Vista Research, Inc.

Other

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Christopher P Wilson

Joseph W Maresca, Jr

James W Starr

Frederic H Moll

William C Nowlin

Robert G Younge

Gary S Guthart

David Joseph Rosa

Andris D Ramans

Volkmar Falk

Philip C Evans

Rand P Pendleton

Irving Schaffer

Richard F Wise

Evan Gappelberg

Maresca, Jr Joseph W

A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant. A video monitor is coupled to the control computer; and an input system is coupled to the servo-mechanical system and to the control computer for providing a movement of the surgical instrument. The video monitor displays movement of the surgical instrument while the resultant surgical cardiac worksite appears substantially stationary, and while a relative position of the surgical instrument moving in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite, as a result from the movement information gathered by the motion tracking system, remains generally constant. A method of performing cardiac surgery without cardioplegia comprising removing at least one degree of movement freedom from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce at least a partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite while allowing a residual heart section, generally separate from the at least partially stationary surgical cardiac worksite, to move as a residual moving heart part. Cardiac surgery is performed on the at least partially stationary cardiac worksite with a surgical instrument such as needle drivers, forceps, blades and scissors.

Performing cardiac surgery without cardioplegia

A hand-held beacon uniquely suited for hailing taxicabs is an excellent signaling device that is easy to operate and adaptable for carrying. Pushing a button on the handle portion closes a circuit to cause a light source at the top of the handle portion to beam light. In some embodiments, a reflective, blocking layer adhesively attached to the inside of the device focuses the light in a desired direction. Also desirably, the device has a plurality of annular bands. The reflective layer, which reflects light coming from outside in some embodiments is reflective also on the inside for enhanced distribution of light through the light element.

Taxi hailing device

An apparatus for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines which utilizes a large pressure vessel and a small measurement vessel. The measurement vessel magnifies level changes during leak detection tests. The apparatus is connected to a pipeline through the measurement vessel. The entire system can be filled with liquid from the pipeline by opening a valve between the measurement and pressure vessels. Leak detection tests are conducted by measuring changes in volume with the measurement vessel over time while the pressure over the liquid in the pressure vessel and measurement vessel is maintained approximately constant. During tests, liquid communication between the measurement vessel and pressure vessel is prevented by closing the valve between them, but vapor communication between the vessels is permitted.

Simplified apparatus for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines

A method for measuring thermally corrected leak rates in a pressurized pipeline system. The pipeline system is pressurized to at least two different pressures, and changes of volume of product required to maintain approximately constant pressure are measurized at each pressure. A temperature-compensated volume rate is computed.

Methods for measuring flow rates to detect leaks

A method for measuring the temperature-compensated change in the height of a surface of a liquid. The method positions an acoustic signal transducer for emitting and receiving acoustic signals below the surface of the liquid, positions a quasi-static reference device with a fiducial such that the fiducial lies within a predetermined range below the surface of the liquid, and positions one or more fiducials below the surface of the liquid to establish points separated by known distances. The transducer emits acoustic signals, and receives their reflections. The travel times of the reflections from the liquid surface and the fiducials are used to calculate changes in travel times during the measurement period, to estimate the speed of sound in the liquid, to correct for temperature-induced changes in the travel times, and to obtain a temperature-compensated change in travel time to the liquid surface. The temperature-compensated change in the height of the surface of the liquid during the measurement period is calculated using the product of the estimate of the speed of sound in the liquid and the temperature-compensated change in travel time to the liquid surface. The presence of a leak in a storage tank may be detected by converting the temperature-compensated change in the height of the surface of the liquid to temperature-compensated volume change using the known shape of the tank and liquid height, and then comparing the temperature-compensated volume change to a threshold value to determine whether the tank is leaking.

Methods for temperature-compensated liquid height and leak detection

An apparatus for measuring liquid levels and leak rates in a storage tank, using an acoustic transducer and a quasi-static reference device that positions an acoustic target within a predetermined distance range below the surface of the liquid.

Automatic tank gauging system with a quasi static reference subsystem

The piston displacement apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures volume changes at different pressures to determine thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a piston displacement apparatus to precisely determine volume changes.

Temperature compensated methods for detection of leaks in pressurized

The apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses an acoustic sensor and fiducial reference system to precisely determine leak rates.

The gas pressure control apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a pressure vessel and gas pressure control system to precisely determine leak rates.

Methods for measuring liquid levels and leak rates in a storage tank, using an acoustic transducer and a quasi-static reference device that positions an acoustic target within a predetermined distance range below the surface of the liquid. A method for measuring the height of the surface of a liquid, i.e., liquid level. In a tank comprising the steps of (a) positioning the emitting and receiving acoustic transducers below the surface of the liquid, (b) positioning a plurality of fiducials separated by known distances such that at least two of the fiducials lie below the surface of the liquid, (c) emitting acoustic signals, (d) receiving and measuring the travel times for the reflections of the acoustic signals from the liquid surface and the fiducials, (e) estimating the speed of sound in the liquid using the travel times for the acoustic signals in the liquid between at least two of the fiducials, and (f) calculating the height of the liquid surface by multiplying the speed of sound in the liquid by the travel time from the liquid surface to a known height above the bottom of the liquid, and adding the known height to the product of the speed of sound and travel time.

Methods for liquid measurement using quasi-static reference subsystem

The positive-displacement pump apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures volume changes at different pressures to determine thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a positive-displacement pump apparatus to precisely determine volume changes.

Positive displacement pump apparatus and methods for detection of leaks

A method of determining the presence and temperature compensated volumetric flow rate of leaks in fluid pressurized pipelines. The pipeline is maintained at a first pressure and the fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The pressure is then maintained at a second different pressure and a second fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The system is then maintained at the first pressure while a third fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The first and third rates are combined with the second rate to obtain a temperature compensated leak volumetric flow rate.

Methods for detection of leaks in pressurized pipeline systems

A tube vertically disposed in a liquid storage tank, in which the tube has a cross-sectional area which changes with height in proportion to the variation in the tank's cross-sectional area. The tube is filled through an open valve near the bottom of the tube and the valve is closed for the remainder of the test. Other valves above the liquid level are kept open to maintain equal vapor pressures in the tank and the tube. A first sensor measures the fluid level in the tank, while a second sensor measures the differences in fluid levels between tank and tube over a period of time. Ambient height changes are identical for liquid in both tank and tube, whereas leak related height changes occur only in the tank. A second identical tube may be provided when levels are affected by the tube or sensor, or when the tube is required to hold the sensor and is open to the tank.

Growing community of inventors

La Honda, CA, United States of America

Christopher P Wilson