Patents by Inventor Mark Vanderwalle

Mark Vanderwalle 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: 6471707
    Abstract: A fixation device, such as a bone screw, includes a bioresorbable proximal shaft portion and a non-bioresorbable distal threaded portion. In one aspect, the shaft portion is provided with a longitudinal throughbore which is aligned with a corresponding longitudinal bore in the proximal region of the threaded portion. A driver mechanism is employed to impart a rotary force so as to enable the device to be inserted into bone tissue. Afterwards, the driver mechanism is withdrawn from the respective bores. In another aspect, the non-bioresorbable distal portion is a substantially elongated solid member and includes a threaded distal region and a shaft-like proximal region. The comparatively smaller bioresorbable proximal region can mate with the distal portion either after or before the distal portion has been inserted into the bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Biomet
    Inventors: Stuart D. Miller, James S. Babcock, Tim Lessek, Mark Vanderwalle