Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Freeman
Thomas B. Freeman 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).
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Patent number: 11965492Abstract: A shape memory alloy composite fabric and a method of use is provided in underwater pressure vessels and as flexible joints in atmospheric diving suits. The atmospheric diving suit internal pressure is one atmosphere for underwater transit to and from an underwater work site. During operations at a work site, the shape memory alloy joints transform to a martensite phase and enable greater flexibility while the pressure in the atmospheric diving suit equalizes with ambient depth pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Inventors: Thomas E Hansen, Lewis B Shattuck, IV, Simon E Freeman, Rylan C King
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Publication number: 20230355408Abstract: A method of treating a sacroiliac joint and/or a region proximate the sacroiliac joint includes distracting and/or stabilizing a recess between a sacral wall of a sacrum and an ilial wall of an ilium, cutting a surface of the ilial wall using a cutting device, and positioning an implant having a first planar wall and a second planar wall opposite the first planar wall into the recess, such that the first planar wall of the implant is in contact with an uncut surface of the sacral wall, and the second planar wall is in contact with the cut surface of the ilial wall. The implant can be formed as a wedge-shape, a double-wedge shape, or a cuboid shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Thomas G. Hoghaug
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Publication number: 20230265203Abstract: The present invention relates to new humanized antagonistic anti-CD40 antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions for using the same for treating and/or preventing lupus nephritis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbHInventors: Scott Ronald BRODEUR, Thomas B. FREEMAN, Gerald Henry Nabozny, Meera RAMANUJAM, Paul SCHOLL, Juergen STEFFGEN
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Publication number: 20190177420Abstract: The present invention relates to new humanized antagonistic anti-CD40 antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions for using the same for treating and/or preventing lupus nephritis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbHInventors: Scott Ronald Brodeur, Thomas B. Freeman, Gerald Henery Nabozny, Meera Ramanujam, Paul Scholl, Juergen Steffgen
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Patent number: 9968378Abstract: An improvement of a polyaxial screw head disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,277,490. A saddle resides within a tulip. The saddle is configured to mate with a rod. An outer set screw engages an inner surface of the tulip. An inner set screw is disposed within a lumen of an outer set screw. A force distributor has a concave surface configured to mate with the rod. The force distributor has a bore configured to accept a conical end of the inner set screw. The force distributor is configured to distribute the force applied onto the bore by the inner set screw along the contact area with rod. The force distributor allows the rod to pivot and have sagittal motion when the inner set screw is untightened. The force distributor immobilizes the rod within the saddle when the inner set screw is tightened.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Wesley M. Johnson, Thomas B. Freeman
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Publication number: 20170058038Abstract: The present invention relates to new humanized antagonistic anti-CD40 antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions for using the same for treating and/or preventing lupus nephritis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Scott Ronald BRODEUR, Thomas B. FREEMAN, Gerald Henry NABOZNY, Meera RAMANUJAM, Paul SCHOLL, Juergen STEFFGEN
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Patent number: 8734521Abstract: An inter-vertebral cage with a wedge shape eccentrically located on the leading end of the cage. The ectopically shaped leading edge of this embodiment facilitates easier interbody spacer placement with less risk of nerve injury, as well as with likely decreased risk of destruction of the end plate during the distraction process when the interbody cage is impacted.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Thomas B Freeman, Wesley Johnson
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Patent number: 8579986Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method that will allow surgeons to produce bone growth masses for use in spinal surgery that are capable of maintaining their physical integrity during placement and during the acute post operative period.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Wesley M. Johnson, Ben Guiot
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Patent number: 8540771Abstract: The present invention provides both a device and a method. The device is a human made replacement for the soft discs in the spine. A fabric pouch encloses a central hydraulic element made up of small soft beads. Two pouches with beads are implanted into a prepared disc space to function as an intervertebral disc. The method is conversion of the device into a fusion element.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Wesley M. Johnson, Thomas B. Freeman
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Patent number: 8337829Abstract: The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: University of South Florida, University of ChileInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Pablo Caviedes, Raul Caviedes
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Patent number: 8277490Abstract: A novel surgical screw is presented as a polyaxial, multiaxial, or monoaxial screw. The polyaxial screw allows versatile angulation between a bone anchor section and a screw body and allows the surgeon to attach a rod to the invention in a top-loading manner and manipulate the rod to accommodate a patient's body and the surgical goals. The screw uses a rod saddle to seat a rod, and permits the surgeon to sagitally manipulate the rod. After implantation of the screw and insertion of the rod, a locking screw is used to fix the angle and position of the rod and screw body.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Wesley M. Johnson
