US 12,465,345 B1
Retractor systems with closed loop control
Larry C. Heaton, II, Pleasanton, CA (US); Alex Keller, Manhasset, NY (US); Robert E. Lash, Redwood City, CA (US); and Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Fremont, CA (US)
Assigned to ViOptix, Inc., Newark, CA (US)
Filed by ViOptix, Inc., Newark, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/331,886.
Application 15/585,083 is a division of application No. 12/365,716, filed on Feb. 4, 2009, granted, now 9,636,096, issued on May 2, 2017.
Application 18/331,886 is a continuation of application No. 16/897,217, filed on Jun. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,672,519.
Application 16/897,217 is a continuation of application No. 15/585,083, filed on May 2, 2017, granted, now 10,675,013, issued on Jun. 9, 2020.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 5/145 (2006.01); A61B 5/1455 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/0206 (2013.01) [A61B 5/14542 (2013.01); A61B 5/14552 (2013.01); A61B 17/02 (2013.01); A61B 17/025 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00057 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00084 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00119 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0262 (2013.01); A61B 2090/032 (2016.02); A61B 2090/065 (2016.02); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
receiving from a sensor a sensor reading signal, wherein the sensor reading signal comprises a reading from an oximeter sensor, and the sensor comprises a first sensor emitter structure and a first sensor detector structure;
determining a parameter, by using the sensor reading signal from the sensor, of a tissue that is retracted by a retractor comprising the sensor;
determining whether the parameter is above or below a first value;
producing a first control signal to alter a position of the retractor if the parameter is not above the first value, wherein the first control signal alters the position of the retractor in a first direction;
determining if the parameter is above or below a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value; and
producing a second control signal to alter a position of the retractor if the parameter is not below the second value, wherein the second control signal alters the position of the retractor in a second direction, and the second direction is different from the first direction.