Patents by Inventor Thomas Calef

Thomas Calef 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: 11977218
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise a scope assembly. The scope assembly may comprise a housing unit configured to releasably couple to at least a portion of an elongated scope. The scope assembly may comprise an imaging unit operably coupled to the housing unit, wherein the imaging unit comprises an optics assembly configured to (i) receive one or more light beams that are transmitted through the elongated scope and (ii) direct at least a portion of the one or more light beams onto two or more locations within a subject's body. At least one of the two or more locations may comprise a target site. The imaging unit may be configured to move via a rotational and/or translational motion relative to the housing unit to alter a field of view when imaging within the subject's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Activ Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hossein Dehghani, Vasiliy E. Buharin, Roman Stolyarov, Thomas Calef, Liam O'Shea, Alexander J. Dye, Chris J. Situ
  • Publication number: 20230352133
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for processing medical data. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of data inputs associated with (i) at least one medical patient or (ii) at least one surgical procedure. The method may further comprise receiving one or more annotations for at least a subset of the plurality of data inputs. The method may further comprise generating an annotated data set using (i) the one or more annotations and (ii) one or more data inputs of the plurality of data inputs. The method may further comprise using the annotated data set to (i) perform data analytics for the plurality of data inputs, (ii) develop one or more medical training tools, or (iii) train one or more medical models.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Tina CHEN, Roman STOLYAROV, Thomas CALEF, Tony CHEN, Niall DALTON, Jill BINNEY, Vasiliy BUHARIN, Bogdan MITREA, Hossein DEHGHANI, John OBERLIN
  • Patent number: 11754828
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Activ Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20230000565
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for enabling autonomous or semi-autonomous surgical operations. The system comprises: one or more processors that are individually or collectively configured to: process an image data stream comprising one or more images of a surgical site; fit a parametric model to a tissue surface identified in the one or more images; determine a direction for aligning a tool based in part on the parametric model; determine an optimal path for automatically moving the tool to perform a surgical procedure at the surgical site; and generate one or more control signals for controlling i) a movement of the tool based on the optimal path and ii) a tension force applied to the tissue by the tool during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Michael C. Pickett, Tina P. Chen, Hossein Dehghani, Vasiliy E. Buharin, Emanuel DeMaio, Tony Chen, John Oberlin, Liam O'Shea, Thomas Calef
  • Patent number: 11517368
    Abstract: A cautery safety controller can include a first input to receive a cautery power signal; a first output coupled to a nerve stimulator system; a second input coupled to receive a nerve detected signal; a zero-crossing detector coupled to receive the cautery power signal via the first input and output a nerve sense enable signal via the first output to the nerve stimulator system in response to detecting a zero crossing of the cautery power signal; and a nerve detection decision unit coupled to receive the nerve detected signal via the second input, generate a stop operation signal, and output the stop operation signal via a second output. A cauterizing pencil can be provided with a tap line for providing the cautery power signal. Alternatively, a cautery pad can be provided with a sense electrode for providing the cautery power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NERVE SAFE LLC
    Inventors: George Blaser, IV, Kevin Blaser, George Blaser, III, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20220378280
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20220377217
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise a scope assembly. The scope assembly may comprise a housing unit configured to releasably couple to at least a portion of an elongated scope. The scope assembly may comprise an imaging unit operably coupled to the housing unit, wherein the imaging unit comprises an optics assembly configured to (i) receive one or more light beams that are transmitted through the elongated scope and (ii) direct at least a portion of the one or more light beams onto two or more locations within a subject's body. At least one of the two or more locations may comprise a target site. The imaging unit may be configured to move via a rotational and/or translational motion relative to the housing unit to alter a field of view when imaging within the subject's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Hossein Dehghani, Vasiliy Buharin, Roman Stolyarov, Thomas Calef, Liam O'Shea, Alexander J. Dye, Chris J. Situ
  • Publication number: 20220287553
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise a plurality of illumination sources. The plurality of illumination sources may comprise at least two of (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam and (ii) one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams. The system may further comprise a movable plate comprising one or more cut-outs. The movable plate may be (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) configured to move so as to (a) control an exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cut-outs, relative to a pre-determined frame capture rate, and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen TULLY, John OBERLIN, Emanuel DEMAIO, Liam O'SHEA, Thomas CALEF
  • Patent number: 11389051
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Activ Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20220110670
    Abstract: A cautery safety controller can include a first input to receive a cautery power signal; a first output coupled to a nerve stimulator system; a second input coupled to receive a nerve detected signal; a zero-crossing detector coupled to receive the cautery power signal via the first input and output a nerve sense enable signal via the first output to the nerve stimulator system in response to detecting a zero crossing of the cautery power signal; and a nerve detection decision unit coupled to receive the nerve detected signal via the second input, generate a stop operation signal, and output the stop operation signal via a second output. A cauterizing pencil can be provided with a tap line for providing the cautery power signal. Alternatively, a cautery pad can be provided with a sense electrode for providing the cautery power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: George Blaser, IV, Kevin Blaser, George Blaser, III, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20210338060
