Tube Or Rod Bending Patents (Class 72/31.04)
  • Patent number: 11622809
    Abstract: A spinal implant system includes a spinal implant template configured to provide three dimensional coordinates of a selected implant configuration. An implant bending device includes work surfaces engageable with a spinal implant to manipulate the spinal implant to the selected implant configuration and an implant contact sensor. Surgical instruments, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. McGahan, Matthew M. Morrison, Richard L. Brown, Victor D. Snyder, Robert A. Till, Jr., John Hengesbach
  • Patent number: 11580268
    Abstract: A method for creating a segmented alignment rod, the method including receiving a request for a segmented alignment rod, receiving at least one image of a deformed spine, generating, a normal spinal curvature, and generating a segmented alignment rod design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Loubert S. Suddaby
  • Patent number: 11382666
    Abstract: Systems providing robotic bending used to bend a surgical rod are disclosed. Such systems may include a processor and memory coupled with the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code so that when the computer readable program code is executed by the processor, the processor performs operations including providing a set of transformation points corresponding to respective attachment implants, generating a bend plan for the surgical rod based on the set of transformation points, and generating an image output to render the set of transformation points and the bend plan on a display. Related methods and computer program products are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Sritam Parashar Rout, Norbert Johnson, Olivier Chappuis, David Cleary, Samuel Paster, Michael Brauckmann, Kyle VanLeer
  • Patent number: 11364063
    Abstract: An implant bending device includes a first work surface. An implant support is movable relative to the first work surface. A second work surface is movable relative to the first work surface. A sensor is connected with the work surfaces and configured to detect contact of at least one of the work surfaces with an implant. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas V. McGahan, Robert A. Till, Jr., John Hengesbach
  • Patent number: 11172971
    Abstract: System and method for automatically bending a surgical rod are provided. The system includes a linear movement device configured to axially feed the surgical rod, a rotational movement device configured to rotate the surgical rod as it is axially fed, and a bending device including a roller to impose bending forces against the rod. The rod is free from contact with the bending device after it is axially fed past the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dignity Health
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Philip M. Reyes, Anna G. U. S. Newcomb, Seungwon Baek
  • Patent number: 10864023
    Abstract: A system to precisely contour a surgical implant based on intraoperative information is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: CLARIANCE SAS
    Inventors: Shane S. Pak, Karlton E. Spindle
  • Patent number: 10786287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrumentation with a navigation system which comprises an optical detection unit comprising a camera, and a data processing unit coupled to the detection unit, with a stabilization element of a surgical fixation system and with a medical marking device which is held in a defined spatial arrangement on or is comprised by or formed by the stabilization element, the location and orientation of the marking device in space being determinable with the navigation system, it being possible for at least two images of the stabilization element and the marking device to be taken from a different orientation by means of the detection unit and for the shape of the stabilization element to be determined by the data processing unit on the basis of the two or more images. The invention also relates to a method for determining the shape of a surgical stabilization element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Aesculap
    Inventors: Jens Beger, Josef Kozak, Claudia Stoerk
  • Patent number: 10478882
    Abstract: The conduit marking device comprises a slotted, marked measuring handle for a conduit bender. The measuring handle may be a replacement for the handle provided with the conduit bender. The measuring handle of the conduit marking device provides the ability to easily measure, mark, and align conduit in order to obtain precise results for the bends. The measuring handle is hollow and tubular and a piece of conduit may be inserted into the measuring handle from one end of the handle. The measuring handle incorporates slots, which allow the conduit to be seen through portions of the handle. Measuring indicia on the measuring handle allow specific locations on the conduit to be located and the locations may be marked through the slots on the measuring handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew Perez
  • Patent number: 10173308
    Abstract: A tool for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece includes a first grip element having a first grip portion; a second grip element having a second grip portion; a mechanism housing, which is arranged on the first grip element and has an end surface facing away from the first grip portion; a tool mechanism, which is enclosed by the mechanism housing and can be actuated to crimp, press or deform the workpiece by adjusting the first and second grip elements relative to one another; and an impact protection element, which is arranged on the first grip demerit and has two limbs and an end face portion, which interconnects the limbs. The mechanism housing is arranged between the limbs, and the end face portion extends beyond the end surface of the mechanism housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens Frischemeier, Danny Siriboe
  • Patent number: 9421596
    Abstract: Bending instruments for selectively applying a bending force to a rod or rod-like element, such as for example and without limitation, a surgical rod. Exemplary bending instruments include a first handle, a second handle, and a gear assembly. Pivotal movement of the second handle relative to the first handle effects a corresponding movement of the gear assembly components to thereby effect bending of the rod or rod-like element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: University of Alaska Anchorage
    Inventors: Anthony James Paris, Shawn Wooten, Paul Harren, Wesley Burgess
  • Publication number: 20150068008