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Patent number: 8252279Abstract: The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for inhibiting process formation and extension by cells in culture. The subject invention further includes cultures of process-forming cells wherein formation and extension of processes have been inhibited. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns methods of transplantation using process-forming cells that have been cultured by the process-inhibiting methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Pablo Caviedes, Raul Caviedes, Thomas B. Freeman, Juan A. Asenjo, Barbara A. Andrews, Dario SepĂșlveda, Christian Arriagada, Julio Salazar Rivera
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Publication number: 20120148540Abstract: The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF CHILE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDAInventors: THOMAS B. FREEMAN, Pablo Caviedes, Raul Caviedes, Paul R. Sanberg, Don F. Cameron
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Publication number: 20120136447Abstract: The present invention provides both a device and a method. The device is a human made replacement for the soft discs in the spine. A fabric pouch encloses a central hydraulic element made up of small soft beads. Two pouches with beads are implanted into a prepared disc space to function as an intervertebral disc. The method is conversion of the device into a fusion element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDAInventors: Wesley M. Johnson, Thomas B. Freeman
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Patent number: 8137662Abstract: The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by containing cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignees: University of South Florida, University of ChileInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Pablo Caviedes, Raul Caviedes
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Patent number: 8110003Abstract: The present invention provides both a device and a method. The device is a human made replacement for the soft discs in the spine. A fabric pouch encloses a central hydraulic element made up of small soft beads. Two pouches with beads are implanted into a prepared disc space to function as an intervertebral disc. The method is conversion of the device into a fusion element.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Wesley M. Johnson, Thomas B. Freeman
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Patent number: 8012159Abstract: The present invention makes a grid array, for use in the transplantation of materials into the brain, in the shape of a predetermined structure, such as the putamen, based on anatomic analysis the structure. Alternatively, a smaller grid array is used which only includes the putamen target and not the caudate target, and also has two windows within the grid array. Because of the smaller size of this grid array as well as the two cutouts in the middle, it is possible for the first time to observe the brain as the needle enters the brain through the grid array. The previous solid and larger grid array made the passage of the needle into the brain a blind maneuver. Therefore if there was cortical bleeding at the time of needle insertion, it would not be known until after the transplant was done.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, James P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 7981120Abstract: This document discusses trajectory guides that include an instrument guide with at least one lumen angled with respect to an orthogonal or other through-axis. In one example, patterned lumens on the instrument guide provide a mirror image pattern of trajectory axes intersecting a target plane. In another example, height adjustment of the instrument guide extends these or other targeting techniques to a three-dimensional volume. This document also describes a method of manufacturing such an instrument guide, which is also applicable to manufacturing an instrument guide providing parallel lumens.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Rudy A. Mazzocchi, Matthew S. Solar, Thomas B. Freeman
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Patent number: 7963980Abstract: An anti-subsidence, anti-translocation, fusion compression cervical plate system with interface visualization, drill guide and temporary pin is provided. In one embodiment the invention provides a vertebral plate for minimizing the ability of an inter-body cage, filled with bone (or BMP-soaked sponges, etc.), to telescope into the vertebral body and to minimize failure due to cages that telescope into adjacent vertebral bodies on a delayed basis after surgery, as well as creation of reverse lordosis due to such telescoping. Another embodiment provides method to reduce the gap between the inter-body cage and the vertebral body end plate intra-operatively using compression from the plate caused by an offset between the screw bores on the plate and the drill holes, as established with an asymmetric drill guide.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Thomas B. Freeman, Wesley Johnson
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Patent number: 7896889Abstract: This document discusses trajectory guides that include an instrument guide with at least one lumen angled with respect to an orthogonal or other through-axis. In one example, patterned lumens on the instrument guide provide a mirror image pattern of trajectory axes intersecting a target plane. In another example, height adjustment of the instrument guide extends these or other targeting techniques to a three-dimensional volume. This document also describes a method of manufacturing such an instrument guide, which is also applicable to manufacturing an instrument guide providing parallel lumens.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignees: Medtronic, Inc., University of South Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Rudy A. Mazzocchi, Matthew S. Solar, Thomas B. Freeman