Patents Assigned to AlphaTec Spine, Inc.
  • Conical interspinous apparatus and a method of performing interspinous distraction
    Patent number: 8747440
    Abstract: A conical interspinous apparatus comprising: an insertion portion with a proximal end, a distal end, and conical screw-shaped grooves configured to distract two adjacent spinous processes; a shaft portion, coupled to the distal end of the insertion portion, and having a smaller cross-section than a cross-section at the distal end of the insertion portion, such that the two spinous processes rest on the shaft portion; and a clamp portion being movable and securable along the shaft, and being configured to secure the two spinous processes between the clamp portion and the distal end of the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Yue
  • VARIABLE ANGLE SPINAL SCREW ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140142635
    Abstract: A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae. The head portion of the screw is positioned in a body member adjacent a curvilinear surface disposed about an aperture in the end of the body member such that the shaft portion of the screw extends therethrough and the curvilinear inner surface abuts and mates with the head portion of the screw so as to define a ball joint therewith. The body member additionally defines a pair of opposed parallel slots therein adapted to receive a portion of the fixation rod and a locking cap bears against the fixation rod to releasably secure the rod within the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Purcell, Don Hair, Tamas T. Frech
  • VACUUM LOSS INDICATION FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
    Publication number: 20140124397
    Abstract: A system for vacuum loss indication includes a rigid inner container, a flexible outer container, a sliding block, and a bias mechanism. The rigid inner container includes a receptacle with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The flexible outer container surrounds the inner rigid container and includes a semi-transparent portion. The sliding block is within the receptacle and visible through the semi-transparent portion and includes a pressure indicator. The bias mechanism biases the sliding block to a first position under a first level of vacuum and a second position under a second level of vacuum. A first portion of the pressure indicator is visible through the semi-transparent portion in the first position and a second portion is visible through the semi-transparent portion in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven BOGGS, Daniel Dunifer
  • INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR IN SITU ROD ADJUSTMENT
    Publication number: 20140128930
    Abstract: The instruments and methods of the present disclosure include an outer shaft, an inner shaft, a roller, and an actuator. In some examples, the outer shaft includes a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The inner shaft is disposed within the lumen. The roller rotatably is coupled with the distal end at an axis and configured to engage the fixation rod. The actuator operably couples with the inner shaft to translate the inner shaft within the lumen and cause rotation of the roller to impart linear movement on the fixation rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan MEYER, Martin BOULIANE, Wally GILLESPIE, Anand PARIKH, Jens Peter TIMM
  • INSRUMENT AND METHOD FOR RESTORING MOTION TO A POLYAXIAL SCREW
    Publication number: 20140114363
    Abstract: A polyaxial screw head remobilizer for remobilizing a screw body member relative to a head of a polyaxial bone screw includes a barrel body, a handle assembly, an inner shaft, a slide assembly, and a lever. The barrel body includes proximal and distal ends. The distal end includes a plurality of prongs for releasably engaging a plurality of yokes of the polyaxial screw body member to center the inner shaft over the head of the screw. The handle assembly couples to the proximal end of the barrel body. The inner shaft, disposed within the barrel body, includes proximal and distal ends. An engagement feature of the inner shaft mates with pockets of a bushing of the screw body member. The slide assembly is operably coupled to the barrel body and effect translations of the inner shaft. The lever extends from the slide assembly and rotates to actuate the slide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara STEVENSON, Wally GILLESPIE, Clark HUTTON
  • Clamping interspinous spacer apparatus and methods of use
    Patent number: 8702756
    Abstract: An interspinous process spacer includes a main body, a first wing, and a screw. The main body includes a first securing member extending from a top portion of the main body that engages a first vertebra and a bottom portion of the main body that engages a second vertebra. The first wing pivotably couples to a distal portion of the main body and includes a second securing member extending parallel to the first securing member to form a first clamp. The screw is positionable within the main body and includes a distal end that positions the first wing between a first position and a second position. The first clamp includes a first diameter in the first position and a second diameter in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Bone screw assembly for limited angulation
    Patent number: 8702761
    Abstract: A limited angulation bone screw assembly adapted to couple a spinal rod with a vertebra including a bone screw, a bushing and a housing. The pedicle screw having a shaft and an upper head portion, the upper head portion comprising a spherical surface with flats disposed on opposite sides of the upper head portion. The bushing comprising a lower rounded surface for mating with the spherical surface and flats of the upper head portion to restrict the angular movement of the bone screw. The coupled bone screw and bushing are inserted into the housing in a first orientation and then rotated to a second orientation to secure the coupled bone screw and bushing to complete the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Walter Wang, Srilakshmi Vishnubholta
  • SPINOUS PROCESS DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20140107705
    Abstract: A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph STERN, Henry ELSNER, Nirali PATEL, Thomas PURCELL, Brett ABSHIRE
  • IN SITU ROD MEASURING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20140107659
    Abstract: An instrument for obtaining spinal rod measurements in situ includes a measurement member, a first indicating member, and a second indicating member. The measurement member measures a length between two spinal implants. The first indicating member couples with the measurement member and includes a first measurement scale coupled with a first shaft for engaging a first spinal implant of the two spinal implants. The second indicating member couples with the measurement member and includes a second measurement scale coupled with a second shaft for engaging a second spinal implant of the two spinal implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Walters, Jens Peter Timm, Kyle Hayes
