Patents by Inventor Keith Duke
Keith Duke 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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Patent number: 10363141Abstract: An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core which is fixedly connected to first and second plates. The first and second plates engage upper and lower vertebra in the patient's spine. The inner side of at least one of the first and second plates has an array of recesses into which said resilient core extends. The array of recesses includes a plurality of recesses. Each of the recesses of the plurality of recesses has surfaces which are integrally formed as one piece with the plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: AXIOMED, LLCInventors: Kari Zimmers, Keith Duke, James Kuras, Rebecca Blice, J. Edward Barber, Tawny Brag
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Publication number: 20150248500Abstract: A documentation parser 20 identifies text in documentation (1) on computer processes and performs analysis (21-25) on the structure and content of the documentation to determine automatically how to invoke services. The system then compiles a process using the invoked services and runs tests (30) using the process to determine whether it functions as intended. This reduces the degree of human intervention (41) required to generate the complete program (50, 51).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventor: Alistair Keith Duke
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Patent number: 8956412Abstract: An artificial disc includes an intermediate section which is disposed between upper and lower retainers. The intermediate section includes a first portion which resists rotation of one of the retainers, for example, the upper retainer, from a first position to a second position. A second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc resists rotation of the upper retainer from the second position to a third position. The second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc is ineffective to provide significant resistance to relative rotation between the retainers during rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the first position to the second position. The artificial disc may be provided with projections which engage protrusions on the intermediate section to resist rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the second position to the third position.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Axiomed, LLCInventors: James M. Kuras, Raymond S. Ross, Keith Duke
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Publication number: 20140316524Abstract: An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core which is fixedly connected to first and second plates. The first and second plates engage upper and lower vertebra in the patient's spine. The inner side of at least one of the first and second plates has an array of recesses into which said resilient core extends. The array of recesses includes a plurality of recesses. Each of the recesses of the plurality of recesses has surfaces which are integrally formed as one piece with the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: AXIOMED SPINE CORP.Inventors: KARI ZIMMERS, KEITH DUKE, JAMES KURAS, REBECCA BLICE, J. EDWARD BARBER, TAWNY BRAG
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Patent number: 8449616Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Axiomed Spine CorporationInventors: Kari B. Zimmers, James E. Barber, Keith Duke, James M. Kuras, Rebecca Blice, Tawny Bragg, Edward Benzel, Isador Lieberman, E. Raymond Ross
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Publication number: 20130024453Abstract: The present invention provides an extended context map that can be used in the prioritisation of content which is displayed to a user. The extended context map contains a hierarchical arrangement of contexts, which are associated with a hierarchical arrangement of topics and sub-topics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventor: Alistair Keith Duke
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Publication number: 20120239149Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Kari B. Zimmers, James E. Barber, Keith Duke, James M. Kuras, Rebecca Blice, Tawny Bragg, Edward Benzel, Isador Lieberman, E. Raymod Ross
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Patent number: 7850697Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a spinal disc which has a rail extending from the outer surface to connect the apparatus to the first vertebra. The rail extends a first distance from the outer surface adjacent a first end. The rail extends a second distance from the outer surface adjacent a second end. The second distance is greater than the first distance. In another aspect of the apparatus, the first rail extends generally transverse to the first and second ends. The second rail extends generally transverse to the first rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Axiomed Spine CorporationInventors: Raymond S. Ross, Isador H. Lieberman, Edward C. Benzel, Lee Strnad, Keith Duke, James M. Kuras, Kari Zimmers, Charles F. Birchall, Jr.
