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Morley, US
Benjamin Morley, Adrian, MI US
Catie A. Morley, St. Johns, FL US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110017243 | PORTIONED PACKAGES FOR MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS AND OPHTHALMIC LENSES - A package for a portion of maintenance solution and an ophthalmic lens and methods of using the same. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110092925 | LIQUID DISPENSING WITH BLINK DETECTION - This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110106025 | OPHTHALMIC FLUID PUMP - This invention discloses apparatus and methods of providing a pump for dispensing a liquid into the eye and in some embodiments, a pump coupled to a blink detecting mechanism to time administration of a liquid into the eye. | 05-05-2011 |
Catie A. Morley, Jacksonville, FL US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110100991 | PIERCING FLIPTOP CLOSURE - The invention closures that opens sealed containers and close such containers thereafter and method of using the same. | 05-05-2011 |
Dorothy Beau Morley, Wakefield, MA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110105150 | APPLICATION SUGGESTIONS FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE BASED ON LOCATION-BASED DIRECTORY INFORMATION - A mobile communication device may include a mobile communication system configured to facilitate wireless mobile communications. A location sensing system may be configured to sense the location of the mobile communication device. A location-based points of interest application may be configured to locate points of interest within the vicinity of the mobile communication device based on the location of the mobile communication device. An application mapping application may be configured to locate user applications that are relevant to the points of interest within the vicinity of the mobile communication device. A user interface may be configured to present links to the user applications. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110225291 | USING SOCIAL NETWORKING TO HELP USERS PURCHASE MOBILE APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES - A social network helps mobile device users purchase applications for their devices and to purchase new mobile devices. The network utilizes information from a user's friends to effectively “recommend” applications and mobile devices, and in particular recommend mobile devices based on the applications recommended. The phone numbers of a user's contact list may be scanned by the system to identify friends of the user. A friend network database stores the user's information and friends' information throughout the network and supplies the information to an application store where users may download applications or purchase mobile devices. The information supplied by the database includes the applications and the mobile devices of friends or friends of friends. In response to a user inquiry, the store displays the amount and/or identities of friends and/or friends of friends who have downloaded a particular application or own a particular device. | 09-15-2011 |
Elaine V. Morley, Bellaire, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100262553 | METHOD FOR COMPLYING WITH EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - A method is provided for determining employer compliance in determining employment eligibility requirements in accordance with federal immigration regulations. Compliance alerts and compliance tips are displayed for guiding employers in verifying employment eligibility. Completed employment eligibility forms are automatically audited to analyze whether the employer has accurately completed the employment verification. The completed forms are audited by applying various compliance rules to a completed employment eligibility form, presently a Form I-9, to determine compliance with the applicable regulations. A listing is provided of various errors and additional data required to complete the audited form. The method is preferably administered by a single service provider for multiple employers, to assure that changes in the applicable regulations are regularly incorporated. A central system is provided for managing all of the employment eligibility forms associated with particular employers, to assure continued compliance with federal regulations. | 10-14-2010 |
Elizabeth Morley, Tallahassee, FL US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20120009381 | CARBON NANOTUBE HONEYCOMB AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USE THEREOF - Materials that have a honeycomb structure are provided that are formed, at least in part, from carbon nanotube sheets. Methods are also provided for making these materials, including the expansion method, in which an adhesive is applied to carbon nanotube sheets, which are then stacked and expanded to form the honeycomb structure, or a corrugated method, in which an adhesive is applied to corrugated sheets, which are then stacked to form the honeycomb structure. | 01-12-2012 |
James F. Morley, Evanston, IL US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100158923 | REDUCING POLYGLUTAMINE-BASED AGGREGATION - The disclosure features, inter alia, methods for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders and disorders that caused at least in part by polyglutamine aggregation. The method can include reducing activity of the IGF-1/GH axis in a subject. One exemplary neurodegenerative disorder that is also caused at least in part by polyglutamine aggregation is Huntington's disease. | 06-24-2010 |
Jan Morley, Houston, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110298462 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING AND CORRECTING FOR COHERENT NOISE IN CASING DETECTION - Systems and methods for improved acquisition of magnetic field data for magnetic ranging while drilling are provided. In one embodiment, such a system may include a borehole assembly and data processing circuitry. The borehole assembly may include an electric current driving tool configured to cause a current to flow across a drill collar of the borehole assembly and an internal magnetometer disposed within the drill collar and between the insulated gap and an end of the borehole assembly, which may be configured to measure magnetic field signals that penetrate the drill collar. The data processing circuitry may be configured to remove all or part of a noise component of the magnetic field signals that arises due to an eccentricity in the drill collar | 12-08-2011 |
