Patents by Inventor Ralph Wadensweiler
Ralph Wadensweiler 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: 20220202513Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a pair of jaw members comprising a first jaw member comprising a groove along a length portion of the first jaw member, the groove extending from a gripping surface of the first jaw member in a first direction, and a slot along the length portion of the first jaw member and extending from the groove in a second direction, the second direction being different than the first direction. The instrument further comprises a cutting element comprising a first edge engaged with the groove and translatable along the groove; and a retaining feature coupled to the first edge of the cutting element and engaged with the slot, the retaining feature remains engaged with the slot throughout a range of translation of the cutting element. The cutting element is translatable along the groove independently from a movement of the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Scott E. MANZO, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Ben SCHOETTGEN
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Publication number: 20220183779Abstract: A medical device includes a clevis, a first blade, a second blade, and a tension member. The first and second blades are rotatably coupled to the clevis. The first blade includes a first coupling portion. The tension member is coupled to the first blade and applies a torque to the first blade to rotate the first blade about the clevis between a first, second, and third orientation. The second blade includes a second coupling portion. The second coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling portion such that A) the second blade remains in a fixed position relative to the clevis when the first blade is between the first and second orientation, and B) rotation of the first retractor blade between the second and third orientation transfers at least a portion of the torque to the second retractor blade causing rotation of the second blade about the clevis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. SHUH, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Kyle R. MILLER, Jeffrey A. SMITH, Glenn C. STANTE, Markus RHEINWALD, Hubert STEIN
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Patent number: 11291513Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an end effector coupled to a distal end of a shaft. The end effector comprises a pair of jaw members configured to be moved relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a cutting element configured to cut material gripped between the jaw members. The cutting element is further configured to translate between and along a lengthwise direction of the jaw members. The cutting element and a first jaw member comprise complementary retaining features that cooperate to retain the cutting element in a position held by the first jaw member throughout a range of motion of the jaw members between the open and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Scott E. Manzo, Ralph Wadensweiler, Ben Schoettgen
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Patent number: 11291514Abstract: A medical device includes a clevis, a first blade, a second blade, and a tension member. The first and second blades are rotatably coupled to the clevis. The first blade includes a first coupling portion. The tension member is coupled to the first blade and applies a torque to the first blade to rotate the first blade about the clevis between a first, second, and third orientation. The second blade includes a second coupling portion. The second coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling portion such that A) the second blade remains in a fixed position relative to the clevis when the first blade is between the first and second orientation, and B) rotation of the first retractor blade between the second and third orientation transfers at least a portion of the torque to the second retractor blade causing rotation of the second blade about the clevis.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. Shuh, Ralph Wadensweiler, Kyle R. Miller, Jeffrey A. Smith, Glenn C. Stante, Markus Rheinwald, Hubert Stein
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Publication number: 20220087668Abstract: A support apparatus for a medical device includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a flexible contact member. The first sleeve is configured to be coupled to a first tool member of an end effector assembly that includes the first tool member, a second tool member, and a clevis, in which the first and second tool members are each rotatably coupled to the clevis such that second tool member can be moved relative to the first tool member between a first and a second orientation. The second sleeve is configured to be coupled to the second tool member. The flexible contact member is coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and is configured be moved between a collapsed configuration when the second tool member is in the first orientation and an expanded configuration when the second tool member is in the second orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. SHUH, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Kyle R. MILLER
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Patent number: 11213287Abstract: A support apparatus for a medical device includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a flexible contact member. The first sleeve is configured to be coupled to a first tool member of an end effector assembly that includes the first tool member, a second tool member, and a clevis, in which the first and second tool members are each rotatably coupled to the clevis such that second tool member can be moved relative to the first tool member between a first and a second orientation. The second sleeve is configured to be coupled to the second tool member. The flexible contact member is coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and is configured be moved between a collapsed configuration when the second tool member is in the first orientation and an expanded configuration when the second tool member is in the second orientation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. Shuh, Ralph Wadensweiler, Kyle R. Miller
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Publication number: 20210259795Abstract: According to an exemplary aspect, a tool for installing and/or removing a protective cover of an instrument includes a body portion having an open end and a closed end. The open end defines an interior passage that extends into the body portion along a longitudinal axis of the body portion toward the closed end of the body portion. The interior passage is configured to receive at least a portion of the protective cover in the interior passage. One or more members are connected to the body portion, and each of the one or more members includes a free end movable relative to the body portion. Systems and methods relate to tools for installing and/or removing protective covers of instruments.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul J. FLOYD, Rosemary COLE, Christina J. SHUH, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Mark PALMER
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Publication number: 20200155253Abstract: A medical device includes a clevis, a first blade, a second blade, and a tension member. The first and second blades are rotatably coupled to the clevis. The first blade includes a first coupling portion. The tension member is coupled to the first blade and applies a torque to the first blade to rotate the first blade about the clevis between a first, second, and third orientation. The second blade includes a second coupling portion. The second coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling portion such that A) the second blade remains in a fixed position relative to the clevis when the first blade is between the first and second orientation, and B) rotation of the first retractor blade between the second and third orientation transfers at least a portion of the torque to the second retractor blade causing rotation of the second blade about the clevis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. SHUH, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Kyle R. MILLER, Jeffrey A. SMITH, Glenn C. STANTE, Markus RHEINWALD, Hubert STEIN
