Patents Examined by Christine L Nelson
  • Patent number: 10653529
    Abstract: Surgical implant systems, methods, and components are described herein. More particularly, the disclosure relates to joint arthroplasty systems, methods, and components. Particular embodiments described herein can be used to modify the subtalar joint (e.g., posterior facet of the subtalar joint), calcaneocuboid, talonavicular, and any other suitable joint. An exemplary implant system comprises a first implant component, a second implant component, and an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FOOT INNOVATIONS, LLC.
    Inventors: Roy W. Sanders, Sergio Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 10653540
    Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a highly conformable stent graft with an optional portal for a side branch device. Said stent graft comprises a graft being supported by a stent, wherein said stent comprises undulations each which comprise apices in opposing first and second directions and a tape member attached to said stent and to said graft such that the tape member edge is aligned to the edge of the apices in the first direction of the each of the undulations, thus confining the apices in the first direction of the undulations to the graft and wherein the apices in the second direction of the undulation are not confined relative to the graft; wherein said graft forms unidirectional pleats where longitudinally compressed and wherein said apices in the first direction of said undulation is positioned under an adjacent pleat when compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Logan R. Hagaman, Cody L. Hartman, Russell L. Jacoby, Roark N. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10595988
    Abstract: Disclosed is an intrastromal insert, already preformed, of solid, transparent, impermeable, biocompatible, physiologically inert and chemically resistant material, with notches allowing the passage of metabolites, substances, cells or portions thereof, and drugs, configured to receive printing, which is adapted in the space of the corneal stroma to change the eye color and/or to solve the problem of insufficient pigmentation of the iris. The method and the related component to change, permanently and reversibly, the eye color for aesthetic purposes are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: OPHTA INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Francesco Maria Guerreschi
  • Patent number: 10537424
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end and a distal end, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to at least one of the stent and a cuff. The heart valve further includes a conformable band disposed about the perimeter of the stent near the proximal end for filling gaps between the collapsible prosthetic heart valve and a native valve annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventor: John Oslund
  • Patent number: 10534113
    Abstract: A lens for correcting human vision, for example an IOL, contact lens or corneal inlay or onlay, that carries and interior phase or layer comprising a pattern of individual transparent adaptive displacement structures. In the exemplary embodiments, the displacement structures are actuated by shape change polymer that adjusts a shape or other parameter in response to applied energy that in turn displaces a fluid media within the lens that actuates a flexible lens surface. The adaptive optic means of the invention can be used to create highly localized surface corrections in the lens to correct higher order aberrations—which types of surfaces cannot be fabricated into and IOL and then implanted. The system of displacement structures also can provide spherical corrections in the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PowerVision, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 10517732
    Abstract: A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Greg Sandoval, Alfonso Chavez, Dennis Potts, John Dunagan Pearson
  • Patent number: 10517742
    Abstract: A method of performing joint arthroplasty includes preparing a flat surface on a long bone, providing an instrument having a body and a punch extending from the body, the punch including a portion thereof having a shape similar to a stem of an implant, positioning a stop on the flat surface, rotating the stop with respect to the surface of the long bone based upon an indicia on one of the body and the stop so as to position the punch rotationally with respect to the surface to a desired orientation when the instrument is at least partially inserted into the stop, using the instrument to form a cavity in the long bone with the punch at the desired rotational orientation with the instrument inserted at least partially within the stop, the cavity having a shape similar to the stem of the implant, and implanting the stem into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack F. Long, Joseph P. Iannotti, Gerald R. Williams
  • Patent number: 10420568
    Abstract: A tool and method for locating a proper position for a portal incision for hip arthroplasty, the tool being a tubular body having a first portion defining a first axis, a second portion defining a second axis non-parallel to the first axis, the second portion having a directional tool and a lead coaxially aligned, wherein when the tubular body is placed adjacent to an acetabulum with the directional tool aimed at the acetabulum and perpendicular to a plane of the face of the acetabulum, the lead points to location on the skin that would be the proper location for the portal incision. The lead may have a blunt tip, a cutting instrument, or an opening through which a flexible tool can be inserted to forge a path towards the proper location for the portal incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Brad L. Penenberg
  • Patent number: 10390845
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for a shoulder joint includes a patient-specific alignment guide. The alignment guide includes a cap having a three-dimensional engagement surface customized in a pre-operative plan by computer imaging to be complementary and closely mate and conform to a humeral head of a proximal humerus of a patient. The alignment guide includes a tubular element extending from the cap and defining a longitudinal guiding bore for guiding an alignment pin at a patient-specific position and orientation determined in the pre-operative plan, and an orientation feature on the cap. The orientation feature is designed to orient the cap relative to the humeral head when the orientation feature is aligned with a landmark of the proximal humerus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Vanasse, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10322008
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine is provided. The upper surface and the lower surface of the implant each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area, and the upper and lower surfaces define a through-hole having an inner surface extending through the spacer body. A first and second sidewalls extend from a front end and a back end, wherein the first and second sidewalls are configured with engagement portions positioned in close proximity to the front end and the back end. The front end and the back end are configured with a threaded hole for receiving an instrument for inserting the intervertebral implant into the intervertebral disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Jody L. Seifert
  • Patent number: 10321986
