Patents by Inventor John Elfstrom

John Elfstrom 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).

  • Method and apparatus for using formable polymers for orthopedic support
    Patent number: 6736848
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant is formed from a sheet of moldable material such as a polymer or a bioresorbable material using an instrument. The material is heated above its glass transition temperature so that it can be formed into the desired shape of the implant. Then the material is cooled below its glass transition temperature to harden the material such that it retains the implant shape. During surgery, a surgeon can form implants to fit unique orthopedic applications by using instruments having various internal and external mold forms between which the sheet of moldable material can be rolled, wound, pressed or drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley T. Estes, John Elfstrom
  • Method and apparatus for using formable polymers for orthopedic support
    Publication number: 20020180101
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant is formed from a sheet of moldable material such as a polymer or a bioresorbable material using an instrument. The material is heated above its glass transition temperature so that it can be formed into the desired shape of the implant. Then the material is cooled below its glass transition temperature to harden the material such that it retains the implant shape. During surgery, a surgeon can form implants to fit unique orthopedic applications by using instruments having various internal and external mold forms between which the sheet of moldable material can be rolled, wound, pressed or drawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Bradley T. Estes, John Elfstrom