Intel Corporation

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Asyst Technologies, Inc.

Bio-rad Laboratories, Inc.

Applied Materials, Inc.

Joshua T Oen

Anthony C Bonora

Christoph Matthias Pistor

Keith Phillip Laby

Daehwan Daniel Kim

Craig L Schultz

David S Mintz

David P Stumbo

Kevin Durant

Dmitri Simonian

Denis Pristinski

Ching-Ling Meng

Thomas Bruno Mader

John Dzenitis

David Glade

George Carman

Steve Hobbs

Michael A Neads

Todd Micheal Petit

William John Fosnight

Paul D Butterfield

Bruce Robert Woodley

Phillip R Sommer

Christopher Allen Julian

Jay Gurusamy

Wade A Keller

Marc S Kreidler

Marc Epitaux

Anthony Makarewicz

Peter E Kirkpatrick

Aaron W Brown

Chris A Julian

Lawrence Kerver

Raymond S Martin

Katherine Whitin

Scott J Reiner

Carson Jay Shellenberger

Anthony Joseph Makarewicz, Jr

Sang Yup Kim

Arie Ravid

Robert R Netsch

Dana Rose

Robert F Buchheit, Legal Representative

Richard H Hsu

Terry Mosier

N Kedarnath

Colm Hunt

Systems and methods for detection of a signal from droplets of an emulsion. An exemplary system may comprise a fluid transporter having a tube with an open end for aspirating droplets, a singulator to arrange the droplets in single file and to space the single-file droplets from one another, and a detection channel in optical communication with a detector configured to detect a signal from droplets. In some embodiments, the singulator may have a channel junction at which a stream of droplets in single file is combined with a stream of spacing fluid, and a tapered spacing channel extending downstream from the channel junction toward the detection channel. In some embodiments, the fluid transporter may suck droplet-containing fluid and spacing fluid through the detection channel from respective sources. In some embodiments, droplets may be subjected to a disaggregation routine before they are passed through the detection channel.

System and method for droplet detection

A flexible instrument comprises a first link and a second link that each comprise a first end, a second end, and a wall extending between the first end and the second end, the wall comprising an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface; an outer ear extending in a first axial direction away from the first end of the link; an inner bearing surface defined at the first end of the link, the inner bearing surface extending between the outer ear and the inner wall surface; an inner ear extending in a second axial direction away from the second end of the link; and an outer bearing surface defined at the second end of the wall, the inner bearing surface extending between the inner ear and the outer wall surface. The instrument further comprises at least one of a position sensor and an orientation sensor located along the wall of the instrument.

Robotic linkage

A medical instrument may comprise a plurality of links disposed in series along an axial direction. The plurality of links also may comprise a brake assembly comprise one or more first braking components coupled to a first link in the pair of adjacent links and one or more second braking components coupled to a second link in the pair of adjacent links. The one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components may have an interleaved arrangement with each other. The braking assembly may be actuatable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components inhibit the pair of adjacent links from pivoting relative to one another in the engaged state of the brake assembly, and wherein the one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components permit the pair of adjacent links pivoting relative to one another in the disengaged state of the brake assembly. The one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components may be pressed together in the engaged state of the brake assembly.

Segmented instrument having braking capabilities

A robotic link may include a link having an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface, and a pair of outer hinge portions on a first end of the link. Each outer hinge portion may have an inner bearing surface positioned between the inner wall surface and an outer ear. The link may include a pair of inner hinge portions on a second end of the link. Each inner hinge portion may have an outer bearing surface positioned between the outer wall surface and an inner ear.

A method may include articulating a first link and a second link relative to each other about a pair of outer hinge portions on a first end of a first link and in mating engagement with a pair of inner hinge portions on a second end of a second link. Each outer hinge portion comprises an outer ear extending in a first axial direction away from the first end of the first link, and an inner bearing surface substantially oriented in the first axial direction, and each inner hinge portion comprises an inner ear extending in a second axial direction away from the second end of the second link, and an outer bearing surface positioned oriented in the second axial direction. During the articulating, the outer bearing surfaces support the outer ears and the inner bearing surfaces support the inner ears.

