Patents by Inventor Ryan B. Pickens

Ryan B. Pickens 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).

  • Systems and methods for robot-assisted transurethral exploration and intervention
    Patent number: 9956042
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using a robotic system to perform procedures within a cavity using a virtual fixture. The robotic system includes a rigid central stem including an access channel positioned longitudinally along the rigid central stem and a dexterous arm at least partially positioned within the access channel of the central stem. The dexterous arm includes a plurality of individually adjustable segments. A control system receives a positioning command from a manipulator control indicative of a desired movement of a distal end of the dexterous arm. A virtual fixture is defined that is representative of the access channel of the rigid central stem. The position of the dexterous arm is adjusted such that the distal end of the dexterous arm performs the desired movement while the portion of the dexterous arm that is positioned within the first access channel is not moved beyond the defined virtual fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Nabil Simaan, Andrea Bajo, Ryan B. Pickens, Stanley Duke Herrel
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED TRANSURETHRAL EXPLORATION AND INTERVENTION
    Publication number: 20140316434
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using a robotic system to perform procedures within a cavity using a virtual fixture. The robotic system includes a rigid central stem including an access channel positioned longitudinally along the rigid central stem and a dexterous arm at least partially positioned within the access channel of the central stem. The dexterous arm includes a plurality of individually adjustable segments. A control system receives a positioning command from a manipulator control indicative of a desired movement of a distal end of the dexterous arm. A virtual fixture is defined that is representative of the access channel of the rigid central stem. The position of the dexterous arm is adjusted such that the distal end of the dexterous arm performs the desired movement while the portion of the dexterous arm that is positioned within the first access channel is not moved beyond the defined virtual fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Nabil Simaan, Andrea Bajo, Ryan B. Pickens, Stanely Duke Herrel