Patents by Inventor Charles Forton

Charles Forton 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: 7491218
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Abbott Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Landry, Erik Wagner, Robert Jones, Charles Forton, Larry Khoo
  • Publication number: 20090005813
    Abstract: A polyaxial screw device and system for spinal fixation and dynamic stabilization. Embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize hinged connections, cam-style mechanisms, and planar connectors to enable surgeons to attach to an implanted bone fastener or connect to an elongated member from a lateral approach for improved accessibility, with a low-profile configuration for improved patient comfort. Embodiments may be implantable using MIS procedures and techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: ANGELA CRALL, Charles Forton, Rodney Young
  • Publication number: 20080077139
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Charles Forton, Brian Bergeron, Bruce Riceman, Peter Miller, Kameron Ely
  • Publication number: 20080045957
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Erik Wagner, Charles Forton, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20080039838
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Erik Wagner, Charles Forton, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20070219554
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patients. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Erik Wagner, Charles Forton, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20070083201
    Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in fusion situations. The spinal implant includes a pair of longitudinal rods and a transverse rod. A pair of variable cross-link devices couple the transverse rod, respectively, to the first and second longitudinal rods. Each variable cross-link device includes a body, having a curved member, a plug, and a rod engaging member. Fastening the plug into the body of the respective variable cross-link device causes application of force that couples the plug and the rod engaging member to the respective longitudinal rod. Fastening the plug also causes application of force that couples the rod engaging member to the transverse rod. Furthermore, fastening the plug causes application of force that couples the respective longitudinal rod to couple to the variable cross-link device. The surgical procedure may use minimally invasive surgery or non-minimally invasive surgery, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Charles Forton
  • Publication number: 20060142761
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Erik Wagner, Charles Forton, Robert Jones
  • Publication number: 20060122597
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Charles Forton
  • Publication number: 20060095035
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. A reducer may be used to achieve reduction of one or more vertebral bodies coupled to a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Charles Forton
  • Publication number: 20060084993
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Landry, Larry Khoo, Erik Wagner, Charles Forton, Robert Jones