Patents by Inventor Tom Walch

Tom Walch 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: 10661077
    Abstract: A method of making a therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body is disclosed. A conductor structure is coiled around a mandrel. A segment of the conductor structure is secured to the mandrel. After this, an outer tubular structure is positioned around the conductor structure. Portions of the conductor structure that are not secured are free to expand to an inside surface of the outer tubular structure. A lumen is formed by removing at least a portion of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: NUVECTRA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Martin T. Steele, Sr., John Swoyer
  • Patent number: 10047782
    Abstract: In various examples, a set screw apparatus includes a set screw including a set screw body. An abutment extends radially outwardly from the set screw body and longitudinally separated from a threaded set screw area of a first length by an unthreaded set screw area of a second length of the set screw body. A block includes a bore. A threaded block area includes a third length, wherein the abutment inhibits movement of the set screw past the threaded block area and removal of the set screw from the bore. The third length is shorter than the second length so that an entirety of the threaded block area can be disposed within the unthreaded set screw area, such that the set screw is freely rotatable within the bore, but retained within the bore, if turned in a first direction with respect to the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NUVECTRA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Andrew Richardson, Erik Jagger
  • Publication number: 20160331955
    Abstract: A method of making a therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body is disclosed. A conductor structure is coiled around a mandrel. A segment of the conductor structure is secured to the mandrel. After this, an outer tubular structure is positioned around the conductor structure. Portions of the conductor structure that are not secured are free to expand to an inside surface of the outer tubular structure. A lumen is formed by removing at least a portion of the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: SHAHN S. SAGE, Tom Walch, Martin T. Steele, John Swoyer
  • Patent number: 9427571
    Abstract: An implantable biomedical conductor assembly is configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. The implantable conductor assembly includes an inner tubular structure and an outer tubular structure generally surrounding the inner tubular structures such that a gap of less than about 0.030 inches exists there between. A dynamic coil is located in the gap. The dynamic coil includes a plurality of insulated conductors that are coiled generally at or below a yield point. The insulated conductors are permitted to expand within the gap to engage an inner surface of the outer tubular structure in an expanded coiled configuration. At least one mechanical restraint at each of a distal end and a proximal end retains the dynamic coil in the tubular structures. Free ends of the insulated conductors extend beyond the proximal and distal ends to facilitate attachment to electrodes and connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Martin T. Steele, Sr., John Swoyer
  • Patent number: 9320888
    Abstract: A stylet-lead assembly includes a therapy delivery element and a stylet. The therapy delivery element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen having a lumen length extending from the proximal end to almost the distal end. The stylet includes a stylet handle including a locking insert having a first channel adapted to receive a proximal end of a stylet wire. A portion of the stylet wire extending beyond a proximal end of the locking insert includes at least one bend. The stylet handle has an opening at a distal end adapted to compressively engage the proximal end of the stylet wire to the locking insert, such that an exposed portion of the stylet wire measured from a distal end of the stylet wire to a distal end of the locking insert generally comprises the lumen length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Elliot Bridgeman, Tom Walch, Lawrence Kane
  • Patent number: 9149607
    Abstract: A deflectable sheath for use in medical procedures in the vasculature is described. The sheath includes a handle supporting the sheath. Two pull wires run along opposite sides of the sheath to anchors at the deflectable distal end. The handle includes a rotatable member that moves a threaded slider block in a back and forth translational manner. As that translational movement occurs, force is applied to either one or the other of the pull wires to cause deflection of distal end of the sheath in either and upwardly or a downwardly direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant Scheibe, Mark Nelson, Nick Kampa, Aaron Opbroek, Tom Walch
  • Publication number: 20150275954
    Abstract: In various examples, a set screw apparatus includes a set screw including a set screw body. An abutment extends radially outwardly from the set screw body and longitudinally separated from a threaded set screw area of a first length by an unthreaded set screw area of a second length of the set screw body. A block includes a bore. A threaded block area includes a third length, wherein the abutment inhibits movement of the set screw past the threaded block area and removal of the set screw from the bore. The third length is shorter than the second length so that an entirety of the threaded block area can be disposed within the unthreaded set screw area, such that the set screw is freely rotatable within the bore, but retained within the bore, if turned in a first direction with respect to the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Andrew Richardson, Erik Jagger
