Patents by Inventor Robert C. Smith

Robert C. Smith 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: 9110099
    Abstract: A downhole logging tool includes a tool body having a co-located set of antennas located on the tool body and first and second antennas formed from respective first and second pairs of coil windings having a closed-loop pattern. Both the first and second pair of coil windings are arranged on diametrically opposed antenna sections. A cylindrical shield is disposed over the co-located set of antennas and has a first set of vertical slots arranged interposed between each of the underlying antenna sections, a second set of vertical slots arranged over each of the underlying antenna sections, with each of the second set of vertical slots being perpendicular to a portion of the coil winding in the underlying antenna section, and a set of non-vertical slots arranged over each the underlying antenna sections. Each of non-vertical slots is perpendicular to a portion of the coil winding in the underlying antenna section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Gerald N. Minerbo, Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150223835
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port and a seal anchor. The access port includes a proximal ring, an intermediate ring, a distal ring, and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. In particular, the proximal, intermediate and distal rings are concentrically arranged with the passage of the sleeve, and the sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port, and defines a lumen therethrough. At least one of the proximal, intermediate, and distal rings is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150223837
    Abstract: A surgical access device is disclosed herein. The surgical access device includes a housing adapted for insertion into an incision in tissue and at least one inflatable portion disposed on the housing. The housing defines a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending therethrough for the reception of a surgical access portal. The at least one inflatable portion has a deflated state and an inflated state and the housing is insertable into the incision in tissue when the at least one inflatable portion is in the deflated state. The housing is adapted to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the incision in tissue and with a surgical access portal inserted therethrough when the at least one inflatable portion is in the inflated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150212226
    Abstract: The system for measuring electric resistivity around a borehole includes a tool body having a generally cylindrical shape, at least one transmitter at a first transmitter position on the tool body, an array of receivers on the tool body at a set distance from the first transmitter position, and a processor connected to the transmitter and the array. Each transmitter produces a set of five different measurement combinations with various resolution, coarseness, depth of investigation, and verification with the array. The array includes two pairs of receivers, and each receiver is an antenna, such as a coil in a groove with an antenna shield. The array has innovative placement of each receiver of the two pairs of receivers on the tool body relative to the transmitter for a more complete evaluation of a formation around a borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Robert C. SMITH, Jianguo LIU
  • Patent number: 9078698
    Abstract: An obturator assembly for use in dissection of tissue includes an obturator housing, an obturator member mounted to the obturator housing and an obturator sleeve coaxially mounted about the obturator member and adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The obturator member includes an obturator rod and a penetrating end. The penetrating end defines a substantially planar dissecting segment and a central rod segment extending from the planar dissecting element. The planar segment of the penetrating end defines atraumatic outer edges which may be arcuate in character. In one embodiment, the distal entry surface of the central rod segment and the atraumatic edges of the planar dissecting segment are at least partially exposed from the nose shield when in the extended position of the obturator sleeve. The obturator sleeve may include a generally tapered nose shield for at least partially accommodating the penetrating end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9078699
    Abstract: A trocar system includes a cannula having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing, and an obturator at least partially positionable within the cannula. The obturator includes an obturator housing adapted for mating with the cannula housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and receivable within the cannula sleeve, an obturator blade connected to the obturator shaft, a protective member including a protective guard coaxially mounted about the obturator blade and a latch member associated with the obturator housing and operatively connected to the protective guard. The obturator shaft and the obturator blade are adapted for relative rotational movement. The protective guard is adapted for longitudinal movement between a first position substantially enclosing the obturator blade and a second position to at least partially expose the obturator blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150164551
    Abstract: A surgical obturator that includes an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator member disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft. The obturator member may include a proximal section being convex along a majority of its length. It may also include a central section disposed adjacent the proximal section, the central section including a first pair of surfaces disposed relative to each other on radially opposite sides of the central section, and a second set of surfaces disposed between the first pair of surfaces and further being disposed relative to each other on radially opposite sides of the central section, at least a portion of a length of each one of the first pair of surfaces being concave, and at least a portion of a length of each one of the second pair of surfaces being convex. The obturator member may also include a guiding nub disposed distally of the central section and including a rounded distal-most portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Fischvogt, Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150157360
