Patents Examined by Jan Christopher Merene
  • Patent number: 10098666
    Abstract: A bone anchor coupler assembly is configured to couple a bone anchor to a spine stabilization member, and includes a coupler body and an angular adjustment member movably coupled to the coupler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann Amstutz, Didier Gonzalez, Michael Guetlin
  • Patent number: 10098624
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in assisting the performance of a procedure on an eye, the eye having a front and rear, a cornea, an iris defining a pupil, and a lens capsule behind the iris. The apparatus has a frame with a front and rear, a first portion and a second portion. The frame is reconfigurable between (i) a first collapsed state for being inserted through an incision in a cornea and (ii) a second operative state for being operatively connected to an iris. The frame first portion is configured to be generally residing within a plane in the second operative state. The second frame portion is configured to be operatively connected to an iris in the second operative state exerts a pressure upon the iris at at least a first location that is spaced from the plane to maintain the pupil in an enlarged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Nallakrishnan Family Trust
    Inventor: Ravi Nallakrishnan
  • Patent number: 10098759
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Weiman
  • Patent number: 10098671
    Abstract: The invention discloses an implantable facet arthroplasty device suitable for treating adjacent level disease. The device is designed for implantation between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. Components of the device include: a crossbar; a first component having a first attachment mechanism adapted to attach to a first location of a spinal fusion device attached to a first vertebra and a second attachment mechanism adapted to attach to the crossbar; and a second component having a second attachment mechanism adapted to attach to a second location of a spinal fusion device attached to the first vertebra and a second attachment mechanism adapted to attach to the crossbar. The first component articulates relative to the second component and the first vertebra articulates relative to the device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Teena M. Augostino
  • Patent number: 10092410
    Abstract: Tissue spacer implants, surgical distraction instruments, surgical insertion tools, coupling devices, surgical kits, surgical methods for distraction, and methods for coupling bodies are disclosed. The tissue spacer implants include a first end member, a second end member, and an intermediate spacer member having a coupling mechanism adapted to couple the first end member with the intermediate spacer member and to couple the second end member with the intermediate spacer member. The surgical instruments may be used for inserting these implants and include a first elongated member, a second elongated member, a distraction mechanism, and an actuator. The coupling devices may be used to couple the components of the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Medivest, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Farris
  • Patent number: 10085849
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Weiman, Hilliary Adams
  • Patent number: 10085807
    Abstract: Pedicle screws are designed to provide polyaxial coupling to pedicles of a vertebra. Intermediate pieces are attached to the pedicles screws and receive extender shafts. Extenders are inserted in the intermediate piece. The extenders project the anatomic points located in the cage outside the patient's body to facilitate proper contouring of a rod. An alignment linkage is used to ensure that the extenders are parallel to each other. The alignment linkage includes a linkage frame, an articulating linkage and a locking member. The articulating linkage has all rotational degrees of freedom and thereby adapts to any varying trajectories of the extenders and distance between the extenders. The alignment linkage includes a locking member with a pop-up indicator. The pop-up indicator notifies the users when the locking member is tightened with two of the extenders in non-parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua A. Butters, Jeffery Arnett
  • Patent number: 10080588
    Abstract: There is provided a spinal implant device for placement between adjacent spinous processes and a pair of opposing facet joints. The spinal implant device includes a fusion cage, first and second fixation plates and a connector for connecting the cage to the plates. The fusion cage includes a superficial face, a deep face, superior and inferior saddle portions, and opposing cage ends. Each cage end defining a facet fusion surface sized and configured to respectively contact the opposing facet joints. The first and second fixation plate are sized and configured to extend along and in contact with the adjacent spinous processes. A method of implanting the device is provided. In another embodiment the device includes the fusion cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Farzad Massoudi
  • Patent number: 10076358
    Abstract: An access device for surgical procedures is disclosed which includes a multiport end cap including a plurality of separate access ports for accommodating the introduction of individual surgical instruments into a body cavity or lumen of a patient, and a coupling for operatively connecting the multiport end cap to a tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Dominick Mastri, Ralph Stearns
  • Patent number: 10076421
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes a body portion, a carriage portion, a deployment assembly, and an expandable portion. The deployment assembly and the expandable portion are attached to the carriage portion, and portions of the carriage portion are moveable out of and into the body portion. When the expandable implant is inserted into a disc space, the expandable portion is expandable to push the upper vertebral body and the lower vertebral body away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Dewey
