Patents Assigned to AlphaTec Spine, Inc.
  • Transverse link having spherical ball joint
    Patent number: 10028774
    Abstract: A transverse link with a pair of opposing engagement members having a spherical ball bearing configured to fix a respective screw extender with respect to each other is provided. The spherical bearing is configured to allow the engagement member to rotate in three dimension so as to accommodate the position of a pair of respective screw extenders. The transverse link includes an automatic latching mechanism configured to fixed the spatial distance between the ends of the rod fixation instruments with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Meyer
  • Hook inserter
    Patent number: 9968383
    Abstract: Instruments and systems for performing spinal fixation are provided. The instruments and system configured to position and force fit a hook onto a pedicle bone. The systems include a hook and an instrument. The instrument includes a handle and a rod fixedly mounted to a distal end of the handle. The instrument includes a hook support portion having a hood. The hood includes an opening, a support wall, a post and a threaded knob. The support wall is configured to support the hook. The post has a bottom surface dimensioned similar to that of a spinal rod. The threaded knob is mounted within the opening of the hood and engages a pair of threaded sidewalls of a rod support portion of the hook so as to pull the hook into a fixed engagement with the post, securing the hook support portion to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandra Pinkie
  • Retractor
    Patent number: 9968347
    Abstract: A retractor device for spearing the body tissue apart is provided. The retractor includes a housing configured to include a plurality of sections, wherein each section is configured to accommodate placement of at least one blade, a blade holding mechanism configured to secure the at least one blade within the housing, a translation mechanism configured to provide translation movement of at least one of the sections, and a rotation mechanism configured to provide rotation movement of at least one blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark Hutton, Thomas Purcell, Christopher Campbell
  • Systems for vertebral adjustments and rod reduction
    Patent number: 9968386
    Abstract: An instrument for compression and distraction of a vertebral segment and reducing a surgical rod includes a first arm, a second arm, a coupler, and a reducer. The first arm includes a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm pivotably couples to the first arm and includes a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The coupler links the first arm to the second arm to position the first arm relative to the second arm for compression and distraction of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra. The reducer is received within the second aperture for reducing a surgical rod within the second screw extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Wing, Clark Hutton, Garrett Gleeson, Per Freitag
  • Instrument for removing tabs from a reduction screw
    Patent number: 9968394
    Abstract: An instrument for breaking off and retaining the tab of a reduction screw is provided. The instrument includes a breaking arm and a retaining mechanism. The breaking arm is configured to break off an excess portion of the tab of the reduction screw about a weakened section. The retaining mechanism is configured to retain the broken off tab and preventing the tab from falling into a surgical site. The retaining mechanism is further configured to allow the instrument to engage another tab while simultaneously holding a predetermined number of previously broken off tabs. Accordingly, the instrument reduces surgical time as the surgeon may simply move from one reduction screw to another while breaking off the tabs until the instrument can no longer retain additional broken off tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Meyer, Eller Torres
  • Instrument and method for reducing and securing spinal rods
    Patent number: 9943343
    Abstract: A method for reducing a fixation rod is provided. The method minimizes the surgical corridor by performing fixation within the surgical corridor defined by the screw extender. The screw extender is attached to the spinal implant. The method includes the steps of coupling the proximal end of a first cannulated body with the screw extender and rotating a second cannulated body within the first cannulated body. The method proceeds to the step of actuating a rod pusher with a first driving feature so as to engage the rod pusher with the fixation rod. The rod pusher includes a bore. The method proceeds to the step of rotating an inserter shaft within first cannulated body, second cannulated body and bore of the rod pusher, the inserter shaft including a proximal end with a second driving feature and a distal end with a setscrew attachment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Meyer, Anand Parikh
  • Interspinous process spacer apparatus and methods of use
    Patent number: 9936985
    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: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Systems and methods for manipulating and/or installing a pedicle screw
    Patent number: 9913664
    Abstract: A spinal screw assembly adapted to be secured to a vertebrae for providing securement across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a substantially spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion, and an engagement surface in the head portion for driving said screw into the vertebrae, and a body member comprising a tower portion having an open top, a break-away section for manipulation of the screw upon implantation into the vertebrae, a base body at a proximal region of the body member and a break zone which acts as a transition between the base body and the tower portion. A resealably securable setscrew within the body member secures and fully contains the rod within said assembly. The break-away section remains completely outside a wound and is removed or broken off once the screw has been fully assembled inside the vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark Hutton, Ketchen Smith, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski
  • Spondylolisthesis reduction system
    Patent number: 9907583
