Patents by Inventor Michael Hurst

Michael Hurst 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: 12594408
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face comprising a channel extending through the end face, the channel having a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula, and a lateral wall extending around a perimeter of the end face, the lateral wall and end face enclosing an open volume. An end portion of a wound retractor is received in the open volume of the surgical port and in engagement with an inner surface of the lateral wall, and the surgical port is configured to abut a body wall in an inserted position of the wound retractor through the body wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Crews, Sam Crews, Craig R. Gerbi, Michael Hurst, Sumona Adhya
  • Patent number: 12559406
    Abstract: A method of shaping a glass sheet includes heating the glass sheet to a temperature for shaping, positioning the glass sheet on a shaping support, and shaping the glass sheet on the shaping support, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet at least one portion of the glass sheet is deliberately cooled. The shaping of the glass sheet involves press bending a heat softened glass sheet between a lower shaping support and an upper shaping member, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet on the shaping support only a portion of the major surface of the glass sheet facing the lower shaping support is cooled by directing one or more jets of air onto said portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, John George Lee, Joachim Pilz
  • Publication number: 20260007331
    Abstract: An example device includes a wearable structure configured to couple to a user's body. The wearable structure includes a light emitter coupled to a plurality of fiber optic components and configured to transmit a light output and an optical switch coupled to the plurality of fiber optic components. The wearable structure further includes a photo sensor coupled to the optical switch. The photo sensor is configured to detect a reflected portion of the light output from the light emitter and output a corresponding photo sensor signal. The wearable structure also includes control circuitry coupled to the photo sensor and configured to determine a curvature of a respective fiber optic component based on analysis of the corresponding photo sensor signal, and determine a pose of the user based on the curvature of the respective fiber optic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Ergys Ristani, Burkley Delesdernier Patterson, Sean Braxton, Francesco Marsili, Taylor Douglas Niehues, Michael Hurst, Li Guan
  • Publication number: 20240182347
    Abstract: A method of shaping a glass sheet includes heating the glass sheet to a temperature for shaping, positioning the glass sheet on a shaping support, and shaping the glass sheet on the shaping support, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet at least one portion of the glass sheet is deliberately cooled. The shaping of the glass sheet involves press bending a heat softened glass sheet between a lower shaping support and an upper shaping member, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet on the shaping support only a portion of the major surface of the glass sheet facing the lower shaping support is cooled by directing one or more jets of air onto said portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Michael HURST, John George LEE, Joachim PILZ
  • Publication number: 20240075272
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face comprising a channel extending through the end face, the channel having a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula, and a lateral wall extending around a perimeter of the end face, the lateral wall and end face enclosing an open volume. An end portion of a wound retractor is received in the open volume of the surgical port and in engagement with an inner surface of the lateral wall, and the surgical port is configured to abut a body wall in an inserted position of the wound retractor through the body wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian M. Crews, Sam Crews, Craig R. Gerbi, Michael Hurst, Sumona Adhya
  • Patent number: 11793985
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian M. Crews, Sam T. Crews, Craig R. Gerbi, Michael Hurst, Sumona Adhya
  • Publication number: 20230330406
    Abstract: A method of electrically grounding a medical instrument includes inserting a medical instrument through a channel of a surgical port extending from a first end of the surgical port to a second end of the surgical port and while the medical instrument is inserted through the channel, contacting the medical instrument with an electrically conductive material portion protruding into an interior of the channel and extending through a sidewall of the surgical port. Contact of the medical instrument with the electrically conductive material portion does not extend around an entire circumference of the medical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael HURST, Sam CREWS, Bryan E. BLAIR
  • Patent number: 11707613
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Patent number: 11684314
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides oral inserts useful for determining forces experienced by a user, such as a human user, to the head, for example, by measuring one or more of acceleration, velocity, displacement, or rotation. In some aspects, the disclosure provides oral inserts that, when worn properly by a human user, calculate the forces experienced by the user's head with high accuracy. In some aspects, the disclosure provides systems for detecting and calculating forces experienced by the user's head and to determine whether such forces are above a certain threshold indicative of increased concussion risk. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for calculating forces experienced by the user's head and determining whether such forces are above a certain threshold indicative of concussion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ocellus, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Douglas Stitzel, Jr., Michael Hurst, Jillian Urban Hobson
  • Publication number: 20220152373
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian M. CREWS, Sam T. CREWS, Craig R. GERBI, Michael HURST, Sumona ADHYA
  • Patent number: 11235133
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Crews, Sam T. Crews, Craig R. Gerbi, Michael Hurst, Sumona Adhya
  • Publication number: 20210403363
    Abstract: Methods of shaping a glass sheet are described comprising heating the glass sheet to a temperature for shaping; positioning the glass sheet on a shaping support; shaping the glass sheet on the shaping support, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet at least one portion of the glass sheet is deliberately cooled. In preferred embodiments, the shaping of the glass sheet involves press bending a heat softened glass sheet between a lower shaping support and an upper shaping member, and wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet on the shaping support only a portion of the major surface of the glass sheet facing the lower shaping support is cooled by directing one or more jet of air onto said portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Michael HURST, John George LEE, Joachim PILZ
  • Publication number: 20200230392
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael HURST, Sam CREWS, Bryan E. BLAIR
  • Patent number: 10617858
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20200008744
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides oral inserts useful for determining forces experienced by a user, such as a human user, to the head, for example, by measuring one or more of acceleration, velocity, displacement, or rotation. In some aspects, the disclosure provides oral inserts that, when worn properly by a human user, calculate the forces experienced by the user's head with high accuracy. In some aspects, the disclosure provides systems for detecting and calculating forces experienced by the user's head and to determine whether such forces are above a certain threshold indicative of increased concussion risk. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for calculating forces experienced by the user's head and determining whether such forces are above a certain threshold indicative of concussion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Joel Douglas Stitzel, JR., Michael Hurst, Jillian Urban Hobson
  • Publication number: 20180221639
    Abstract: A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Sam Crews, Bryan E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20180214681
    Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. CREWS, Sam T. CREWS, Craig R. GERBI, Michael HURST, Sumona ADHYA
  • Patent number: 8351373
    Abstract: A method of categorising speed of a terminal (202) in a wireless communications network (116) comprises monitoring a first factor associated with allocation of a radio-frequency (RF) resource that is not related to mobility of the terminal (202). The first factor is then offset against a second factor, the second factor being potentially indicative of mobility of the terminal (202). The speed of the terminal (202) is then approximated using the result of offsetting the first factor against the second factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Per Kangru
  • Patent number: 7706798
    Abstract: In order to discover at least part of a frequency list used by an active wireless device in a cellular communications network for neighbour cell signal measurements, measurement reports are extracted from messages carrying reports of measurements relating to propagation of wireless signals between the network and the device. Additional information (such as identity of sections of the network adjacent to a current serving cell for the device) is extracted from other messages, and the extracted measurement reports and additional information are combined to discover the required frequency list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Hurst
  • Publication number: 20090061848
    Abstract: A method of categorising speed of a terminal (202) in a wireless communications network (116) comprises monitoring a first factor associated with allocation of a radio-frequency (RF) resource that is not related to mobility of the terminal (202). The first factor is then offset against a second factor, the second factor being potentially indicative of mobility of the terminal (202). The speed of the terminal (202) is then approximated using the result of offsetting the first factor against the second factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hurst, Per Kangru