Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Kochem

Thomas C. Kochem 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: 20140216467
    Abstract: Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel A. Beaudet
  • Publication number: 20130269705
    Abstract: An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel A. Beaudet, Stephen Perry
  • Patent number: 8388521
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base and an outer shell. A locking member may be coupled to the outer shell. An inner seal member may be disposed within the outer shell. One or more openings may extend through the cap and into the channel. An actuator may be coupled to the base for shifting the inner seal member between an unsealed configuration and a sealed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, James M. Weldon, Gary A. Jordan, Christopher S. Mauhar
  • Patent number: 8343041
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, Gary A. Jordan, Douglas Pleskow, Brian Tinkham
  • Publication number: 20100087705
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, Gary A. Jordan, Douglas Pleskow, Brian Tinkham
  • Publication number: 20100087710
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port. The cap may also include an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member disposed within the outer shell, and one or more openings extending through the cap and into the channel. A fluid control region may be defined within the outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Weldon, Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, Lilly Nix, Lara Clark, Pearl E. Donohoo, Andrew K. Hollett, Chandra Little
  • Publication number: 20100081878
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base and an outer shell. A locking member may be coupled to the outer shell. An inner seal member may be disposed within the outer shell. One or more openings may extend through the cap and into the channel. An actuator may be coupled to the base for shifting the inner seal member between an unsealed configuration and a sealed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, James M. Weldon, Gary A. Jordan, Christopher S. Mauhar