    Abstract: A shaft straightening or tube straightening apparatus performs accurate measurements of the linear profile of a metal tube, and then corrects small and large deviations of the tube profile from the ideal centerline along the length of the tube. The tube straightening apparatus is operable to accurately measure a linear profile of the tube positioned in the apparatus. The tube is rotated in the apparatus to locate a pair of low points in the tube profile and a high point of the tube between the two low points. The tube is supported in the apparatus at the pair of low points and the high point of the tube is then deflected beyond the yield point of the metal of the tube to permanently distort the tube and correct the tube's profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Hill, Ronald Robert Lermo, Albert L. Hametner
  • Publication number: 20140137618
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 8646300
    Abstract: A method to check and control a roller bending machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at variable curvature radii in a bending machine using a series of rollers for bending, comprises the steps of measuring the distance of the elongated work piece in a point that is situated downstream the series of rollers for bending in successive instants, calculating a curvature radius of each bend section of the elongated workpiece, comparing the calculated curvature radius with the desired curvature radius and determining a difference between them, calculating the change of position to which an upstream roller has to be subjected in order to annul such a difference and operating the upstream roller on the base of the calculated change of position. A machine embodying the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: CML International S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Caporusso, Eugenio Schiarante, Giuseppe Roso
  • Patent number: 8607603
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in association with a medical procedure. In one form, a device for bending an elongate member includes a support platform and a plurality of engaging members positioned on the support platform. Each of the plurality of engaging members includes at least one engaging portion configured for positioning in contact with the elongate member. Each of the plurality of engaging members is movable in at least three directions relative to the support platform to form one or more bends in the elongate member. In one aspect, the elongate member is formed of a heat deformable material and the device includes a heating member configured to apply heat to one or more portions of the elongate member to facilitate bending. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff R Justis, Hai H Trieu
  • Patent number: 8549888
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of the surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 8511123
    Abstract: A pipe bending machine has a stiff-back which is driven by a pivoting wedge. A linkage applies force from the actuator to the wedge in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stiff-back. The stiff-back pivots on a first fulcrum and the wedge slides on a bed which pivots on a second fulcrum. The actuator drives the wedge between the stiff-back and the bed to rotate the stiff-back at the first fulcrum and bend the pipe seated in the stiff-back against the pipe bending face of a die. The conversion of the longitudinal force applied to the wedge into a transverse force applied to the stiff-back provides a significant mechanical advantage which varies directionally as the stiff-back rotates about its fulcrum to maintain a constant force on the stiff-back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Scoville, Timothy R. Gwartney, Stephen Sears
  • Patent number: 8474292
    Abstract: A tube extending along a tube axis is straightened by radially outwardly plastically deforming and expanding the tube by means of an expander mandrel and simultaneously bending the tube by applying radially inwardly directed forces to the tube at three points lying on a triangle. One of the points is level with the mandrel on one side of the tube and the other two points axially flank it in axially opposite directions and bear on the other side of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kolbe, Uwe Feldmann, Arno Topueth
  • Patent number: 8235998
    Abstract: Systems, instruments and methods are provided for bending an elongate spinal implant used in a medical procedure. In one form, an instrument for bending an elongate spinal implant includes a proximal handle portion and a bending mechanism having an implant engaging member movably coupled to the proximal handle portion. The bending mechanism is operable to articulate the implant engaging member relative to the proximal handle portion while a second implant engaging member associated with the articulating implant engaging member holding the elongate spinal implant in position. In another form, systems and methods are provided to bend in situ an elongate spinal implant associated with an orthopedic construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E Miller, Charles A Dickinson
  • Patent number: 8215144
    Abstract: A manual and two pneumatic powered versions of bending apparatus with added indicator apparatus for indicating the bending arm angle, apparatus for rotating and locking the indicator apparatus at the rotated angle and stop means for stopping the bending arm at the rotated angle are provided. After a metal element is bent the bending force is removed, and the bend angle measured to determine if the required bend angle after spring back was obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Marshall R. Bulle
  • Patent number: 8046098
    Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface forming method for a metal plate. Nonlinear finite element analysis of elasto-plastic large deformation is performed on the metal plate. The metal plate to be worked is formed so as to have a three-dimensional target curved surface on the basis of the analysis results using a plurality of forming punches connected to a hydraulic apparatus. The curved surface formation method is very useful when the metal plate is worked for small quantity batch production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Jeom Kee Paik
  • Patent number: 7957831
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment means engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment means. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of the surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert E. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7900495