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves and systems and methods of making prosthetic valves. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve comprises and leaflet frame, and outer frame and a film. The leaflet frame has a generally tubular shape defining a plurality of leaflet windows. The outer frame has a generally tubular shape. The leaflet frame is coaxially disposed at least partially within the outer frame. The leaflet frame and outer frame is coupled at least in part by a contiguous portion of the film. At least a portion of the contiguous portion of the film is contained between and coupling the leaflet frame and outer frame operable to prevent relative movement and contact therebetween. The film defines a leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Bruchman, Daniel A. Crawford, Logan R. Hagaman, Cody L. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10278711
    Abstract: A medical device for preparing an elongated bone, such as a proximal femoral bone, for receiving an implant includes a patient-specific femoral guide and an elongated alignment element. The femoral guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional bone-engaging surface configured according to a preoperative plan based on a three-dimensional image model of the femoral bone to mate complementarily with the surface of the proximal femoral bone extending between the greater trochanter, the femoral neck and the femoral shaft of the proximal femur. The femoral guide includes a first guide end forming a planar guide configured for guiding a neck resection. The alignment member can be removably attached to the femoral guide and defines a reference axis for guiding a cutting tool into the femoral bone through a resected surface of the femoral neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Meridew, Tony Siebeneck, Robert Metzger
  • Patent number: 10251742
    Abstract: An artificial blood vessel is composed of a cylindrical multiple-woven fabric structure allowing only a small amount of blood leakage and can achieve both antithrombogenicity and cellular affinity. The artificial blood vessel includes a cylindrical fabric structure in which a cylindrical fabric whose inside contacts blood is arranged, wherein the cylindrical fabric is a fabric prepared by interlacing a plurality of warp yarns and a plurality of weft yarns with each other into a cylindrical shape; the warp yarns and the weft yarns constituting the cylindrical fabric include a multifilament yarn having a single yarn fineness of not more than 0.50 dtex, and are bound to an antithrombogenic material; the antithrombogenic material forms an antithrombogenic material layer having a thickness of 1 to 600 nm inside the cylindrical fabric; and the water permeability under conditions where a pressure of 16 kPa is applied to the inner surface is less than 300 mL/cm2/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Fujita, Koji Kadowaki, Yuka Sakaguchi, Kazuhiro Tanahashi, Hiroshi Tsuchikura, Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10238484
    Abstract: An adjustable construct for fixation of a tendon or ligament graft in a tunnel. The construct comprises a flexible, adjustable loop connected to tissue (for example, graft, ligament or tendon). The adjustable loop may be integrated with an additional tissue supporting device (for example, a wedge or a plug). The tissue is secured within a bone socket/tunnel by adjusting the length of the flexible adjustable loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Albertorio, Eric S. Zajac, Jacob A. Jolly
  • Patent number: 8029507
    Abstract: An orthopedic device and method for correcting angular deformation of a bone structure having a growth plate. The device includes first and second hinge members connected together at a hinge joint. The device is adapted for mounting the orthopedic device to the bone structure with the pivot joint positioned over the growth plate. Alignment of the pivot joint with the growth plate promotes asymmetric growth of the growth plate to thereby correct the angular deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Pega Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Green, Joseph L. Molino
  • Patent number: 7988695
    Abstract: An articulated delivery instrument for the proper positioning and placements of inserts, for example, an insert such as a lumbar interbody fusion device (“LIF”). The instrument may comprise a body and a first member slidingly coupled to the body. A rotating member for releasably retaining an insert may be pivotally coupled to a distal end of the body and the first member. A first actuator may function to translate the first member relative to the body. Translation of the first member relative to the body may rotate the rotating member relative to the instrument. A second actuator may function to transition the rotating member between release and retention of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Theken Spine, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Dye
  • Patent number: 7976549
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided to place an insert in a space between boney structures. The insert may be rotatably coupled to the delivery instrument. The delivery instrument may comprise a body and an articulating member. The articulating member may slidably interact with the insert to rotate the insert about a pivot point. A first actuator is operatively coupled to the articulating member such that actuating the first actuator translates the articulating member relative to the body. An engagement member may be coupled to the body and adapted to releasably and rotatably secure the insert to the delivery instrument. The articulating member and the engagement member may be offset from each other in such a manner that when the articulating member engages the insert, the insert rotates relative to the delivery instrument. Alternatively, the insert may be coupled to the delivery instrument via rotatable attachment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Theken Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Dye, Noelle Dye, Dennis Colleran
  • Patent number: 7951169
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for stabilizing the posterior elements of the spine, and more preferably methods and devices are provided for sharing the load with the intervertebral disc, the facet joints, the ligaments, and the muscles of the spinal column. In certain exemplary embodiments, methods and devices are provided for substantially controlling or providing resistance to movement, e.g., flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation, of the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Labrom, Amie Borgstrom, William Dunbar, SeungKyu Daniel Kwak, John Riley Hawkins, Missoum Moumene, Ian Burgess, Lutz Biedermann, Wilfried Matthis
  • Patent number: 7951163
    Abstract: A method for excising a portion of an articular surface using a retrograde procedure. An access tunnel is provided extending through a bone and to the articular surface. A central shaft is inserted through the access tunnel to the articular surface and a cutter is coupled to the central shaft. The cutter is coupled to the central shaft to allow the cutter to rotate with the central and to allow the cutter to be tiltable relative to the central shaft. The cutter is rotated and a retrograde force is applied to the cutter to urge the cutter into the articular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Arthrosurface, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 7931674
    Abstract: Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the distraction guide can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Kyphon SARL
    Inventors: James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Charles J. Winslow, John J. Flynn, Steve Mitchell, Scott A. Yerby, John A. Markwart