Jan S. Morley, Houston, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090255661 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRILLING MULTILATERAL WELLS USING MAGNETIC RANGING WHILE DRILLING - Systems and methods for drilling a multilateral well using magnetic ranging while drilling are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drilling a multilateral well includes drilling and casing a mother wellbore, installing a multilateral junction, drilling and casing a first lateral well from the multilateral junction, and drilling a second lateral well from the multilateral junction using magnetic ranging while drilling such that the second lateral well has a controlled relationship relative to the first lateral well. The first and second lateral wells may form a SAGD well pair, in which case the first lateral well may be a producer well and the second lateral well may be an injector well. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090260878 | METHOD FOR DRILLING WELLS IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIP USING MAGNETIC RANGING WHILE DRILLING - Methods for drilling wells using magnetic ranging while drilling to position the wells with respect to one another are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drilling a well includes leaving a drill string in position within a primary well, and drilling a secondary well using the drill string as a target for magnetic ranging while drilling such that the secondary well is positioned with a specified orientation relative to the drill string. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090308657 | MAGNETIC RANGING AND CONTROLLED EARTH BOREHOLE DRILLING - A method for determining the distance and/or direction of a second earth borehole with respect to a first earth borehole, includes the following steps: providing, in the first borehole, first and second spaced apart magnetic field sources; providing, in the second borehole, a magnetic field sensor subsystem for sensing directional magnetic field components; activating the first and second magnetic field sources, and producing respective first and second outputs of the magnetic field sensor subsystem, the first output being responsive to the magnetic field produced by the first magnetic field source, and the second output being responsive to the magnetic field produced by the second magnetic field source; and determining distance and/or direction of the second earth borehole with respect to the first earth borehole as a function of the first output and the second output. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20110109470 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CASING IN A FORMATION USING CURRENT - The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for relative positioning of wells. A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment may include drilling a new well in a field having at least three completed wells using a drilling tool that includes a magnetometer. The method may further include driving current on a first pair of the at least three completed wells and then driving current on a second pair of the at least three completed wells, wherein the current is driven on each of the first and second pairs in a balanced mode. The method may also include measuring a direction of a first magnetic field generated by the current on the first pair using the magnetometer, measuring a direction of a second magnetic field generated by the current on the second pair using the magnetometer, and determining a location of the drilling tool relative to the completed wells based on the direction of the first magnetic field and the direction of the second magnetic field. | 05-12-2011 |
Jan Stefan Morley, Houston, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100147590 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING ACOUSTIC SENSORS CLOSER TO A BOREHOLE WALL - An interchangeable sleeve for a downhole tool includes a substantially cylindrical body configured to circumferentially engage the downhole tool, a blade extending radially from the body, and a transducer disposed within the blade. A drilling assembly includes a drill collar, an interchangeable blade configured to couple to the drill collar, and a transducer disposed within the blade. A size of the blade and a size of the transducer are selected based on a diameter of a borehole in which the downhole tool is to be used. A method of manufacturing an interchangeable sleeve for a downhole tool includes forming a blade on a body of the sleeve such that the blade extends radially from the body, disposing a transducer within the blade, and configuring the sleeve to circumferentially engage the downhole tool. | 06-17-2010 |
John B. Morley, Troy, MI US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090250959 | Motor Vehicle Endgate Hinge Having Dual Pivot Axes - An assembly for opening and closing a passageway into the body of a motor vehicle includes a post secured to the body at a lateral side of the passageway, an endgate for opening and closing the passageway, and a hinge secured to the endgate and the post. The hinge defines a lateral axis and supports the endgate for pivoting about the lateral axis relative to the post, and the hinge defines an upright axis and supports the endgate for pivoting about the upright axis relative to the post. | 10-08-2009 |
John E. Morley, Saint Louis, MO US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110166197 | Antisense Modulation Of Amyloid Beta Protein Expression - Antisense nucleic acids, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of an amyloid beta protein (AβP) portion of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) coding sequence. The compositions comprise antisense nucleic acids targeted to nucleic acids encoding amyloid precursor protein. Methods of using these nucleic acids for modulation of amyloid precursor protein expression and for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of the amyloid beta protein portion of the amyloid precursor protein are provided. | 07-07-2011 |
