Patents by Inventor Thomas O. Vikers

Thomas O. Vikers 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: 9888944
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
  • Publication number: 20170231637
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for placing a soft tissue anchor at anatomical tissue; these may be useful for general surgical procedures, veterinary procedures, plastic surgery, and for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas O. Viker, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9649114
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for placing a soft tissue anchor at anatomical tissue; these may be useful for general surgical procedures, veterinary procedures, plastic surgery, and for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas O. Viker, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20160256151
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: James A. ALEXANDER, Chaouki A. Khamis, Justin H. Huelman, William S. Tremulis, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 9351723
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Astora Women's Health, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Justin H. Huelman, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20160113751
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Chaouki A. Khamis, Daniel Taut, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20160022404
    Abstract: Described are implants, intermediate articles of manufacture (web constructions) useful for preparing implants, methods of forming the implants and intermediate articles, and related methods for treating pelvic conditions by use of the implants. The present invention relates generally to surgical implants (i.e., “implants”), intermediate articles of manufacture (web constructions) useful for preparing surgical implants, methods of forming the implants and intermediate articles, and related methods for treating pelvic conditions by use of the implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20160015382
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for connecting tissue (e.g., soft tissue, organ tissue) to another tissue or to a surgical device such as an implant; specific methods can be useful for plastic surgery, treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, and for general surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 9192458
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Chartie Khamis, Daniel Taut, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20150230827
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
  • Patent number: 9034018
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Zylber, Thomas Egli, Rosemary Thompson, Markus Froehlich, Giuseppe Cicerchia, Jack A. Dant, Thomas O. Viker, Kevin R. Ley
  • Publication number: 20140343579
    Abstract: An adjusting and cutting tool comprising a distal end engageable with an elongate portion of an implantable article to facilitate manipulation of the elongate portion relative to a support portion of the implantable article and to facilitate cutting of the elongate portion. Also included is method of treating vaginal prolapse, the method including the steps of providing a multi-piece implantable article having at least one extension portion piece and a support portion piece, placing the support portion piece in contact with vaginal tissue, placing at least one extension portion piece in contact with tissue of a component of sacral anatomy, adjusting a position of the at least one extension portion piece relative to the support portion piece using a adjusting and cutting tool, and cutting the at least one extension portion with the adjusting and cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: AMS Research corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Viker, James A. Alexander, Micah D. Thorson, Chaouki A. Khamis, Justin H. Huelman, William S. Tremulis
  • Patent number: 8641609
    Abstract: A method of thermally treating tissue during a surgical procedure where a surgical access device, including a body member having walls with at least one conduit therein, is inserted into the patient. A chilled fluid is circulated through the at least one conduit such that the tissue that is located proximate the body member is cooled. Alternatively, the body member may be constructed from a highly thermally conductive material such that heat energy is transmitted through the body from the tissue located proximate the body member and into a heat sink. The surgical device may include a first or second blade portions constructed from an inner and an outer shell having walls. Ribs located on the inner shell sealingly coupled to the inner wall of the outer shell to create the at least one conduit within the walls of the blade portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Robert G. Hudgins, John Dawson, Chris Hrabe, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20140031835
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for placing a soft tissue anchor at anatomical tissue; these may be useful for general surgical procedures, veterinary procedures, plastic surgery, and for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Viker, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20130225936
    Abstract: Described are surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, involving an expansion member. The invention relates to an expansion member that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, two longitudinal blades extending in the length direction, and a connector connecting the blades. The connector allows movement of the blades to increase or decrease a distance between the blades at the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20130211538
    Abstract: An expandable surgical site access system and method for using the expandable surgical site access system to perform minimally invasive, percutaneous surgeries to access the spine or other bone structures, organs, or locations of the body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical site access system includes an elongated, expandable stent that is particularly adapted to be deployed in a body during a surgical procedure to provide access to a surgical site within the body. The stent defines a working channel through the body from a point of entry to the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Zachary M. Hoffman, Robert G. Hudgins, John T. Maertens, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 8496667
    Abstract: A segmented intervertebral body fusion support includes a plurality of segments, the segments including an initial segment, a final segment and at least one intermediate segment. The intermediate segment has a generally trapezoidal configuration and the initial and final segments include tapered side walls providing triangular gaps between adjacent segments. A draw wire is fixed to the first segment and passes through the remaining segments. By pulling the draw wire relative to the segments, the segments are drawn together in a generally arcuate configuration. The draw wire includes an enlargement that passes through the final segment and engages a plurality of fingers on the final segment, which prevents the draw wire from retracting, maintaining the arcuate configuration. The segmented device can be inserted through a laparoscopic device into the intervertebral space and can be subsequently drawn into the arcuate configuration to establish the desired intervertebral spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20130190558
    Abstract: Described are surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, involving an expansion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 8372131
    Abstract: An expandable surgical site access system and method for using the expandable surgical site access system to perform minimally invasive, percutaneous surgeries to access the spine or other bone structures, organs, or locations of the body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical site access system includes an elongated, expandable stent that is particularly adapted to be deployed in a body during a surgical procedure to provide access to a surgical site within the body. The stent defines a working channel through the body from a point of entry to the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Zachary M. Hoffman, Robert G. Hudgins, John T. Maertens, Thomas O. Viker
  • Publication number: 20130006275
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Chaouki A. Khamis, Justin H. Huelman, William S. Tremulis, Thomas O. Viker