Patents by Inventor James Douglas Lutz

James Douglas Lutz 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: 11406513
    Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20180318108
    Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Nadi Salah HIBRI, James Douglas LUTZ
  • Patent number: 10028839
    Abstract: An inter-vertebral disc prosthesis intended for percutaneous deployment comprises an expandable annular enclosure and an expandable nuclear enclosure. The expandable annular enclosure incorporates a reinforcing annular band along its periphery and is filled with in-situ curable rubber. The expandable nuclear enclosure is filled with a gas. The nuclear prosthesis further incorporates a novel, integrally molded sealing valve assembly and is stretchable and collapsible into a minimal profile for ease of insertion into a specially designed delivery cannula, and is inflation-assisted expandable into an inter-vertebral disc in which complete percutaneous nuclectomy has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Spinal Stabilization Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20170246005
    Abstract: An inter-vertebral disc prosthesis intended for percutaneous deployment comprises an expandable annular enclosure and an expandable nuclear enclosure. The expandable annular enclosure incorporates a reinforcing annular band along its periphery and is filled with in-situ curable rubber. The expandable nuclear enclosure is filled with a gas. The nuclear prosthesis further incorporates a novel, integrally molded sealing valve assembly and is stretchable and collapsible into a minimal profile for ease of insertion into a specially designed delivery cannula, and is inflation-assisted expandable into an inter-vertebral disc in which complete percutaneous nuclectomy has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Nadi Salah HIBRI, James Douglas LUTZ
  • Patent number: 9592130
    Abstract: An inter-vertebral disc prosthesis intended for percutaneous deployment comprises an expandable annular enclosure and an expandable nuclear enclosure. The expandable annular enclosure incorporates a reinforcing annular band along its periphery and is filled with in-situ curable rubber. The expandable nuclear enclosure is filled with a gas. The nuclear prosthesis further incorporates a novel, integrally molded sealing valve assembly and is stretchable and collapsible into a minimal profile for ease of insertion into a specially designed delivery cannula, and is inflation-assisted expandable into an inter-vertebral disc in which complete percutaneous nuclectomy has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Spinal Stabilization Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Patent number: 9545321
    Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Patent number: 9295479
    Abstract: An exemplary nucleus removal device may be used to remove a portion of nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disc. A nucleus removal device may include a cannula, an access tool, a maceration tool, and an evacuation tool. The access cannula is inserted into an intervertebral body laterally, creating a fissure in the annular fibrosis. The access tool 304 is slid through the access cannula and the fissure in annular fibrosis, such that a portion of access tool extends into the nucleus pulposus. The maceration tool is extended from the access tool into the nucleus pulposus, in a direction orthogonal to the axial extension of access tool, and macerates the nucleus pulposus. To assist in maceration, a stream of liquid may also be introduced into the vertebral body through the access tool before, during, or after maceration. Macerated material and liquid is removed from the intervertebral disc by the evacuation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20150057752
    Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140277169
    Abstract: An exemplary implantable device may be used to strengthen and stabilize a human vertebra. The device may include a cannula and support casing. In general, the device may include various interchangeable structures within cannula and support casing. After implantation, the device remains in the vertebral body of the vertebra in order to provide support and stability. Portions of the device remains firmly anchored in the pedicle, preventing the device from shifting. Portions of the device may be additionally secured external to the vertebra to provide additional stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140276832
    Abstract: An exemplary nucleus removal device may be used to remove a portion of nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disc. A nucleus removal device may include a cannula, an access tool, a maceration tool, and an evacuation tool. The access cannula is inserted into an intervertebral body laterally, creating a fissure in the annular fibrosis. The access tool 304 is slid through the access cannula and the fissure in annular fibrosis, such that a portion of access tool extends into the nucleus pulposus. The maceration tool is extended from the access tool into the nucleus pulposus, in a direction orthogonal to the axial extension of access tool, and macerates the nucleus pulposus. To assist in maceration, a stream of liquid may also be introduced into the vertebral body through the access tool before, during, or after maceration. Macerated material and liquid is removed from the intervertebral disc by the evacuation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140094914
    Abstract: An inter-vertebral disc prosthesis intended for percutaneous deployment comprises an expandable annular enclosure and an expandable nuclear enclosure. The expandable annular enclosure incorporates a reinforcing annular band along its periphery and is filled with in-situ curable rubber. The expandable nuclear enclosure is filled with a gas. The nuclear prosthesis further incorporates a novel, integrally molded sealing valve assembly and is stretchable and collapsible into a minimal profile for ease of insertion into a specially designed delivery cannula, and is inflation-assisted expandable into an inter-vertebral disc in which complete percutaneous nuclectomy has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Spinal Stabilization Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nadi Salah Hibri, James Douglas Lutz