Patents by Inventor Thomas Sweeney

Thomas Sweeney 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: 20260151239
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes bone screws, spinal implant, drivers, and their assemblies thereof or surgical procedures of the spine including but not limited to anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2025
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Steven Lillig, Thomas Sweeney, Garrett Gleeson, Garrett Mikels, Logan McLennan
  • Publication number: 20260069329
    Abstract: A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, Chad Grant, Spencer Pettine, Ryan Donahoe
  • Publication number: 20260026943
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes: a first endplate, a second endplate, a first translating member moveably coupled to a first actuator, and a second translating member moveably coupled to a second actuator. The first translating member may be configured to move independently from the second translating member, and the first translating member and the second translating member may be configured to change a spatial relationship between the first endplate and the second endplate. The change in spatial relationship may change a resulting height, length, width, angle of lordosis, or other dimension of the expandable implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher Besaw, Thomas Sweeney, Scott Uyekawa, Garrett Mikels, Steven Lillig
  • Patent number: 12491081
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes bone screws, spinal implant, drivers, and their assemblies thereof for surgical procedures of the spine including but not limited to anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Lillig, Thomas Sweeney, Garrett Gleeson, Garrett Mikels, Logan McLennan
  • Patent number: 12471967
    Abstract: A surgical fixation system including a base plate, a plurality of anchors and a locking element. The base plate has at least a pair of fixation apertures configured to receive at least a portion of the anchors therethrough. The fixation apertures are located within the base plate such that upon proper placement of the base plate within a surgical target site, one of the fixation apertures is positioned over a first bone segment (e.g., a first vertebral body), and the other fixation aperture is positioned over a second bone segment (e.g., a second vertebral body).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, Chad Grant, Spencer Pettine, Ryan Donahoe
  • Patent number: 12427036
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes: a first endplate, a second endplate, a first translating member moveably coupled to a first actuator, and a second translating member moveably coupled to a second actuator. The first translating member may be configured to move independently from the second translating member, and the first translating member and the second translating member may be configured to change a spatial relationship between the first endplate and the second endplate. The change in spatial relationship may change a resulting height, length, width, angle of lordosis, or other dimension of the expandable implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Besaw, Thomas Sweeney, Scott Uyekawa, Garrett Mikels, Steven Lillig
  • Publication number: 20250160853
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are directed at a neuromonitoring bone drill bit. The assembly may include a surgical bone drill bit, a neuromonitoring connection in electrical communication with the drill bit, and a shield extending over a distal end of the drill bit. The shield may be configured to withdraw proximally as the drill bit is advanced into a subject's bone. The assembly may be connected to a surgical drill and used in a surgical spinal procedure. In operation, the assembly may be advanced to a subject's bone at a surgical site and the drill bit may rotate into the subject's bone. In response, the shield may engage the bone and the drill bit may be advanced with respect to the shield. The shield may electrically insulate tissue from electrical current passing through the drill bit as it is inserted at the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, John Love
  • Publication number: 20250064602
    Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Byron Riemhofer, Thomas Sweeney, James Lee, Scott Lish
  • Patent number: 12201307
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are directed at a neuromonitoring bone drill bit. The assembly may include a surgical bone drill bit, a neuromonitoring connection in electrical communication with the drill bit, and a shield extending over a distal end of the drill bit. The shield may be configured to withdraw proximally as the drill bit is advanced into a subject's bone. The assembly may be connected to a surgical drill and used in a surgical spinal procedure. In operation, the assembly may be advanced to a subject's bone at a surgical site and the drill bit may rotate into the subject's bone. In response, the shield may engage the bone and the drill bit may be advanced with respect to the shield. The shield may electrically insulate tissue from electrical current passing through the drill bit as it is inserted at the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Nuvasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, John Love
  • Patent number: 12138180
    Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Riemhofer, Thomas Sweeney, James Lee, Scott Lish
  • Publication number: 20240188967
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are directed at a neuromonitoring bone drill bit. The assembly may include a surgical bone drill bit, a neuromonitoring connection in electrical communication with the drill bit, and a shield extending over a distal end of the drill bit. The shield may be configured to withdraw proximally as the drill bit is advanced into a subject's bone. The assembly may be connected to a surgical drill and used in a surgical spinal procedure. In operation, the assembly may be advanced to a subject's bone at a surgical site and the drill bit may rotate into the subject's bone. In response, the shield may engage the bone and the drill bit may be advanced with respect to the shield. The shield may electrically insulate tissue from electrical current passing through the drill bit as it is inserted at the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, John Love
