Patents by Inventor Megan A. Stauffer

Megan A. Stauffer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240164913
    Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends outward in a direction away from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20240156613
    Abstract: An implant may include a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion. The leading edge portion may include a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface and the trailing edge portion may include a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool. The intermediate portion may include a plurality of elongate curved structural members continuously formed with at least one of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. In addition, the elongate curved structural members may be configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the implant between bone surfaces of a patient. Also, the elongate curved structural members may include an elongate curved structural member extending longitudinally from the leading edge portion to the trailing edge portion and having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Rami Hamzey, Robert Morris, William Duffield, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Mathew Gordon, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Patent number: 11938039
    Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20240091023
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include an anterior plate forming a first monolithic structure defining a first end of the implant, and including at least two screw holes each configured to receive a bone screw; and a plurality of coils extending from the anterior plate about a periphery of the implant. The screw holes may be angled such that, when the implant is inserted between two adjacent vertebrae, bone screws are guided into the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Morris, William Duffield, Edward McShane, Megan A. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11826261
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant may include an anterior plate forming a first monolithic structure defining a first end of the implant, and including at least two screw holes each configured to receive a bone screw; and a plurality of coils extending from the anterior plate about a periphery of the implant. The screw holes may be angled such that, when the implant is inserted between two adjacent vertebrae, bone screws are guided into the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Morris, William Duffield, Edward McShane, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11819419
    Abstract: An implant may include a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion. The leading edge portion may include a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface and the trailing edge portion may include a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool. The intermediate portion may include a plurality of elongate curved structural members continuously formed with at least one of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. In addition, the elongate curved structural members may be configured such that the intermediate portion remains substantially rigid under compressive forces during insertion of the implant between bone surfaces of a patient. Also, the elongate curved structural members may include an elongate curved structural member extending longitudinally from the leading edge portion to the trailing edge portion and having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rami Hamzey, Robert Morris, William Duffield, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Mathew Gordon, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20230149007
    Abstract: A retractor system used in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure includes a first retractor blade having a first proximal portion and a first distal end; a second retractor blade having a second proximal portion and a second distal end; and a connecting device that is configured to connect the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade. The first distal end of the first retractor blade is configured to engage a posterior portion of the vertebra and the second distal end of the second retractor blade is configured to engage an anterior portion of the vertebra. The length of the first retractor blade is less than approximately 96 percent of the length of the second retractor blade, and the first distal end of the first retractor blade extends at a non-zero angle from the first proximal portion of the first retractor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11553906
    Abstract: Retractor blades for a retractor system are disclosed. The blades are designed for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure. The retractor blades are configured with different lengths and with different blade tip geometries to facilitate engagement with vertebrae for the oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11406371
    Abstract: A retractor system for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The retractor system includes retractor blades that can be independently inserted and positioned within the body. The system also includes articulating arms that can be used to secure the retractor blades to one another and to rigidly fix the retractor blades in place relative to an operating table or other fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11389151
    Abstract: A system and method of positioning a spinal implant into an intervertebral space comprises the steps of: cutting an incision through the skin toward an intervertebral space between a L5 and S1 vertebra; inserting an uncoupled first, second and third retractor blade into the incision to pre-position the retractor blades prior to retraction; coupling the pre-positioned first retractor blade to a connector arm to connect the first retractor blade to a table arm; attaching a blade to blade connector and mini flex arm to couple the second blade to either the first blade or third blade; and wherein the three uncoupled blades, once pre-positioned and then coupled, the blades are retracted to open the incision and expose the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20220117751
    Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20220047398
    Abstract: An implant may include a first body member and a second body member, at least one bone contacting arched member, and a first external element extending from the first body member to the second body member, wherein the first external element has an undulating planar geometry in which the first external element undulates in a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph M. Nyahay, Edward J. McShane, III, Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Megan A. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11213405
    Abstract: An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The superior and inferior surfaces each include a ring and structural members arranged in a web-like pattern around the ring. Bone contacting members are arranged radially away from the ring and support members are arranged in a circumferential direction around the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20210361274
    Abstract: A retractor system for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The retractor system includes retractor blades that can be independently inserted and positioned within the body. The system also includes articulating arms that can be used to secure the retractor blades to one another and to rigidly fix the retractor blades in place relative to an operating table or other fixed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20210338220
    Abstract: Retractor blades for a retractor system are disclosed. The blades are designed for use in preparing an area of the body for a surgical procedure. The retractor blades are configured with different lengths and with different blade tip geometries to facilitate engagement with vertebrae for the oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11160668
    Abstract: An implant including a first body member and a second body member and a first bone contacting element extending from the first body member to the second body member. The first bone contacting element may have a spiral configuration forming a plurality of arched members including at least two arched members extending substantially parallel to and offset with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Nyahay, Edward J. McShane, III, Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Megan A. Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20210315563
    Abstract: A system and method of positioning a spinal implant into an intervertebral space comprises the steps of: cutting an incision through the skin toward an intervertebral space between a L5 and S1 vertebra; inserting an uncoupled first, second and third retractor blade into the incision to pre-position the retractor blades prior to retraction; coupling the pre-positioned first retractor blade to a connector arm to connect the first retractor blade to a table arm; attaching a blade to blade connector and mini flex arm to couple the second blade to either the first blade or third blade; and wherein the three uncoupled blades, once pre-positioned and then coupled, the blades are retracted to open the incision and expose the vertebral bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: John Williams, Seth Anderson, Megan Stauffer
  • Patent number: 10856999
    Abstract: An implant including a peripheral frame portion defining a periphery of the body; a first helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant; and a second helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant. The implant also includes a first support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting member into a central region of the implant; and a second support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting members. The first support member and the second support member are substantially U-shaped and are connected to one another at the bottoms of the two U-shapes in the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, LTD.
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
  • Publication number: 20200337855
    Abstract: An implant may include a peripheral structure, an opening for receiving part of an insertion device, and a plurality of bone contacting elements. A first lateral portion and an anterior portion are joined at a first corner portion of the peripheral structure and a second lateral portion and a posterior portion are joined at a second corner portion of the peripheral structure. Also, the opening is disposed in the first corner portion of the peripheral structure. Further, the opening has a central axis and the implant further includes at least three support beams including a first support beam extending along a second axis through a central portion of the implant from the anterior portion to the posterior portion of the peripheral structure. In addition, the second axis of the first support beam is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Megan A. Stauffer, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Joseph M. Nyahay, Sean S. Bishop
  • Publication number: 20200229940
    Abstract: An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The superior and inferior surfaces each include a ring and structural members arranged in a web-like pattern around the ring. Bone contacting members are arranged radially away from the ring and support members are arranged in a circumferential direction around the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay