Patents by Inventor Norbert Johnson

Norbert Johnson 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: 12642667
    Abstract: An interbody spacer configured for implantation between spinal vertebrae. The interbody spacer including electrical circuitry within an electronics housing of the interbody spacer and a plurality of load sensors spaced apart on carriers of the interbody spacer. The plurality of load sensors electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to provide to the electrical circuitry a load signal indicative of a measurement of force exerted onto the plurality of load sensors of the interbody spacer. The interbody spacer further including a plurality of electrodes spaced apart on a surface of the interbody spacer. The plurality of electrodes electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to at least one of provide to the electrical circuitry an electrode signal indicative of an impedance measurement and generate an electrical field between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, David C. Paul, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 12642610
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing a degree of freedom to a guide tube associated with a robotic surgical system. The surgical robot system may be configured to have six degrees of freedom associated with a vertical lift, rotation about a shoulder, rotation about an elbow, roll of a forearm, pitch of the end-effector, and rotation of a guide tube independent from the end-effector. The robotic surgical system allows for the proper orientation of an instrument in the guide tube along a trajectory to the operational site of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260124019
    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: December 30, 2025
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Christopher Major, Michael Bartelme, Norbert Johnson, Stephen Cicchini
  • Publication number: 20260114929
    Abstract: A surgical system for computer assisted navigation during surgery, includes at least one processor that obtains a 3D radiological representation of a targeted anatomical structure of a patient and a set of fiducials of a registration fixture. The operations attempt to register locations of the set of fiducials in the 3D radiological representation to a 3D imaging space tracked by a camera tracking system. Based on determining one of the fiducials of the set has a location that was not successfully registered to the 3D imaging space, the operations display at least one view of the 3D radiological representation with a graphical overlay indicating the fiducial has not been successfully registered to the 3D imaging space, receive user-supplied location information identifying where the fiducial is located in the 3D radiological representation, and register the location of the fiducial to the 3D imaging space based on the user-supplied location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Douglas Legere, Norbert Johnson, Gerd Schmieta, Thomas Calloway, Dana Wisniewski, Dale Earle, Ryan Fischer
  • Patent number: 12599447
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a robot-assisted surgery. A surgical robotic system with integrated navigation and multiple surgical arms may assist a user with one or more surgical procedures. In addition to the multiple surgical arms, the robotic system may also have peripheral arms to position a navigation camera and surgeon displays. The robotic system is collaborative to allow for easy integration into procedural workflows, for example, to install pedicle screws, interbody implants, or other surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, David C. Paul
  • Patent number: 12599443
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for aiding insertion of a surgical implant by providing a threaded guide tube configured to engage a threaded surgical instrument such that an end-effector of a robot may provide force to drive the surgical implant into a patient. In addition, devices, systems, and methods relating to a dilator system for use with a robotic system that allows independent and separate control of tools within the dilator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Nicholas A. Theodore
  • Publication number: 20260096792
    Abstract: A portable medical imaging system and method, of which the system includes a movable station having a movable C-arm, an imaging signal transmitter attached to the movable C-arm, and an imaging sensor positioned generally opposite to the imaging signal transmitter and attached to the movable c-arm. The imaging sensor is configured to rotate relative to a point approximately on a center axis of the movable C-arm independently of the imaging signal transmitter, so as to change an angle of incidence for a signal transmitted from the imaging signal transmitter to the imaging sensor, and provide a field-of-view that is larger than the field-of-view of the imaging sensor at a single position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2025
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, Robert Stevens, Hisham Salem, Yuan Cheng, David Cleary
  • Patent number: 12594001
    Abstract: A method and system for determining an extent of matter removed from a targeted anatomical structure are disclosed. The method includes acquiring an initial representation of a targeted anatomical structure and then removing matter from the targeted anatomical structure. An instrument is then navigated within the targeted anatomical structure. The instrument includes a tracking array, and a relative position of the instrument within the targeted anatomical structure is determined by the tracking array. The method includes recording the relative position of the instrument within the targeted anatomical structure to determine a final representation of the targeted anatomical structure. Finally, the method includes determining an extent of matter removed from the targeted anatomical structure by comparing the initial representation of the targeted anatomical structure with the final representation of the targeted anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, Neil Crawford, Weston Healy, Sanjay M. Joshi, Thomas Calloway, Joshua Cige
  • Publication number: 20260090894
    Abstract: An implant can be configured to transition between a first stable state and a second stable state. The implant can include a first surface and a second surface coupled to the first surface. The first surface can include a first structure configured to form a stable planar shape during the first stable state of the implant and to form a stable three-dimensional (ā€œ3Dā€) shape during the second stable state of the implant. The second surface can include a second structure configured to form a stable planar shape during the first stable state of the implant and to form a stable 3D shape during the second stable state of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, David C. Paul, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260083523
    Abstract: Active end-effectors for guiding an instrument during a robot-assisted surgery. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and the active end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The active end-effector may have a slide mechanism, which may provide for a greater range of motion of a surgical instrument along a vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, Neil R. Crawford, Steven Chang