John E. Morley, St. Louis, MO US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090304676 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING COGNITIVE FUNCTION - The present application provides methods and compositions for improving cognitive function and enhancing mental performance in subjects, including those suffering from memory deficiencies, by regulating the activity of beta amyloid (Aβ) in the brain of such subjects. | 12-10-2009 |
Lawrence C. Morley, The Woodlands, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090040871 | WIDE TOW ENABLED BY MULTICOMPONENT MARINE SEISMIC CABLE - A technique for use in towed-array, marine seismic surveys includes a method and an apparatus. The method includes accessing a set of multicomponent seismic data acquired in a wide tow, marine seismic survey; and interpolating a set of seismic data from the acquired seismic data in the crossline direction such that the combined acquired and interpolated seismic data meet the discrete spatial sampling theory requirements for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise. In some aspects, the technique includes programmed storage media and/or programmed computers for use in executing such a method. The apparatus is a wide tow array, including a plurality of streamers spaced apart by a cable separation exceeding the maximum cable spacing for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise as determined by discrete spatial sampling theory. | 02-12-2009 |
Nicholas Morley, Pinckney, MI US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110289906 | Miniature Regeneration Unit - A system for controlling the temperature of an exhaust stream from an engine at a location upstream from an exhaust aftertreatment apparatus includes a main exhaust passageway adapted to receive the exhaust stream from the engine. A side branch is in communication with the main exhaust passageway. A regeneration unit is positioned within the side branch for combusting a fuel and heating the exhaust flowing through the main exhaust passageway. An ion sensor is operable to output a signal indicative of the presence of fuel combustion. A controller selectively operates the regeneration unit to increase the exhaust temperature. The controller is operable to control a supply of fuel to the regeneration unit based on the ion sensor signal. | 12-01-2011 |
Paul Morley, Rockford, MI US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090278316 | ILLUMINATED GAME - On aspect of the present invention comprises an illuminated game having a base having a receiving member; a first member removably received within a receiving member; a third member removably received within a different receiving member. The third member oriented substantially perpendicular to the first member. A second member secured to the first member and the third member. A fourth member secured to the first member and the third member. The fourth member disposed downwardly from the third member. A fifth member secured to the first member and the third member. The fifth member disposed downwardly from the fourth member, each member being transparent. An illumination device disposed within at least one the members. | 11-12-2009 |
Paul Douglas Morley, Corinth, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110321038 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING AND DISPLAYING ADS - There is disclosed a system and method for downloading and displaying advertisements during software installation on the device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a selection of one or more software installation options and considering any additional criteria for selection of an initialization file; in dependence upon the selection of one or more installation options and any additional criteria, downloading a corresponding initialization file; reading the downloaded initialization file for a list of one or more advertisement files to be downloaded to the device and played back in accordance with playback parameters provided in the initialization file; and downloading the list of advertisement files and displaying the advertisement files during the software installation in accordance with the playback parameters. | 12-29-2011 |
Peter Morley, Fort Hunter, NY US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100038774 | ADVANCED AND INTEGRATED COOLING FOR PRESS-PACKAGES - A heat sink for cooling at least one electronic device package is provided. The electronic device package has an upper contact surface and a lower contact surface. The heat sink comprises at least one thermally conductive material and defines multiple inlet manifolds configured to receive a coolant, multiple outlet manifolds configured to exhaust the coolant, and multiple millichannels configured to receive the coolant from the inlet manifolds and to deliver the coolant to the outlet manifolds. The manifolds and millichannels are disposed proximate to the respective one of the upper and lower contact surface of the electronic device package for cooling the respective surface with the coolant. | 02-18-2010 |
Raymond L. Morley, Sparks, NV US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090173668 | PROCESSING ASPHALTENE-CONTAINING TAILINGS - Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering energy, materials or both from asphaltene-containing tailings are disclosed. The asphaltene-containing tailings can be generated, for example, from a process for recovering hydrocarbons from oil sand. Embodiments of the method can include a flotation separation and a hydrophobic agglomeration separation. Flotation can be used to separate the asphaltene-containing tailings into an asphaltene-rich froth and an asphaltene-depleted aqueous phase. The asphaltene-rich froth, or an asphaltene-rich slurry formed from the asphaltene-rich froth, then can be separated into a heavy mineral concentrate and a light tailings. Hydrophobic agglomeration can be used to recover an asphaltene concentrate from the light tailings. Another flotation separation can be included to remove sulfur-containing minerals from the heavy mineral concentrate. Oxygen-containing minerals also can be recovered from the heavy mineral concentrate. Water removed by the various separation steps can be recycled and its heat energy recovered. