Patents by Inventor John C. Tepper

John C. Tepper 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: 9021614
    Abstract: An embodiment of a leg protector of the present disclosure includes an upper thigh pad that is structurally attached to an upper bracing shell including lateral and medial uprights. The upper shell and thigh pad can be held to the player via a strap and/or garment. The uprights extend to uni- or polycentric hinges arranged on, and in one embodiment biased against, either side of the player's knee. A connecting member extends in a frontward direction from each hinge and attaches to a patella pad held in place over the player's knee. The patella pad may additionally be connected to the thigh pad via one or more connecting strip. Each hinge is also connected to a lower bracing shell, which includes lateral and medial uprights that extend down and around the player's lower leg, anteriorly or posteriorly. The lower shell can also be fitted via a strap or garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Medical Techology, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Amy B. Weiner, Gary Bledsoe, Lawrence J. Lemak, Kelly J. Nolan, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr., Chad M. Leeder, Craig A. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20120233736
    Abstract: An embodiment of a leg protector of the present disclosure includes an upper thigh pad that is structurally attached to an upper bracing shell including lateral and medial uprights. The upper shell and thigh pad can be held to the player via a strap and/or garment. The uprights extend to uni- or polycentric hinges arranged on, and in one embodiment biased against, either side of the player's knee. A connecting member extends in a frontward direction from each hinge and attaches to a patella pad held in place over the player's knee. The patella pad may additionally be connected to the thigh pad via one or more connecting strip. Each hinge is also connected to a lower bracing shell, which includes lateral and medial uprights that extend down and around the player's lower leg, anteriorly or posteriorly. The lower shell can also be fitted via a strap or garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Amy B. Weiner, Gary Bledsoe, Lawrence J. Lemak, Kelly J. Nolan, Michael A. Lorenz, JR., Chad M. Leeder, Craig A. Brewer
  • Patent number: 6839595
    Abstract: A method for providing electromagnetic therapy to a patient includes placing the patient in proximity to an electromagnetic therapy apparatus. The electromagnetic therapy apparatus includes an electrical circuit for generating an electrical drive signal, a first transducer coil and a second transducer coil for generating respective electromagnetic fields in response to the drive signal, a first portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair seat, and a second portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair back. The first transducer coil is disposed within the first portion and the second transducer coil is disposed within the second portion. The method further includes stimulating the patient with a pulsed electromagnetic field from at least the first and second transducer coils. The pulsed electromagnetic field having a number of pulses, each pulse having a pulse period of ten microseconds to twenty microseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, Kathy L. McDermott
  • Patent number: 6678562
    Abstract: A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixation device for stabilization of a selected portion of a patient. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes an electrical circuit attached to and forming an integral component of the external fixation device and operable to generate an electrical drive signal. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes a cable adapted to connect the electrical drive signal to a stimulator portion operable to provide an electromagnetic field to stimulate the growth of bone and tissue at the selected portion of the patient and/or at other portions of the patient. More particularly, the electromagnetic field may be produced by directing a current through the external fixation device into the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Richard M. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20020165583
    Abstract: A method for providing electromagnetic therapy to a patient includes placing the patient in proximity to an electromagnetic therapy apparatus. The electromagnetic therapy apparatus includes an electrical circuit for generating an electrical drive signal, a first transducer coil and a second transducer coil for generating respective electromagnetic fields in response to the drive signal, a first portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair seat, and a second portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair back. The first transducer coil is disposed within the first portion and the second transducer coil is disposed within the second portion. The method further includes stimulating the patient with a pulsed electromagnetic field from at least the first and second transducer coils. The pulsed electromagnetic field having a number of pulses, each pulse having a pulse period of ten microseconds to twenty microseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: AMEI Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, Kathy L. McDermott
  • Patent number: 6418345
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing PEMF therapy to selected portions of a patient's body such as the hips and spine. The apparatus preferably includes at least two transducer coils. Electronics for driving the coils are contained in a housing. The housing is preferably connected to the transducer coil by a flexible cable. The housing preferably includes a battery power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, Kathy L. McDermott
  • Patent number: 6261221
    Abstract: A PEMF therapy system uses a single-coil PEMF transducer for generating PEMF stimulation signals. The coil has a “bi-phasic” operation, such that current flows through it in two directions A drive circuit recovers the flyback energy from the transducer coil and dumps voltage to an energy recovery capacitance circuit. The transducer is thereby energized and de-energized to provide the electromagnetic field. The single coil transducer may be fabricated on a flexible substrate and the wiring may be formed with printed circuit techniques. The same concepts may be applied to series-connected coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, William Winstrom
  • Patent number: 6132362
    Abstract: A PEMF therapy system uses a bi-phasic coil PEMF transducer for generating PEMF stimulation signals. The coil has a "bi-phasic" operation, such that current flows through it in two directions. A drive circuit recovers the flyback energy from the transducer coil and dumps voltage to an energy recovery capacitance circuit. The transducer is thereby energized and de-energized to provide the electromagnetic field. The same concepts are applicable to series-connected coils. The transducer is especially suited for high frequency operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, William L. Winstrom
  • Patent number: 6024691
    Abstract: A collar (100) for providing PEMF therapy for the cervical region of the spine. The collar (100) has a single transducer coil (104) and requires no secondary coil. The electronics for driving the coil are contained in a housing (101) that is integral to the collar 100. The housing (101) may also contain a battery for powering the coil (104), whose power usage is sufficiently reduced so as to require only a small battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, Michael C. Dinsdale
  • Patent number: 5766231
    Abstract: A hand-held programmer/monitor (500) for programming and monitoring an implantable tissue growth stimulator (10) is provided. The stimulator (10) includes circuitry (46) for implementing selected operations in response to a down-link signal transmitted by the programmer/monitor (500). The stimulator (10) also includes circuitry (14) for transmitting up-link signals to the programmer/monitor (500). The programmer/monitor (500) includes a control circuit (518) for generating the down-link signal. The control circuit (518) also processes the up-link signal to monitor the status of the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The programmer/monitor (500) also includes a transmit/receive circuit (514) for transmitting the down-link signal to and for receiving the up-link signal from the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The transmit/receive circuit (514) also couples the up-link signal to the control circuit (518).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Neomedics, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper, Ike C. Thacker, Gregg Turi, Anthony J. Varrichio, Arthur A. Pilla, Mark A. Bettin, William C. Brosche
  • Patent number: 5743844
    Abstract: A PEMF stimulation therapy system uses a PEMF transducer coil for generating PEMF stimulation signals and includes a single-winding transducer coil. A drive circuit recovers flyback energy from the single-winding transducer coil and dumps the voltage to a voltage supply equal to a predetermined high voltage that differs from supply voltage. This permits sequencing the current through the PEMF transducer coil in a positive direction and then negative direction. The result is a PEMF stimulation therapy system that may use a commercially available, low-cost battery for power and that is significantly lighter and more portable than known PEMF stimulation therapy systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Peter Kuo, Thomas M. Emge, William L. Winstrom
  • Patent number: 5565005
    Abstract: A hand-held programmer/monitor (500) for programming and monitoring an implantable tissue growth stimulator (10) is provided. The stimulator (10) includes circuitry (46) for implementing selected operations in response to a down-link signal transmitted by the programmer/monitor (500). The stimulator (10) also includes circuitry (46) for transmitting up-link signals to the programmer/monitor (500). The programmer/monitor (500) includes a control circuit (518) for generating the down-link signal. The control circuit (518) also processes the up-link signal to monitor the status of the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The programmer/monitor (500) also includes a transmit/receive circuit (514) for transmitting the down-link signal to and for receiving the up-link signal from the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The transmit/receive circuit (514) also couples the up-link signal to the control circuit (518).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper, Ike C. Thacker, Greg Turi, Anthony J. Varrichio, Arthur A. Pilla, Mark A. Bettin, William C. Brosche
  • Patent number: 5524624
    Abstract: A device (10, 18) stimulates with an ultrasound the growth of a tissue or produces an image at a site within a patient. A housing (12, 20, 22) may be subcutaneously implanted within the patient such that the ultrasound is directed toward the site. A generator (52), disposed within the housing (12, 20, 22), produces a signal, which a transducer (56, 84, 144) converts into the ultrasound. The transducer (56, 84, 144) is partially disposed within the housing (12, 20, 22). The device (10, 18) may include an imaging circuit (80) for processing ultrasound echoes received by the transducer (56, 84, 144) to generate images of the tissue at the site. A remote control (102) may be used to control the device (10, 18) while it is implanted within the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Ike C. Thacker
  • Patent number: 5441527
    Abstract: A method for the therapeutic stimulation of bone growth of a bone site is disclosed comprising the steps of implanting first and second electrodes into the tissue near the base site. The electrodes are coupled to a bone growth stimulator which generates an alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper, Ike C. Thacker, Gregg Turi, Anthony J. Varrichio, Arthur A. Pilla
  • Patent number: 5401233
    Abstract: A PEMF contoured triangular transducer system (FIG. 1a-1b) used for PEMF therapy (such as after spinal fusion) uses a two-transducer configuration for generating flux-aided electromagnetic fields. The semi-rigid transducers (12, 14) are conformable to a selected anatomical contour, and incorporated with an adjustable belt (16) to provide bracing. The belt includes compartments for a drive electronics module (22), and a rechargeable battery pack (24), making the system portable. The drive electronics (FIG. 3) includes a PEMF processor (41) that executes a PEMF program for providing pulsing current to the front and back transducers at predetermined intervals, thereby activating the electromagnetic field according to a prescribed PEMF regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper
  • Patent number: 5351389
    Abstract: Fabricating a transducer system (FIGS. 1a-1b) for providing electromagnetic therapeutic stimulation to a target area of a patient's body includes forming a primary winding (71) having a selected number of turns. The primary winding (71) and any other windings (72, 73) are bonded together to form a winding bundle (32). The winding bundle (32) is encapsulated in a malleable shell (34) that is substantially triangular in shape. Control electronics (16, 40, 94) are coupled to the shell-encapsulated winding bundle (30, 70, 90) for selectively generating electromagnetic fields, and thus implementing a prescribed electromagnetic therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper
  • Patent number: 5314401
    Abstract: A conformable PEMF transducer (FIG. 1a-1b) used for PEMF therapy (such as for healing non-union fractures of the hip). The transducer (FIG. 3 ) includes electrically conducting primary, secondary, and sense windings (31, 32, 33) formed into a transducer coil integral with non-conducting semi-rigid structural windings (34). The structural windings provide structural support for the coil so that it is formable into a selected anatomical contour, but still flexibly conformable to accommodate normal patient motion. Control electronics (FIG. 4 ) includes a PEMF processor (41) that executes a PEMF program for providing pulsing current to the front and back transducers at predetermined intervals, thereby activating the electromagnetic field according to a prescribed PEMF regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Tepper
  • Patent number: D353889
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper, Glenn Jacobs
  • Patent number: D361555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: AMEI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, John C. Tepper, Mark A. Bettin, Robert W. Lee, Glenn Jacobs
  • Patent number: D716000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Medical Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Tepper, Amy B. Weiner, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr., Chad Michael Leeder, Craig Allen Brewer