Patents by Inventor Douglas L. Hester

Douglas L. Hester 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).

  • Publication number: 20220346926
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more structured tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. The present disclosure includes structured tissue augmentation blocks for tendon repair that have a flexible or semi-flexible skeleton integrated into the block. The skeleton can be bioabsorbable and can create both in-plane and out-of-plane curvature in the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Mehmet Ziya Sengun, Douglas L. Hester, Tamim Diab
  • Patent number: 8282675
    Abstract: Methods and devices for locking a fastener in a thru-bore are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal anchor is provided that includes a bone engaging fastener, an anti-backout mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The anti-backout mechanism can be movable between a retracted position in which it is disposed within the fastener and a deployed position in which is extends from the bone engaging fastener. The locking mechanism can be matable to the bone engaging fastener and can be configured to move the anti-backout mechanism from the retracted position to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the anti-backout mechanism can prevent the bone engaging fastener from backing out of a thru-bore in a spinal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Maguire, Douglas L. Hester
  • Patent number: 7867279
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first plate including a socket and a second plate comprising a recess. A core is sandwiched between the socket and the recess. The core includes a domed surface and a plug portion. The first plate is configured to rotate upon the domed surface of the core. The second plate is substantially fixed to the core, with the plug portion engaging the recess. The core may be press-fit into the second plate during assembly of the intervertebral disc prosthesis. The first plate and second plate both include tabs that define notches, wherein the notches are configured to engage prongs of a disc insertion tool. Teeth provided on the first plate and the second plate assist in fixing the first plate and the second plate to the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Hester, Paul S. Maguire, Alexander D. Grinberg
  • Publication number: 20090192553
    Abstract: Methods and devices for locking a fastener in a thru-bore are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal anchor is provided that includes a bone engaging fastener, an anti-backout mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The anti-backout mechanism can be movable between a retracted position in which it is disposed within the fastener and a deployed position in which is extends from the bone engaging fastener. The locking mechanism can be matable to the bone engaging fastener and can be configured to move the anti-backout mechanism from the retracted position to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the anti-backout mechanism can prevent the bone engaging fastener from backing out of a thru-bore in a spinal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: DePuy Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Maguire, Douglas L. Hester