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090175769 | PROCESSING ASPHALTENE-CONTAINING TAILINGS - Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering energy, materials or both from asphaltene-containing tailings are disclosed. The asphaltene-containing tailings can be generated, for example, from a process for recovering hydrocarbons from oil sand. Embodiments of the method can include a flotation separation and a hydrophobic agglomeration separation. Flotation can be used to separate the asphaltene-containing tailings into an asphaltene-rich froth and an asphaltene-depleted aqueous phase. The asphaltene-rich froth, or an asphaltene-rich slurry formed from the asphaltene-rich froth, then can be separated into a heavy mineral concentrate and a light tailings. Hydrophobic agglomeration can be used to recover an asphaltene concentrate from the light tailings. Another flotation separation can be included to remove sulfur-containing minerals from the heavy mineral concentrate. Oxygen-containing minerals also can be recovered from the heavy mineral concentrate. Water removed by the various separation steps can be recycled and its heat energy recovered. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20100320118 | OXIDATION OF ASPHALTENES - A method for processing asphaltenes is disclosed. The method can include separating asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing composition and oxidizing the separated asphaltenes to form oxidation products. Alternatively, the method can include oxidizing asphaltenes within an asphaltene-containing composition without first separating the asphaltenes. Once formed, the oxidation products can be combined with other hydrocarbons. The amount of oxidation can be limited to an amount sufficient to produce a mixture suitable for the desired application. This method can be used to upgrade asphaltenes from a variety of sources, including oil sands. The oxidation step can be performed, for example, by introducing an oxidizing agent and, in some cases, a catalyst into the asphaltenes. A solvent or miscibility agent also can be introduced to improve mixing between the oxidizing agent and the asphaltenes. | 12-23-2010 |
Richard Morley, Los Alamos, NM US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110079460 | SEISMIC GUN ASSEMBLY FOR SHOOTING INTO A BORE HOLE - A seismic gun assembly comprising a barrel and guide tube assembly for delivering a projectile to the bottom of a bore hole with a non-line-of-sight section. The guide tube being either a large diameter guide tube or a tight fitted guide tube. The large diameter guide tube allowing the projectile to perform shallow angle bounces to reach the bottom of a non-line-of-sight bore hole. The tight fitted guide tube allows the projectile to ride the inner wall of the guide tube to reach the bottom of a non-line-of-sight bore hole. The projectile comprises an outer jacket and a frangible core. The seismic gun barrel assembly additionally comprises a fluid exclusion puck for preventing fluids from entering the guide tube, a suppressing collar for suppressing seismic noise, and a method for modulating recoil. | 04-07-2011 |
Richard M. Morley, Pleasanton, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090075698 | Removable Card And A Mobile Wireless Communication Device - A removable card for use with a mobile wireless communication device has a processor and a non-volatile memory, connected to the processor. The memory has programming code stored configured to be executed by the processor and is operable in one of two modes. In a first mode the card is connected to the device with the card storing information received wirelessly by the device from the Internet. In a second mode the card is connected to a network portal device, which is connected to the Internet, with the card storing information received through the network portal device from the Internet. In another embodiment, the removable card has electrical connections for connecting to a mobile wireless communicating device for use by a user to connect to the Internet. The memory has two portions: a first portion and a second portion with the partitioning being alterable. The processor restricts access to the first portion by the user, while grants access to the second portion to the user. Finally, the present invention relates to a mobile wireless communication device. | 03-19-2009 |
Robert E. Morley, St. Louis, MO US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20080215887 | CARD AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM - A card authentication system. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for authenticating a data card having an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, the method including reading information from the data card, the data card information including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic and the recorded data on the data card, encrypting the data card information, sending the encrypted data card information, receiving the encrypted data card information, decrypting a portion of the encrypted data card information, the portion including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, generating a score indicative of a degree of correlation between the intrinsic magnetic characteristic of the data card information and a stored value, and determining an authenticity of the data card based at least in part on the score. | 09-04-2008 |
Robert E. Morley, Lees Summit, MO US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110117810 | NON-RIGID SENSOR FOR DETECTING DEFORMATION - A non-rigid electrical component includes a first layer of a compressible material. The first layer has at least one aperture therethrough. A second layer of an electrically conductive material is positioned on one side of the first layer across the aperture and a third layer of an electrically conductive material is positioned on an opposite side of the first layer across the aperture. The first layer is compressible such that the second and third layers of material may be brought into contact with each other in the aperture of the first layer to complete an electrical connection between the second and third layers upon application of a compression force. The first layer is also made of a resilient material such that when the compression force is removed, the first material expands to separate the second and third layers, thereby breaking the electrical connection. | 05-19-2011 |
