Patents by Inventor Alfonso Chavez

Alfonso Chavez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240066293
    Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting spinal cord stimulation devices, including thin-film spinal cord stimulation devices. In some embodiments, the devices include an introduction needle and/or sheath, a stylet, and a pushing device for urging a stimulation device into the epidural space by controlling the proximal end of the device, including, in some cases, deformable thin-film spinal cord stimulation devices. Further implementations include a deployment device for ensuring deployment of the stimulation device in the epidural space. In other embodiments, the devices include sutures attached to a distal portion of the stimulation device, at least one introduction tube, a lead introduction device, and/or a suture introduction device for urging a stimulation device into the epidural space by controlling both the proximal and distal ends of the device, including, in some cases, deformable thin-film spinal cord stimulation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Maria Francisca Porto Cruz Westermann, Maria Vomero, Camilo Diaz-Botia, Samuel Ong, Alfonso Chavez, William Walter Norman, Marcus Allen Szamlewski
  • Publication number: 20240024665
    Abstract: Various deformable thin film spinal cord stimulation devices that are deformable to conform to the shape and/or movement of the target spinal cord. Each device embodiment has an electrode body with at least one deformation section disposed longitudinally within the electrode body and at least one electrode contact. Some implementations have a distal structure that can be formed into a pusher receiving structure such as a pocket or a collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Maria Vomero, Samuel Ong, Maria Porto Cruz Westermann, Hijaz Haris, Steve Mertens, Dave Rosa, Camilo Diaz-Botia, Alfonso Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230104746
    Abstract: A lead fixation device for securing a first portion of a lead relative to a hole formed through a skull includes a skull attachment member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a bore extending through and between the upper surface and the lower surface. The lead fixation device also includes a lead compression mechanism integral with the skull attachment member and aligned with the bore of the skull attachment member. The lead compression mechanism defines a passageway through the lead fixation device, which passageway is characterized by a diameter that is defined by the lead compression mechanism. The lead compression mechanism is configured to transition the diameter from a first size to a second size greater than the first size upon insertion of an implant tool through the passageway, and from the second size to the first size upon removal of the implant tool from the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, David A. Greene
  • Patent number: 11547850
    Abstract: A lead fixation device for securing a first portion of a lead relative to a hole formed through a skull includes a skull attachment member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a bore extending through and between the upper surface and the lower surface. The lead fixation device also includes a lead compression mechanism integral with the skull attachment member and aligned with the bore of the skull attachment member. The lead compression mechanism defines a passageway through the lead fixation device, which passageway is characterized by a diameter that is defined by the lead compression mechanism. The lead compression mechanism is configured to transition the diameter from a first size to a second size greater than the first size upon insertion of an implant tool through the passageway, and from the second size to the first size upon removal of the implant tool from the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, David A. Greene
  • Patent number: 11458302
    Abstract: A lead fixation device for securing a portion of a lead relative to a surface of a skull includes a skull attachment member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a locking member having an upper surface and a lower surface and associated with the skull attachment member, and a passageway associated with the locking member and configured to receive the portion of the lead. The skull attachment member and the locking member are configured to rotate relative to each other to transition the lead fixation device between a closed state wherein the lower surface of the skull attachment member and the lower surface of the locking member are generally aligned in a common plane, and an opened state wherein the lower surface of the skull attachment member and the lower surface of the locking member are not aligned in a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfonso Chavez
  • Publication number: 20210170166
    Abstract: A lead fixation device for securing a portion of a lead relative to a surface of a skull includes a skull attachment member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a locking member having an upper surface and a lower surface and associated with the skull attachment member, and a passageway associated with the locking member and configured to receive the portion of the lead. The skull attachment member and the locking member are configured to rotate relative to each other to transition the lead fixation device between a closed state wherein the lower surface of the skull attachment member and the lower surface of the locking member are generally aligned in a common plane, and an opened state wherein the lower surface of the skull attachment member and the lower surface of the locking member are not aligned in a common plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Alfonso Chavez
  • Publication number: 20200171299
    Abstract: A lead fixation device for securing a first portion of a lead relative to a hole formed through a skull includes a skull attachment member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a bore extending through and between the upper surface and the lower surface. The lead fixation device also includes a lead compression mechanism integral with the skull attachment member and aligned with the bore of the skull attachment member. The lead compression mechanism defines a passageway through the lead fixation device, which passageway is characterized by a diameter that is defined by the lead compression mechanism. The lead compression mechanism is configured to transition the diameter from a first size to a second size greater than the first size upon insertion of an implant tool through the passageway, and from the second size to the first size upon removal of the implant tool from the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, David A. Greene
  • Patent number: 10517732
    Abstract: A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Greg Sandoval, Alfonso Chavez, Dennis Potts, John Dunagan Pearson
  • Patent number: 10368994
    Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, Peter B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180021137
    Abstract: A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Greg Sandoval, Alfonso Chavez, Dennis Potts, John Dunagan Pearson, Paul Paspa
  • Patent number: 9788952
    Abstract: A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Greg Sandoval, Alfonso Chavez, Dennis Potts, John Dunagan Pearson
  • Publication number: 20170119527
    Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, Peter B. Weber
  • Patent number: 9572973
    Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, Peter B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140257325
    Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Alfonso Chavez, Peter B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20130304216
    Abstract: A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Greg Sandoval, Alfonso Chavez, Dennis Potts, John Dunagan Pearson
  • Publication number: 20070142888
    Abstract: An implantable medical lead having an indicator band is disclosed. Implanting the lead is simplified and accurate localization of lead electrodes is improved by using an indicator band to aid in aligning the lead within a receiving port of an implantable lead connector assembly. The medical lead may be used for neurostimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventor: Alfonso Chavez