Patents by Inventor David L. Thompson

David L. Thompson 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: 20240117580
    Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Sicking Safety Systems LLC
    Inventors: Dean L. SICKING, Dakotah SICKING, Steven D. THOMPSON, Kenneth WALLS, Kevin D. SCHRUM, Joseph SCHWERTZ, David LITTLEFIELD, Andrew DAMERON
  • Patent number: 10881860
    Abstract: A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jason F. Lindh
  • Patent number: 10716938
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable pulse generator includes a housing, a header, and a retainer device. The housing includes circuitry and a battery. The header is coupled to the housing and includes a bore configured to receive an end of a lead, and a passage disposed transverse to the bore and extending between an exterior surface of the header and an anchor cavity that extends into the header from the bore. The header supports at least one electrical contact within the bore coupled to the circuitry. The retainer device includes a looped member arranged within the bore, a proximal end extending at least partially into the passage, and anchored at a distal end by the anchor cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramesh, David L. Thompson, Steven W. Allis
  • Patent number: 10239681
    Abstract: A drum unloader may include a pump assembly, a motor, a plate, a piston-cylinder assembly, and a sensor. The motor drives the pump assembly. The plate is mounted to the pump assembly and includes an inlet to the pump assembly. The piston-cylinder assembly includes a housing, a piston, and a piston rod. The housing defines a bore. The piston is received within the bore and cooperates with the housing to define a first cavity and a second cavity. The piston rod is attached to and extends from the piston such that the piston rod extends through the first cavity. The piston rod is coupled to the pump assembly, the motor and the plate such that movement of the piston within the bore causes corresponding movement of the pump assembly, the motor and the plate relative to the housing. The sensor measures a pressure within the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Knoll America
    Inventor: David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180312325
    Abstract: A drum unloader may include a pump assembly, a motor, a plate, a piston-cylinder assembly, and a sensor. The motor drives the pump assembly. The plate is mounted to the pump assembly and includes an inlet to the pump assembly. The piston-cylinder assembly includes a housing, a piston, and a piston rod. The housing defines a bore. The piston is received within the bore and cooperates with the housing to define a first cavity and a second cavity. The piston rod is attached to and extends from the piston such that the piston rod extends through the first cavity. The piston rod is coupled to the pump assembly, the motor and the plate such that movement of the piston within the bore causes corresponding movement of the pump assembly, the motor and the plate relative to the housing. The sensor measures a pressure within the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180264257
    Abstract: A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jason F. Lindh
  • Publication number: 20180200511
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable pulse generator includes a housing, a header, and a retainer device. The housing includes circuitry and a battery. The header is coupled to the housing and includes a bore configured to receive an end of a lead, and a passage disposed transverse to the bore and extending between an exterior surface of the header and an anchor cavity that extends into the header from the bore. The header supports at least one electrical contact within the bore coupled to the circuitry. The retainer device includes a looped member arranged within the bore, a proximal end extending at least partially into the passage, and anchored at a distal end by the anchor cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramesh, David L. Thompson, Steven W. Allis
  • Patent number: 9974949
    Abstract: A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jason F. Lindh
  • Patent number: 9943685
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable electrical system may include an implantable pulse generator with a bore sized to receive an electrical lead, with an engagement mechanism that does not require the use of set screws to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may include a deformable component that may be moved or deformed to allow entry of the lead into the bore, and then moved or deformed again to engage a surface of the lead to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may allow rotation of the lead within the bore while maintaining electrical connections between the generator and the lead. The engagement mechanism may also allow the securing and/or release of the lead relative to the bore without the need to manipulate a set screw or breach a seal of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramesh, David L. Thompson, Steven W. Allis
  • Patent number: 9913986
    Abstract: A particular implantable device includes one or more electrode connectors and multiple circuit elements within a housing. The implantable medical device may also include one or more switches, where each switch of the one or more switches is coupled between one or more of the multiple circuit elements and at least one electrode connector of the one or more electrode connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chow, David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170106186
    Abstract: A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jason F. Lindh
  • Patent number: 9537344
    Abstract: A method and system for management of thermal energy produced during transcutaneous energy transmission to provide power to energize implanted medical devices. A phase changing material (PCM) acts as a heat sink to absorb thermal energy generated during the energy transfer process. The PCM can be thermally coupled to tissue proximate to an implanted medical device, enabling heat generated within the implantable device to be absorbed. The generation of heat during the energy transfer process is primarily caused by eddy currents induced in the implantable device by the magnetic flux produced by the energy transfer system. The PCM can also be used to absorb heat generated by the device producing the magnetic flux that is used to transcutaneously transfer electrical power to recharge a rechargeable power source or energize the implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jeffrey B. Stewart, Shan E. Gaw, John E. Rodriguez, Charles A. Ritrivi, Rajesh Ramesh, Eric M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9531195