    Abstract: A powered conduit bending tool comprises a portable drive housing including a handle and having a powered drive gear. A bracket is secured to the housing defining a pivot connection spaced from the drive gear. A guide is operatively secured to the housing. A platform is pivotally connected to the bracket at the pivot connection and includes a driven gear operatively engaging the drive gear to controllably pivot the platform. A shoe is removably mountable to the platform and comprises a first bender defining a downwardly opening arcuate channel selectively positionable proximate the guide. A hook is proximate one end of the bender for engaging a conduit received in the channel. In use, the guide supports a conduit engaged by the hook and pivotal movement of the shoe driven by the platform deforms the conduit as it passes by the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Huskie Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Latoria
  • Patent number: 7886565
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for long workpieces, especially tubes, to form a curved section extending between two bend end points (A, B) on the tube wherein the curved section is located about a center bend point X, distanced from a reference position (P) by a predetermined distance (L) extending along a tube, wherein the bending apparatus includes a bending segment rotatable about a pivotal axis so that the tube is positioned on a semicircular scale with a starting zero point of 0° to mark the start of the curved section at one of the bend end points (A, B), which point is designated as a bending-start point, characterized, in that the apparatus has a bend length-selector having at least one measurement edge the measurement edge aligning with the center bend point (X) to automatically place the tube at the bending-start point and at the 0° mark of the bending segment upon the placement of the tube in the bending apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Johann Hainzinger, Johann Niedermeier
  • Patent number: 7748597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for production of a tube (2) with a polygonal, preferably rectangular cross-section, comprising a tube welding unit (3), in which the tube (2) is formed from a sheet metal strip and welded at the resulting jointing position and a rolling unit (4), connected to the tube welding unit (3) in the transport direction (R) of the tube (2), which essentially rolls the tube (2) into the desired polygonal cross-sectional contour. According to the invention, right-angled tubes may be produced with the optimal geometry, whereby a camber rolling unit (5) is arranged in series with the rolling unit (4) in the transport direction (R) of the tube (2), by means of which at least two opposing tube sides (6, 7) may be rolled with a pair of crowned convex rollers (8, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Nicolai, Bernhard Heimann
  • Publication number: 20090249851
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of the surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: VILASPINE LTD.
    Inventor: Robert E. Isaacs
  • Publication number: 20070186603
    Abstract: A disclosed device and method are useful for monitoring a tube bending process. An example sensor detects a force associated with moving a mandrel in tubing during at least a portion of a tube bending process. The detected force is used to determine a quality of the tube bending process. For example, a detected pulling force provides an indication of whether a bent portion of a tube is within an acceptable range of a desired configuration. The detected pulling force is also useful to provide an indication of whether a condition of a mandrel or a machine used during the process is as expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Hogendoorn, Michael Reeve, Mark Adam Livingston Donkers
  • Patent number: 6997030
    Abstract: A bending tool is disclosed for bending rebar, rod, pipe, tubing and/or any other suitable material, comprising: at least one base, and; at least one lever-handle further comprising a user-end and a pivot-end and; a pivotal means for connecting the base and the pivot-end of the lever-handle with rotational freedom, and; a means for bending disposed on the pivot-end of the lever-handle. Optionally, a pre-measure base and protractor or angle indicator may be also used. The lever-handle may be removed and used independently as a pry-bar to reposition protruding rebar from hardened concrete in the wrong location and for other prying-type uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jason Brian Williams
  • Patent number: 6980880
    Abstract: A bend determining system automatically determines the position of a second bend of an offset based upon input offset and angle specifications. The system automatically repeats the angle of a first bend of the offset at the second bend without requiring an installer to remove the conduit from the bender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Janet Ramsey
    Inventor: Robert J. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6575683
    Abstract: A driving cam for seaming a container includes a cam base, an annulus, a bar, and first and second load cells. The annulus is defined by an internal profile and an external profile and is formed with an active sector. The active sector has a first end and a second end and is defined by the internal profile and the external profile. The external profile for defining the active sector is formed with an ascending ramp at the first end and a descending ramp at the second end with a plateau located between the ascending ramp and the descending ramp. The internal profile for defining the active sector is formed with a first recess at the first end and a second recess at the second end with a flat inner face located between the first recess and the second recess. The bar is connected to the cam base and is located within the annulus below the active sector. The load cells are connected between the bar and the flat inner face adjacent to the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Centre Technique des Industries, Mecaniques
    Inventor: Raymond Buisson
  • Patent number: 6354123
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automated control and positioning of a mandrel within a pipe during bending operations. Position detection is accomplished by means of a low frequency electromagnetic signal transmission from a coil placed in close proximity parallel to the pipe outer surface. This signal is detected by a pair of orthogonal receiving coils mounted on the mandrel in close proximity to the pipe inner surface. The phases of the received signals with respect to the transmitted signal and the ratio of the amplitudes of the two received signals is used to estimate the relative position of the transmitter and the receivers. Control of the mandrel along with transmission of reference phase information is accomplished via a high frequency direct sequence spread spectrum radio link between a computer console outside the pipe mounted on the bender and a computer unit mounted inside the pipe on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shankar T. Rajagopalan, Sridhar Madala