Patents by Inventor James G. Skakoon
James G. Skakoon 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: 7815651Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignees: Medtronic, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and ResearchInventors: James G. Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew S. Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Alan Parmer, Charles L. Truwit
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Patent number: 7803163Abstract: This patent document discusses, among other things, assemblies and methods for retaining a plurality of surgical instruments. In one example, a retaining assembly includes a floating seat having a seat first side and a seat second side. One or both of the seat first or second sides include at least one recessed portion to receive an instrument. In another example, a first clamp member is positioned adjacent the seat first side and a floating second clamp member is positioned adjacent the seat second side. An actuator engaged with an actuator receiving lumen is disposed adjacent the seat second side. Movement of the actuator in a first direction advances the first clamp member, the floating seat, and the floating second clamp member toward one another. In varying examples, the floating second clamp member comprises a rocker configured to pivot in three-dimensions, while the floating seat is configured to pivot in two-dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: James G. Skakoon
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Publication number: 20100179563Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James G. Skakoon, Matthew S. Solar, Thomas I. Miller, Patrick R. Helmer, Mark Stephen Freas
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Publication number: 20100162552Abstract: An alignment device and method is provided. Higher precision is achieved when fixing an orientation of an insertion axis using alignment devices shown. A symmetric clamping force is provided that reduces or eliminates unwanted displacement after the desired orientation is obtained. Another feature includes increased flexibility to use a variety of primary medical devices. Another feature includes a standoff feature that reduces tissue damage. Another feature includes an orienting fixture for image guided procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, James G. Skakoon, Kari Parmer, Thomas L. Miller, Mark Stephen Freas
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Patent number: 7744606Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a method of manufacture including a mold having at least one pin, and surrounding the pin with a hardenable material to form a first guide layer. The mold and pin are removed from the resulting first guide layer, to define a substantially untapered first instrument passage that corresponds to the geometry of the pin. Optionally, the first instrument passage includes at least five substantially untapered channels including a central channel. The first instrument passage is aligned with a substantially untapered second instrument passage of a stacked second guide layer. In a further example, the first and second guide layers are coupled to a guide coupler that cooperatively aligns the first and second instrument passages. The guide layers can be used with a trajectory guide for image guided surgery.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas I. Miller, James G. Skakoon
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Patent number: 7704260Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James G. Skakoon, Matthew S. Solar, Thomas I. Miller, Patrick R. Helmer, Mark Stephen Freas
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Patent number: 7695480Abstract: An alignment device and method is provided. Higher precision is achieved when fixing an orientation of an insertion axis using alignment devices shown. A symmetric clamping force is provided that reduces or eliminates unwanted displacement after the desired orientation is obtained. Another feature includes increased flexibility to use a variety of primary medical devices. Another feature includes a standoff feature that reduces tissue damage. Another feature includes an orienting fixture for image guided procedures.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, James G. Skakoon, Kari Parmer, Thomas I. Miller, Mark Stephen Freas
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Publication number: 20100078021Abstract: A dry powder inhaler includes a dose container assembly having a dose container disk with opposing upper and lower surfaces, a first row of circumferentially spaced apart dose containers at a first radius and a second row of circumferentially spaced apart dose containers at a second radius. The dose containers have dry powder therein and are sealed via a first flexible sealant over apertures in the upper surface and a second flexible sealant over apertures in the lower surface. A piercing mechanism includes two reciprocating piercers that serially alternate between the two rows of dose containers in the dose container disk. A rotatable ramp disk includes first and second sets of circumferentially spaced-apart ramp elements in staggered, concentric relationship that are configured to move the first and second piercing members between retracted and extended positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Gerald A. Thoe, James G. Skakoon, David A. Schuelke, Thomas W. Ruckdeschel
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Patent number: 7660621Abstract: An introducer is described that is coupled to a patient, specifically a patient's skull. The introducer may include an advancer that is remote from the patient, the advancer communicating with the introducer by means of a cable system. The introducer may also include a local position sensor that indicates the position of the primary medical device being introduced. The introducer may also include a frameless reference system that locates the primary medical device relative to a table that the patient is fixed to.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James G. Skakoon, Thomas I. Miller, Matthew S. Solar, Gerald W. Mills, Charles L. Truwit
