Patents by Inventor Nicholas H. Ragosta
Nicholas H. Ragosta 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).
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Publication number: 20240197423Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas H. RAGOSTA, Matthew A. WIXEY
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Publication number: 20240189054Abstract: A drive assembly of an instrument includes an input drive interface removably engageable with an external actuator device and configured to receive drive actuation force from the external actuator device in a state of engagement with the external actuator device, a drive shaft configured to be driven in rotation, a capstan, and a splined snap-fit connection mechanism between the drive shaft and the capstan. The splined snap-fit connection mechanism includes splined engagement features configured to engage each other so as to prevent relative rotation between the drive shaft and the capstan, and a plurality of snap-fit elements to provide a snap-fit engagement between the drive shaft and the capstan so as to provide resistance to relative axial movement between the drive shaft and the capstan.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Patent number: 11896338Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Patent number: 11877819Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: a distal movable component; a proximal drive assembly including a drive shaft, a capstan, and a plurality of splines; a first cable extending between the distal movable component and the drive shaft; and a second cable extending between the distal movable component and the capstan. The drive shaft includes a tapered projection, and the capstan includes a tapered bore in which the tapered projection of the drive shaft is received. The plurality of splines engage the tapered projection of the drive shaft with the tapered bore of the capstan.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Patent number: 11633239Abstract: A medical device drive system may include a locking structure, a locking device sized and shaped to engage with the locking structure, the locking device coupled to a drive system component, and a lifter configured to actuate the locking device into and out of engagement with the locking structure, wherein the drive system component is selectively lockable by movement of the lifter.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Publication number: 20230114904Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Patent number: 11529206Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Publication number: 20220015849Abstract: A surgical system includes a dynamic preload tension feature for a tensioning element that actuates a distal end component of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a chassis at a proximal end of the surgical instrument, drive components mounted in the chassis, a distal end component at a distal end of the surgical instrument, a flexible tensioning element coupled between a first of the drive components and the distal end component, and a dynamic preload tensioner mounted in the chassis and coupled to a second of the drive components. The flexible tensioning element extends along a path. The dynamic preload tensioner is configured to be driven by the second of the drive components to be moved relative to the chassis and is positioned to change the path of the flexible tensioning element as the dynamic preload tensioner moves relative to the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, William Burbank, Thomas Grosvenor Cooper, Patrick Flanagan, Nicholas H. Ragosta, Donald Frank Wilson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220000572Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Patent number: 11160625Abstract: A surgical system includes a dynamic preload tension feature for a tensioning element that actuates a distal end component of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a chassis at a proximal end of the surgical instrument, drive components mounted in the chassis, a distal end component at a distal end of the surgical instrument, a flexible tensioning element coupled between a first of the drive components and the distal end component, and a dynamic preload tensioner mounted in the chassis and coupled to a second of the drive components. The flexible tensioning element extends along a path. The dynamic preload tensioner is configured to be driven by the second of the drive components to be moved relative to the chassis and is positioned to change the path of the flexible tensioning element as the dynamic preload tensioner moves relative to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, William Burbank, Thomas Grosvenor Cooper, Patrick Flanagan, Nicholas H. Ragosta, Donald Frank Wilson, Jr.
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Patent number: 11076926Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Patent number: 11039835Abstract: A medical device drive system including a lever body having portions defining a lever body cavity, a nut housing in the lever body cavity, and a first nut at least partially in the first nut cavity. The first nut is slideable in the first nut cavity between an engaged position in which the lead screw interface is engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw, and a disengaged position in which the lead screw interface is not engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw. The lead screw interface of the first nut is selectively engageable with the engagement portion of the lead screw by sliding the lever body and pin relative to the first nut housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, William A. Burbank, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Patent number: 11020193Abstract: A medical device system can include a surgical tool, and a one-way input, and a drive system operatively coupled to the surgical tool and the oneway input device. The drive system can be rotatable in a first direction to effectuate a first operation of the surgical tool, and rotatable in a second direction to effectuate a second the operation of the surgical tool. The one-way input device can be operable to rotate the rotatable drive system in the second direction but not the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Publication number: 20210059778Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: a distal movable component; a proximal drive assembly including a drive shaft, a capstan, and a plurality of splines; a first cable extending between the distal movable component and the drive shaft; and a second cable extending between the distal movable component and the capstan. The drive shaft includes a tapered projection, and the capstan includes a tapered bore in which the tapered projection of the drive shaft is received. The plurality of splines engage the tapered projection of the drive shaft with the tapered bore of the capstan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Patent number: 10792115Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: a distal movable component; a proximal drive assembly including a drive shaft, a capstan, and a plurality of splines; a first cable extending between the distal movable component and the drive shaft; and a second cable extending between the distal movable component and the capstan. The drive shaft includes a tapered projection, and the capstan includes a tapered bore in which the tapered projection of the drive shaft is received. The plurality of splines engage the tapered projection of the drive shaft with the tapered bore of the capstan.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Publication number: 20200138529Abstract: A medical device drive system may include a locking structure, a locking device sized and shaped to engage with the locking structure, the locking device coupled to a drive system component, and a lifter configured to actuate the locking device into and out of engagement with the locking structure, wherein the drive system component is selectively lockable by movement of the lifter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Publication number: 20190231464Abstract: A surgical system includes a dynamic preload tension feature for a tensioning element that actuates a distal end comport of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a chassis at a proximal end of the surgical instrument, drive components mounted in the chassis, a distal end component at a distal end of the surgical instrument, a flexible tensioning element coupled between a first of the drive components and the distal end component, and a dynamic preload tensioner mounted in the chassis and coupled to a second of the drive components. The flexible tensioning element extends along a path. The dynamic preload tensioner is configured to be driven by the second of the drive components to be moved relative to the chassis and is positioned to change the path of the flexible tensioning element as the dynamic preload tensioner moves relative to the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, William Burbank, Thomas Grosvenor Cooper, Patrick Flanagan, Nicholas H. Ragosta, Donald Frank Wilson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190201148Abstract: A medical device system can include a surgical tool, and a one-way input, and a drive system operatively coupled to the surgical tool and the oneway input device. The drive system can be rotatable in a first direction to effectuate a first operation of the surgical tool, and rotatable in a second direction to effectuate a second the operation of the surgical tool. The one-way input device can be operable to rotate the rotatable drive system in the second direction but not the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta
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Publication number: 20180271608Abstract: A medical device drive system can include a rotational input, a coupling member engaged with the rotational input, a first gear having an engagement feature sized and shaped to engage with the coupling member, and a second gear coupled with the first gear, the second gear coupled to a movable element. The system can have a first system state and a second system state. In the first system state the coupling member is not engaged with the engagement feature and the first gear rotates without moving the coupling member. In the second system state the coupling member is engaged with the engagement feature of the first gear and rotation of the rotational input turns the coupling member, the first gear, and the second gear to move the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Nicholas H. Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
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Publication number: 20180104012Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: a distal movable component; a proximal drive assembly including a drive shaft, a capstan, and a plurality of splines; a first cable extending between the distal movable component and the drive shaft; and a second cable extending between the distal movable component and the capstan. The drive shaft includes a tapered projection, and the capstan includes a tapered bore in which the tapered projection of the drive shaft is received. The plurality of splines engage the tapered projection of the drive shaft with the tapered bore of the capstan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Matthew Aaron Wixey, Nicholas H. Ragosta