Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III

Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III 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: 20160270823
    Abstract: A spinal implant provides supplemental fixation and/or stabilization of the spine via connection to one or more existing or new spinal fixation and/or stabilization spinal constructs. The supplementary spinal fixation/stabilization implant has a first attachment device configured to couple to an existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct and a second attachment device configured to couple to the existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct at a second location. The first and second attachment devices are joined to each other via a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Patent number: 9351767
    Abstract: A spinal implant provides supplemental and dynamic fixation and/or stabilization of the spine via connection to one or more existing or new spinal fixation and/or stabilization spinal constructs. The supplementary spinal fixation/stabilization implant has a first attachment device configured to couple to an existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct and a second attachment device configured to couple to the existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct at a second location. The first and second attachment devices are joined to each other via a resilient connector that allows dynamic movement between the first and second attachment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Publication number: 20150290370
    Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to a heart, the apparatus comprising: a connector conduit comprising: a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the distal end is configured to be inserted into a wall of the heart, and the proximal end is configured to receive the LVAD, whereby hemostasis is maintained during insertion of the connector conduit into the wall of the heart and during insertion of the LVAD into the proximal end of the connector conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: James Alan Crunkleton, Hardeep Singh, Ronald Boudreau, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III, Anthony G. Liepert
  • Patent number: 9095386
    Abstract: A spinal rod guide and/or guide assembly is provided for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod holder/connector of a vertebral bone screw. The spinal rod guide is configured to extend between an opening in a patient's body and the spinal rod holder of the vertebral bone screw assembly, to receive a spinal rod therein, and thereafter accurately guide the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder. The spinal rod guide is defined by a first elongated arc portion and a second elongated arc portion to define a guide tube for the introduction and placement of additional spinal rod components onto the spinal rod connector, particularly, but not necessarily, for securing the spinal rod into the spinal rod connector. The elongated arc portions are mountable or initially attached onto a top of a spinal rod holder of a spinal rod bone screw assembly. The elongated arc portions (tube) define first and second longitudinal slots extending from a top of the elongated arc portions to a bottom of the elongated arc portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Brian D. Hartsell, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Patent number: 8764754
    Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Brian D. Hartsell, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Patent number: 8224448
    Abstract: A feedthrough assembly is disposable in an aperture of, for example, a power source encasement. In various examples, the feedthrough assembly comprises a ferrule, an insulator, a terminal conductor, and a sleeve. A portion of the terminal conductor extends through the ferrule thereby creating a portion internal to and a portion external to the encasement. The insulator is disposed within the ferrule and is sealably engaged with the terminal conductor portion extending through the ferrule. The sleeve is disposed over the internal portion of the terminal conductor and coupled thereto. In one example, the sleeve includes at least one notch on a sleeve first end or a sleeve second end, which may be used to weld or solder the sleeve to the terminal conductor. In another example, the sleeve includes a longitudinally extending void, which may be used to crimp the sleeve to the terminal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III, Edward J. Maierhofer, James P. Rohl, Stephen W. VanDerlick, Benjamin J. Haasl
  • Publication number: 20110178560
    Abstract: A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. BUTLER, Brian D. Hartsell, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Publication number: 20100256765
    Abstract: A spinal implant and method of implant use are provided for application about a spinal implant area. The spinal implant is formed of a resilient and/or elastic covering, and first and second bone fasteners for holding the covering in place. An all-in-one deployment instrument is also provided that delivers and installs the spinal implant to the spinal implant site. The spinal implant provides a covering for the spinal implant site such as a spinal disc fissure, about a portion of a spinal disc after a full or partial discectomy or other procedure, and/or over any spinal disc area. The covering is disposed between and held by the first and second bone fasteners. An application instrument for introducing and installing the present spinal implant is also provided. The instrument introduces then applies the covering at the spinal implant site and drives the vertebral body staples into the vertebral body to secure the covering to the spinal implant site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Publication number: 20100249843