  • Publication number: 20260076757
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting unexpected movement of a surgical instrument during a robot-assisted surgical procedure are provided. The surgical robot system may be configured to measure forces and torques experienced by the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure and determine if the forces and torques are within an acceptable range. The robot system is further configured to notify the user of the presence of the unexpected movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260076766
    Abstract: A method for registration of digital medical images is provided. The method includes the step of storing a 3D digital medical image having a 3D anatomical feature and a first coordinate system and storing a 2D digital medical image having a 2D anatomical feature and a second coordinate system. The method further includes the steps of storing a placement of a digital medical object on the 3D digital medical image and the 2D digital medical image and generating a simulated 2D digital medical image from the 3D digital medical image, wherein the simulated 2D digital medical image comprises a simulated 2D anatomical feature corresponding to the 3D anatomical feature. The 2D anatomical feature is compared with the simulated 2D anatomical feature until a match is reached and a registration of the first coordinate system with the second coordinate system based on the match is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Norbert Johnson, Neil R. Crawford, Jeffrey Forsyth, Yuan Cheng, Jawad Mokhtar
  • Publication number: 20260069207
    Abstract: An interbody spacer configured for implantation between spinal vertebrae. The interbody spacer including electrical circuitry within an electronics housing of the interbody spacer and a plurality of load sensors spaced apart on carriers of the interbody spacer. The plurality of load sensors electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to provide to the electrical circuitry a load signal indicative of a measurement of force exerted onto the plurality of load sensors of the interbody spacer. The interbody spacer further including a plurality of electrodes spaced apart on a surface of the interbody spacer. The plurality of electrodes electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to at least one of provide to the electrical circuitry an electrode signal indicative of an impedance measurement and generate an electrical field between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, David C. Paul, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260069424
    Abstract: An interbody spacer configured for implantation between spinal vertebrae. The interbody spacer including electrical circuitry within an electronics housing of the interbody spacer and a plurality of load sensors spaced apart on carriers of the interbody spacer. The plurality of load sensors electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to provide to the electrical circuitry a load signal indicative of a measurement of force exerted onto the plurality of load sensors of the interbody spacer. The interbody spacer further including a plurality of electrodes spaced apart on a surface of the interbody spacer. The plurality of electrodes electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to at least one of provide to the electrical circuitry an electrode signal indicative of an impedance measurement and generate an electrical field between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, David C. Paul, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260069427
    Abstract: An interbody spacer configured for implantation between spinal vertebrae. The interbody spacer including electrical circuitry within an electronics housing of the interbody spacer and a plurality of load sensors spaced apart on carriers of the interbody spacer. The plurality of load sensors electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to provide to the electrical circuitry a load signal indicative of a measurement of force exerted onto the plurality of load sensors of the interbody spacer. The interbody spacer further including a plurality of electrodes spaced apart on a surface of the interbody spacer. The plurality of electrodes electrically connectable to the electrical circuitry and configured to at least one of provide to the electrical circuitry an electrode signal indicative of an impedance measurement and generate an electrical field between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Paden Troxell, David C. Paul, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260069366
    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: November 17, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Wes Weber, Alexander Krull
  • Publication number: 20260069164
    Abstract: Methods may be provided to identify a medical implant from a plurality of medical implants to be fixed to an anatomical surface. Dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants may be provided, and dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface may be provided. The dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants may be compared with the dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface, and one of the medical implants may be selected from the plurality of medical implants based on comparing the dimensional parameters for each of the plurality of medical implants with the dimensional parameters corresponding to the anatomical surface. An identification of the medical implant selected from the plurality of medical implants may be provided through a user interface. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Neil Crawford, Andrew Davison, David Demski, Peter Govey, Norbert Johnson, Stephanie Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20260060762
    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: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson, Timothy Moulton, Jared Judson
  • Publication number: 20260053510
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing a transcorporeal microdecompression are described. The transcorporeal microdecompression may include a bone void plug allograft and specialized instruments for performing the procedure. This procedure may be performed under navigation and/or with robotic assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2025
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Inventors: Ross Morris, Neil Crawford, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260041508
    Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a medical system. First data may be provided for a first 3-dimensional (3D) image scan of an anatomical volume, with the first data identifying a blood vessel node in a first coordinate system for the first 3D image scan. Second data may be provided for a second 3D image scan of the anatomical volume, with the second data identifying the blood vessel node in a second coordinate system for the second 3D image scan. The first and second coordinate systems for the first and second 3D image scans of the anatomical volume may be co-registered using the blood vessel node identified in the first data and in the second data as a fiducial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson