Patents by Inventor Phillip T. Ulberg

Phillip T. Ulberg 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: 8845655
    Abstract: A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
  • Publication number: 20100305580
    Abstract: A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic Navigation, Inc
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
  • Patent number: 7776056
    Abstract: A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catelina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
  • Patent number: 7217276
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Surgical Navigational Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D Bucholz, Kurt R Smith, Kevin J Frank, John B Clayton, Catalina J Carroll, Phillip T Ulberg
  • Publication number: 20030114752
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
  • Patent number: 6491699
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery. is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
  • Patent number: 6482182
    Abstract: A brain lead anchoring system is described which allows for installation of a brain stimulation lead or a drug delivery catheter without the lead or catheter ever being unsupported during installation so that the lead or catheter does not move during the anchoring procedure. An anchor assembly contains an anchoring mechanism that is biased in the closed or anchoring position and is only open to allow installation of a lead when it is mated to an introducer instrument, which has prongs that open the anchoring mechanism. Once the lead is appropriately positioned within the brain and while the lead is still supported by the installation guiding device, the introducer instrument is withdrawn from the anchoring mechanism, which thus allows the anchoring mechanism to return to its closed position. A locking cap covers the aperture through the anchor assembly into the skull and mechanically ensures that the anchoring mechanism remains in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Catalina J. Carroll, Jaimie Henderson, John B. Clayton, Phillip T. Ulberg