel Brooks, Selina Pan
  • ADAPTIVE LOCALIZED NOTIFICATIONS
    Publication number: 20210016791
    Abstract: A method for alerting a driver includes detecting an object in a spatial environment adjacent to a vehicle and identifying a set of output devices located within a cabin of the vehicle. Each one of the set of output devices may be located at a different location of the cabin. The method also includes selecting an output device of the set of output devices based on a location of the object in relation to the vehicle and generating a notification via the selected output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael ELKINS, Daniel BROOKS, Selina PAN
  • Adaptive localized notifications
    Patent number: 10822000
    Abstract: A method for providing adaptive localized notification in a vehicle compartment is presented. The method includes detecting a location of an event in a spatial environment adjacent to a first vehicle. The method also includes identifying a notification output device of multiple notification output devices that corresponds to the location of the event. The method further includes outputting, in the vehicle compartment via the notification output device, a notification that is localized to correspond to the location of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Elkins, Daniel Brooks, Selina Pan
  • ADAPTIVE LOCALIZED NOTIFICATIONS
    Publication number: 20200339148
    Abstract: A method for providing adaptive localized notification in a vehicle compartment is presented. The method includes detecting a location of an event in a spatial environment adjacent to a first vehicle. The method also includes identifying a notification output device of multiple notification output devices that corresponds to the location of the event. The method further includes outputting, in the vehicle compartment via the notification output device, a notification that is localized to correspond to the location of the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Michael ELKINS, Daniel BROOKS, Selina PAN
  • Multi-operator, multi-robot control system with automatic vehicle selection
    Patent number: 9310802
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of robotic vehicles may involve the steps of: Determining a state of each of the plurality of robotic vehicles; assigning a robotic vehicle to an operator in response to a Binding command from the operator; allowing the operator to command the assigned robotic vehicle to perform a mission; and releasing the assigned robotic vehicle in response to an Unbinding command from the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Jaybridge Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Elkins, Todd Rowell, Bradly Martin, Grant Gould