Patents by Inventor Tom J. Francis
Tom J. Francis 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: 10251652Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a cutting block and methods for guiding the cutting of a tibia and a femur in preparation for one or more knee arthroplasty implants. Some embodiments include configurations and methods that enable a common cutting block positioned medially, laterally, or centrally relative to a tibia, and to be positioned relative to a femur on either of a patient's left leg or right leg.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Sachin P. Budhabhatti, Ravi Bagathur Ramasamy, Tom J. Francis
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Patent number: 10195055Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments and methods for preparing a femur to receive a femoral component of a knee arthroplasty system, with some embodiments configured to enable anterior referencing techniques, posterior referencing techniques, and to facilitate intraoperative switching between anterior and posterior referencing techniques. Other embodiments of the invention include cutting blocks and methods for preparing a femur to receive a knee arthroplasty system femoral component, with some embodiments including cutting blocks that can be used in both an anterior referencing technique and a posterior referencing technique, thereby reducing the number of cutting blocks required to provide an instrument set capable of implanting all available sizes of femoral components with both anterior and posterior referencing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Sachin P. Budhabhatti, Ravi Bagathur Ramasamy, Tom J. Francis, Christopher Cyko
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Patent number: 9640093Abstract: A new and innovative way to display images at a gravesite. This by using the monument mounted flower vase or vase mounting as the placement point for the display. The display can be introduced to an existing vase or mounting through the use of an adapter. A mounting point could also be incorporated into the vase or mounting at the time of manufacture, this to support the image display.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Inventors: Howard Severson, Jr., Tom J. Francis
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Publication number: 20170014139Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a cutting block and methods for guiding the cutting of a tibia and a femur in preparation for one or more knee arthroplasty implants. Sonic embodiments include configurations and methods that enable a common cutting block positioned medially, laterally, or centrally relative to a tibia, and to be positioned relative to a femur on either of a patient's left leg or right leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Sachin P. Budhabhatti, Ravi Bagathur Ramasamy, Tom J. Francis
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Publication number: 20160361178Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments and methods for preparing a femur to receive a femoral component of a knee arthroplasty system, with some embodiments configured to enable anterior referencing techniques, posterior referencing techniques, and to facilitate intraoperative switching between anterior and posterior referencing techniques. Other embodiments of the invention include cutting blocks and methods for preparing a femur to receive a knee arthroplasty system femoral component, with some embodiments including cutting blocks that can be used in both an anterior referencing technique and a posterior referencing technique, thereby reducing the number of cutting blocks required to provide an instrument set capable of implanting all available sizes of femoral components with both anterior and posterior referencing techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Sachin P. Budhabhatti, Ravi Bagathur Ramasamy, Tom J. Francis, Christopher Cyko
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Patent number: 8523874Abstract: Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Todd C. Bonvallet, Eric C. Lange, Tom J. Francis, Steven D. DeRidder
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Patent number: 8518113Abstract: In one aspect, an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation within a disc space between adjacent first and second vertebral endplates includes a body including a main body with an outer surface bearing portion configured to interface with and articulate relative to one of the first and second vertebral endplates. It also comprises an orientation protrusion shaped in a manner to at least partially inhibit rotation of the body in the disc space. The body is sized in at least one direction to fit inside a boundary defined by a travel path of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, the travel path forming an arc about a center of rotation of the first vertebra, the travel path being spaced from the center of rotation a distance substantially equivalent to the distance from the center of rotation to the second vertebral endplate.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Warsaw Othopedic, Inc.Inventors: Randall N. Allard, Jason J. Eckhardt, Tom J. Francis, William J. Albans, Thomas A. Carls
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Patent number: 8231657Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second end members and a bumper assembly between the end members that flexibly connects the end members so the connecting element can provide dynamic stabilization of the spinal column when engaged to the anchor assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Warsaw OrthopedicInventors: Jason John Eckhardt, Tom J. Francis, Hai H. Trieu
