Patents by Inventor Robert Frigg

Robert Frigg 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: 20170136223
    Abstract: A drug-impregnated sleeve for encasing a medical implant is provided. In one embodiment, the sleeve may include a body made of a biologically-compatible material that defines an internal cavity configured to receive the medical implant. In one embodiment, the biologically-compatible material is bioresorbable. The body may include a plurality of apertures, such as perforations or holes, extending from the cavity through the body. The sleeve may further include a first end, a second end, and a drug impregnated into the resorbable sheet. In one possible embodiment, the first end of the sleeve may be open for receiving the medical implant therethrough and the second end may be closed. The implant may be encased in the sleeve and implanted into a patient from which the drug is dispensed in vivo over time to tissue surrounding the implantation site. In one embodiment, the body is made from at least one sheet of a biologically-compatible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Fulmer, David A. Armbruster, Robert Frigg, Elliott A. Gruskin, Sean Hamilton Kerr
  • Patent number: 9642662
    Abstract: A bone fixation screw comprises a proximal head being configured to lockingly engage a bone plate hole and a substantially helical shaft extending distally from the head along a substantially helical path. The head and the shaft are rotatably coupled to each other so that the shaft can rotate about a central longitudinal axis thereof with respect to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Appenzeller, Robert Frigg, Tom Overes, Nicolas Bouduban
  • Patent number: 9636154
    Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg, Silas Zurschmiede, Andreas Appenzeller, Jamie Manos, Daniel Vennard, Edward J. McShane, III, Joshua McManus, Thomas Keyer, Eric McDivitt, Joseph Capozzoli, Lawton Laurence, Justin Coppes
  • Patent number: 9579260
    Abstract: A drug-impregnated sleeve for encasing a medical implant is provided. In one embodiment, the sleeve may include a body made of a biologically-compatible material that defines an internal cavity configured to receive the medical implant. In one embodiment, the biologically-compatible material is bioresorbable. The body may include a plurality of apertures, such as perforations or holes, extending from the cavity through the body. The sleeve may further include a first end, a second end, and a drug impregnated into the resorbable sheet. In one possible embodiment, the first end of the sleeve may be open for receiving the medical implant therethrough and the second end may be closed. The implant may be encased in the sleeve and implanted into a patient from which the drug is dispensed in vivo over time to tissue surrounding the implantation site. In one embodiment, the body is made from at least one sheet of a biologically-compatible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Fulmer, David A. Armbruster, Robert Frigg, Elliott A. Gruskin, Sean Hamilton Kerr
  • Publication number: 20160317204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Appenzeller, Robert Frigg, Beat Lechmann, Cyril Voisard, Silas Zurschmiede, Urs Hulliger
  • Patent number: 9480507
    Abstract: An anchor-in-anchor fixation system is provided for securing underlying structure, such as bone. The fixation system includes a first bone anchor having a shaft for fixation to underlying bone, and a head that defines an internal bore. A second bone anchor extends through the bore and into underlying bone. A fixation assembly is also provided that includes one or more fixation systems coupled to an auxiliary attachment member configured for long bone fixation, spinal fixation, or fixation of other bones as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg, Silas Zurschmiede, Andreas Appenzeller, Jamie Manos, Daniel Vennard, Edward J. McShane, III, Joshua McManus, Thomas Keyer, Eric McDivitt, Joseph Capozzoli, Lawton Laurence, Justin Coppes
  • Publication number: 20160310181
    Abstract: An osteosynthesis implant includes at least one coupling in the form of a swivel joint. Each swivel joint includes at least one planar or annular swivel element and two connecting arms that define a pivot axis. The coupling permits rotation about each pivot axis. The implant and coupling may be formed of unitary construction, or a separate coupling may be connectable to the implant. The coupling may receive a bone fastener such as a bone screw, or may be used in applications that require the coupling to directly support portions of the body such as spinal features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Robert FRIGG
  • Publication number: 20160302926
    Abstract: An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Adrian Baumgartner, Robert Frigg, Cyril Voisard, Reto Nardini, Dieter Schmidli, Christian Brunner, Stefan Saladin
  • Publication number: 20160278935
    Abstract: The present application relates to an expandable spinal implant comprising three or more elongated implant members. The implant members are rotatably coupled to a central base portion and comprise a first end with an axis of rotation and circumferentially arranged gear teeth. The gear teeth of at least one of said elongated implant members are interlocked into said gear teeth of the two other elongated implant members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: 41medical AG
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg
  • Publication number: 20160262904
    Abstract: An expandable implant includes an implant body defining an internal void, the implant body including a plurality of interconnected linkages. A first plurality of the linkages has an expansion characteristic that is different from a second plurality of the linkages. An expandable bladder is sized to be disposed in the internal void. The bladder defines a bore configured to receive an expansion material, such that the expansion material applies an expansion force against the bladder, which thereby applies the expansion force against the implant body so as to cause the first linkage to expand greater than the second linkage. The expandable implant can be placed in a fracture location so as to restore height to a fractured target bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Konrad Schaller, Beat Lechmann, Robert Frigg
  • Publication number: 20160262813
    Abstract: A bone plate (1) with a longitudinal axis (2), a bottom surface (10) facing a bone and a top surface (11) and comprising a) an oblong base plate (3) with a anchoring portion (21) extending towards a first end (26) of the base plate (3) and a coupling portion (23) extending towards a second end (27) of the base plate (3); b) a sliding plate (6) connected with said coupling portion (23) which is slideable parallel to said longitudinal axis (2); whereby c) at least one first plate hole (4) is located in said anchoring portion (21) and at least one second plate hole (13) is located in said sliding plate (6); d) said base plate (3) and/or said sliding plate (6) is provided with retaining means (5) limiting a motion of said sliding plate (6) relative to said base plate (3) perpendicular to said top surface (11) in such manner that the sliding quality between said sliding plate (6) and said base plate (3) is maintained; and e) said at least one second plate hole (13) of said sliding plate (6) is provided with rigid
