Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Hektner

Thomas R. Hektner 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).

  • Patent number: 8267882
    Abstract: An ocular implant for treating glaucoma is provided, which may include any number of features. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye. One feature of the implant is that it includes a proximal inlet portion and a distal inlet portion adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an intermediate portion adapted to be inserted into Schlemm's canal. Another feature of the implant is that it can be biased to assume a predetermined shape to aid in placement within the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ivantis, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer, Thomas R. Hektner, Andrew T. Schieber, John Wardle
  • Patent number: 8088165
    Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Thomas R. Hektner, Paul Burmeister, Lawrence W. Wales, Daniel O. Adams, Rodney L. Houfburg
  • Patent number: 8034112
    Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Thomas R. Hektner, Paul Burmeister, Lawrence W. Wales, Daniel O. Adams, Rodney L. Houfburg
  • Patent number: 7931689
    Abstract: An implantable container is used to stabilize or restore height in a vertebral body. After insertion the container is filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Spineology Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hochschuler, Wesley D. Johnson, Kevin L. Nickels, Thomas R. Hektner, Larry Wales, Tyler Lipschults
  • Patent number: 7922768
    Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Thomas R. Hektner, Paul Burmeister, Lawrence W. Wales, Daniel O. Adams, Rodney L. Houfburg
  • Publication number: 20100191332
    Abstract: An implantable tendon protection system includes a body adapted to be implanted within a bursa overlying a tendon of a patient to protect the tendon. The body may be fixed to the tendon with adhesive, sutures, staples, and/or anchors. A surgical kit is provided with such a tendon protection system and an insertion cannula. Methods of protecting a tendon of a patient are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer, Thomas R. Hektner, Thomas A. Westling, Rebecca McCarville, Duane Frion
  • Patent number: 7695455
    Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen. A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mickley, Thomas R. Hektner, Louis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson
  • Publication number: 20090227934
    Abstract: An ocular implant for treating glaucoma is provided, which may include any number of features. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye. One feature of the implant is that it includes a proximal inlet portion and a distal inlet portion adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an intermediate portion adapted to be inserted into Schlemm's canal. Another feature of the implant is that it can be biased to assume a predetermined shape to aid in placement within the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer, Thomas R. Hektner, Andrew T. Schieber, John Wardle
  • Publication number: 20090024216
    Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Thomas R. Hektner, Paul Burmeister, Lwrence W. Wales, Daniel O. Adams, Rodney L. Houfourg
  • Patent number: 7094249
    Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Broome, John M. K. Daniel, Thomas R. Hektner
  • Patent number: 7052516
    Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Thomas R. Hektner, Paul Burmeister, Lawrence W. Wales, Daniel O. Adams, Rodney L. Houfburg
  • Patent number: 6991617
    Abstract: An intravascular catheter with micro spines that penetrate arterial wall to delivery drug or mechanical injury to the vessel wall inducing a “stent” like healing process in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hektner, Edward S. Andrle, Chad Kugler, Matt Olson
  • Patent number: 6974469
    Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Broome, John M. K. Daniel, Thomas R. Hektner
  • Publication number: 20040243098
    Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mickley, Thomas R. Hektner, Louis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson
  • Publication number: 20040215344
    Abstract: An implantable container is used to stabilize or restore height in a vertebral body. After insertion the container is filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Hochschuler, Wesley Johnson, Kevin L. Nickels, Thomas R. Hektner, Larry Wales, Tyler Lipschultz
  • Publication number: 20040215343
    Abstract: An implantable container is used to stabilize or restore height in a vertebral body. After insertion the container is filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Hochschuler, Wesley Johnson, Kevin L. Nickels, Thomas R. Hektner, Larry Wales, Tyler Lipschultz
  • Patent number: 6764461
    Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mickley, Thomas R. Hektner, Louis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 6740093
    Abstract: An implantable container is used to stabilize or restore height in a vertebral body. After insertion the container is filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Hochschuler, Wesley Johnson, Kevin L. Nickels, Thomas R. Hektner, Larry Wales, Tyler Lipschultz
  • Patent number: 6726703
    Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Broome, John M. K. Daniel, Thomas R. Hektner
  • Patent number: 6723081
    Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An elongate mender slidably disposed in the lumen has a distal end located proximate the distal end of the catheter. An administering tip is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to express a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen created by movement of the elongate member distally in the lumen. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in a distal end of the lumen between a distal tip of the catheter and a distal end of the elongate member. The elongate member is then moved distally within the lumen to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hektner