Patents Assigned to DFINE, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10327841
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 10299805
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 10278754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John Shadduck, Robert Luzzi
  • Patent number: 10245092
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 10172659
    Abstract: The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the flow of bone cement into the interior of a vertebra and the application of forces causes by the cement flow. An exemplary system utilizes Rf energy in combination a conductive bone cement for selectively polymerizing the inflow plume to increase the viscosity of the cement. In one aspect of the invention, the system utilizes a controller to control bone cement flow parameters to either allow or disallow cement interdigitation into cancellous bone. A method of the invention includes pulsing the flows of bone cement wherein high acceleration of the flow pulses can apply expansion forces across the surface of the cement plume to reduce a vertebral fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DFINE, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 10136934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating vertebral compression fractures are discussed. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing bone cement precursors thereby causing a first chemical curing reaction characterized by a first time-viscosity profile, controllably applying energy to the bone cement from an external source to modify the first time-viscosity profile to a second time-viscosity profile, and injecting the cement into bone at a substantially constant viscosity greater than about 1000 Pa·s to greater than about 5000 Pa·s over an extended working time. In another embodiment, a bone cement injector system is provided that includes a first handle component that is detachably coupled to a second sleeve component having a distal end for positioning in bone and a flow channel extending through the first and second components. The system includes first and second thermal energy emitters for delivering energy to bone cement flows in a flow channel portion in the first and second components, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Robert Luzzi, Andrew Kohm, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 10080817
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone cement formulations that have an extended working time for use in vertebroplasty procedures and other osteoplasty procedures together with cement injectors that include energy delivery systems for on-demand control of cement viscosity and flow parameters. The bone cement formulations may include a liquid component having at least one monomer and a non-liquid component including polymer particles and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The non-liquid component may be further configured to allow controlled exposure of the BPO to the liquid monomer so as to enable control of the viscosity of the bone cement composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Andrew Kohm, John H. Shadduck, Robert Luzzi
  • Patent number: 10058336
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Dfine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Aaron Germain, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 10039584
    Abstract: A system for use in combining two part preparations, such as bone cement, can include a chamber for intermixing liquid and powder components, a container, a vacuum channel, and a filter. The mixing chamber can be configured to hold a non-liquid, polymer powder component of a bone cement. The container can be configured to hold a liquid component of the bone cement. The vacuum channel can direct a partial vacuum to draw the liquid component from the container into the non-liquid component in the mixing chamber to intermix the components and to thereby provide a settable bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Andrew Kohm
  • Patent number: 10028784
    Abstract: This invention relates to medical methods, instruments and systems for creating a controlled lesion using temperature to control the growth of the lesion. The treatment can be used in any tissue area and is particularly useful in or around a vertebral body. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of soft or hard tissue including bone or hard tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DFINE, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Kramer, Kirti P. Kamdar, Andrew Kohm, Robert Poser, Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 9918766
    Abstract: Devices and method discussed for device for delivering a pressurized substance to an opening in bone within a vertebral column, useful to provide access to structures in the vertebral so that a substance, such as bone cement can be delivered through a lumen or portal or for providing access to the opening in bone by a separate instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher U. Phan, Andrew Kohm, Robert Poser, Kirti P. Kamdar
  • Patent number: 9913675
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 9907556
    Abstract: A biomedical polymer composite that exhibits ultra-low thermal conductivity properties. In a preferred embodiment, the biomedical polymer composite comprises a base polymer component with a dispersed thermally non-conductive filler component consisting of glass or ceramic nanospheres or microspheres that have a thermal conductivity of less than 5 W/m-K, and preferably less than 2 W/m-K. In one embodiment, the polymer composite has an electrically conductive filler and can be used in a filament for treating arteriovascular malformations. In another embodiment, the polymeric composite can be used as an energy-coupling means to apply energy to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventor: Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 9901392
    Abstract: Devices having a shaft for creating cavities within tissue and articulating without twisting of the articulated shaft and methods for using such devices. Where such devices and methods include using of a device with keyed portions and key receiving portions that nest together upon articulation and optionally a torque limiter to allow for rotation of the shaft upon exceeding a torque limit. Method and devices also including such devices with energy application portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dfine, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Phan, Craig Purdy, Daniel Balbierz
  • Patent number: 9901657
    Abstract: A system for use in bone cement preparation can include a chamber for intermixing a liquid monomer and solid polymer components, a container, a vacuum channel, and a filter. The mixing chamber can be configured to hold a non-liquid, polymer powder component of a bone cement. The container can be configured to hold a liquid component of the bone cement. The system can have a first interface disposed between the mixing chamber and the container and a second interface disposed between the mixing chamber and the vacuum channel. The second interface can to receive and position the filter between the mixing chamber and the vacuum channel. The vacuum channel can direct a partial vacuum to draw the liquid component from the container into the non-liquid component in the mixing chamber to intermix the components and to thereby provide a settable bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Kwan, Andrew Kohm, Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 9821085
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone cement formulations that have an extended working time for use in vertebroplasty procedures and other osteoplasty procedures together with cement injectors that include energy delivery systems for on-demand control of cement viscosity and flow parameters. The bone cement formulations may include a liquid component having at least one monomer and a non-liquid component including polymer particles and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The non-liquid component may be further configured to allow controlled exposure of the BPO to the liquid monomer so as to enable control of the viscosity of the bone cement composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Andrew Kohm, John Shadduck, Robert Luzzi
  • Patent number: 9743938
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DFINE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, John H. Shadduck, Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 9649116
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: DFINE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Germain
  • Patent number: 9610110
    Abstract: The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the flow of bone cement into the interior of a vertebra and the application of forces causes by the cement flow. An exemplary system utilizes Rf energy in combination a conductive bone cement for selectively polymerizing the inflow plume to increase the viscosity of the cement. In one aspect of the invention, the system utilizes a controller to control bone cement flow parameters to either allow or disallow cement interdigitation into cancellous bone. A method of the invention includes pulsing the flows of bone cement wherein high acceleration of the flow pulses can apply expansion forces across the surface of the cement plume to reduce a vertebral fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 9610117
    Abstract: Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Germain