Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Cross

Thomas E. Cross 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: 8262307
    Abstract: A kit comprising various devices for supplying condiments thereto foodstuffs and stored therein a case is herein disclosed. The kit incorporates interchangeable brushes similar to a basting brush that threadably engages a squeezable condiment bottle containing catsup, mustard, barbecue sauce, glazes and the like. Unlike existing packaging, the condiments travel by squeeze pressure through a bottle opening, through a hollow handle, and subsequently onto bristles of an attached brush for application. The brush has a sanitary cover for storage and also comprises additional interchangeable cooking implements, such as, but not limited to flow tips and extension pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cross
  • Publication number: 20080269859
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are customizable and that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads include the ability to be customized by selective and controllable separation of lead bodies from one another, which leads are also able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams, Robert L. Olson, Robyn L. Jagler, Christy Ludlow
  • Publication number: 20080269856
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements, able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load. A shaping element, such as an elongate element or a tube defines and holds the lead in the desired shape, which may comprise one or more series of sigmoid shapes as a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080269858
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner with a substantially two-dimensional profile to fit between adjacent tissue layers and to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080269861
    Abstract: Implantable lead assembly including a lead body, an elongated conductor, a coiled electrode, and a tether line. The lead body maintains the conductor. The electrode is coupled to the conductor, defining proximal and distal ends. The tether line defines a trailing segment and a leading segment terminating in a leading end. The tether line is coupled to the coiled electrode at a point proximal the distal end, and the leading end extends distal the distal end. With this configuration, a pulling force applied to the leading segment is transferred to the electrode at a point proximal the distal end as a pushing force, thereby minimizing an opportunity for overt stretching of the coiled electrode during implantation. The lead assembly can further include a needle connected to the tether line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080269857
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead to permit lead body ends on one or both ends of the lead to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. Implantable medical leads advantageously include individual lead portions, sub-bundles, and bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams, Robert L. Olson, Robyn L. Jagler, Christy Ludlow
  • Publication number: 20080269837
    Abstract: Implantable leads implantable in a patient, such as patient's neck. The lead includes a first lead segment and a second lead segment. The second lead segment extends from the first lead segment at a first junction point and includes first, second, and third legs each defining a longitudinal length in extension from the first junction point to a distal end. A length of the first leg is greater than a length of the second leg, and a length of the second leg is greater than a length of the third leg. With this configuration, each of the legs are adapted to support at least one electrode at the distal end thereof, and are appropriately dimensioned relative to one another for locating the corresponding electrode at a desired target tissue site in the patient's neck. Targeted tissue can include, for example, muscles of the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Christy Ludlow, Pamela Reed Kearney, Thomas E. Cross, Robyn L. Jagler, Robert L. Olson, James Britton Hissong
  • Publication number: 20080051861
    Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies of a plurality of leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead assembly to permit lead ends on one or both ends of the lead assembly to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies advantageously include individual lead portions, lead sub-bundles, and lead bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams, Robert L. Olson, Robyn L. Jagler, Christy Ludlow
  • Publication number: 20080046058
    Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies that are customizable and that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies in accordance with the present invention advantageously include the ability to be customized by selective and controllable separation of leads from one another, which lead assemblies are also able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams, Robert L. Olson, Robyn L. Jagler, Christy Ludlow
  • Publication number: 20080039917
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads advantageously are able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility. Preferably, features of medical leads are utilized to permit extensibility and are based upon the provision of shaped features that controllably permit lead extension under low load, but that maintain a desired shape under no load. The shaped lead portions provide extensibility to the lead as the shapes elastically deform under load. Preferably, a shaping element, such as an elongate element or a tube defines and holds the lead in the desired shape, which most preferably comprises one or more series of sigmoid shapes as a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Michaelene M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040243205
    Abstract: A neural lead and method of treating neurological disorders by stimulation of the cerebral cortex of the brain is provided. The lead is designed for reduction of strain between the lead body and the lead paddle caused by the position of the lead body above the cranium and the lead paddle beneath the cranium. The lead is also designed to include a two dimensional chronic electrode array for better stimulation coverage of the target area of the cerebral cortex. A method of treating a neurological disorder by stimulating the cerebral cortex is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Keravel, Jean Paul N'Guyen, Paulus Van Venrooij, Frans L. H. Gielen, Thomas E. Cross
  • Publication number: 20030229387
    Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical lead comprising two percutaneous lead bodies bonded together. The inventive lead body results in the equivalent of a surgical lead body with columns of electrodes either adjacent to or offset from each other. A bridge of urethane material is used to bond together the percutaneous lead bodies and still provide suitable flexibility of the lead. The surface of the electrodes may be coated, in part, with a suitable non-conductive coating to effectively direct the electrical stimulation signals toward the targeted stimulation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Vladimir Redko, Kenneth M. Alo
  • Publication number: 20030204228
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Gabor Racz
  • Publication number: 20020128700
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for relative movement of electrodes in a medical lead are provided. The apparatus includes first and second electrode nodes and a wire connecting the electrode nodes. The wire includes a deformable sigma segment that allows movement of one or both of the first and second electrode nodes relative to each other. The method includes placing the medical lead adjacent tissue. The method further includes moving one of the electrode nodes relative to the other of the electrode nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cross
  • Publication number: 20020111661
    Abstract: An implantable medical lead for spinal cord stimulation includes a lead paddle having an array of multiple electrode contacts each coupled to a wire conductor of a lead body. The wire conductor in turn may be coupled to an implantable pulse generator or other stimulation device. The lead paddle with an array of electrode contacts provides more complete electrical stimulation coverage to targeted human tissue because there is no potential for a targeted fiber to pass through the array of electrode contacts without having some potential for correct electrical stimulation by a contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Cross, Gabor R. Racz
  • Patent number: 5417719
    Abstract: A lead for providing electrical stimulation signals to the spinal cord and method of use thereof. The lead is implanted in the epidural space and includes an elongate lead paddle located at the distal end of the lead. An array of electrodes is located on the lead paddle. The array has at least three columns of electrodes and includes a column having at least one electrode positioned substantially over the midline of the lead paddle, a column of at least one electrode positioned laterally of the midline on one side thereof and a column of at least one electrode positioned laterally of the midline one the other side thereof. At least one of the columns within the array has more than one electrode. Each of the electrodes is interconnected by a conductor to a respective terminal at the proximal end of the lead. The lead is implanted such that the midline of the of the lead paddle is positioned over the midline of the spinal cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent W. Hull, Thomas E. Cross, James P. Langley
  • Patent number: 5177445
    Abstract: Particular non-metallic materials are detected by a recognition of the way in which their electrical properties vary with the frequency of an applied alternating electric field. In one method a body being tested is subjected to electromagnetic radiation at each of a plurality of different frequencies, the pattern of variation of the body's reflectivity is evaluated and compared with stored information on the conductivity/frequency characteristic of the non-metallic material to be deleted. In another method a body being tested is subjected to a burst of electromagnetic energy and a measurement is made of the time taken for the body to retransmit energy absorbed from the burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Zetetic International Limited
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cross