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).
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Patent number: 8617244Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Marc Reichen, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan
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Publication number: 20130268008Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 8540774Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Patent number: 8530560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Sean Hamilton Kerr, Ali Recber, Thomas Pepe, Dominique Messerli, Lawton Laurence, Ryan Walsh, Thomas Kueenzi, Brandon Randall
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Publication number: 20130166032Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Benjamin Chronister, Thomas Pepe, Michael Coover, Katharine Coffman, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan, Peyman Pakzaban, Kurt Schmura
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Publication number: 20120323330Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Synthes USA, LLCInventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Publication number: 20120179259Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: William P. McDonough, William L. Strausbaugh, Benjamin Chronister, Thomas Pepe, Michael Coover, Katharine Coffman, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan, Peyman Pakzaban, Kurt Schmura
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Publication number: 20110045087Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Synthes GmbHInventors: Sean Hamilton Kerr, Ali Recber, Thomas Pepe, Dominique Messerli, Lawton Laurence, Ryan Walsh, Thomas Kueenzi, Brandon Randall
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Publication number: 20100324683Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: SYNTHES USA, LLCInventors: Marc Reichen, Thomas Kueenzi, Edwin Chan
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Publication number: 20100324599Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Albert Montello, Oleg Levin, William Strausbaugh, Thomas Kueenzi
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Publication number: 20100312346Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Thomas Kueenzi, Ryan Walsh, Tom Pepe, Markus Hunziker, David Koch
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Patent number: 7752846Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Ian William Boston, Stefan Gross, Jonas Hurter, Thomas Kueenzi
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Publication number: 20100145460Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20100145459Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20080230997Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2006Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Ian William Boston, Stefan Gross, Jonas Hurter, Thomas Kueenzi
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Patent number: 6694745Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventors: Marcel Stalder, Dieter Rebhan, Thomas Kueenzi, Hans Peter Knoepfel
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Publication number: 20020194851Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: Marcel Stalder, Dieter Rebhan, Thomas Kueenzi, Hans Peter Knoepfel
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Patent number: 6209310Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AGInventors: Thomas Küenzi, Gerhard Müller