  • Patent number: 9068587
    Abstract: In various examples, a set screw apparatus includes a set screw including a set screw body. An abutment extends radially outwardly from the set screw body and longitudinally separated from a threaded set screw area of a first length by an unthreaded set screw area of a second length of the set screw body. A block includes a bore. A threaded block area includes a third length, wherein the abutment inhibits movement of the set screw past the threaded block area and removal of the set screw from the bore. The third length is shorter than the second length so that an entirety of the threaded block area can be disposed within the unthreaded set screw area, such that the set screw is freely rotatable within the bore, but retained within the bore, if turned in a first direction with respect to the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbach Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Andrew Richardson, Erik Jagger
  • Publication number: 20150086292
    Abstract: In various examples, a set screw apparatus includes a set screw including a set screw body. An abutment extends radially outwardly from the set screw body and longitudinally separated from a threaded set screw area of a first length by an unthreaded set screw area of a second length of the set screw body. A block includes a bore. A threaded block area includes a third length, wherein the abutment inhibits movement of the set screw past the threaded block area and removal of the set screw from the bore. The third length is shorter than the second length so that an entirety of the threaded block area can be disposed within the unthreaded set screw area, such that the set screw is freely rotatable within the bore, but retained within the bore, if turned in a first direction with respect to the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahn S. Sage, Tom Walch, Andrew Richardson, Erik Jagger
  • Publication number: 20140200593
    Abstract: A stylet-lead assembly includes a therapy delivery element and a stylet. The therapy delivery element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen having a lumen length extending from the proximal end to almost the distal end. The stylet includes a stylet handle including a locking insert having a first channel adapted to receive a proximal end of a stylet wire. A portion of the stylet wire extending beyond a proximal end of the locking insert includes at least one bend. The stylet handle has an opening at a distal end adapted to compressively engage the proximal end of the stylet wire to the locking insert, such that an exposed portion of the stylet wire measured from a distal end of the stylet wire to a distal end of the locking insert generally comprises the lumen length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: ELLIOT BRIDGEMAN, TOM WALCH, LAWRENCE KANE
  • Patent number: 8721659
    Abstract: A stylet-lead assembly includes a therapy delivery element and a stylet. The therapy delivery element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen having a lumen length extending from the proximal end to almost the distal end. The stylet includes a stylet handle including a locking insert having a first channel adapted to receive a proximal end of a stylet wire. A portion of the stylet wire extending beyond a proximal end of the locking insert includes at least one bend. The stylet handle has an opening at a distal end adapted to compressively engage the proximal end of the stylet wire to the locking insert, such that an exposed portion of the stylet wire measured from a distal end of the stylet wire to a distal end of the locking insert generally comprises the lumen length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Elliot Bridgeman, Tom Walch, Lawrence Kane
  • Publication number: 20140005599
    Abstract: An implantable biomedical conductor assembly is configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. The implantable conductor assembly includes an inner tubular structure and an outer tubular structure generally surrounding the inner tubular structures such that a gap of less than about 0.030 inches exists there between. A dynamic coil is located in the gap. The dynamic coil includes a plurality of insulated conductors that are coiled generally at or below a yield point. The insulated conductors are permitted to expand within the gap to engage an inner surface of the outer tubular structure in an expanded coiled configuration. At least one mechanical restraint at each of a distal end and a proximal end retains the dynamic coil in the tubular structures. Free ends of the insulated conductors extend beyond the proximal and distal ends to facilitate attachment to electrodes and connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GREATBATCH LTD.
    Inventors: SHAHN S. SAGE, Tom Walch, Martin T. Steele, SR., John Swoyer
  • Publication number: 20120089125
    Abstract: A deflectable sheath for use in medical procedures in the vasculature is described. The sheath includes a handle supporting the sheath. Two pull wires run along opposite sides of the sheath to anchors at the deflectable distal end. The handle includes a rotatable member that moves a threaded slider block in a back and forth translational manner. As that translational movement occurs, force is applied to either one or the other of the pull wires to cause deflection of distal end of the sheath in either and upwardly or a downwardly direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant Scheibe, Mark Nelson, Nick Kampa, Aaron Opbroek, Tom Walch