Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Davison

Thomas W. Davison 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: 9901753
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, HISTOSONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 9526923
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: HISTOSONICS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20150290477
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Russell C. JAHNKE, James A. BERTOLINA, William W. ROBERTS, Charles A. CAIN, Dejan TEOFILOVIC, Thomas W. DAVISON
  • Patent number: 9101353
    Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 9061131
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: HISTOSONICS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 8968351
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 8777997
    Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20140012339
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Publication number: 20130310876
    Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20130303906
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 8540746
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Publication number: 20130066160
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 8317817
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 8277486
    Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 7985237
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Publication number: 20110054363
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 7892171
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Patent number: 7892249
    Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Davison, Timothy E. Taylor, Adam Sher
  • Publication number: 20110040190
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 7850695
    Abstract: A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Pagliuca, John D. Unger, Thomas W. Davison