Patents by Inventor Eric Kovach
Eric Kovach 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).
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Publication number: 20220346843Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 11364057Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20200146729Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 10568664Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 9585649Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 9517077Abstract: Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20160058481Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 9220547Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20150164516Abstract: Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 8992533Abstract: Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 8864767Abstract: A rod reducer instrument is configured to be secured to a fixation element and to force a rod into engagement with the fixation element. The rod reducer instrument can have a pliers to secure the rod reducer to the fixation element and a threaded shaft with a handle and a pusher member. The pliers can form a threaded channel that engages the threaded shaft and directs a movement of the shaft. The threaded shaft can translate a rotational movement at the handle into a linear movement at the pusher member and in this way force a rod into engagement with a fixation element.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach, Matt Lake
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Publication number: 20140257044Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: SPINAL ELEMENTS, INC.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 8740786Abstract: A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 8409091Abstract: A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20120149991Abstract: A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: SPINAL ELEMENTS, INC.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 8142355Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20110040301Abstract: Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: SPINAL ELEMENTS, INC.Inventors: Jason Blain, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20100249937Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: SPINAL ELEMENTS, INC.Inventors: Jason Blain, Bryan Hildebrand, Eric Kovach
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Publication number: 20100234848Abstract: Devices and methods for removing body tissue involving the use of a brush member having a plurality of bristle members defining a capacity for carrying body tissue. The brush member is capable of being manipulated within said body to thereby receive body tissue within said brush member such that said body tissue may be carried and thereafter removed from said body. Also provided are protective devices dimensioned to be positioned near an entrance into the target site, the protective devices for establishing a barrier between the brush member and at least a portion of the body tissue adjacent to the entrance. The protective devices may comprise one of a cannula assembly and a retractor assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Chester Sutterlin, Jason Blain, Matthew Curran, Troy Woolley, Eric Kovach
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Patent number: 7776049Abstract: An improved implant inserter and implant where the inserter includes a set of prongs for gripping the implant and the implant includes a plurality of recesses for mating with the set of prongs.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Curran, Eric Kovach, Dan Ahlgren, Bryan Hildebrand