Patents by Inventor Ryan Steger

Ryan Steger 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: 12376923
    Abstract: A system is provided including a reclosable storage container comprising an interior sterile environment. The system also includes a sterile teleoperated component of a teleoperated surgical manipulator assembly in the interior sterile environment. A communications interface enables communication between a device outside the storage container and the component inside the storage container. A viewing window allows the stored component to be seen through the storage container. Multiple storage containers can be moved and stored. In an operating room, the storage container is opened, and the component is removed and assembled into the teleoperated surgical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John Ryan Steger, Daniel H. Gomez
  • Patent number: 12364553
    Abstract: A system includes a control means for receiving an input from a user, a manipulator means configured to support a tool having a tool frame, and processing means configured to perform a method. The method involves receiving, from an image capturing system with an image frame, one or more images. The tool is visible in the one or more images. The method further involves determining an estimated frame transform based on the one or more images. The estimated frame transform is used in defining an unknown frame transform between the image frame and the tool frame. The method also involves determining, in response to the input received at the control means, an output movement for the tool based on the estimated frame transform, and causing movement of the tool based on the output movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Giuseppe Maria Prisco, John Ryan Steger, David Q. Larkin
  • Patent number: 12343103
    Abstract: A manipulator for articulating a surgical instrument may comprise an instrument holder configured to couple with the surgical instrument and to pivot about a remote center of motion. The manipulator may comprise a linkage assembly coupled to the instrument holder and configured to constrain rotational motion of the instrument holder to pivot about the remote center of motion. The linkage assembly may comprise a first, second, and third linkage arms. The second linkage arm may be rotatably coupled to the first linkage arm with a proximal end of the first linkage arm and a proximal end of the second linkage arm coupled at a proximal pivot joint. A third linkage arm may be translationally coupled to the second linkage arm. Movement of the second linkage arm and the third linkage arm may cause a distal end of the third linkage arm to trace an arc around the remote center of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ashley Lynne Oliver, Ryan C. Abbott, Bram Gilbert Antoon Lambrecht, John Ryan Steger
  • Patent number: 12329472
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a wrist, an end effector, a cable pair, and a transmission. A proximal wrist portion is coupled to a distal end portion of a shaft. Actuation of the wrist moves a distal wrist portion relative to the proximal wrist portion. The end effector is coupled to the distal wrist portion, and can be actuated to move relative to the wrist. The transmission is coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft, and can move an end of the cable pair to actuate the end effector. The end of the cable pair is routed through a transmission cable path within the transmission. The transmission includes an adjustment mechanism having an input portion that receives a force exerted by the end of the cable pair. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change a length of the transmission cable path in response to a change in the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Waterbury, John Ryan Steger, Zhou Ye
  • Publication number: 20250169905
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20250160982
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavule, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20250160975
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes manipulators, a user input system, a user output system comprising a display device, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. The operations include, in a pairing mode and in response to a first set of signals generated by the user input system, causing a virtual selector shown on the display device to move relative to an imagery shown on the display device. The operations further include, in the pairing mode, associating a first manipulator with a portion of the user input system based on movement of the virtual selector relative to a represented location of the first instrument, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first 10 instrument in accordance to a second set of signals generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20250160983
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger
  • Patent number: 12285301
    Abstract: A system generally includes a surgical manipulator configured to control motion of a surgical tool, and a clamping apparatus having a mounting location configured to support the surgical manipulator and couple to a mounting structure. The clamping apparatus may include a body, a first jaw coupled to the body and configured to engage a first portion of the mounting structure, and a second jaw coupled to the body and configured to engage a second portion of the mounting structure. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw may be movably coupled to the body and configured to move along a non-linear path to clamp mounting structures of different sizes. A lever may be pivotably coupled to the body and may be movable between a unclamped position and a clamped position. Alternatively, a motor may be operable to attach the clamping apparatus to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Abbott, Daniel H. Gomez, John Ryan Steger
  • Patent number: 12262970
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger
  • Patent number: 12257011
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes manipulators, a user input system, a user output system comprising a display device, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. The operations include, in a pairing mode and in response to a first set of signals generated by the user input system, causing a virtual selector shown on the display device to move relative to an imagery shown on the display device. The operations further include, in the pairing mode, associating a first manipulator with a portion of the user input system based on movement of the virtual selector relative to a represented location of the first instrument, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first instrument in accordance to a second set of signals generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20250072984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. A computer-assisted teleoperated surgery system includes a teleoperated instrument actuation pod. The surgical instrument actuation pod includes a plurality of linear actuators arranged around a surgical instrument. The linear actuators engage with actuator engagement members on the instrument and so drive movable parts on the instrument. The actuation pod is mounted on a teleoperated manipulator. Instrument pod mass is close to the teleoperated manipulator to minimize the pod's inertia, momentum, and gravity effects on the manipulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Ryan Charles Abbott, John Ryan Steger, Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. Mcdowall, Amy Kerdok
  • Patent number: 12239402