  • Patent number: 11931052
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are directed at a neuromonitoring bone drill bit. The assembly may include a surgical bone drill bit, a neuromonitoring connection in electrical communication with the drill bit, and a shield extending over a distal end of the drill bit. The shield may be configured to withdraw proximally as the drill bit is advanced into a subject's bone. The assembly may be connected to a surgical drill and used in a surgical spinal procedure. In operation, the assembly may be advanced to a subject's bone at a surgical site and the drill bit may rotate into the subject's bone. In response, the shield may engage the bone and the drill bit may be advanced with respect to the shield. The shield may electrically insulate tissue from electrical current passing through the drill bit as it is inserted at the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, John Love
  • Publication number: 20240058136
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes bone screws, spinal implant, drivers, and their assemblies thereof for surgical procedures of the spine including but not limited to anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Lillig, Thomas Sweeney, Garrett Gleeson, Garrett Mikels, Logan McLennan
  • Patent number: 11896501
    Abstract: This disclosure includes an expansion driver for adjusting expandable implants, the expansion driver including: a first driver having a first gear disposed at a first end thereof; and a second driver having a second gear disposed at a first end of the second driver; and a handle operably connected to the first driver and the second driver, the handle having at least one bevel gear rotatably attached thereto, the at least one bevel gear engaging each of the first gear and the second gear; wherein upon a rotation of the handle a torque is applied to at least one of the first driver or the second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Nuvasive Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20230112058
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are directed at a neuromonitoring bone drill bit. The assembly may include a surgical bone drill bit, a neuromonitoring connection in electrical communication with the drill bit, and a shield extending over a distal end of the drill bit. The shield may be configured to withdraw proximally as the drill bit is advanced into a subject's bone. The assembly may be connected to a surgical drill and used in a surgical spinal procedure. In operation, the assembly may be advanced to a subject's bone at a surgical site and the drill bit may rotate into the subject's bone. In response, the shield may engage the bone and the drill bit may be advanced with respect to the shield. The shield may electrically insulate tissue from electrical current passing through the drill bit as it is inserted at the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, John Love
  • Publication number: 20230051852
    Abstract: Medical devices and connector assemblies for connecting medical devices are disclosed. An example connector assembly for connecting a robotic arm with a medical end effector may include a plate configured to be coupled to a robotic arm. The plate may have a connection region that includes a flange defining a circumferential groove. The connector assembly may also include an attachment assembly having an attachment region configured to be detachably secured to the connection region with a securing distance of less than 12 millimeters. The attachment region may include one or more engagement members that are configured to shift between an unsecured position and a secured position where the engagement members are secured to the connection region. An actuator may be coupled to the attachment assembly for shifting the one or more engagement members between the unsecured position and the secured position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Todd Baxendale, Cara Coad, Thomas Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20230040659
    Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Byron Riemhofer, Thomas Sweeney, James Lee, Scott Lish
  • Patent number: 11564770
    Abstract: Systems, assemblies, devices, and methods for positioning surgical devices at surgical sites are disclosed. An adjustment assembly may include a first connector configured to connect to a surgical articulating arm and a second connector configured to connect to a tool, such as a surgical access tube. A joint assembly may be coupled to the first connector and an elongated assembly may be coupled to the joint assembly and the second connector. An actuator may be coupled to the joint assembly and may be adjusted to secure the elongated assembly in a desired position. One or more clips may be utilized with a surgical access tube to secure a surgical tool within a surgical access tube. The clip may have a single port or more than one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Serra, Thomas Sweeney, Jeremy Winston, Ellie Perry, Steven Lillig
  • Patent number: 11517451
    Abstract: Implants and instruments for providing an ideal trajectory for the insertion of instruments and screws during implantation of an interbody implant in a spinal surgery are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Riemhofer, Thomas Sweeney, James Lee, Scott Lish
  • Publication number: 20220313449
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes: a first endplate, a second endplate, a first translating member moveably coupled to a first actuator, and a second translating member moveably coupled to a second actuator. The first translating member may be configured to move independently from the second translating member, and the first translating member and the second translating member may be configured to change a spatial relationship between the first endplate and the second endplate. The change in spatial relationship may change a resulting height, length, width, angle of lordosis, or other dimension of the expandable implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Besaw, Thomas Sweeney, Scott Uyekawa, Garrett Mikels, Steven Lillig