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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 9017249
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150112280
    Abstract: A surgical seal assembly, includes a seal housing defining a longitudinal housing axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a seal having an inner seal portion defining a passage and being adapted to form a substantial seal about a surgical instrument disposed within the passage and a guide mounted to the seal housing. The guide has an inner guide portion proximal of the inner seal portion of the seal and spaced therefrom. The inner guide portion defines a channel adapted to generally direct the surgical instrument toward the inner seal portion of the seal upon entry of the surgical instrument within the longitudinal opening of the seal housing. The inner guide portion is relatively compliant to accommodate initial offset or angled entry of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8979883
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus includes an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A dilating member disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft and has a first longitudinal arc segment and a second longitudinal arc segment being in diametrical opposed relation. The first and second longitudinal arc segments define respective first and second radii of curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis, and 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. The penetrating tip has a reduced profile and is dimensioned to facilitate initial insertion of the dilating member into tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150061682
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Gerald N. Minerbo, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8968341
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a housing having an elongated tubular member extending from a distal end thereof. A head assembly is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tubular member and is configured to retain a portion of a suture therein. At least one arm member is positioned adjacent the elongated tubular member. Each arm members includes a ferrule assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. Each ferrule assembly is positioned within a recess defined within the elongated tubular member and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. Each ferrule is configured to retain a portion of the suture therein. Each arm member is rotatable to rotate the ferrule assembly disposed thereon between a first position, wherein the ferrule assembly is disposed within the recess, and a second position, wherein the ferrule assembly extends at least partially radially outwardly from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8968249
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with an access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a longitudinal opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing. A gimbal mount is at least partially accommodated within a space defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the seal housing. The gimbal mount includes a seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of a surgical instrument. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument while substantially maintaining the sealed reception of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert C. Smith, David C. Racenet, Gene A. Stellon
  • Patent number: 8961552
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Gregory Fischvogt, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8956326
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8940007
    Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating tissue includes an obturator including an obturator housing and an obturator member extending from the obturator housing. The obturator member defines a longitudinal axis along which the obturator extends from trailing to leading ends thereof, and has a leading penetrating member adapted to penetrate tissue. The penetrating member defines, from leading to trailing, a cylindrical element having a generally arcuate leading surface and a generally planar dissecting element extending from the cylindrical portion. The obturator member and the leading penetrating member may be monolithically formed. The obturator member may include an obturator rod connected to the obturator housing, and defining a generally “t”-shaped cross-section. The generally planar dissecting element defines side surfaces obliquely arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis. The side surfaces may be arcuate or may define cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert C. Smith, Gregory Okoniewski, Russell Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8932275
    Abstract: A surgical seal assembly, includes a seal housing defining a longitudinal housing axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a seal having an inner seal portion defining a passage and being adapted to form a substantial seal about a surgical instrument disposed within the passage and a guide mounted to the seal housing. The guide has an inner guide portion proximal of the inner seal portion of the seal and spaced therefrom. The inner guide portion defines a channel adapted to generally direct the surgical instrument toward the inner seal portion of the seal upon entry of the surgical instrument within the longitudinal opening of the seal housing. The inner guide portion is relatively compliant to accommodate initial offset or angled entry of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150011835
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port, a seal anchor and a sealing adapter. The access port includes proximal and distal rings and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. The sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port. The sealing adapter includes proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith. The proximal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage a least a portion of the distal ring of the access port in a sealing relation therewith, wherein the sealing adapter is transitionable between a first state in which the sealing adapter has a first diameter and a second state in which the sealing adapter has a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150012030
    Abstract: An obturator for use in penetrating tissue includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the elongate member. The penetrating member has a distal penetrating tip dimensioned to pass through tissue. The penetrating member defines an external wall leading toward the penetrating tip. The external wall includes a plurality of raised elements extending at least radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis and being in general longitudinal alignment. Adjacent raised elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis to thereby accommodate tissue displaced during passage of the penetrating member through tissue. The raised elements are dimensioned to be generally atraumatic to tissue. The raised elements may define an arcuate profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8911407
    Abstract: A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C Smith
  • Patent number: 8884624
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a downhole logging tool for acquiring data in an earth formation. In one embodiment, the downhole logging tool has a tool body with a longitudinal axis, a set of antennas located on the tool body and including coil windings forming a closed-loop pattern, and a shield disposed over the antennas and having an arrangement of slots with each slot being substantially perpendicular to a proximate portion of at least one of the underlying coil windings, wherein the path length around each slot is more than twice the length of the distance between the slot and a directly adjacent slot along an arc of the coil windings. The downhole logging tool may be a wireline or while-drilling tool, and it may be an induction or propagation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Gerald N. Minerbo, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8845529
    Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an access port, a seal anchor and a sealing adapter. The access port includes proximal and distal rings and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. The sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port. The sealing adapter includes proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith. The proximal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage a least a portion of the distal ring of the access port in a sealing relation therewith, wherein the sealing adapter is transitionable between a first state in which the sealing adapter has a first diameter and a second state in which the sealing adapter has a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8845670
    Abstract: An obturator for use in penetrating tissue includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the elongate member. The penetrating member has a distal penetrating tip dimensioned to pass through tissue. The penetrating member defines an external wall leading toward the penetrating tip. The external wall includes a plurality of raised elements extending at least radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis and being in general longitudinal alignment. Adjacent raised elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis to thereby accommodate tissue displaced during passage of the penetrating member through tissue. The raised elements are dimensioned to be generally atraumatic to tissue. The raised elements may define an arcuate profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140288376
    Abstract: A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140235946
    Abstract: A visualization system includes an obturator assembly and an endoscope. The obturator assembly includes two body halves defining a longitudinal split line. Each of the two body halves includes a housing portion and an elongate member portion extending distally from the housing portion. The two body halves define a longitudinal bore extending between proximal and distal ends thereof. The endoscope is configured for insertion into the longitudinal bore of the obturator assembly, wherein at least a portion of the obturator assembly is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140235949
    Abstract: A surgical access device includes a seal assembly having a seal housing and a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing, the seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage for receiving at least one surgical object therethrough and the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis. The seal assembly also includes a bellows configured to engage at least a portion of the gimbal mount, the bellows dimensioned and adapted to establish a biasing relationship with the gimbal mount, such that the bellows biases the gimbal mount to align with the central longitudinal axis of the seal housing. The bellows is configured to be attached to a proximal wall of the seal housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith