Patents by Inventor Robert W. Pierce

Robert W. Pierce 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: 20240131894
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: eNow Systems LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
  • Publication number: 20230172674
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a control tower, a mobile cart, and a surgical console. The mobile cart is coupled to the control tower and includes a surgical robotic arm. The surgical robotic arm includes a surgical instrument and an image capture device. The surgical instrument is actuatable in response to a user input and configured to treat a target tissue in real-time. The image capture device for capturing at least one of images or video of the target tissue in real-time. The surgical console includes a user input device for generating a user input, and a controller. The controller is operably coupled to the user input device and configured to switch, based on the user input, from a first mode to a second mode, and from the second mode to the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Meir Rosenberg, Robert W. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20230111360
    Abstract: A position and tracking system for radio-based localization in an operating room, includes a receiver, a mobile cart, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The mobile cart includes a robotic arm and a transmitter in operable communication with the receiver. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive, from the transmitter, a signal including a position of the mobile carts in a 3D space based on the signal communicated by the transmitter and determine a spatial pose of the mobile carts based on the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Meir Rosenberg, Robert W. Pierce, William J. Peine, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11548140
    Abstract: A position and tracking system for radio-based localization in an operating room, includes a receiver, a mobile cart, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The mobile cart includes a robotic arm and a transmitter in operable communication with the receiver. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive, from the transmitter, a signal including a position of the mobile carts in a 3D space based on the signal communicated by the transmitter and determine a spatial pose of the mobile carts based on the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Meir Rosenberg, Robert W. Pierce, William J. Peine, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric J. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220163785
    Abstract: Computer-assisted surgical systems and methods provide intraoperative playback of and interaction with recorded video images and/or a 3D model while displaying current video images. The methods and related surgical systems involve capturing, by a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) video camera, current video images and recording the captured video images. A user interface displays the current video images and the recorded video images and/or the 3D model and enables a user to interact with either or both of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: John W. Komp, Irena Cantrall, Francesca Rossetto, Robert W. Pierce, Fiona A. Morrison, Mark N. Florio
  • Patent number: 11269173
    Abstract: Computer-assisted surgical systems and methods provide intraoperative playback of and interaction with recorded video images and/or a 3D model while displaying current video images. The methods and related surgical systems involve capturing, by a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) video camera, current video images and recording the captured video images. A user interface displays the current video images and the recorded video images and/or the 3D model and enables a user to interact with either or both of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John W. Komp, Irena Cantrall, Francesca Rossetto, Robert W. Pierce, Fiona A. Morrison, Mark N. Florio
  • Publication number: 20210055537
    Abstract: Computer-assisted surgical systems and methods provide intraoperative playback of and interaction with recorded video images and/or a 3D model while displaying current video images. The methods and related surgical systems involve capturing, by a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) video camera, current video images and recording the captured video images. A user interface displays the current video images and the recorded video images and/or the 3D model and enables a user to interact with either or both of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: JOHN W. KOMP, IRENA CANTRALL, FRANCESCA ROSSETTO, ROBERT W. PIERCE, FIONA A. MORRISON, MARK N. FLORIO
  • Publication number: 20210046637
    Abstract: A position and tracking system for radio-based localization in an operating room, includes a receiver, a mobile cart, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The mobile cart includes a robotic arm and a transmitter in operable communication with the receiver. The memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive, from the transmitter, a signal including a position of the mobile carts in a 3D space based on the signal communicated by the transmitter and determine a spatial pose of the mobile carts based on the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Meir Rosenberg, Robert W. Pierce, William J. Peine, Jaimeen Kapadia, Eric J. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200261160
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems are operated in a manner that improves user experience and user control. The robotic surgical system systems are configured to have a carrying mode, a camera reposition mode, and/or a targeting mode, one or more of which is selectable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: William Peine, Albert Dvornik, Jared Farlow, Robert W. Pierce, Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6371966
    Abstract: A corneal incision device of the present invention includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Pierce, Joseph F. Keenan, Dana Michael Cote, Edwin G. Lee
  • Patent number: 6090119
    Abstract: A corneal incision device includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Pierce, Joseph F. Keenan, Dana Michael Cote, Edwin G. Lee
  • Patent number: 5972011
    Abstract: The multi-plane corneal incision form of this invention includes a frame member in the shape of a segment of a hollow sphere that fits over a patient's cornea. The inner surface of the frame member includes a protuberance that distorts the cornea when the frame member is placed against the patient's cornea. The frame member also includes an aperture adjacent to the protuberance to allow a surgical blade to pass therethrough. By carefully configuring the protuberance and aligning the aperture, a physician can insert a surgical blade into the aperture and through the distorted cornea in a planar fashion that results in a multi-plane incision in the cornea once the frame member is removed from contact with the patient's cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Pierce, Edwin G. Lee, Dana M. Cote
  • Patent number: 5924206
    Abstract: The reusable device handle of this invention includes a nosepiece, a body, an activation rod, an ejector rod and a biasing mechanism. The nosepiece and the body are generally hollow. The nosepiece is connected to the body. The activation rod and the ejector rod are connected together and are disposed in the nosepiece and the body. The biasing mechanism is disposed in the body and biases the activation rod toward the proximal end of the body so that the proximal portion of the activation rod extends proximally from the proximal end of the body. The distal end of the nosepiece is designed to accept a cartridge therein that holds a blade or some other tool. The cartridge can be removably connected to the nosepiece. By pressing the proximal end of the activation rod, the distal end of the ejector rod contacts the cartridge and ejects the cartridge from the nosepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Dana M. Cote, Edwin G. Lee, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5876415
    Abstract: The multi-plane corneal incision form of this invention includes a frame member in the shape of a segment of a hollow sphere that fits over a patient's cornea. The inner surface of the frame member includes a protuberance that distorts the cornea when the frame member is placed against the patient's cornea. The frame member also includes an aperture adjacent to the protuberance to allow a surgical blade to pass therethrough. By carefully configuring the protuberance and aligning the aperture, a physician can insert a surgical blade into the aperture and through the distorted cornea in a planar fashion that results in a multi-plane incision in the cornea once the frame member is removed from contact with the patient's cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Pierce, Edwin G. Lee, Dana M. Cote
  • Patent number: 5827309
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Neil Jolly, Craig D. Newman, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5792162
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends that is formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Neil Jolly, Craig D. Newman, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5752968
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends that is formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Neil Jolly, Craig D. Newman, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5741289
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is also mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the handle. A blade carrier is mounted to the guard to allow relative longitudinal movement between the guard and the blade carrier. The blade carrier is also removably mounted to the handle. This mounting arrangement for the handle, guard and blade carrier allows the guard and blade carrier to be rotated away from the handle so the surfaces of the handle, guard and blade carrier can be exposed. This facilitates cleaning of the guarded surgical scalpel after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Neil Jolly, Craig D. Newman, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5683407
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is also mounted for rotatable movement with respect to the handle. A blade carrier is mounted to the guard to allow relative longitudinal movement between the guard and the blade carrier. The blade carrier is also removably mounted to the handle. This mounting arrangement for the handle, guard and blade carrier allows the guard and blade carrier to be rotated away from the handle so the surfaces of the handle, guard and blade carrier can be exposed. This facilitates cleaning of the guarded surgical scalpel after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Neil Jolly, Craig D. Newman, Robert W. Pierce
  • Patent number: D421303
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Dana M. Cote, Joseph F. Keenan, Robert W. Pierce