Patents by Inventor Thomas Küenzi

Thomas Küenzi 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: 8617244
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant that is configured to be inserted into an intervertebral space along a direction of insertion is provided. The intervertebral space is defined by a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body that are opposed in a transverse direction. The intervertebral implant may include a body and a first keel. The body may have first and second opposing outer surfaces that are each configured to engage one of the superior and inferior vertebral bodies. The first keel may extend out from the first outer surface in an outward direction and may define a lateral width that increases with respect to an outward direction along the first keel such that an outer portion of the first keel is wider than an inner portion of the first keel. The lateral width may be substantially transverse to the insertion direction and the outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Reichen, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan
  • Publication number: 20130268008
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Patent number: 8540774
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
  • Patent number: 8530560
    Abstract: Embodiments described include devices and methods for forming a porous polymer material. Devices disclosed and formed using the methods described include a spacer for spinal fusion, craniomaxillofacial (CMF) structures, and other structures for tissue implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Hamilton Kerr, Ali Recber, Thomas Pepe, Dominique Messerli, Lawton Laurence, Ryan Walsh, Thomas Kueenzi, Brandon Randall
  • Publication number: 20130166032
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant frame that is configured to be attached to a spacer body can include a pair of arms that extend longitudinally from a support member such that the arms extend substantially around the spacer body. The arms may be configured to expand, crimp, or otherwise engage the spacer body to thereby hold the spacer body to the frame. The spacer body may be made from bone graft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Benjamin Chronister, Thomas Pepe, Michael Coover, Katharine Coffman, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan, Peyman Pakzaban, Kurt Schmura
  • Publication number: 20120323330
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
  • Publication number: 20120179259
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant frame that is configured to be attached to a spacer body can include a pair of arms that extend longitudinally from a support member such that the arms extend substantially around the spacer body. The arms may be configured to expand, crimp, or otherwise engage the spacer body to thereby hold the spacer body to the frame. The spacer body may be made from bone graft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Benjamin Chronister, Thomas Pepe, Michael Coover, Katharine Coffman, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan, Peyman Pakzaban, Kurt Schmura
  • Publication number: 20110045087
    Abstract: Embodiments described include devices and methods for forming a porous polymer material. Devices disclosed and formed using the methods described include a spacer for spinal fusion, craniomaxillofacial (CMF) structures, and other structures for tissue implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Synthes GmbH
    Inventors: Sean Hamilton Kerr, Ali Recber, Thomas Pepe, Dominique Messerli, Lawton Laurence, Ryan Walsh, Thomas Kueenzi, Brandon Randall
  • Publication number: 20100324683
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant that is configured to be inserted into an intervertebral space along a direction of insertion is provided. The intervertebral space is defined by a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body that are opposed in a transverse direction. The intervertebral implant may include a body and a first keel. The body may have first and second opposing outer surfaces that are each configured to engage one of the superior and inferior vertebral bodies. The first keel may extend out from the first outer surface in an outward direction and may define a lateral width that increases with respect to an outward direction along the first keel such that an outer portion of the first keel is wider than an inner portion of the first keel. The lateral width may be substantially transverse to the insertion direction and the outward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SYNTHES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Reichen, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan
  • Publication number: 20100324599
    Abstract: An extender system is configured to couple a vertebral bone anchor that has been previously implanted in a vertebra, or is newly implantable in a vertebra, to an adjacent bone, which can be an additional spinal level or an occiput, for example. The extender system includes an extension member having a body and an engagement member coupled to the body. The extension member defines an aperture extending through the engagement member. A screw is configured to attach the extension member to the vertebral bone anchor. The extension member can be fastened to the adjacent bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Albert Montello, Oleg Levin, William Strausbaugh, Thomas Kueenzi
  • Publication number: 20100312346
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
  • Patent number: 7752846
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an industrial gas turbine has thermal protective elements which are installed along the inner circumference of its casing. The thermal protective elements are cooled by cooling air which is added to the fuel in the region in front of a front casing section after the cooling. A brush seal is installed between the front casing section and the thermal protective elements, where the brush seal is configured in segments. The combustion chamber can be sealed against leakages of cooling air in all operating states of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Ian William Boston, Stefan Gross, Jonas Hurter, Thomas Kueenzi
  • Publication number: 20100145460
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20100145459
    Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Christopher Bonner, Thomas Pepe, Ralph Meili, Markus Hunziker, Michael Jeger, Thomas Kueenzi, David Koch, Rainer Ponzer, Joern Richter, Roger Berger
  • Publication number: 20080230997
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an industrial gas turbine has thermal protective elements which are installed along the inner circumference of its casing. The thermal protective elements are cooled by cooling air which is added to the fuel in the region in front of a front casing section after the cooling. A brush seal is installed between the front casing section and the thermal protective elements, where the brush seal is configured in segments. The combustion chamber can be sealed against leakages of cooling air in all operating states of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Ian William Boston, Stefan Gross, Jonas Hurter, Thomas Kueenzi
  • Patent number: 6694745
    Abstract: A method for running up a gas turbine plant (1) is disclosed. In the method, a fuel (6) is injected into the combustion chamber (5) via a plurality of pilot burners (10) and premix burners (11). During the start-up and in a lower load range, the combustion chamber (5) is operated in the pilot mode, and, at a specific time point, the combustion chamber (5) is changed over from the pilot mode to the premix mode. The changeover time point from the pilot mode to the premix mode depends on a variable changeover temperature (TSWO), and this changeover temperature (TSWO) is determined from pulsations occurring in the flame of the combustion chamber (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Marcel Stalder, Dieter Rebhan, Thomas Kueenzi, Hans Peter Knoepfel
  • Publication number: 20020194851
    Abstract: A method for running up a gas turbine plant (1) is disclosed. In the method, a fuel (6) is injected into the combustion chamber (5) via a plurality of pilot burners (10) and premix burners (11). During the start-up and in a lower load range, the combustion chamber (5) is operated in the pilot mode, and, at a specific time point, the combustion chamber (5) is changed over from the pilot mode to the premix mode. The changeover time point from the pilot mode to the premix mode depends on a variable changeover temperature (TSWO), and this changeover temperature (T-SWO) is determined from pulsations occurring in the flame of the combustion chamber (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Marcel Stalder, Dieter Rebhan, Thomas Kueenzi, Hans Peter Knoepfel
  • Patent number: 6209310
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the supply system (10) of a gas turbine having a multiburner system, said supply system (10) comprising at least one distribution system (15, 24), via which a pressurized medium required for operating the multiburner system is distributed to a plurality of individual burners (12, . . . , 14) opening into a combustion chamber, reliable detection and analysis of faults is achieved in that, while the gas turbine is operating, the pressure loss in the at least one distribution system (15, 24) is measured continuously, in that the measured pressure loss is compared with a desired value characteristic of the respective operating state of the gas turbine, and in that a communication is issued when the measured pressure loss deviates from the associated desired value by a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Küenzi, Gerhard Müller