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Publication number: 20200155136Abstract: A support apparatus for a medical device includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a flexible contact member. The first sleeve is configured to be coupled to a first tool member of an end effector assembly that includes the first tool member, a second tool member, and a clevis, in which the first and second tool members are each rotatably coupled to the clevis such that second tool member can be moved relative to the first tool member between a first and a second orientation. The second sleeve is configured to be coupled to the second tool member. The flexible contact member is coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and is configured be moved between a collapsed configuration when the second tool member is in the first orientation and an expanded configuration when the second tool member is in the second orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christina J. SHUH, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Kyle R. MILLER
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Publication number: 20190216561Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an end effector coupled to a distal end of a shaft. The end effector comprises a pair of jaw members configured to be moved relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a cutting element configured to cut material gripped between the jaw members. The cutting element is further configured to translate between and along a lengthwise direction of the jaw members. The cutting element and a first jaw member comprise complementary retaining features that cooperate to retain the cutting element in a position held by the first jaw member throughout a range of motion of the jaw members between the open and the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Scott E. MANZO, Ralph WADENSWEILER, Ben SCHOETTGEN
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Patent number: 7422516Abstract: Embodiments of a polishing article for polishing a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the polishing article includes an annular upper layer made of a dielectric material coupled to an annular lower layer made of a conductive material, and an annular subpad sandwiched between the annular upper layer and the annular lower layer forming a replaceable assembly therewith.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Butterfield, Liang-Yuh Chen, Yonqi Hu, Antoine P. Manens, Rashid Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai, Feng Q. Liu, Ralph Wadensweiler, Lizhong Sun, Siew S. Neo, Alain Duboust
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Publication number: 20080156657Abstract: Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Paul D. Butterfield, Liang-Yuh Chen, Yongqi Hu, Antoine P. Manens, Rashid Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai, Feng Q. Liu, Ralph Wadensweiler
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Patent number: 7374644Abstract: Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Butterfield, Liang-Yuh Chen, Yongqi Hu, Antoine P. Manens, Rashid Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai, Feng Q. Liu, Ralph Wadensweiler
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Patent number: 7344432Abstract: An article of manufacture and apparatus are provided for processing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including polishing article comprising a body having at least a partially conductive polishing surface. An electrode is disposed below the polishing surface having a dielectric material therebetween. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the polishing surface and the dielectric material to at least partially expose the electrode to the polishing surface. A membrane may be disposed between the electrode and the polishing surface that is permeable to ions and current to promote continuity between the electrode and the polishing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Liang-Yun Chen, Yuchun Wang, Yan Wang, Alain Duboust, Daniel A. Carl, Ralph Wadensweiler, Manoocher Birang, Paul D. Butterfield, Rashid A. Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai, You Wang, Jie Diao, Renhe Jia, Lakshmanan Karuppiah, Robert Ewald
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Publication number: 20080026681Abstract: Embodiments of a polishing article for polishing a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the polishing article includes an annular upper layer made of a dielectric material coupled to an annular lower layer made of a conductive material, and an annular subpad sandwiched between the annular upper layer and the annular lower layer forming a replaceable assembly therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: PAUL BUTTERFIELD, Liang-Yuh Chen, Yonqi Hu, Antoine Manens, Rashid Mavliev, Stan Tsai, Feng Liu, Ralph Wadensweiler, Lizhong Sun, Siew Neo, Alain Duboust
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Patent number: 7311592Abstract: An article of manufacture and apparatus are provided for planarizing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including polishing article comprising a body having at least a partially conductive surface adapted to polish the substrate. A plurality of perforations may be formed in the polishing article for flow of material therethrough. An electrode is also exposed to the polishing surface by at least a portion of the plurality of perforations. The article of manufacture may also include a polishing surface having a plurality of grooves, wherein a portion of the plurality of grooves intersect with a portion of the plurality of perforations.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Liang-Yuh Chen, Yuchun Wang, Yan Wang, Alain Duboust, Daniel A. Carl, Ralph Wadensweiler, Manoocher Birang, Paul D. Butterfield, Rashid Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai
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Patent number: 7278911Abstract: Embodiments of a polishing article for polishing a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the polishing article includes a ring-shaped upper layer having a polishing surface, and a conductive layer coupled to the upper layer and forming a replaceable assembly therewith.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Butterfield, Liang-Yuh Chen, Yonqi Hu, Antoine P. Manens, Rashid Mavliev, Stan D. Tsai, Feng Q. Liu, Ralph Wadensweiler, Lizhong Sun, Siew S. Neo, Alain Duboust
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Publication number: 20070111638Abstract: Embodiments of a pad assembly for processing a substrate are provided. The pad assembly includes a processing layer having a working surface adapted to process a substrate, a lower layer coupled to and disposed below the processing layer, and an electrode having an upper surface disposed above the lower layer and below the working surface of the processing layer. The upper surface of the electrode is at least partially exposed to the working surface by a plurality of apertures to provide an electrolyte pathway between the upper surface of the electrode and the working surface of the pad assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: SHOU-SUNG CHANG, Stan Tsai, Donald Olgado, Liang-Yuh Chen, Alain Duboust, Ralph Wadensweiler
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Publication number: 20070099552Abstract: An article of manufacture and apparatus are provided for processing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including polishing article comprising a body having at least a partially conductive polishing surface. An electrode is disposed below the polishing surface having a dielectric material therebetween. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the polishing surface and the dielectric material to at least partially expose the electrode to the polishing surface. A membrane may be disposed between the electrode and the polishing surface that is permeable to ions and current to promote continuity between the electrode and the polishing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Liang-Yuh Chen, Yuchun Wang, Yan Wang, Alain Duboust, Daniel Carl, Ralph Wadensweiler, Manoocher Birang, Paul Butterfield, Rashid Mavliev, Stan Tsai, You Wang, Jie Diao, Renhe Jia, Lakshmanan Karuppiah, Robert Ewald
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Patent number: D938581Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Floyd, Rosemary Cole, Christina J. Shuh, Ralph Wadensweiler, Mark Palmer