    Abstract: A spinal implant provides supplemental and dynamic fixation and/or stabilization of the spine via connection to one or more existing or new spinal fixation and/or stabilization spinal constructs. The supplementary spinal fixation/stabilization implant has a first attachment device configured to couple to an existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct and a second attachment device configured to couple to the existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct at a second location. The first and second attachment devices are joined to each other via a resilient connector that allows dynamic movement between the first and second attachment devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Publication number: 20090318970
    Abstract: A spinal rod connector is configured to accommodate a range of spinal rod diameters. The present spinal rod connector may take the form of a spinal rod screw head, hook, spinal rod connector or a spinal rod holder. The spinal rod connector has spinal rod reception slots whose sides narrow towards a bottom of the slot. The narrowing of the sides provides a wedging effect such that a spinal rod is wedged into place during locking. The narrowing sides of the slots thus provide for the accommodation of varying rod diameters. The spinal connector also provides significant improvement in spinal rod torsional resistance compared to prior art radial shaped slots. In one form, the spinal rod reception slots are essentially V-shaped. However, other shapes following the principles of the present invention may be used and are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Thomas J. Wegrzyn III
  • Publication number: 20090240292
    Abstract: A spinal rod guide and/or guide assembly is provided for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod holder/connector of a vertebral bone screw. The spinal rod guide is configured to extend between an opening in a patient's body and the spinal rod holder of the vertebral bone screw assembly, to receive a spinal rod therein, and thereafter accurately guide the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder. The spinal rod guide is defined by a first elongated arc portion and a second elongated arc portion to define a guide tube for the introduction and placement of additional spinal rod components onto the spinal rod connector, particularly, but not necessarily, for securing the spinal rod into the spinal rod connector. The elongated arc portions are mountable or initially attached onto a top of a spinal rod holder of a spinal rod bone screw assembly. The elongated arc portions (tube) define first and second longitudinal slots extending from a top of the elongated arc portions to a bottom of the elongated arc portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Brian D. Hartsell, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III
  • Publication number: 20090204172
    Abstract: A feedthrough assembly is disposable in an aperture of, for example, a power source encasement. In various examples, the feedthrough assembly comprises a ferrule, an insulator, a terminal conductor, and a sleeve. A portion of the terminal conductor extends through the ferrule thereby creating a portion internal to and a portion external to the encasement. The insulator is disposed within the ferrule and is sealably engaged with the terminal conductor portion extending through the ferrule. The sleeve is disposed over the internal portion of the terminal conductor and coupled thereto. In one example, the sleeve includes at least one notch on a sleeve first end or a sleeve second end, which may be used to weld or solder the sleeve to the terminal conductor. In another example, the sleeve includes a longitudinally extending void, which may be used to crimp the sleeve to the terminal conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III, Edward J. Maierhofer, James P. Rohl, Stephen W. VanDerlick, Benjamin J. Haasl
  • Patent number: 7561917
    Abstract: A feedthrough assembly is disposable in an aperture of, for example, a power source encasement. In various examples, the feedthrough assembly comprises a ferrule, an insulator, a terminal conductor, and a sleeve. A portion of the terminal conductor extends through the ferrule thereby creating a portion internal to and a portion external to the encasement. The insulator is disposed within the ferrule and is sealably engaged with the terminal conductor portion extending through the ferrule. The sleeve is disposed over the internal portion of the terminal conductor and coupled thereto. In one example, the sleeve includes at least one notch on a sleeve first end or a sleeve second end, which may be used to weld or solder the sleeve to the terminal conductor. In another example, the sleeve includes a longitudinally extending void, which may be used to crimp the sleeve to the terminal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III, Edward J. Maierhofer, James P. Rohl, Stephen W. VanDerlick, Benjamin J. Haasl
  • Patent number: D746461
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Butler, Thomas J. Wegrzyn, III