Patents by Inventor Todd R. Solomon

Todd R. Solomon 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: 20240090958
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. COOPER, Anthony K. MCGROGAN, Robert E. HOLOP, Todd R. SOLOMON, Eugene F. DUVAL, Kent M. ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 11793587
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Anthony K. McGrogan, Robert E. Holop, Todd R. Solomon, Eugene F. Duval, Kent M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20230210614
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. COOPER, Anthony K. MCGROGAN, Robert E. HOLOP, Todd R. SOLOMON, Eugene F. DUVAL, Kent M. ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20230077119
    Abstract: A drape shroud assembly comprises a body and a plurality of tabs. The body comprises a first end, a second end, an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, and an inner surface extending between the first end and the second end. The inner surface of the body bounds an inner volume sized to permit at least part of a surgical instrument manipulator insertion assembly to be contained within the inner volume. The body is configured for attachment to the insertion assembly. The plurality of tabs extends from the second end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig R. RAMSTAD, Anthony K. McGROGAN, Todd R. SOLOMON
  • Patent number: 11596488
    Abstract: An instrument manipulator may comprise a frame comprising an outer shell and an inner frame, the inner frame being movably coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may also include a plurality of actuator outputs protruding in a distal direction from the frame and an instrument support feature coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may further comprise a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism being configured to move the inner frame, the outer shell, or both relative to one another, so as to operably engage the plurality of actuator outputs with a plurality of actuator inputs of an instrument supported by the instrument support feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Gomez, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Robert E. Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad, Theodore W. Rogers, Todd R. Solomon
  • Patent number: 11564758
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Anthony K. Mcgrogan, Robert E. Holop, Todd R. Solomon, Eugene F. Duval, Kent M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11464595
    Abstract: A surgical system includes an insertion assembly and a drape shroud assembly mounted on the insertion assembly. When a sleeve of a surgical drape draping the insertion assembly is fastened to the drape shroud assembly, the sleeve is divided into two pockets. Instead of managing one long tube, the management problem of the drape sleeve is reduced to managing a plurality of shorter tubes. Shorter tubes make it easier for excess sleeve material to accordion as the tube length shortens instead of possibly bowing out and contacting a part of the insertion assembly or some other part of the surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig R. Ramstad, Anthony K. McGrogan, Todd R. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20220296322
    Abstract: A surgical system comprises a base, an arm assembly operably coupled to the base, and an instrument manipulator assembly coupled to a distal link of the arm assembly. The instrument manipulator assembly comprises an instrument manipulator interface to removably couple with a medical instrument and transfer actuation forces to the medical instrument. The instrument manipulator interface comprises a mounting surface and a plurality of actuator outputs to operably engage with respectively corresponding inputs of the medical instrument. The actuator outputs extend from the mounting surface along directions substantially parallel to a shaft of the medical instrument in a mounted state of the medical instrument to the instrument manipulator interface. In the mounted state of the medical instrument, the instrument manipulator interface and medical instrument are rotatable together about a roll axis of rotation relative to the distal link of the arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. GOMEZ, Jeffrey D. BROWN, Thomas G. COOPER, Eugene F. DUVAL, Robert E. HOLOP, Anthony K. McGROGAN, Craig R. RAMSTAD, Theodore W. ROGERS, Todd R. SOLOMON
  • Publication number: 20220015850
    Abstract: Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Todd R. Solomon
  • Patent number: 11160626
    Abstract: Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Todd R. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20210282873
    Abstract: Techniques for automated engagement and disengagement of a preload include a computer-assisted apparatus. The computer-assisted apparatus includes an instrument manipulator assembly including a preload assembly and a controller coupled to the instrument manipulator assembly. The controller is configured to move the instrument manipulator assembly to a fully withdrawn position and command the preload assembly to engage a preload. In some embodiments, engaging the preload causes the preload assembly to assert a preload force on a motor pack of the instrument manipulator assembly. In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to move the instrument manipulator assembly to a home position after the preload is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. HOLOP, Todd R. SOLOMON
  • Publication number: 20210220066
    Abstract: An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd R. SOLOMON, Thomas G. COOPER, Eugene F. DUVAL, Nicola DIOLAITI, Daniel H. GOMEZ, Robert E. HOLOP, Anthony K. McGROGAN, Craig R. RAMSTAD, Theodore W. ROGERS
  • Patent number: 11020190
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a preload assembly in a surgical instrument surgical instrument manipulator that is under the control of a controller. The controller can automatically cause the preload assembly to engage and disengage a preload. A surgical apparatus includes a surgical instrument manipulator assembly and a sterile adapter assembly. The sterile adapter assembly is mounted in the distal face of the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. When the preload assembly configures the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to apply a preload force on the sterile adapter assembly, the sterile adapter assembly is removable from the distal face of the surgical instrument manipulator. The sterile adapter assembly includes a mechanical sterile adapter assembly removal lockout and a mechanical surgical instrument removal lockout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Holop, Todd R. Solomon
  • Patent number: 10932868
    Abstract: A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Anthony K. McGrogan, Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 10918449
    Abstract: An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F. Duval, Nicola Diolaiti, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad, Theodore W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10856946
    Abstract: An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Thomas G. Cooper, Eugene F Duval, Nicola Diolaiti, Daniel H. Gomez, Robert E. Holop, Anthony K. McGrogan, Craig R. Ramstad, Thoeodore W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10799303
    Abstract: A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cooper, Anthony K. McGrogan, Robert E. Holop, Todd R. Solomon, Eugene F. Duval, Kent M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20200246096
    Abstract: An instrument manipulator may comprise a frame comprising an outer shell and an inner frame, the inner frame being movably coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may also include a plurality of actuator outputs protruding in a distal direction from the frame and an instrument support feature coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may further comprise a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism being configured to move the inner frame, the outer shell, or both relative to one another, so as to operably engage the plurality of actuator outputs with a plurality of actuator inputs of an instrument supported by the instrument support feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel H. GOMEZ, Jeffrey D. BROWN, Thomas G. COOPER, Eugene F. DUVAL, Robert E. HOLOP, Anthony K. McGROGAN, Craig R. RAMSTAD, Theodore W. ROGERS, Todd R. SOLOMON
  • Publication number: 20200222130
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. COOPER, Anthony K. MCGROGAN, Robert E. HOLOP, Todd R. SOLOMON, Eugene F. DUVAL, Kent M. ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 10646292
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a strap drive-train for use in a robotic arm to enable movement of a linkage assembly of the robotic arm is provided. The linkage assembly includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled in series together at a plurality of joints, respectively, for movement of the robotic arm about a pitch axis. The strap drive-train includes a first driver pulley rigidly coupled to a link of the plurality of links and a second driver pulley rigidly coupled to another link of the plurality of links. The electro-mechanical strap stack includes at least one of a ground strap and an electrical cable strap in a stacked configuration with a drive strap, wherein the electro-mechanical strap stack is connected between the first driver pulley and the second driver pulley through a middle link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Thomas G. Cooper