Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Shepard

Thomas A. Shepard 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: 20250143923
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 12268633
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 12213913
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Publication number: 20240065970
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Publication number: 20220133532
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 8287202
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method of dispensing an adhesive material using an applicator comprising: a body having a cavity; at least one breaking member integral with the body and having a surrounding gap, the breaking member deflectable into the cavity and having a first engagement member; an annular housing movable with respect to the body and having a second engagement member complementary with the first engagement member, the first and the second engagement members being cooperatively engageable; a reservoir secured to body and having applicator means; a retaining member between the body and reservoir; and a frangible container of adhesive material disposed within the cavity; moving the annular housing relative to the body from a first position to a second position where the engagement members are cooperatively engaged; deflecting the breaking members and breaking the frangible container; and squeezing the reservoir and dispensing adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Goodman, Gregory Hake, Thomas Schoon, Thomas A Shepard
  • Publication number: 20120184992
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable suture anchor for anchoring soft tissue to a bone is provided. The suture anchor is configured to toggle and anchor itself inside a bone cavity of a small joint. The anchor comprises an elongate body defined by a longitudinal axis, a first, leading end and a second, trailing end. The elongate body also has two opposed surfaces between the first and second ends, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the two opposed surfaces. Extending from one of the sidewalls is a flared portion that is formed on the second end of the elongate body. A suture channel extends between the two opposed surfaces. The suture channel is formed in the elongate body for passage of a suture strand therethrough, such that pulling on an attached suture strand effects toggling of the anchor inside a bone cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby L. Cook, Jose E. Lizardi, Karl S. Reese, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20120160867
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method of dispensing an adhesive material using an applicator comprising: a body having a cavity; at least one breaking member integral with the body and having a surrounding gap, the breaking member deflectable into the cavity and having a first engagement member; an annular housing movable with respect to the body and having a second engagement member complementary with the first engagement member, the first and the second engagement members being cooperatively engageable; a reservoir secured to body and having applicator means; a retaining member between the body and reservoir; and a frangible container of adhesive material disposed within the cavity; moving the annular housing relative to the body from a first position to a second position where the engagement members are cooperatively engaged; deflecting the breaking members and breaking the frangible container; and squeezing the reservoir and dispensing adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Jack GOODMAN, Gregory HAKE, Thomas SCHOON, Thomas A. SHEPARD
  • Patent number: 8133257
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable suture anchor for anchoring soft tissue to a bone is provided. The suture anchor is configured to toggle and anchor itself inside a bone cavity of a small joint. The anchor comprises an elongate body defined by a longitudinal axis, a first, leading end and a second, trailing end. The elongate body also has two opposed surfaces between the first and second ends, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the two opposed surfaces. Extending from one of the sidewalls is a flared portion that is formed on the second end of the elongate body. The flared portion is adapted to engage and anchor into bone tissue upon toggling. A suture channel extends between the two opposed surfaces. The suture channel is formed in the elongate body for passage of a suture strand therethrough, such that pulling on an attached suture strand effects toggling of the anchor inside a bone cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby L. Cook, Jose E. Lizardi, Karl S. Reese, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: 8118508
    Abstract: An applicator device for dispensing a polymerizable adhesive material comprising a body portion comprising a closed proximal end and an open distal end providing a cavity sized to accept a frangible container having a polymerizable adhesive material; at least one breaking member at least partially deflectable into the cavity; an annular housing movable with respect to the body portion; and a reservoir secured to the open distal end of the body portion, the reservoir further comprising an applicator; wherein the annular housing is movable relative to the body portion from a first position to a second position to deflect at least a portion of the breaking member into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Goodman, Gregory Hake, Thomas Schoon, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20080131190
    Abstract: An applicator device for dispensing and/or applying an adhesive material comprises a body portion comprising a closed proximal end and an open distal end providing a cavity. The cavity is sized to accept a frangible container having a polymerizable adhesive material. At least one breaking member integral with the body portion and having a surrounding gap is at least partially deflectable into the cavity and each breaking member has a first engagement member. An annular housing movable with respect to the body portion has a second engagement member complementary with the first engagement member, the first and the second engagement member being cooperatively engageable with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jack Goodman, Gregory Hake, Thomas Schoon, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: 5753159
    Abstract: A molding process includes flowing a polymer melt into the cavity of a mold which includes a core pin. After the mold is filled and skin layers of solidified polymer have formed adjacent the mold wall and core pin wall, the core pin is spun transversely to the direction of polymer melt flow. The invention includes hollow articles of improved mechanical properties made by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bangshu Cao, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: 5571583
    Abstract: A molding process includes flowing a polymer melt into the cavity of a mold which includes a core pin. After the mold is filled and skin layers of solidified polymer have formed adjacent the mold wall and core pin wall, the core pin is spun transversely to the direction of polymer melt flow. The invention includes hollow articles of improved mechanical properties made by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bangshu Cao, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: 5547577
    Abstract: Gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol, The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Erwin A. Vogler, Thomas A. Shepard, Jane C. Graper
  • Patent number: 5543048
    Abstract: A blood collection assembly with gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Erwin A. Vogler, Thomas A. Shepard, Jane C. Graper
  • Patent number: 5525227
    Abstract: Method for forming blood compatible, shear sensitive gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Erwin A. Vogler, Thomas A. Shepard, Jane C. Graper
  • Patent number: 5518615
    Abstract: Gel formulations including a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneoxide copolymer gelled with dibenzylidine sorbitol in the presence of water or alcohol. The gel formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood or as a thermoreversible shear sensitive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Erwin A. Vogler, Thomas A. Shepard, Jane C. Graper
  • Patent number: D573710
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Goodman, Gregory Hake, Thomas Schoon, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: D584815
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Goodman, Gregory Hake, Thomas Schoon, Thomas A. Shepard
  • Patent number: D1072252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Leo Anthony Trevino