Patents Assigned to Alphatec
  • Patent number: 8834540
    Abstract: A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Purcell, Darren Reimers
  • Patent number: 8834527
    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: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark Hutton, Ketchen Smith, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski
  • Patent number: 8821502
    Abstract: An instrument for multilevel compression and distraction of vertebrae in a spinal column includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a linking member, and a coupler. The first arm includes a distal end with a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm includes a distal end with a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The third arm includes a distal end with a third aperture for receiving a third screw extender that attaches to a third vertebra. The linking member pivotally links proximal ends of the first, second, and third arms. The coupler positions the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm relative to the third arm to compress and distract the first vertebra and the second vertebra relative to the third vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett Gleeson, Clark Hutton, Nathan Meyer, Anand Parikh
  • Publication number: 20140209501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the shelf life of a medical graft generally comprising a medical implant container having at least one graft cavity configured to hold at least one graft under a first vacuum and a needle entry port in fluid communication with the at least one graft cavity, the needle entry port being configured to receive and communicate a material to the at least one graft cavity and an outer chamber configured to hold the medical implant container under a second vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit GOVIL, Christian Gabriel GAMBOA, Neil Irvin THOMPSON, Jeffrey Allen GUYER, Markanthony B. FLORES, Sudhanshu SOMASUNDAR
  • Publication number: 20140194936
    Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. HAWKES, Michael D. Ensign
  • Publication number: 20140180298
    Abstract: An instrument for provisionally tightening a screw body member to a head of a polyaxial bone screw includes a barrel body, an inner shaft, a handle and lever, and a load link assembly. The barrel body includes a distal end with a pair of rotatable tangs configured to engage the screw body member. The inner shaft includes a distal end configured to engage a bushing within the screw body member. The lever pivotally couples to one of the handle and the barrel body. The load link assembly couples to the inner shaft and the lever. Actuation of the lever towards causes the load link assembly to longitudinally displace the inner shaft toward the distal end to contact the bushing and advance the bushing into frictional fit between the screw body member and the head of the polyaxial bone screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara STEVENSON, Wally GILLESPIE, Clark HUTTON
  • Publication number: 20140172023
    Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly includes a fixation element, a coupling element, a bottom saddle, and a compression nut. The fixation element is adapted to engage a bone having a head portion and a shank portion. The coupling element includes an internal bore sized to receive the shank portion, a seat adapted to support the head portion, and a retention region in a sidewall of the coupling element that extends from a proximal ridge to the seat, the retention region including non-parallel opposed internal surfaces therebetween. The bottom saddle is disposed within the retention region and including a frustoconical outer surface formed by opposed walls and a rod-receiving region to receive a rod. The compression nut is coupled with the coupling element and adapted to translate a force to the head portion through the rod and bottom saddle to prevent relative movement between the fixation element and the coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Laszlo GARAMSZEGI
  • Publication number: 20140172029
    Abstract: A method and device for attaching a curvilinear access device having a movable top and an expandable working portal to the spine, the attachment including a holding arm assembly, posterior tang, anterior tang and/or a portal fixation pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Guyer, Thomas Purcell, Nathan Meyer, Ali Araghi, Javier Garcia-Bengochea, Carl Lauryssen, Morgan Lorio
  • Publication number: 20140163625
    Abstract: An instrument for reducing a fixation rod within a screw extender that attaches to a spinal implant includes first, second, and third cannulated bodies and an inserter shaft. The first cannulated body includes a proximal end that couples with the screw extender. The second cannulated body rotates within the first cannulated body and includes a proximal end with a first driving feature and a distal end with an internal threaded portion. The third cannulated body includes a proximal end that engages the internal threaded portion and a distal end with a rod pusher for engaging the fixation rod. The inserter shaft rotates within the third cannulated body and includes a proximal end with a second driving feature and a distal end with a setscrew attachment feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan MEYER, Anand PARIKH
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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