Patents Assigned to Alphatec
  • 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
  • Expandable screw and methods of use
    Patent number: 9681905
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Uniplanar screw assembly and methods of use
    Patent number: 9649134
    Abstract: The screw assembly includes a screw, an insert, and a body member. The screw includes a longitudinal axis and a proximal end with a head portion and a distal end with a threaded portion. The insert operably couples with the head portion and is configured to rotate relative to the head portion about the longitudinal axis. The body member operably couples with the insert and is configured to pivot relative to the insert in a single plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. In other features, the body member operably couples with the insert and is configured to pivot relative to the insert about a transverse axis normal to a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Hannen
  • Single action locking pedicle screwdriver
    Patent number: 9642654
    Abstract: An instrument for attaching a driver shaft to a screw assembly using a thrusting motion. The instrument has a main shaft, a locking tube, and a driver shaft. The locking tube is slidably mounted within the main shaft and the driver shaft is slidably mounted within the locking tube. The locking tube is configured to urge a jaw assembly of the instrument into a tensioned engagement with a body member of the screw assembly. A locking mechanism is also included and is configured to lock the driver shaft in a fixed position relative to the locking tube. The locking mechanism may be configured to lock the driver shaft with respect to the locking tube after a distal end of the main shaft engages the screw assembly using the single action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: William Reimels, Tara Stevenson
  • Spinal implants and insertion instruments
    Patent number: 9642723
    Abstract: An instrument for insertion and positioning of a spinal implant includes an outer member, an inner member, and a first thread. The outer member includes a distal attachment feature configured to engage with the spinal implant, a tubular member, and a proximal housing. The inner member is rotatably disposed within a lumen of the outer member and includes a distal coupling feature for coupling with a proximal end of the spinal implant, an elongated shaft within the tubular member, and a proximal end operably coupled with a handle that rotates relative to the proximal housing. The first thread is disposed on the distal coupling feature and includes a first lead and a first thread pitch greater than a thickness of the proximal end of the spinal implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Cheng, Amardeep Dugal
  • Screw assembly with deformable bushing
    Patent number: 9636147
    Abstract: A method of securing a fixation rod to a screw assembly that includes a screw, a bushing, and a receiver includes the steps of inserting the fixation rod within a receiver portion of the bushing and the receiver, advancing a locking member into contact with an engagement surface on a proximal portion of the bushing, applying a force with the locking member to increase an amount of friction between a distal engagement surface of the bushing and a head portion of the screw, and increasing the force to deform a deformable portion of the bushing and increase an amount of friction between the fixation rod and the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jens Peter Timm
  • HOOK INSERTER
    Publication number: 20170105769
    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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicants: Alphatec Spine, Inc., Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandra Pinkie
  • Systems for vertebral adjustments and rod reduction
    Patent number: 9622796
    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: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Wing, Clark Hutton, Garrett Gleeson, Per Freitag