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing and controlling an elongate robotic instrument, or robotic endoscope, are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a robotic link that can be easily manufactured and can withstand the forces related to use within a robotic instrument. Another feature is a joint on the link that increases compressive strength and minimizes stress between links. Yet another feature is an elongate robotic instrument that is constructed from a single type of link.

The present invention relates, generally, to the reduction or elimination of permanent and catastrophic herniations in Bowden cables or coil pipes in articulating devices or snake-like robots. More particularly, the present invention relates managing the coil pipes in a spiral pattern along the articulating device or snake-like robot to reduce or eliminate the necessity of the Bowden cables or coil pipes to slide along the length of the articulating device or snake-like robot. Reduction or elimination of the necessity for the Bowden cables or coil pipes to slide reduces or eliminates catastrophic herniations in articulating devices or snake-like robots undergoing one or more articulations.

System for managing Bowden cables in articulating instruments

Systems and methods for articulating an elongate articulatable body which is adapted to be delivered within a body cavity. Particularly, systems and methods for enhancing an articulating force on the elongate body without increasing an actuation force applied by an actuator.

Systems and methods for articulating an elongate body

An apparatus comprising a spring retainer attachable to a printed circuit board and a spring having a fixed end attached to the spring retainer and a free end that contacts and exerts a force on the printed circuit board when the spring retainer is attached to the printed circuit board. A process comprising attaching a clamp to a printed circuit board, the clamp comprising a spring retainer and a spring having a fixed end attached to the spring retainer and a free end that is in contact with, and exerts a force on, the printed circuit board; and inserting a flexible circuit with one or more electrical contact pads thereon between the spring and the printed circuit board such that the electrical contact pads of the flexible circuit are pressed by the spring against corresponding electrical contact pads on the printed circuit board.

Method and apparatus for attaching flexible circuit to a rigid printed circuit board

An apparatus including a heat sink compatible with a rail, the heat sink including two engagement windows that align with a corresponding pair of rail engagement windows when the apparatus is positioned in the rail. A handle engaged with the heat sink, the handle to enable a retention position and a retraction position of the apparatus. A first latch and a second latch laterally opposed and positioned within a first cavity and a second cavity, respectively, of the heat sink. A first spring and a second spring laterally opposed and positioned within the first and second cavities, respectively, of the heat sink, the first and second springs engaged with the handle and the first and second latches, wherein the first and second springs to push a first latch end of each latch into the rail engagement window when the apparatus is in a retention position, wherein the first and second springs to actuate the retraction of the first latch end of each latch when the handle is used to place the apparatus in a retraction position.

Optical device latching mechanism

An optical communications adapter module is provided which includes a casing of a XENPAK-sized module and an optical communications board assembly positioned within the casing. The module also includes a first optical connector coupled to a second optical connector by fiber optics capable of communicating data between the first optical connector and the second optical connector where the first optical connector is coupled to a data transmission connector of the optical communications board assembly and the second optical connector is positioned at a face plate of the casing. The module also includes a third optical connector coupled to a fourth optical connector through fiber optics capable of transmitting data where the third optical connector is coupled to a data reception connector of the optical communications board assembly and the fourth optical connector is positioned at the face plate of the casing.

Optical communications adapter module configured for use inside a XENPAK-sized module

An integrated circuit packages comprises a printed circuit board, a non-metal connector, and a metal casing. The printed circuit board includes a ground ring around the non-metal connector. The metal casing substantially encloses the printed circuit board, and has an opening that allows access to the non-metal connector. The metal casing has a metal lip that makes physical and electrical contact with the ground ring of the printed circuit board. The metal casing may be used to help reduce EMI from a transmitter.

EMI shield for transceiver

An optical communications adapter module is provided which includes a XENPAK-sized casing and an optical communications board assembly positioned in the casing where the optical communications board assembly has an optical transmission connector and an optical reception connector. The optical transmission connector and the optical reception connector are positioned in connector openings at a first end of the XENPAK-sized casing. The module further includes a board extender coupled to the optical communications board assembly where the board extender is capable of communicating data between the optical communications board assembly and a client computing device.

Optical communications adapter, system and method

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Joshua T Oen