Patents by Inventor Neil R. Crawford

Neil R. Crawford 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: 20210228288
    Abstract: An automated medical system and method for using the automated medical system. The automated medical system may comprise a robot support system. The robot support system may comprise a robot body. The robot support system may further comprise a selective compliance articulated robot arm coupled to the robot body and operable to position a tool at a selected position in a surgical procedure. The robot support system may further comprise an activation assembly operable to transmit a move signal to the selective compliance articulated robot arm allowing an operator to move the selective compliance articulated robot arm. The automated medical system may further comprise a camera tracking system and an automated imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Jared Judson
  • Patent number: 11045267
    Abstract: Devices, Systems, and Methods for detecting a 3-dimensional position of an object, and surgical automation involving the same. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector, surgical instruments, the patient, and/or other objects to be tracked include active and/or passive tracking markers. Cameras, such as stereophotogrammetric infrared cameras, are able to detect the tracking markers, and the robot determines a 3-dimensional position of the object from the tracking markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mir Hussain, Stephen Cicchini, Norbert Johnson, Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Marcouiller
  • Patent number: 11026756
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210121249
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical robot system may include an end-effector element configured for controlled movement and positioning and tracking of surgical instruments and objects relative to an image of a patient's anatomical structure. In some embodiments the end-effector may be tracked by surgical robot system and displayed to a user. In some embodiments the end-effector element may be configured to restrict the movement of an instrument assembly in a guide tube. In some embodiments, the end-effector may contain structures to allow for magnetic coupling to a robot arm and/or wireless powering of the end-effector element. In some embodiments, tracking of a target anatomical structure and objects, both in a navigation space and an image space, may be provided by a dynamic reference base located at a position away from the target anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas A. Theodore, Mitchell Foster, Nobert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Kevin Zhang, Jeffrey Forsyth, Chris Major, Robert LeBoeuf, David Cleary
  • Patent number: 10973594
    Abstract: An automated medical system and method for using the automated medical system. The automated medical system may comprise a robot support system. The robot support system may comprise a robot body. The robot support system may further comprise a selective compliance articulated robot arm coupled to the robot body and operable to position a tool at a selected position in a surgical procedure. The robot support system may further comprise an activation assembly operable to transmit a move signal to the selective compliance articulated robot arm allowing an operator to move the selective compliance articulated robot arm. The automated medical system may further comprise a camera tracking system and an automated imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Jared Judson
  • Patent number: 10925681
    Abstract: A robot arm and method for using the robot arm. Embodiments may be directed to an apparatus comprising: a robot arm; an end effector coupled at a distal end of the robot arm and configured to hold a surgical tool; a plurality of motors operable to move the robot arm; and an activation assembly operable to send a move signal allowing an operator to move the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Michael Bartelme, Rasool Khadem, Neil R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 10912617
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210022814
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210022809
    Abstract: A registration fixture for use with a surgical navigation system for registration of a medical image or images to a three-dimensional tracking space that includes a first ring having at least one tracking marker, a second ring coupled to the first ring having at least one tracking marker and wherein the first ring and the second ring are spaced apart from one another and further include optical markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Wes Weber, Alexander Krull
  • Patent number: 10898645
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a cannulated bone screw including a screw shaft with screw thread, a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel extending through the screw shaft. Some embodiments include an inlet port coupled to the channel and extending through the distal end, and an outlet port coupled to the channel by a curved or angled channel region. In some embodiments, the outlet port extends through the screw shaft and exits a side that is substantially parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the cannulated bone screw can form part of a therapy delivery device. In some embodiments, the outlet port extends through a portion of the screw shaft and exits at the distal end. In some embodiments, the valve includes a plunger with a plunger rod within the screw shaft, and a valve seat for control of fluid flow out of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Patent number: 10893912
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical robot system may include an end-effector element configured for controlled movement and positioning and tracking of surgical instruments and objects relative to an image of a patient's anatomical structure. In some embodiments the end-effector may be tracked by surgical robot system and displayed to a user. In some embodiments the end-effector element may be configured to restrict the movement of an instrument assembly in a guide tube. In some embodiments, the end-effector may contain structures to allow for magnetic coupling to a robot arm and/or wireless powering of the end-effector element. In some embodiments, tracking of a target anatomical structure and objects, both in a navigation space and an image space, may be provided by a dynamic reference base located at a position away from the target anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas A. Theodore, Mitchell Foster, Norbert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Kevin Zhang, Jeffrey Forsyth, Chris Major, Robert LeBoeuf, David Cleary