    Abstract: A case for an implantable medical device includes a metal case portion, having an inside and an outside, configured to attach to at least one other case portion to define a biocompatible case for the implantable medical device. The metal case portion has a plurality of grooves disposed on at least one of the inside and the outside, the grooves being oriented substantially perpendicular to an expected direction of eddy currents produced by an inductive recharging coil in proximity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jianxiang Shen, Anthony W. Cowley, Saadat Hussain, Eric Y. Chow, Jared B. Floyd, James L. Flesher
  • Patent number: 9492656
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a stimulation module powered by the charge storage element. The stimulation module may be operative to generate an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate a target nerve of a patient. The implantable medical device may further include a nerve wrap configured to house the voltage rectifier, the charge storage element, and the stimulation module. The nerve wrap may include one or more electrodes operative to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the target nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chow, Milton M. Morris, David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160310729
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable electrical system may include an implantable pulse generator with a bore sized to receive an electrical lead, with an engagement mechanism that does not require the use of set screws to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may include a deformable component that may be moved or deformed to allow entry of the lead into the bore, and then moved or deformed again to engage a surface of the lead to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may allow rotation of the lead within the bore while maintaining electrical connections between the generator and the lead. The engagement mechanism may also allow the securing and/or release of the lead relative to the bore without the need to manipulate a set screw or breach a seal of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh RAMESH, David L. THOMPSON, Steven W. ALLIS
  • Patent number: 9259582
    Abstract: An implantable medical device may include a case which houses components of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. The inductive coil may be operative to inductively couple to an external coil and to transfer energy from the external coil to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a cutout formed in the case of the implantable medical device and filled with a dielectric material. The cutout may be operative to reduce eddy currents in the case during recharge of the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a slot antenna disposed within the case. The slot antenna may be operative to communicate with an external device through the cutout in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Himanshu Joshi, David L. Thompson, Jared Brandon Floyd, Eric Y. Chow, Jonathan D. Rowell
  • Publication number: 20150174398
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a stimulation module powered by the charge storage element. The stimulation module may be operative to generate an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate a target nerve of a patient. The implantable medical device may further include a nerve wrap configured to house the voltage rectifier, the charge storage element, and the stimulation module. The nerve wrap may include one or more electrodes operative to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the target nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. CHOW, Milton M. MORRIS, David L. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8989867
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a stimulation module powered by the charge storage element. The stimulation module may be operative to generate an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate a target nerve of a patient. The implantable medical device may further include a nerve wrap configured to house the voltage rectifier, the charge storage element, and the stimulation module. The nerve wrap may include one or more electrodes operative to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the target nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chow, Milton M. Morris, David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140233184
    Abstract: A method and system for management of thermal energy produced during transcutaneous energy transmission to provide power to energize implanted medical devices. A phase changing material (PCM) acts as a heat sink to absorb thermal energy generated during the energy transfer process. The PCM can be thermally coupled to tissue proximate to an implanted medical device, enabling heat generated within the implantable device to be absorbed. The generation of heat during the energy transfer process is primarily caused by eddy currents induced in the implantable device by the magnetic flux produced by the energy transfer system. The PCM can also be used to absorb heat generated by the device producing the magnetic flux that is used to transcutaneously transfer electrical power to recharge a rechargeable power source or energize the implanted medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jeffrey B. Stewart, Shan E. Gaw, John E. Rodriguez, Charles A. Ritrivi, Rajesh Ramesh, Eric M. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140200638
    Abstract: A particular implantable device includes one or more electrode connectors and multiple circuit elements within a housing. The implantable medical device may also include one or more switches, where each switch of the one or more switches is coupled between one or more of the multiple circuit elements and at least one electrode connector of the one or more electrode connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. CHOW, David L. THOMPSON