Patents by Inventor Robert L. Doubler

Robert L. Doubler 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: 7658582
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linear fastening system capable of rapid engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a cooperating collet member and a compression ring member which are constructed and arranged to slip easily over a shank member. The fastener system is secured by linearly traversing a compression member in an overlapping fashion over the collet member thereby utilizing ribbed surfaces to compress the collet member to grip the outer surface of the shank member. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20090306720
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20090138089
    Abstract: The present invention describes an expandable vertebral implant and the method of use. The longitudinally expandable vertebral implant includes telescoping sections adapted for incremental expansion and ease of securement at any desired increment in situ, and constructed and arranged to engage opposing vertebrae. The corpectomy device is a distractible vertebral body replacement for the thoracic and lumbar spine. The device is cylindrical shaped having an inner and outer sleeve made adjustable by use of locking pads formed integral with the outer sleeve for use in engaging parallel circumferential locking grooves formed along the outer side surface of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, SR.
  • Publication number: 20080288071
    Abstract: The present invention describes an expandable vertebral implant and the method of use. The longitudinally expandable vertebral implant includes telescoping sections adapted for incremental expansion and ease of securement at any desired increment in situ, and constructed and arranged to engage opposing vertebrae, while simultaneously permitting easy insertion and removal of a similarly expandible top member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Ashok Biyani, Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, SR.
  • Publication number: 20080287998
    Abstract: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate driving tool. The system includes a stabilizing rod, a saddle member, a cap member and a set screw with at least one bone screw having a outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of a cavity formed in the saddle, wherein placement of the bone screw is made possible by matching the threads of the set screw to the threads of the bone screw. The head of the bone screw providing proper positioning of the stabilization rod within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7438715
    Abstract: A bone plate kit for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone includes several bone plates of different sizes and several bone fasteners of the same or different sizes. The fasteners may have the same configuration or several different configurations. The fasteners may be coated with bone growth material. The plates have a span for extending across a discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080140211
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a modular shoulder prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The proximal portion of the rod includes a self-holding taper which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the body element. The mating tapered surfaces of the rod and the body bore form a rotationally movable connection. Whereby the body of the prosthesis may be rotationally positioned after insertion of the rod. A neck element having a shaped protrusion is telescoped into a cavity in the other end of the body bore to prevent rotational movement therebetween. A threaded fastener provides a drawing force to lock all of the components together into a fixed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080140210
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a modular shoulder prosthesis. The prosthesis includes an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone. The proximal portion of the rod includes a self-holding taper which is telescoped into one end of a bore in the body element. The mating tapered surfaces of the rod and the body bore form a rotationally movable connection. Whereby the body of the prosthesis may be rotationally positioned after insertion of the rod. A neck element having a shaped protrusion is telescoped into a cavity in the other end of the body bore to prevent rotational movement therebetween. A threaded fastener provides a drawing force to lock all of the components together into a fixed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John Hammill
  • Publication number: 20080125787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic rod assembly for intervertebral stabilization that allows for load sharing across vertebrae by providing predetermined compression, distraction and bending. The dynamic rod is based on a first and second rod having a flexible union. The flexible union includes a retaining element for securing the rods in position and a bearing element interposed between a first and second bearing seat permitting the compression, distraction and bending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7334961
    Abstract: A linear locking set screw system capable of rapid linear engagement and disengagement includes a threaded outwardly expandable set screw and an expander member which are constructed and arranged to thread easily into a threaded aperture while in a first release position and can thereafter be securely locked in place and/or provide a secondary clamping force in a second engaged position. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7335201
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a linear engaging fastener cooperates with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7322984
    Abstract: A bone plate for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae or ends of a bone has a span for extending across the discontinuity. The span has brackets for attaching to the bone. The brackets have countersunk apertures terminating through which bone screws are placed in the bone. An eccentric cam bore is located between the countersunk apertures and, upon rotation of an eccentric cam, wedge grip shoes are slid into the countersunk apertures and frictionally engage the spherical heads of the bone screws. To prevent back-out of the bone screws, the eccentric cam is locked into the wedge grip shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Spinal, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7118303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linear locking set screw system capable of rapid linear engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a threaded outwardly expandable set screw and an expander member which are constructed and arranged to thread easily into a threaded aperture while in a first release position and can thereafter be securely locked in place and/or provide a secondary clamping force in a second engaged position. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7115144
    Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Joint Synergy, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Diaz, Robert L. Doubler
  • Patent number: 7105029
    Abstract: A modular bone implant is connected together using linear compression rather than torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7090674
    Abstract: A low profile orthopedic device is used to fix and stabilize bones to correct anomalies in skeletal structure occurring naturally or by trauma. Bone screws are screwed into bones by application of torque. Clamps are movably attached to the screws. Each clamp includes a compression ring. A connecting rod connects several screws through slots in the clamps. The clamps are tightened to hold the rod and the heads in a pre-selected position by linear movement of the compression rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Spinal, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7083651
    Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. A spring mechanism is centrally located on one of the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Joint Synergy, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Diaz, Robert L. Doubler
  • Patent number: 7033399
    Abstract: A hip prosthesis has a neck, a trochanter, a link, and an intramedullary rod. The intramedullary rod and the link are formed as a sub-assembly connected together endwise by a universal joint formed as a tubular extension. The link is telescoped into the trochanter and the neck, successively. A bolt is threaded into a threaded bore in one end of the link and draws the intramedullary rod and link into the trochanter resulting in an immovable press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 6887242
    Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Ortho Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill
  • Patent number: 6692530
    Abstract: A modular prosthesis has an intramedullary rod element which is to be inserted in a bone, an artificial trochanter and a neck for carrying the ball. The intramedullary rod has a proximal end and a distal end telescoped together allowing free relative rotation of the ends. A split sleeve is fitted between the telescoped portions of the rod to form a rigid connection when the ends are separated longitudinally. A jack screw within the intramedullary rod separates the proximal end from the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hammill Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert L. Doubler, John E. Hammill, Sr.