Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Brigham Young University

Jason Dearden

Larry L Howell

Spencer P Magleby

Brian D Jensen

Clayton Grames

Bryce Edmondson

Jordan Tanner

Peter Schleede

Jeffrey E Niven

Andrew J Moulton

Amelia Mariah Parkinson

Trent Zimmerman

Jared Bruton

The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a shaft, a tool member, and a flexure. The shaft has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a ground portion. The tool member has an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion is disposed distally from the actuation portion, and can exert an engagement force on a target structure. The actuation portion receives an actuation force. The flexure has a first end portion coupled to the ground portion of the shaft, and a second end portion coupled to the tool member. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the actuation force is exerted on the actuation portion of the tool member such that the tool member rotates relative to the shaft.

Compliant mechanisms having inverted tool members

The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Joint assemblies with cross-axis flexural pivots

The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of sample retrieval, grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member and a retention member movably coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member includes a cutting portion configured to cut a target sample when moved, and defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of the target sample can be received. The retention member includes an engagement portion configured to move between a first position and a second position when the retention member is actuated. The engagement portion is configured to extend within the internal volume to exert a force on the target sample within the internal volume when the engagement portion is in the second position.

Sample retrieval tool with compliant retention member

An auto-injection syringe shaped similar to a credit card and having a biased injection mechanism operable to drive a needle into a user's body by a fixed distance to dispense a dose of fluid at a subcutaneous location. A safety may be provided to avoid undesired actuation of the injection mechanism. After the safety is bypassed, a trigger may be actuated by the user to allow operation of the injection mechanism. A reciprocating needle-cover resists casual view of the needle by the user during and after use of the syringe. A locking mechanism automatically holds the needle-cover at an extended position to isolate the needle from further contact and to resist re-use of the syringe.

Rectangular syringe

Growing community of inventors

Provo, UT, United States of America

Jason Dearden