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Publication number: 20110166576Abstract: Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Dana A. Oliver, Kenneth M. Adams, Tom J. Francis
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Patent number: 7927361Abstract: Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Dana A. Oliver, Kenneth M. Adams, Tom J. Francis
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Publication number: 20100298883Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second end members and a bumper assembly between the end members that flexibly connects the end members so the connecting element can provide dynamic stabilization of the spinal column when engaged to the anchor assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Jason Eckhardt, Tom J. Francis, Hai H. Trieu
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Publication number: 20100249792Abstract: Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Todd C. Bonvallet, Eric C. Lange, Tom J. Francis, Steven D. DeRidder
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Patent number: 7785350Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second end members and a bumper assembly between the end members that flexibly connects the end members so the connecting element can provide dynamic stabilization of the spinal column when engaged to the anchor assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Jason Eckhardt, Tom J Francis, Hai H. Trieu
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Patent number: 7749231Abstract: Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.Inventors: Todd C. Bonvallet, Eric C. Lange, Tom J. Francis, Steven D. DeRidder
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Publication number: 20090292362Abstract: In one aspect, an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation within a disc space between adjacent first and second vertebral endplates includes a body including a main body with an outer surface bearing portion configured to interface with and articulate relative to one of the first and second vertebral endplates. It also comprises an orientation protrusion shaped in a manner to at least partially inhibit rotation of the body in the disc space. The body is sized in at least one direction to fit inside a boundary defined by a travel path of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra, the travel path forming an arc about a center of rotation of the first vertebra, the travel path being spaced from the center of rotation a distance substantially equivalent to the distance from the center of rotation to the second vertebral endplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.Inventors: Randall N. ALLARD, Jason J. ECKHARDT, Tom J. FRANCIS, William J. ALBANS, Thomas A. CARLS
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Publication number: 20080269903Abstract: An intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implant for positioning between adjacent vertebrae of a spinal segment comprises opposing superior and inferior end portions substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis and a compressible, elastic body surrounding part of the end portions. Each of the end portions includes a convex outer surface for contacting respective endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. Additionally, the elastic body includes an outer surface, with the implant having an outer periphery comprising the outer surfaces of the end portions and the outer surface of the body. In certain embodiments, the elastic modulus of the body is lower than the elastic modulus of each of the end portions and the body extends outward of the end portions transverse to the longitudinal axis, such that the body is configured to limit the amount of subsidence of the implant relative to the adjacent vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Tom J. Francis, Jason Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20080140202Abstract: An implant for insertion between vertebral bodies in a patient includes a flexible tether that is coupled between fasteners attached to the vertebral bodies. An energy storing device may be coupled to the tether to convert extension forces between the vertebral bodies into potential energy. The energy storing device may reduce defects at the interface between the fasteners and the vertebral bodies. Various embodiments are provided, including energy storing devices implemented as springs, leaf springs, coiled wire, and corrugated shapes. The energy storing device may be preloaded between the vertebral bodies to further reduce shock from sudden extensions. The energy storing device may be secured to the tether before or after the tether is secured to the fasteners. Further, the energy storing device may be sized to allow the tether and energy storing device to pass laterally through a fastener opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Randall Noel Allard, Larry Thomas McBride, Tom J. Francis, Thomas A. Carls
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Publication number: 20080005916Abstract: Devices for measuring the parameters of an intervertebral disc space are provided. The devices may comprise one or more flexible internal members positioned in an axially concentric bore of a longitudinal element. When activated, the flexible internal member(s) may protrude out of one or more apertures in the longitudinal element and impinge on an adjacent surface of the intervertebral disc space. The device may be useful to determine at least one dimension of an intervertebral disc space.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Tom J. Francis, Randy Allard, Larry McBride
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Publication number: 20030225416Abstract: Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Todd C. Bonvallet, Eric C. Lange, Tom J. Francis, Steven D. DeRidder