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Patent number: 7695517Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an artificial disc. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. A first mounting member is connectable with the first vertebra and the artificial disc to position the artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: AxioMed Spine CorporationInventors: Edward C. Benzel, Isador H. Lieberman, Lee Strnad, James M. Kuras, Raymond S. Ross, Charles F. Birchall, Jr., Keith Duke, Kari Zimmers
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Patent number: 7588600Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged spinal disc between first and second vertebrae of a spinal column includes connecting a first mounting member with the first vertebra of the spinal column. An artificial disc is moved between the first and second vertebrae and into engagement with the first mounting member to guide the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining member has an outer surface engageable with the second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Axiomed Spine CorporationInventors: Edward C. Benzel, Isador H. Lieberman, Lee Strnad, James M. Kuras, Raymond S. Ross, Charles F. Birchall, Jr., Keith Duke, Kari Zimmers
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Publication number: 20080319548Abstract: An artificial disc includes an intermediate section which is disposed between upper and lower retainers. The intermediate section includes a first portion which resists rotation of one of the retainers, for example, the upper retainer, from a first position to a second position. A second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc resists rotation of the upper retainer from the second position to a third position. The second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc is ineffective to provide significant resistance to relative rotation between the retainers during rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the first position to the second position. The artificial disc may be provided with projections which engage protrusions on the intermediate section to resist rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the second position to the third position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: James M. Kuras, Raymond S. Ross, Keith Duke
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Patent number: 7128761Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface. A first retaining device is connected to the first surface of the resilient core. The first retaining device includes an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. A second retaining device is connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. The inner surface of the first retaining device is spaced from the core. The core deflects into engagement with the inner surface of the first retaining device upon relative movement between the first and second retaining devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: AxioMed Spine CorporationInventors: James M. Kuras, Lee Strnad, Keith Duke, Kari Zimmers, Edward C. Benzel, Isador H. Lieberman, Raymond S. Ross, Charles F. Birchall, Jr.
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Publication number: 20060149273Abstract: A method for replacing a spinal disc between first and second vertebrae of a spinal column includes determining a reference point on the spinal column. A marker is connected to a vertebra of the spinal column at the reference point. The marker is engaged with a guide assembly for guiding insertion of a surgical instrument between the first and second vertebrae to prepare the space between the first and second vertebrae for receiving an apparatus between the first and second vertebrae. The apparatus is inserted between the first and second vertebrae. The apparatus has a first end, a second opposite end, and first and second lateral sides extending between the first and second ends. An outer surface is engageable with the first vertebra of the spinal column. A rail extending from the outer surface is engageable with the first vertebra to connect the apparatus to the first vertebra. The rail extends a first distance from the outer surface adjacent the first end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: July 6, 2006Inventors: Raymond Ross, Isador Lieberman, Edward Benzel, Lee Strnad, Keith Duke, James Kuras, Kari Zimmers, Charles Birchall
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Publication number: 20050131543Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an artificial disc. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. A first mounting member is connectable with the first vertebra and the artificial disc to position the artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Edward Benzel, Isador Lieberman, Lee Strnad, James Kuras, Raymond Ross, Charles Birchall, Keith Duke, Kari Zimmers
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Publication number: 20050131544Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface. A first retaining device is connected to the first surface of the resilient core. The first retaining device includes an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. A second retaining device is connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. The inner surface of the first retaining device is spaced from the core. The core deflects into engagement with the inner surface of the first retaining device upon relative movement between the first and second retaining devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: James Kuras, Lee Strnad, Keith Duke, Kari Zimmers, Edward Benzel, Isador Lieberman, Raymond Ross, Charles Birchall
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Publication number: 20050131542Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged spinal disc between first and second vertebrae of a spinal column includes connecting a first mounting member with the first vertebra of the spinal column. An artificial disc is moved between the first and second vertebrae and into engagement with the first mounting member to guide the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining member has an outer surface engageable with the second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Edward Benzel, Isador Lieberman, Lee Strnad, James Kuras, Raymond Ross, Charles Birchall, Keith Duke, Karl Zimmers
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Patent number: 5148809Abstract: The system for detecting blood vessels and displaying an enhanced video image from video images obtained from an ultrasound scanner includes, in one embodiment, a target filter which limits the area in the video image to a predetermined size and an edge detector which senses gradients in pixel values in that target area. The edge detector marks transitional pixels at gradients exceeding a certain level. The system also includes a monitor for displaying the video image obtained from the ultrasound scanner. The marked transitional pixels are displayed in a contrasting color compared to the concurrently displayed input video image. In one embodiment, the target filter detects motion by comparing moving image block target areas separated in both time and space, counting moving image blocks and further limiting the target area to areas having the highest number of moving image blocks. Accordingly, smaller target areas are processed with the edge detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1990Date of Patent: September 22, 1992Assignee: Asgard Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Biegeleisen-Knight, Keith A. Duke