Roland M. Morley, Richardson, TX US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090052024 | CLIP-ON NIGHT VISION DEVICE - A night viewer ( | 02-26-2009 |
Scott W. Morley, Pittsburgh, PA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100101657 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PURGING MOISTURE FROM AN OXYGENATOR - A method and system for improving gas exchange properties of oxygenators which utilize hollow fiber membranes for removing carbon dioxide or adding oxygen to a patient's blood via extracorporeal circulation by removing moisture accumulating in the fibers are disclosed. The system utilizes a vacuum source for drawing sweep gas into the oxygenator, a moisture collection unit for storing moisture removed from the oxygenator, the moisture collecting unit being in communication with the oxygenator and the vacuum source and a flow control mechanism having an open position which allows sweep gas exiting the oxygenator to flow to the moisture collecting unit and a closed position which stops the flow of sweep gas from the oxygenator to the moisture collecting unit. The vacuum source draws sweep gas through the oxygenator and moisture collecting unit when the flow control mechanism is in the open position and the vacuum source creates a vacuum buildup in the moisture collecting unit when the flow control mechanism is in the closed position. The vacuum in the moisture collecting unit provides a sudden increase to the flow rate of the sweep gas to draw moisture with the sweep gas exiting the oxygenator when the flow control mechanism is returned to the open position. | 04-29-2010 |
Stephen T. Morley, Manheim, PA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100261356 | RF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND CONNECTION ASSEMBLY THEREFORE - An electronic system is disclosed for RF signals, and comprises coaxial interconnection systems for interconnection with a printed circuit board and which provides an interface with the printed circuit boards. | 10-14-2010 |
Steven A. Morley, San Diego, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20080279465 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENCODING DIGITAL IMAGE DATA IN A LOSSLESS MANNER - A method of losslessly compressing and encoding signals representing image information is claimed. A lossy compressed data file and a residual compressed data file are generated. When the lossy compressed data file and the residual compressed data file are combined, a lossless data file that is substantially identical to the original data file is created. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090103637 | SELECTIVE CHROMINANCE DECIMATION FOR DIGITAL IMAGES - A method of decimation of a digital image, the digital image represented by a plurality of pixels, is claimed. In the pixel domain, the digital image is divided into a plurality of blocks. Certain ones of the blocks are selectively decimated based upon predetermined criteria. In an embodiment, the chrominance portions of a given pixel block are decimated. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20110299594 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENCODING DIGITAL IMAGE DATA IN A LOSSLESS MANNER - A method of losslessly compressing and encoding signals representing image information is claimed. A lossy compressed data file and a residual compressed data file are generated. When the lossy compressed data file and the residual compressed data file are combined, a lossless data file that is substantially identical to the original data file is created. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299595 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENCODING DIGITAL IMAGE DATA IN A LOSSLESS MANNER - A method of losslessly compressing and encoding signals representing image information is claimed. A lossy compressed data file and a residual compressed data file are generated. When the lossy compressed data file and the residual compressed data file are combined, a lossless data file that is substantially identical to the original data file is created. | 12-08-2011 |
Thomas Morley, Harrison Township, MI US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090074936 | ENERGY BEVERAGE - A drink that can be of high nutritional value and that provides sustained energy for a longer period of time. Stamina and mental focus can be enhanced without escalating blood sugar. Protein can be included for muscle nutrition. Low glycemic carbohydrates can be provided energy. Amino acids can be included to promote metabolic functions. Antioxidants can be included to enhance cell health. Botanicals can be included to enhance nutritional elements. | 03-19-2009 |
Tracey A. Morley, Sunnyvale, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110213346 | ROLL-PITCH-ROLL SURGICAL TOOL - A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft having a working end and a shaft axis, and a pair of linking arms each having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is pivotally mounted on the working end of the shaft to rotate around a first pitch axis to produce rotation in first pitch. A wrist member has a proximal portion pivotally connected to the distal end of the linking arm to rotate around a second pitch axis to produce rotation in second pitch. An end effector is pivotally mounted on a distal portion of the wrist member to rotate around a wrist axis of the wrist member to produce rotation in distal roll. The wrist axis extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wrist member. The elongate shaft is rotatable around the shaft axis to produce rotation in proximal roll. At about 90° pitch, the wrist axis is generally perpendicular to the shaft axis. The proximal roll around the shaft axis and the distal roll around the wrist axis do not overlap. The use of the linking arms allows the end effector to be bent back beyond 90° pitch. The ability to operate the end effector at about 90° pitch and to bend back the end effector renders the wrist mechanism more versatile and adaptable to accessing hard to reach locations, particularly with small entry points such as those involving spinal, neural, or rectal surgical sites. | 09-01-2011 |