    Abstract: A trocar assembly for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a cannula subassembly and an obturator subassembly. The obturator assembly includes an obturator shaft member defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator tip configured to be removable from the obturator shaft member or, alternatively, constructed with the obturator member as a single unit. Various designs of the obturator tip are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150133987
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis and a dilating member disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The dilating member has a first longitudinal arc segment and a second longitudinal arc segment in diametrical opposed relation to the first longitudinal arc segment. The first and second longitudinal arc segments define respective first and second radii of curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first and second radii of curvature decrease from proximal to distal to define a generally tapered configuration of the dilating member. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature at predefined longitudinal positions of the dilating member such that the first longitudinal arc segment extends distally beyond the second longitudinal segment to define a penetrating tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9028521
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft and a dilating member disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft has proximal and distal ends and defines a longitudinal axis. The dilating member has an outer surface that includes at least one atraumatic edge member. The at least one atraumatic edge member extends proximally from a tip of the dilating member. The dilating member has a first substantially triangular cross-section disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9028403
    Abstract: A surgical access device for insertion into an opening in tissue includes an adjustable member at a proximal end which is transitionable between an un-deployed configuration where the adjustable member is rolled up proximally and a deployed configuration where the adjustable member is unrolled distally to allow for the use of the surgical access device in an opening having a larger size than the surgical access device. The surgical access device includes an elongate member which is adapted for insertion into an opening in tissue and including a lumen extending therethrough for the reception of a surgical instrument. An adjustable member extends from a proximal portion of the elongate member and is variable between the un-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration where the adjustable member extends distally from the proximal portion of the elongate member when in the deployed configuration to at least partially surround the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150126935
    Abstract: A surgical system comprising a cannula assembly and an obturator assembly for penetrating tissue is disclosed. A cover of the cannula assembly is mounted to a cannula housing and has a cover aperture therethrough. The cover has a trailing end face defining a predetermined geometrical configuration, at least a portion of the trailing end face is obliquely arranged relative to a longitudinal axis and terminates in, and leads toward the cover aperture to facilitate guiding of the surgical object through the cover aperture. The obturator assembly includes an obturator housing and an obturator member. The obturator housing has a housing base defining a leading end face, which defines a predetermined geometrical configuration corresponding to the predetermined geometrical configuration of the trailing end face of the cover to mate therewith upon assembly of the obturator assembly with the cannula assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Bettuchi, Robert C. Smith, Michael Davis, Brian Rockrohr, Gregory Fischvogt
  • Patent number: 9022928
    Abstract: A surgical access device is disclosed herein. The surgical access device includes a housing adapted for insertion into an incision in tissue and at least one inflatable portion disposed on the housing. The housing defines a proximal end and a distal end and has a lumen extending therethrough for the reception of a surgical access portal. The at least one inflatable portion has a deflated state and an inflated state and the housing is insertable into the incision in tissue when the at least one inflatable portion is in the deflated state. The housing is adapted to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the incision in tissue and with a surgical access portal inserted therethrough when the at least one inflatable portion is in the inflated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150117643
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117638
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets Which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117646
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117644
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117637
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117642
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski
  • Publication number: 20150117636
    Abstract: In a mobile communication device, multiple sets of sensor measurement data are obtained, each from a corresponding hardware sensor resident on the device. Insufficiently random data is filtered from each of the data sets to produce random data sets which are combined to produce entropy data which is stored in an entropy data cache. An entropy pool is monitored to determine a level of entropy data available and, based on the level determined, entropy data is provided from the entropy data cache to the entropy pool. Entropy data from the entropy pool is then applied to perform a cryptographic operation such as the generation of an encryption key for encrypting communications sent or received by the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Apriva, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph A. Best, Michael S. Klingen, Robert C. Smith, Charles S. Grochowski