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Patent number: 10925465
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Activ Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20200352661
    Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient includes an articulating probe assembly and at least one tool. The articulating probe assembly comprises an inner probe comprising multiple articulating inner links, an outer probe surrounding the inner probe and comprising multiple articulating outer links, and at least two working channels that exit a distal portion of the probe assembly. The at least one tool is configured to translate through one of the at least two working channels. A robotic stand positions the articulating probe relative to the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Calef, James Wilson, Alexander Patt Broerman, Nathanial Sharpe, Neil Bacon, Kyle Benton, Stuart D. Perry, Guarav Rohatgi
  • Publication number: 20200315432
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O?Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Publication number: 20200261171
    Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient includes an articulating probe assembly. At least one tool is configured to translate through one of the at least two working channels of the probe assembly. A camera device includes a shaft comprising an articulating distal portion with a distal end and a camera assembly positioned on the distal end of the shaft. The system is configured to articulate the shaft distal portion to position the camera distal assembly outside of the probe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Calef, Richard Andrews, Jesse Mitchell, R. Maxwell Flaherty, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20190321111
    Abstract: In an articulating probe system, an articulating probe is constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one degree of motion and to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state, the articulating probe comprising a plurality of links between a proximal link and a distal link. The distal link of the articulating probe includes a side port constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of an elongate tool. A tool support is in communication with the articulating probe for supporting the elongate tool, the tool support including a tool tube that extends from the tool support at an intermediate portion to the side port of the distal link at a distal portion, the tool tube having a first flexibility in the intermediate portion and having a second flexibility in the distal portion; the second flexibility being greater in flexibility than the first flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Nancy A. Nunes, Ian J. Darisse, Zackery Mordente, Michael S. Castro, Gabriel Johnston, Thomas Calef, Stephen Tully, Eric Daley, David Cohen, Joseph A. Stand, Bob Anderson, Kevin Kennedy, R. Maxwell Flaherty, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20190290371
    Abstract: A tool positioning system for performing a medical procedure on a patient includes an articulating probe having a distal portion and a stereoscopic imaging assembly for providing an image of a target location. The stereoscopic imaging assembly comprises: a first camera assembly comprising a first lens and a first sensor, wherein the first camera assembly is constructed and arranged to provide a first magnification of the target location; and a second camera assembly comprising a second lens and a second sensor, wherein the second camera assembly is constructed and arranged to provide a second magnification of the target location. In some embodiments, the second magnification is greater than the first magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas CALEF, Eric DALEY, Stephen TULLY, Euan MORRISON, J. Christopher FLAHERTY, R. Maxwell FLAHERTY
  • Publication number: 20180228557
    Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure comprises a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly comprises an articulating probe assembly and a first housing. The articulating probe assembly comprises an outer probe and an inner probe. The outer probe comprises: multiple articulating outer links and a first connector. The inner probe comprises multiple articulating inner links and a second connector. The first housing comprises: a proximal portion; a distal portion; and an opening positioned in the first housing distal portion. The articulating probe is constructed and arranged to pass through the first housing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Medrobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Darisse, Gabriel A. Johnston, Richard Walker, Jr., Leland Witherspoon, David Warnock, Thomas Calef, Eric Daley, Stephen Tully, Amoz Cruz, Jonathan O'Keefe, JEffrey Cerier, Emily Triggs, Simon Grover, Andras Pungor, J. Christopher Flaherty, R. Maxwell Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20170100197
    Abstract: In an articulating probe system, an articulating probe is constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one degree of motion and to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state, the articulating probe comprising a plurality of links between a proximal link and a distal link The distal link of the articulating probe includes a side port constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of an elongate tool. A tool support is in communication with the articulating probe for supporting the elongate tool, the tool support including a tool tube that extends from the tool support at an intermediate portion to the side port of the distal link at a distal portion, the tool tube having a first flexibility in the intermediate portion and having a second flexibility in the distal portion; the second flexibility being greater in flexibility than the first flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Medrobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Nancy A. Nunes, Ian J. Darisse, Zackery Mordente, Michael S. Castro, Gabriel Johnston, Thomas Calef, Stephen Tully, Eric Daley, David Cohen, Joseph A. Stand, Bob Anderson, Kevin Kennedy, R. Maxwell Flaherty, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: D874655
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Medrobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Calef, Alexander Patt Broerman, James Wilson, Michael Rito