Patents by Inventor Stephen Tod KREGER

Stephen Tod KREGER 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: 10378885
    Abstract: A multi-core fiber includes multiple optical cores, and for each different core of a set of different cores of the multiple optical cores, a total change in optical length is detected. The total change in optical length represents an accumulation of all changes in optical length for multiple segments of that different core up to a point on the multi-core fiber. A difference is determined between the total changes in optical length for cores of the set of different cores. A twist parameter and/or a bend angle associated with the multi-core fiber at the point on the multi-core fiber is/are determined based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Froggatt, Justin W. Klein, Dawn K. Gifford, Stephen Tod Kreger
  • Publication number: 20170370705
    Abstract: A multi-core fiber includes multiple optical cores, and for each different core of a set of different cores of the multiple optical cores, a total change in optical length is detected. The total change in optical length represents an accumulation of all changes in optical length for multiple segments of that different core up to a point on the multi-core fiber. A difference is determined between the total changes in optical length for cores of the set of different cores. A twist parameter and/or a bend angle associated with the multi-core fiber at the point on the multi-core fiber is/are determined based on the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. FROGGATT, Justin W. KLEIN, Dawn K. GIFFORD, Stephen Tod KREGER
  • Patent number: 9784569
    Abstract: An accurate measurement method and apparatus using an optical fiber are disclosed. A total change in optical length in an optical core in the optical fiber is determined that reflects an accumulation of all of the changes in optical length for multiple segment lengths of the optical core up to a point on the optical fiber. The total change in optical length in the optical core is provided for calculation of an average strain over a length of the optical core based on the detected total change in optical length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Froggatt, Justin W. Klein, Dawn K. Gifford, Stephen Tod Kreger
  • Publication number: 20170003119
    Abstract: An accurate measurement method and apparatus using an optical fiber are disclosed. A total change in optical length in an optical core in the optical fiber is determined that reflects an accumulation of all of the changes in optical length for multiple segment lengths of the optical core up to a point on the optical fiber. The total change in optical length in the optical core is provided for calculation of an average strain over a length of the optical core based on the detected total change in optical length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. FROGGATT, Justin W. Klein, Dawn K. Gifford, Stephen Tod Kreger
  • Publication number: 20140320846
    Abstract: An accurate measurement method and apparatus using an optical fiber are disclosed. A total change in optical length in an optical core in the optical fiber is determined that reflects an accumulation of all of the changes in optical length for multiple segment lengths of the optical core up to a point on the optical fiber. The total change in optical length in the optical core is provided for calculation of an average strain over a length of the optical core based on the detected total change in optical length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Mark E. FROGGATT, Justin W. Klein, Dawn K. Gifford, Stephen Tod Kreger
  • Patent number: 8773650
    Abstract: An accurate measurement method and apparatus are disclosed for shape sensing with a multi-core fiber. A change in optical length is detected in ones of the cores in the multi-core fiber up to a point on the multi-core fiber. A location and/or a pointing direction are/is determined at the point on the multi-core fiber based on the detected changes in optical length. The accuracy of the determination is better than 0.5% of the optical length of the multi-core fiber up to the point on the multi-core fiber. In a preferred example embodiment, the determining includes determining a shape of at least a portion of the multi-core fiber based on the detected changes in optical length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Froggatt, Justin W. Klein, Dawn K. Gifford, Stephen Tod Kreger
  • Publication number: 20110109898
    Abstract: An accurate measurement method and apparatus are disclosed for shape sensing with a multi-core fiber. A change in optical length is detected in ones of the cores in the multi-core fiber up to a point on the multi-core fiber. A location and/or a pointing direction are/is determined at the point on the multi-core fiber based on the detected changes in optical length. The accuracy of the determination is better than 0.5% of the optical length of the multi-core fiber up to the point on the multi-core fiber. In a preferred example embodiment, the determining includes determining a shape of at least a portion of the multi-core fiber based on the detected changes in optical length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Luna Innovations Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. FROGGATT, Justin W. KLEIN, Dawn K. GIFFORD, Stephen Tod KREGER