  • Patent number: 10076342
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Grace Wlodarski, Alex A. Peterson, Todd A. Krinke, Michael P. Brenzel, Steve D. Kruse, Troy Michael Siemers, Kyle Taylor
  • Patent number: 10070971
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a member including an end. A first image guide is connected with the member and is oriented relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of a position of the member. A second image guide is connected with the member and is oriented relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of a position of the end relative to the member. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley T. Palmatier, William D. Armstrong, Kelli C. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10058361
    Abstract: Rod delivery tools, methods for delivering a connecting rod of a pedicle screw system into seating slots of at least first and second long arm screw towers of a pedicle screw system, and a rod reduction tool and related methods for urging a distal leading end of a connecting rod and an opening of a long arm screw tower into alignment with one another, where the two are initially misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 10058240
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Alexander, Benjamin Y. Arcand, Justin H. Huelman, Chaouki A. Khamis, Micah D. Thorson, Thomas O. Viker
  • Patent number: 10052135
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses methods, devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. An implantable facet joint device of one embodiment comprises a cephalad facet joint element and a caudal facet joint element. The cephalad facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member. The caudal facet joint element includes a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebra at a fixation point and an artificial caudal bearing member adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the fixation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Berg, John Arthur Ohrt, Cin Abidin, Mark K. Kuiper, Michael J. Funk, Anthony v. Finazzo, Christopher Ralph, Richard J. Broman, Sean Suh
  • Patent number: 10045856
    Abstract: A method for reducing prosthetic loading failure including the steps of providing a prosthesis for a vertebral column comprising at least an upper part for attachment to an upper vertebrae and a lower part for attachment to a lower vertebrae, the upper part having a lower curved surface and the lower part having an upper curved surface, wherein the upper and lower curved surfaces have a center of radius of curvature offset rearwardly with respect to a central vertical axis through the upper and lower vertebrae, and positioning the centroid of at least one of the upper and lower parts substantially on the same vertical axis of the center of radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Nuvasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter McCombe
  • Patent number: 10045768
    Abstract: Devices, systems and surgical methods for achieving surgical access to a site within the body, particularly the spine. The system includes a modular retractor with a body and hood that are independently operable at their proximal ends to manipulate soft tissue at their distal ends, and may be adjustably and releasably coupled to form an open channel to a target tissue. On insertion, the hood is at least partially compressed against the retractor body. When coupled, the retractors are displaced from one another and constrained to one or more of at least three degrees of freedom, movable pivotally around a proximal end pivot axis that is perpendicular to the channel to adjust displacement of the retractors at their distal ends, displaceable vertically to adjust the distance between the retractors at their proximal ends, and slidable horizontally along the channel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Javier Garcia-Bengochea
  • Patent number: 10039606
    Abstract: A method and a device is provided for determining a rotational position of a first feature of a first bone section relative to a second feature of a second bone section, the method comprises the steps of determining a longitudinal axis of a bone and determining a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone, determining a first projected vector representing a first direction defined by a feature of the first bone section, determining a second projected vector representing a second direction defined by a feature of the second bone section, and determining an angle between the first projected vector and the second projected vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Arno Blau, Bernd Simon
  • Patent number: 10034692
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to orthopedic stabilization systems, and in particular, to systems including clamps. The clamps can be used in addition to or to replace hooks that grasp onto bone members, such as the lamina. One example of such a clamp is an in-line clamp that includes a central opening for receiving a rod member, a first opening for receiving a set screw and a second opening for receiving an elastic member therethrough. Another example of such a clamp is an off-set clamp that includes an upper plate, a bottom plate, and an opening for receiving a rod therein. The upper plate can be separated from the bottom plate to make space for an elastic member that can be secured within the plates. Tulip clamps that utilize one or more elastic members are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory Palmer, Basil Tharu, Aditya Muzumdar, Aditya Ingalhalikar, Alexis Opp
  • Patent number: 10022132
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Grace Wlodarski, Alex A. Peterson, Todd A. Krinke, Michael P. Brenzel, Kyle Taylor