  • IMPLANT DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20140100581
    Abstract: A surgical implant deployment system for deploying and removing an implant into a vertebral body. Upon insertion of the implant into the vertebral body, the actuator handle is turned causing the actuation rod to expand or compress the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William REIMELS
  • EXPANDABLE SCREW AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20140094860
    Abstract: An expandable screw includes generally a shaft, a head, and a cut pattern. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, an outer surface including a thread to engage bone, and an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface. The head coupled with the shaft at a neck is configured to receive a driving instrument to insert and drive the shaft into the bone when the expandable region is in the first state. The cut pattern on the shaft permits at least partial nesting of a first portion of the expandable region within a second portion of the expandable region in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William REIMELS
  • STAND-ALONE INTERBODY FIXATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140094918
    Abstract: A stand-alone interbody fixation system having a cage, anterior fixation blade and posterior fixation blade. The cage includes an annular side wall with an open interior and upper and lower surfaces, the cage being configured to fit between end plates of adjacent vertebrae. The anterior fixation blade includes an anterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending anterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The posterior fixation blade includes a posterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending posterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Sri Vishnubholta, Yang Cheng, Leopoldo Castillo
  • INTERBODY FUSION IMPLANT AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20140088710
    Abstract: An interbody fusion implant system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a base member, a first guide, a second guide, and a closure member with a first thru-bore and a second thru-bore. The base member includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall to define an open trailing end and an interior bounded by the side walls and the end wall. Each guide includes length and has a first portion attached to the proximal end of the first side wall and a second portion extending freely away from the first portion. The closure member includes a first thru-bore configured to be received by the first guide to align the closure member with the first side wall and a second thru-bore configured to be received by the second guide to align the closure member with the second side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad ETMINAN
  • Method and device for implant deployment
    Patent number: 8657832
    Abstract: A surgical implant insertion system for deployment and removal of an implant into a vertebral body. The system includes an actuation rod, an actuator handle coupled to the actuation rod, and an inserter locking tube disposed over the actuation rod and coupled to an inserter handle. Upon insertion of the implant into the vertebral body using the inserter handle, the actuator handle is turned causing the actuation rod to expand or compress the implant disposed at a distal end of the inserter locking tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Purcell, William Reimels
  • Bottom-loading pedicle screw assembly
    Patent number: 8657858
    Abstract: A spine screw assembly is adapted to be loaded from a bottom of a receiver member. The spine screw assembly includes a bone fastener with a head having a groove that removably accepts a clip. The clip acts to retain the head of the bone fastener in the receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo Garamszegi, Kelvin Nguyen
  • STAND ALONE INTERBODY FIXATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140052260
    Abstract: An interbody spacer system for insertion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra according to the principles of the present disclosure includes and interbody spacer and a first curved blade. The interbody spacer includes an outer wall and a first surface for engaging an endplate of the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging an endplate of the second vertebra. A first entry aperture in the outer wall and a first exit aperture on the first surface communicate with a first curved path extending therebetween. The first curved blade enters the first entry aperture and exits through the first exit aperture to secure the spacer to the first vertebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Breana McKenny, JOSEPH AFERZON, JEFFERY BASH
  • Spinous process device and method of use
    Patent number: 8636773
    Abstract: A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Stern, Henry Elsner, Bret Abshire, Nirali Patel, Thomas Purcell
  • SURGICAL HOOK INCLUDING FLOW PATH
    Publication number: 20130304129
    Abstract: A hook for attaching a surgical rod to a vertebra includes a rod-receiving portion, a base portion, and a tip portion. The rod-receiving portion includes a pair of side walls that form a channel for receiving the surgical rod. The base portion extends distally from the rod-receiving portion and includes a first flow path extending therethrough. The tip portion extends away from the rod-receiving portion to form a hook portion for attaching to the vertebrae. In other features, the hook includes a second flow path extending through the tip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold HAWKINS, Darren REIMERS, S. Samuel BEDERMAN
  • Surgical Screwdriver
    Publication number: 20130282019
    Abstract: An instrument for attachment and insertion of a screw assembly into a surgical site includes a housing, an attachment shaft, and a drive shaft. The housing including a movable hub. The attachment shaft includes a proximal end for coupling to the housing and a distal end with a flexible portion for selectively attaching to a receiver of the screw assembly. The drive shaft within the attachment shaft includes a proximal end for selectively engaging the hub and a distal end with a driving feature for driving a head of the screw assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Bouliane
  • Bone plate assembly
    Patent number: 8562655
    Abstract: A lumbar plate assembly for use between at least two vertebral bodies is disclosed. The assembly includes a lumbar plate having at least one opening for each vertebral body, a screw configured to secure the lumbar plate to a vertebra through the at least one opening, and a rotatable locking mechanism proximate the least one opening configured to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration allowing the screw to pass into the opening and the second configuration engaging the screw to prevent withdrawal of the screw from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Butler