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert FRIGG, Alfred NIEDERBERGER, Christoph FUERST
  • Publication number: 20160256288
    Abstract: The present application concerns a shoulder prosthesis assembly. The shoulder prosthesis assembly comprises a humeral stem including a first articulating coupling means, a base portion of a substantially disc shaped geometry including a second articulating coupling means. Said first articulating coupling means and said second articulating coupling means connect the stem to the base portion. The ratio between the circumference of the disc shaped base portion and the peripheral thickness of the disc shaped base portion is at least 18:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: 41medical AG
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg
  • Patent number: 9421058
    Abstract: A bone fixation system is provided. The bone fixation system may include a plate, one or more fasteners configured to attach the plate to a target anatomical location such as bone, and a surgical device that facilitates the attachment of the plate and the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Reto Nardini, Robert Frigg
  • Publication number: 20160235539
    Abstract: The present application relates to an artificial joint implant comprising a first element with a socket and a second element with a ball head. The socket is at least hemispherical and said ball head is inserted in said socket such as to form a ball-and-socket connection between said first element and said second element. Movement of said ball head in said socket is restricted in at least one degree of freedom by means of a at least one protrusion engaged in a at least one groove, wherein said at least one protrusion is provided on said socket and said at least one groove is provided on said ball head or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: 41medical AG
    Inventors: Tom Overes, Robert Frigg
  • Patent number: 9414875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic bone fixation elements and a surgical method to stabilize bone or bone fragments. The dynamic bone fixation elements preferably include a bone engaging component and a load carrier engaging component. The bone engaging component preferably includes a plurality of threads for engaging a patient's bone and a lumen. The load carrier engaging component preferably includes a head portion for engaging a load carrier (e.g., bone plate) and a shaft portion. The shaft portion preferably at least partially extends into the lumen. Preferably at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft portion is spaced away from at least a portion of an inner surface of the lumen via a gap so that the head portion can move with respect to the bone engaging component. The distal end of the shaft portion is preferably coupled to the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Appenzeller, Robert Frigg, Beat Lechmann, Cyril Voisard, Silas Zurschmiede, Urs Hulliger
  • Patent number: 9408719
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis or disk prosthesis comprising a front side, a rear side, an upper side which can be placed on the base plate of vertebral body, a lower side which can be placed on the base plate of a vertebral body, a right side, a left side, a cavity which can receive a fluid hydraulic osteocementum, an opening in the cavity and several outlets out from the cavity. The total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SV on the front side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SH on the rear side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SR on the right side and the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets on the left side satisfy the following conditions: SL>SR or SR>SL or SH>SV or SV>SH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Beat Lechmann, Robert Frigg, Roger Buerki
  • Patent number: 9402725
    Abstract: An implant system includes a fixation device that, in turn can include an expandable implant alone or in combination with an auxiliary implant. The expandable implant includes an expandable implant body that is made from an expandable material. The expandable material includes a polymer matrix and an expandable gas source contained within at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The implant system can further include an energy source configured to heat the polymer matrix to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, thereby causing the gas source to expand inside the polymer matrix. The fixation device can further include an insertion instrument configured to implant the fixation device into an anatomical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Baumgartner, Robert Frigg, Cyril Voisard, Reto Nardini, Dieter Schmidli, Christian Brunner, Stefan Saladin
  • Publication number: 20160157871
    Abstract: The present application relates to a coupling device for a handle (3) of a medical tool (1) or medical power-tool chuck (30). The coupling device comprises a coupling-body (2) including a bore (6), a working axis (X) extending along said bore (6) and a seat (4) arranged at a first end (8) of said bore for receiving a tool-insert (10) with a central axis (Y) at an angle in reference to the working axis (X). The coupling-body (2) further comprises a protrusion (7) arranged within said bore (6), said protrusion (7) being configured to engage a groove (13) of the tool-insert (10) upon alignment of the central axis (Y) with the working axis (X). The engagement of the protrusion (7) with said groove (13) locks the tool-insert (10) within said coupling body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: STARTECH ENGINEERING AG
    Inventors: Tom OVERES, Robert FRIGG
  • Publication number: 20160143682
    Abstract: The present application relates to a torque limiter (1) comprising a handle (2) with a mono- block cylindrical handle-body. The cylindrical handle-body includes a central through bore (3) having an axis (B) at a right angle to a longitudinal axis (A) of the cylindrical handle-body as well as a first pocket (4) and a second pocket (5). The first pocket (4) is arranged on a first side and the second pocket (5) is arranged on a second side of said cylindrical handle-body opposite of said first side. The first pocket (4) and the second pocket (5) are arranged along said longitudinal axis (A) and intersect each other in the area of said central through bore (3), each of said first pocket (4) and said second pocket (5) comprising at least one magnet (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b; 35). Further, the torque limiter (1) comprises a mono-block shaft (20) having a central shaft (21) removably arranged in said central through bore (3), said central shaft (21) having a drive (23) arranged at a first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: STARTECH ENGINEERING AG
    Inventors: Tom OVERES, Robert FRIGG
  • Patent number: 9326800
    Abstract: A device for cement augmentation of bone implants that includes a hollow cylinder having an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder includes an inner cavity, a front end configured and adapted for insertion into a bone, a rear end having a bore hole in communication with the inner cavity, and a shell having at least one perforation. The device also includes a bone implant insertable into the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is adapted and configured to receive unhardened bone cement through the bore hole into the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Frigg