David Alexander Weir

US Patent:

8120301, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Mar 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/400726

Inventors:

Randal P. Goldberg - San Jose CA, US
Michael Hanuschik - Mountain View CA, US
Henry Hazebrouck - Sunnyvale CA, US
Paul Millman - San Jose CA, US
Deepak Kapoor - Cupertino CA, US
John Zabinski - Fremont CA, US
David Robinson - Mountain View CA, US
David Weir - San Francisco CA, US
Salvatore J. Brogna - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B64C 13/20

US Classification:

318581, 318432, 318799

Abstract:

A control console to remotely control medical equipment is disclosed having a base with an ergonomically adjustable pedal system. The base further has an opening to receive the pedal system. The pedal system includes a moveable pedal tray with a pedal base. The tray includes a first left pedal assembly and a first right pedal assembly, and an upper tier having a second left pedal assembly and a second right pedal assembly respectively in alignment with and elevated above the first left pedal assembly and the first right pedal assembly. Rollers are rotatable coupled to the moveable pedal tray to allow it roll over a floor. A drive assembly is coupled between the moveable pedal tray and the base. The drive assembly applies a force to the to roll the moveable pedal tray over the floor within the opening of the base.

US Patent:

20120205419, Aug 16, 2012

Filed:

Jan 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/350512

Inventors:

David Weir - Emerald Hills CA, US
Kevin Durant - Alameda CA, US
Patrick Flanagan - Santa Clara CA, US
David Robinson - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/068
A61B 19/00

US Classification:

227 2, 2271751

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for detecting failure in clamping of a material and/or firing of a staple into a clamped material and indicating such failure to a user on a user interface. The system and methods are particularly suited for use with end effectors having closing and/or firing mechanisms coupled to an actuator. By monitoring a driving parameter of an actuator that effects the clamping and/or firing, the systems and methods provide an indication of failure in response to the monitored drive parameter. In some embodiments, an indication of failure is output when the monitored drive parameter is outside an acceptable range of desired driving parameters during clamping and/or firing. The disclosed systems and methods are particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery.

US Patent:

20120209314, Aug 16, 2012

Filed:

Jan 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/350502

Inventors:

David Weir - Emerald Hills CA, US
Grant Duque - San Jose CA, US
Kevin Durant - Alameda CA, US
Patrick Flanagan - Santa Clara CA, US
Maggie Nixon - San Jose CA, US
David Robinson - Mountain View CA, US
John Zabinski - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 17/28

US Classification:

606205

Abstract:

End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods are disclosed. The disclosed end effectors may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication.

US Patent:

20130055709, Mar 7, 2013

Filed:

Aug 16, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/587150

Inventors:

Clint T. Apland - Elkridge MD, US
David R. Weir - Hanover PA, US
David F. Persons - Columbia MD, US
Michael T. Marley - Elkridge MD, US

Assignee:

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

F03G 7/06

US Classification:

60528, 60527, 60529

Abstract:

An actuator includes a capturing part, a retained part and a heating element which applies heat to the retained part or the capturing part responsive to selective application of power to the at least one heating element. The capturing part attaches to a first object and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part attaches to a second object and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part is insertable into the capturing part in a first state of the actuator. The retained part is held in contact with the capturing part via an interference fit to hold the first and second objects proximate to each other in a second state. The retained part is ejected from the capturing part in a third state. Applying heat via the heating element causes a transition between the second and the first or third states of the actuator.

US Patent:

20130110129, May 2, 2013

Filed:

Oct 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/662390

Inventors:

John W. Zabinski - Fremont CA, US
Alan Eton Loh - Los Altos CA, US
Bruce M. Schena - Menlo Park CA, US
David W. Weir - Emerald Hills CA, US
David W. Bailey - Portola Valley CA, US
Melody Wu - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61B 19/00
F16B 21/00

US Classification:

606130, 403326

Abstract:

A latch mechanism selectively retains a first assembly to a second assembly. The first and second assemblies are configured for sliding engagement along an engagement axis. The latch mechanism includes a latch shaft mounted to the first assembly to rotate about a latch shaft axis, a torsion spring to bias the latch shaft relative to the first assembly, and a transverse latch member coupled with the second assembly. The latch mechanism is configured to automatically latch in response to the first assembly being pushed toward the second assembly. The transverse latch member interacts with the latch shaft to rotate the latch shaft in a first direction in response to movement of the first assembly toward the second assembly. Further motion of the first assembly toward the second assembly results in rotation of the latch shaft opposite to the first direction into a retention configuration that retains the transverse latch member.

US Patent:

56045344, Feb 18, 1997

Filed:

May 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/449350

Inventors:

Thomas M. Hedges - Great Falls VA
David G. Weir - Ormond Beach FL
Jerry A. Speasl - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Omni Solutions International, Ltd. - Vienna VA

International Classification:

H04N 533
H04N 718

US Classification:

348144

Abstract:

An airborne direct digital panoramic camera system and method in which an in-line electro-optical sensor eliminates the need for photographic film and film transport apparatus normally associated with prior art airborne reconnaissance cameras and yet still retains the very high image resolution quality which is so important in intelligence operations and commercial geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and other remote sensing applications. The system provides a simpler, more efficient and less costly panoramic camera by utilizing a lens in conjunction with the electro-optical line array sensor wherein the lens can be simpler and less expensive than a framing camera because it essentially requires quality focus in only one dimension and by eliminating the burden and delay necessitated in film processing and development. The massive amounts of digital data generated by the camera are compressed and any motion or panoramic errors are easily correctable in the digital data, while such errors were nearly impossible to correct in a cost effective fashion from film images. The compressed digital image data may be stored and retrieved later for utilization in computer type networks or alternatively can be transmitted from the aircraft to a ground station for prompt utilization.

US Patent:

59992115, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Oct 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/738713

Inventors:

Thomas M. Hedges - Great Falls VA
David G. Weir - Ormond Beach FL
Jerry A. Speasl - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

ImageAmerica, Inc. - Chesterfield MO

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

348144

Abstract:

An improved airborne, direct digital panoramic camera system and method in which an in-line electro-optical sensor eliminates the need for photographic film and film transport apparatus normally associated with prior art airborne reconnaissance cameras and yet still retains the very high image resolution quality which is so important in intelligence operations and commercial geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and other remote sensing applications. The present invention provides a simpler, more efficient and less costly panoramic camera by utilizing a lens in conjunction with the electro-optical line array sensor wherein the lens can be simpler and less expensive than a framing camera because it essentially requires quality focus in only one dimension and by eliminating the burden and delay necessitated in film processing and development. The massive amounts of digital data generated by the camera are compressed and any motion or panoramic errors are easily correctable in the digital data, while such errors were nearly impossible to correct in a cost effective fashion from film images. The compressed digital image data may be stored and retrieved later for utilization in computer type networks or alternatively can be transmitted from the aircraft to a ground station for prompt utilization.

US Patent:

46717803, Jun 9, 1987

Filed:

Oct 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/793044

Inventors:

David F. Weir - San Ramon CA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F16D 374

US Classification:

464 85

Abstract:

A flexible coupling for joining two rotating shafts, the coupling having opposed hubs one attached to each shaft, the hubs each having an annular array of radical grooves on opposing faces thereof and a plurality of generally rectangular shaped laminated graphite epoxy plates with radially extended projections which are provided with an integral laminated elastomer/metal shear sandwich structure and are held in the radial grooves by restraint fittings attached to the hubs.