  • Publication number: 20210007811
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a robot-assisted surgery. Navigable instrumentation, which are capable of being navigated by a surgeon using the surgical robot system, and navigation software allow for the navigated placement of interbody fusion devices or other surgical devices. The interbody implant navigation may involve navigation of access instruments (e.g., dilators, retractors, ports), disc preparation instruments, trials, and inserters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, Kyle Van Leer, Stephen Cicchini, Neil R. Crawford, Andrew Berkowitz, Norbert Johnson, Jeffrey Forsyth, Ryan Decker, Eric Studley, James Cascarano, Dana Wisniewski, Hayden Cameron, Mir Hussain, Sanjay M. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20210000552
    Abstract: Devices and methods for temporarily affixing a surgical apparatus to a bony structure. The temporary mount includes a base member having a top face configured to be impacted by an insertion device and a plurality of elongated prongs extending downwardly from the base member and configured to engage a bony structure. The prongs are separated a distance from one another, and the prongs are configured to move inwardly toward one another when driven downward into the bony structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Bartelme, Neil R. Crawford, Mitchell A. Foster, Chris Major, Nicholas Theodore
  • Patent number: 10835328
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Patent number: 10835326
    Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly. The instruction signals can be configured to cause the motor assembly to selectively move the effectuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Publication number: 20200315737
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical robot system may include an end-effector element configured for controlled movement and positioning and tracking of surgical instruments and objects relative to an image of a patient's anatomical structure. In some embodiments the end-effector and instruments may be tracked by surgical robot system and displayed to a user. In some embodiments, tracking of a target anatomical structure and objects, both in a navigation space and an image space, may be provided by a dynamic reference base located at a position away from the target anatomical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Chris Major, Michael Bartelme, Nobert Johnson, Stephen Cicchini
  • Publication number: 20200305979
    Abstract: A surgical implant planning computer is connectable to a fluoroscopy imager, a marker tracking camera, and a robot having a robot base coupled to a robot arm that is movable by motors relative to the robot base. Operations include performing a registration setup mode that determines occurrence of a first condition indicating the marker tracking camera can observe to track reflective markers that are on a fluoroscopy registration fixture of the fluoroscopy imager, and determines occurrence of a second condition indicating the marker tracking camera can observe to track dynamic reference base markers attached to the robot arm and/or an end-effector connected to the robot arm. While both of the first and second conditions occur, operations are allowed to be performed to obtain a first intra-operative fluoroscopic image of a patient along a first plane and to obtain a second intra-operative fluoroscopic image of the patient along a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 10786313
    Abstract: Devices and methods for temporarily affixing a surgical apparatus to a bony structure. The temporary mount includes a base member having a top face configured to be impacted by an insertion device and a plurality of elongated prongs extending downwardly from the base member and configured to engage a bony structure. The prongs are separated a distance from one another, and the prongs are configured to move inwardly toward one another when driven downward into the bony structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bartelme, Neil R. Crawford, Mitchell A. Foster, Chris Major, Nicholas Theodore
  • Publication number: 20200297427
    Abstract: A position is determined for each fiducial marker of a plurality of fiducial markers in an image volume. Based on the determined positions, a position and orientation of the registration fixture with respect to the anatomical feature is determined. A position is determined for each tracked marker of a first plurality of tracked markers on the registration fixture and a second plurality of tracked markers on the robot arm in a tracking data frame. Based on the determined positions of tracked markers, a position and orientation of the registration fixture and the robot arm of a surgical robot with respect to the tracking space are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hayden Cameron, Spiros Mantzavinos, Neil R. Crawford, Sanjay Joshi, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200297358
    Abstract: A system of robotic surgery includes components capable of drilling a bore in the cranium of a patient in connection with craniotomy and other cranial surgeries. A perforator associated with such system is controlled by suitable computer-implemented instructions to maintain the perforator tip along a desired trajectory line while moving the perforator bit at locations proximal to such perforator tip in a circular motion, thereby imparting a conical oscillation to the perforator bit relative to the trajectory line. The angle at which the perforator bit is oscillated relative to such trajectory line results in the bore formed in the cranium having a diameter larger than the bit diameter, and the larger diameter and related conical oscillation is selected so as to reduce frictional force opposing withdrawal of the bit from the situs of the bore, thereby reducing the risk of jamming of the bit during its associated operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hayden Cameron, Spiros Mantzavinos, Neil R. Crawford, Sanjay Joshi, Norbert Johnson