    Abstract: A system for reducing deformities of the vertebrae in the spine includes a first reduction assembly, a second reduction assembly, and a reduction drive assembly. The first reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a first reduction tower that attaches to a first vertebra. The second reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a second reduction tower that attaches to a second vertebra. The reduction drive assembly includes an arcuate rack gear operably coupling the first reduction assembly to the second reduction assembly to translate the first reduction assembly relative to the second reduction assembly along an arcuate path in a first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Hayes
  • Systems and methods for correcting spinal deformity
    Patent number: 9888945
    Abstract: An exemplary system for correcting a spinal deformity includes a plurality of transverse rods, a longitudinal rod, and at least one node. The plurality of transverse rods each includes a first end for coupling with an extension member of a spinal fixation system and a second end. The longitudinal rod extends transverse to the transverse rods. The at least one node receives the second ends of first and second transverse rods and the longitudinal rod within a receiving portion and an adjustment member selectively secures the second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Walters, Ketchen Smith, Benjamin Walter Wang
  • Bone fixation methods
    Patent number: 9877756
    Abstract: A bone fixation plate includes a first opening formed in a plate that is configured to receive a first fastener; a second opening formed in the plate that is configured to receives a second fastener, and a retention member that extends into a third opening formed in the plate between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the retention member is elastically deformable between at least three positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon Costabile
  • Systems and methods for spinal compression, distraction, and fixation
    Patent number: 9795418
    Abstract: An apparatus for coupling with a fixation rod to allow spinal compression, distraction, and fixation along an antero-lateral aspect of a spine includes an elongated plate, first and second fixation screws, and a first arm. The elongated plate includes a first aperture at a superior end and a second aperture at an inferior end. The first fixation screw is received by the first aperture and engages a first body portion of a first vertebra. The second fixation screw is received by the second aperture and engages a second body portion of a second vertebra. The first arm extends transversely from a first base portion on the elongated plate and includes a first hook to couple with a first portion of the fixation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Perry
  • INTERSPINOUS PROCESS SPACER APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20170296237
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventor: WILLIAM REIMELS
  • Expandable interbody spacer
    Patent number: 9788970
    Abstract: An expandable intervertebral spacer includes a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes quadrants that form a substantially cylindrical shape in a first configuration and a substantially cuboidal shape in a second configuration. Each quadrant includes a ramp portion with a ramp and a landing and a sliding portion with a sliding side and a foot. The ramp portion of a first quadrant engages the sliding portion of a second quadrant. The proximal end and the distal end couple with the plurality of quadrants and transfer an actuating force to expand the body from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Spacer with temporary fixation plate
    Patent number: 9763805
    Abstract: A system for spinal fusion includes a spacer, a plate, an attachment member, and a first temporary fixation screw. The spacer includes a first coupling aperture having a first thread with a thread pitch that is greater than or equal to one third of a depth of the first coupling aperture. The plate includes a first attachment aperture and second coupling aperture. The attachment member includes a mating thread that mates with the first thread. The attachment member is configured to couple the spacer and the plate when inserted through the second coupling aperture and rotated to engage the first thread of the first coupling aperture. The first temporary fixation screw is configured to attach the plate to a first vertebra when inserted through the first attachment aperture and driven into the first vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Cheng, Jonathan T. Costabile
  • Adjustable occipital plate
    Patent number: 9757162
    Abstract: An adjustable occipital plate includes a fixation plate, at least one lateral rod configured to be coupled to said fixation plate, at least one laterally sliding link configured to be coupled to and configured to be compressed around said at least one lateral rod to create a friction fit, and at least one rod connector coupled to said at least one laterally sliding link that is configured to receive at least one posterior cervical rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Purcell, Frank Eismont
  • Spinous process device and method of use
    Patent number: 9737344
    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: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Stern, Henry Elsner, Nirali Patel, Thomas Purcell, Brett Abshire
  • Blade attachment and adjustment mechanism for tissue retraction
    Patent number: 9730683
    Abstract: A blade assembly for a tissue retractor includes a blade, a mount, and a positioner member. The blade includes a length extending from a proximal portion with a coupling to a distal portion for retracting soft tissue. The mount includes a receiving portion that receives the coupling. The positioner member is rotatably coupled to the mount and engages the proximal portion to apply a force that positions the blade relative to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Instrument and method for in situ rod adjustment
    Patent number: 9707018
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Meyer, Martin Bouliane, Wally Gillespie, Anand Parikh, Jens Peter Timm
  • Soft tissue retractor
    Patent number: 9693762
    Abstract: A tissue retractor device within the scope of the present invention generally includes a frame, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of blades. The actuating mechanism generally includes at least one cam that encourages automatic toe-out of the blades. The tissue retractor eliminates the need for bulky secondary blade mechanisms to prevent undesired blade deformation at the surgical site. The toe-out motion occurs simultaneously along with the opening of the blades. The present invention further provides for depth adjustment of the blades by means of an adjustable screw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels