Patents by Inventor James Skakoon

James 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).

  • Publication number: 20210220617
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: James SKAKOON, Matthew SOLAR, Thomas I. MILLER, Patrick R. HELMER, Mark S. FREAS
  • Patent number: 10974029
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Matthew Solar, Thomas I. Miller, Patrick R. Helmer, Mark S. Freas
  • Patent number: 10300268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: Medtronic, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20190001102
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Matthew Solar, Thomas I. Miller, Patrick R. Helmer, Mark S. Freas
  • Patent number: 9867980
    Abstract: An implantable electrode paddle is adapted to receive an electrical signal from a medical device and generate an electrical field to stimulate selected body tissue. The paddle includes a housing including walls that define an interior space and a plurality of windows formed through at least a first one of the walls for transmitting the electrical field to the body tissue, an electrode array including a plurality of electrode groups, each electrode group including at least two electrodes individually secured in a respective window and spaced between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm apart, and a plurality of wires, each of the wires being coupled to a respective electrode and routed within the interior space to receive the electrical signal. A lead assembly and an implantable medical device can include the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark Holle, James Skakoon
  • Publication number: 20110167630
    Abstract: An implantable electrode paddle is adapted to receive an electrical signal from a medical device and generate an electrical field to stimulate selected body tissue. The paddle includes a housing including walls that define an interior space and a plurality of windows formed through at least a first one of the walls for transmitting the electrical field to the body tissue, an electrode array including a plurality of electrode groups, each electrode group including at least two electrodes individually secured in a respective window and spaced between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm apart, and a plurality of wires, each of the wires being coupled to a respective electrode and routed within the interior space to receive the electrical signal. A lead assembly and an implantable medical device can include the paddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark Holle, James Skakoon
  • Patent number: 7930037
    Abstract: An implantable electrode paddle is adapted to receive an electrical signal from a medical device and generate an electrical field to stimulate selected body tissue. The paddle includes a housing including walls that define an interior space and a plurality of windows formed through at least a first one of the walls for transmitting the electrical field to the body tissue, an electrode array including a plurality of electrode groups, each electrode group including at least two electrodes individually secured in a respective window and spaced between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm apart, and a plurality of wires, each of the wires being coupled to a respective electrode and routed within the interior space to receive the electrical signal. A lead assembly and an implantable medical device can include the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark Holle, James Skakoon
  • Patent number: 7798862
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes a plurality of electrical contact blocks and a sealing member, which are held within a cavity of a base of the assembly. The sealing member includes a plurality of openings, at least one interior surface surrounding a bore and at least one void. Each electrical contact block extends into a corresponding opening of the sealing member, and a conductive sidewall of each block defines a portion of a perimeter of an area for receiving a lead connector, while the bore of the sealing member forms another portion of the perimeter of the area. The at least one void provides a compressible space in a bulk volume of the sealing member. When the lead is inserted within the area, and a cap is engaged with the base, the at least one interior surface of the sealing member is compressed about the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, James Olsen, Andrew Ries, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Publication number: 20090247018
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes a plurality of electrical contact blocks and a sealing member, which are held within a cavity of a base of the assembly. The sealing member includes a plurality of openings, at least one interior surface surrounding a bore and at least one void. Each electrical contact block extends into a corresponding opening of the sealing member, and a conductive sidewall of each block defines a portion of a perimeter of an area for receiving a lead connector, while the bore of the sealing member forms another portion of the perimeter of the area. The at least one void provides a compressible space in a bulk volume of the sealing member. When the lead is inserted within the area, and a cap is engaged with the base, the at least one interior surface of the sealing member is compressed about the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, Jim Olsen, Andrew Ries, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Patent number: 7553193
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes at least one conductive sidewall mounted in a fixed position to a module base; the sidewall may be electrically coupled to a feedthrough wire. The assembly further includes at least one resilient member to apply a spring force against a connector element of a lead connector when the connector element is positioned adjacent to the conductive sidewall. The spring force of the resilient member causes electrical coupling between the connector element and the conductive sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, James Olsen, Andrew Ries, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Publication number: 20090080963
    Abstract: A propel/repel dispenser having one or more features in combination to provide improved manufacture, assembly and use of the dispenser. Such features include a wide single lead thread, a “click” feature to provide sound and feel to a user so that propelling and repelling can be controlled, and a retention element involving a single slot extending from a central opening through which a screw structure passes upon assembly of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Federal Package Network, Inc.
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Kevin S. Fuller, Greg J. Benson
  • Publication number: 20080248696
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes at least one conductive sidewall mounted in a fixed position to a module base; the sidewall may be electrically coupled to a feedthrough wire. The assembly further includes at least one resilient member to apply a spring force against a connector element of a lead connector when the connector element is positioned adjacent to the conductive sidewall. The spring force of the resilient member causes electrical coupling between the connector element and the conductive sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, James Olsen, Andrew Ries, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Patent number: 7402083
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes at least one conductive sidewall mounted in a fixed position to a module base; the sidewall may be electrically coupled to a feedthrough wire. The assembly further includes at least one resilient member to apply a spring force against a connector element of a lead connector when the connector element is positioned adjacent to the conductive sidewall. The spring force of the resilient member causes electrical coupling between the connector element and the conductive sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, Jim Olsen, Andrew Ries, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Publication number: 20080082108
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20080009192
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly of a medical device includes at least one conductive sidewall mounted in a fixed position to a module base; the sidewall may be electrically coupled to a feedthrough wire. The assembly further includes at least one resilient member to apply a spring force against a connector element of a lead connector when the connector element is positioned adjacent to the conductive sidewall. The spring force of the resilient member causes electrical coupling between the connector element and the conductive sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: John Kast, Mark Lent, Jim Olsen, Andrew Reis, James Skakoon, Carl Wahlstrand
  • Publication number: 20070255275
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20070250075
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20070250077
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20070250076
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: James Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas Miller, Timothy Parmer, Charles Truwit
  • Publication number: 20070215759
    Abstract: A device for organizing slack in a flexible line comprising a unitary element with clips formed in the top and bottom of the element for releasably retaining a flexible line at a point intermediate the ends of the line in the absence of an inwardly pinching bias. The device preferably has a saddle curved first major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Roger Heegaard, Ernest Ruiz, James Skakoon, John Lampe