    Abstract: An instrument holder generally includes a carriage rotatable with respect to a carriage support, a light pipe extending axially through the carriage, and an electrical conductor extending through the carriage radially outward of the light pipe. The light pipe can transmit light energy and the electrical conductor can transmit electricity between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the carriage to a medical instrument. The rotatable carriage may include a sterile adapter assembly positioned at the proximal and/or distal end portions of the rotatable carriage. The sterile adapter assembly may include a roll disk rotatable with respect to the outer frame, an inner disk rotatable with respect to the roll disk, and a light pipe to transmit light energy through the roll disk. The inner disk can transfer movement of an actuator between the rotatable carriage and the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cullen Waterbury, Daniel H. Gomez, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20240423733
    Abstract: A teleoperation system includes an input device configured to by manually manipulated by an operator, a first manipulator configured to support an imaging device, a second manipulator configured to support an attachment selected from the group consisting of: an instrument and a tissue probe, a display device; and a control system. The imaging device has a field of view. The control system is configured to receive a first image of a workspace captured by the imaging device; determine a movement command based on movement of the input device; and in response to a first determination that the movement command is for teleoperating the attachment while the attachment is inserted into the workspace in a first direction that is non-corresponding to a second direction of the field of view, cause the display device to display a second image indicative of a tip of the attachment overlayed with the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: John Ryan STEGER, Brian M. CREWS, Craig R. GERBI, Tyler J. MORRISSETTE, Margaret M. NIXON, Joseph P. ORBAN, III, Theodore W. ROGERS, Alain SADAKA, Charles E. SWINEHART, Michael TURNER, Kerry S. WANG
  • Patent number: 12171516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. A computer-assisted teleoperated surgery system includes a teleoperated instrument actuation pod. The surgical instrument actuation pod includes a plurality of linear actuators arranged around a surgical instrument. The linear actuators engage with actuator engagement members on the instrument and so drive movable parts on the instrument. The actuation pod is mounted on a teleoperated manipulator. Instrument pod mass is close to the teleoperated manipulator to minimize the pod's inertia, momentum, and gravity effects on the manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Charles Abbott, John Ryan Steger, Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Amy Kerdok
  • Patent number: 12161435
    Abstract: A teleoperated manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly and a tool actuation assembly coupled to the manipulator assembly. The tool actuation assembly inserts a tool, such as a surgical instrument, along an insertion axis and also rotates the tool around the insertion axis. The manipulator assembly includes an arm that rotates with reference to a mounting base to rotate the tool around a yaw axis that intersects the insertion axis. A distal portion of the arm defines an arcuate pitch arc, and a center of the pitch arc is coincident with the intersection of the insertion axis and the yaw axis. The tool actuation assembly is driven along the pitch arc to pitch the tool. The manipulator system is optionally a telesurgical system, and the tool is optionally a therapeutic, diagnostic, or imaging surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Charles Abbott, Daniel H. Gomez, John Ryan Steger
  • Publication number: 20240390068
    Abstract: A computer-assisted system can comprise an instrument configured to be at least partially inserted through a body wall from an external workspace to an internal workspace within a body; and a controller configured to generate a first three-dimensional model of the internal workspace in which a first portion of the instrument is inserted during performance of a medical procedure using the instrument, generate a second three-dimensional model of an external workspace in which a second portion of the instrument is located during the performance of the medical procedure, based on the first three-dimensional model and the second three-dimensional model, determine an internal geometry within the internal workspace defining a reachable volume within the internal workspace within which the instrument may be positioned, and provide output related to performance of the medical procedure based on the determined internal geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Manuel, Daniel H. Gomez, Daniel N. Miller, John Ryan Steger, Prasad V. Upadrasta, Zhuoqun Xu, Chun hua Zheng, Pavel Chtcheprov
  • Patent number: 12114947
    Abstract: A teleoperational system receives a movement command in response to movement of an input device, in response to determining an instrument is being controlled based on the movement of the input device, maps the movement command to a first movement of the instrument in an instrument frame using a first mapping, and in response to determining a tissue probe is being controlled based on the movement of the input device, maps the movement command to a second movement of the tissue probe in a tissue probe frame using a second mapping. The first mapping maps motion in an input direction in the input frame to an instrument direction in the instrument frame. The second mapping maps motion in the input direction to a tissue probe direction in the tissue probe frame. The instrument direction corresponding with the input direction. The tissue probe direction not corresponding with the input direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John Ryan Steger, Brian M. Crews, Craig R. Gerbi, Tyler J. Morrissette, Margaret M. Nixon, Joseph P. Orban, III, Theodore W. Rogers, Alain Sadaka, Charles E. Swinehart, Michael Turner, Kerry S. Wang
  • Publication number: 20240335245
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for imaging device control in a viewing system that includes a repositionable structure configured to support an imaging device, and a control unit communicably coupled to the repositionable structure. The control unit is configured to receive head motion signals indicative of a head motion of a head of an operator relative to a reference, and in response to determining that the head motion signals indicate that the head motion does not exceed a threshold amount in a direction, cause a field of view of the imaging device to be adjusted in accordance with a commanded motion by commanding movement of at least one of the repositionable structure or the imaging device, where the commanded motion is determined based on the head motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel G. MILLER, Ian E. MCDOWALL, John Ryan STEGER, Natalie BURKHARD
  • Publication number: 20240268905
    Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes manipulators, a user input system, a user output system comprising a display device, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. The operations include, in a pairing mode and in response to a first set of signals generated by the user input system, causing a virtual selector shown on the display device to move relative to an imagery shown on the display device. The operations further include, in the pairing mode, associating a first manipulator with a portion of the user input system based on movement of the virtual selector relative to a represented location of the first instrument, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first instrument in accordance to a second set of signals generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Ian E. McDowall, Govinda Payyavula, John Ryan Steger