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Patent number: 7559935Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a stereotactic apparatus that includes reticles or other imagable locators for confirming placement of an instrument introduced along a desired trajectory. In certain examples, the reticles are re-positionable with respect to the trajectory to permit placement confirmation along different views. In other examples, the reticles are positionable toward or away from a skull.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, Thomas L. Bridges, Thomas I. Miller, James G. Skakoon, David Lee
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Publication number: 20090118743Abstract: This documents describes among other things a normalizing stage apparatus, tools and methods. One example includes a base that defines a trajectory. A first stage is moveably coupled to the base and the first stage moves along the trajectory. A second stage is moveably coupled to the first stage and moves an instrument coupled thereto with respect to the base and the first stage. Before movement of the instrument, the first and second stages are in first positions desired (e.g. predetermined) distances from a target area in the body. Another example includes the first stage and a guide tube stop coupled with the first stage. A guide tube is coupled with the guide tube stop and extends through a guide tube stop lumen. The guide tubes outer perimeter is dimensioned and configured to snugly couple with the surface defining the guide tube stop lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, Thomas I. Miller, James G. Skakoon
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Patent number: 7497863Abstract: This documents describes among other things a normalizing stage apparatus, tools and methods. One example includes a base that defines a trajectory. A first stage is moveably coupled to the base and the first stage moves along the trajectory. A second stage is moveably coupled to the first stage and moves an instrument coupled thereto with respect to the base and the first stage. Before movement of the instrument, the first and second stages are in first positions desired (e.g. predetermined) distances from a target area in the body. Another example includes the first stage and a guide tube stop coupled with the first stage. A guide tube is coupled with the guide tube stop and extends through a guide tube stop lumen. The guide tubes outer perimeter is dimensioned and configured to snugly couple with the surface defining the guide tube stop lumen.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, Thomas I. Miller, James G. Skakoon
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Publication number: 20080262582Abstract: An implantable system that includes a lead and an implantable signal generator wherein the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of insulating regions on the lead, and the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of electrical insulators in the connector block are configured so that each of the plurality of electrical contacts form operable connections to the electronic circuitry through each of the plurality of electrical connector, and the insulating regions and the electrical insulators electrically isolate adjacent operable connections. Leads, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: James A. Alexander, James M. Olsen, Chad Q. Cai, Richard T. Stone, James G. Skakoon, Kristin J. Schneider
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Publication number: 20080262585Abstract: An implantable medical system that includes an implantable electrical lead having a lead body having a connector portion wherein at least the connector portion of the lead body has an axial cross section that is substantially non-circular; and a connector block that is configured to be operably coupled to the implantable electrical lead, wherein the connector block includes a lumen having an inner surface that is configured to be complementary to the outer surface of at least the connector portion of the lead body. Leads and connector blocks are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: James A. Alexander, James M. Olsen, Chad Q. Cai, Richard T. Stone, James G. Skakoon, Kristin J. Schneider
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Publication number: 20080103456Abstract: A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Benjamin A. Johnson, Matthew H. Adams, James G. Skakoon
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Publication number: 20080103483Abstract: A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Benjamin A. Johnson, Matthew H. Adams, James G. Skakoon
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Patent number: 7235084Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignees: Image-Guided Neurologics, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and ResearchInventors: James G. Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew S. Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Alan Parmer, Charles L. Truwit
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Patent number: 7204840Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Image-guided Neurologics, Inc.Inventors: James G. Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew S. Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Alan Parmer, Charles L. Truwit
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Publication number: 20040167542Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a stereotactic apparatus that includes reticles or other imagable locators for confirming placement of an instrument introduced along a desired trajectory. In certain examples, the reticles are re-positionable with respect to the trajectory to permit placement confirmation along different views. In other examples, the reticles are positionable toward or away from a skull.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Matthew S. Solar, Thomas L. Bridges, Thomas I. Miller, James G. Skakoon, David Lee
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Publication number: 20020156372Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: Image-Guided Neurologics, Inc.Inventors: James G. Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew S. Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Alan Parmer, Charles L. Truwit