Explore the 7,526 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 23rd week of 2018, including 5,763 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
Torque optimization for surgical instruments
A surgical system including a surgical instrument, a surgical visualization system, a display, and a feedback controller are presented. The feedback controller is in signal communication with the surgical instrument and the surgical visualization system. The feedback controller is configured to display, on the display, during an operation, live images derived from the surgical visualization system in a first layer and a status of the surgical instrument in a second layer. The status is configured to locate itself in said second layer in relation to a depiction of a feature of the surgical instrument and/or a feature of tissue in the first layer. The surgical instrument can include a surgical stapler, a knife, a robotic surgical instrument, combination thereof, or variation thereof.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Robotic surgical assemblies and adapter assemblies thereof
A torque transducer for mounting a motor includes a mounting flange, a motor flange, a body, and a strain gauge. The mounting flange is configured to secure the torque transducer to a fixed structure. The motor flange is configured to secure to a motor. The body interconnects the mounting and motor flanges. The body defines a channel about a longitudinal axis of the body and is configured to flex in response to the mounting flange and the motor flange rotating relative to one another in response to torque of the motor. The strain gauge is positioned on the body to measure flexation of the body.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Distributed antenna system and methods for use therewith
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, includes coordinating relay transmission of a modulated signal via relay links of a distributed antenna system to reduce an accumulated forwarding delay in forwarding the modulated signal through the relay links. One of the relay links of the distributed antenna system reconverts the spectral segment of the modulated signal for transmission to a communication device to which the modulated signal is directed.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: ASM IP HOLDINGS B.V..
Methods for forming a transition metal niobium nitride film on a substrate by atomic layer deposition and related semiconductor device structures
Methods for forming a transition metal niobium nitride film on a substrate by atomic layer deposition and related semiconductor device structures are provided. In some embodiments methods may include contacting a substrate with a first reactant comprising a transition metal precursor, contacting the substrate with a second reactant comprising a niobium precursor and contacting the substrate with a third reactant comprising a nitrogen precursor. In some embodiments related semiconductor device structures may include a semiconductor body and an electrode comprising a transition metal niobium nitride disposed over the semiconductor body.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Methods and apparatus for adjusting a phase of electromagnetic waves
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, by a first hollow waveguide coupled to a first dielectric coupler, a first electromagnetic wave that couples onto a transmission medium, generating, by a second hollow waveguide coupled to a second dielectric coupler, a second electromagnetic wave that couples onto the transmission medium, combining the first electromagnetic wave and the second electromagnetic wave combine to form a combined electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and adjusting a first phase of the first electromagnetic wave, a second phase of the second electromagnetic wave, or both to adjust a wave mode of the combined electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Apparatus and methods for generating an electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, by a plurality of dielectric antennas of a waveguide system, a plurality of instances of electromagnetic waves that combines to form a combined electromagnetic wave, and directing, by the waveguide system, the combined electromagnetic wave to an interface of a transmission medium for guiding propagation of the combined electromagnetic wave along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Methods and apparatus for adjusting a wavelength electromagnetic waves
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, a first hollow waveguide that facilitates coupling, via the first dielectric coupler, a first electromagnetic wave onto a transmission medium, and a second hollow waveguide that facilitates coupling, via the second dielectric coupler, a second electromagnetic wave onto the transmission medium, where the first electromagnetic wave and the second electromagnetic wave combine to form a combined electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the first dielectric coupler has an adjustable length that facilitates an adjustment of a wave mode of the combined electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Reflecting dielectric antenna system and methods for use therewith
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes receiving a first wireless signal via a feed point on an antenna body, wherein the antenna body includes a dielectric core having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface that are spatially aligned in a reflecting telescope configuration; reflecting the first wireless signal via the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface to an aperture of the antenna body; and radiating the first wireless signal from the aperture.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Dielectric dish antenna system and methods for use therewith
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes receiving a first wireless signal via a feed point on an antenna body, wherein the antenna body includes a dielectric core having a reflective surface configured as a dish reflector; reflecting the first wireless signal via the reflective surface to an aperture of the antenna body; and radiating the first wireless signal from the aperture.
Published: 2018-06-07 Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP.
Multi-feed dielectric antenna system and methods for use therewith
In accordance with one or more embodiments, an antenna system includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point, wherein the dielectric antenna is a single antenna. At least one cable having a plurality of conductorless dielectric cores is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna, wherein electromagnetic waves that are guided by differing ones of the plurality of conductorless dielectric cores to the dielectric antenna result in differing ones of a plurality of antenna beam patterns.